Best Crepe Pan
Do you like crepes? Make them at home! In today’s article, I’ll help you find the right crepe pan on the market.
Whenever I hear the word ‘crepe’, a swarm of “Ooh la, la!”, French-sounding thoughts start popping up in my head. Weird, ha? Maybe it’s because that word sounds so fancy, or perhaps it’s just me.
Anyways, I do love these marvelous, thin pancakes, especially when they’re filled with chocolate and banana! Even though there’s nothing in the world that I like more than a good creperie, I also enjoy making crepes at home for my family.
Many folks don’t realize just how easy it is to prepare this food, and not only that – it is also way cheaper and gives you more flavor options too.
If you want to try and make a stack of crepes yourself, I’d advise you first to get your hands on the perfect crepe pan you can find, and my article can help you with that.
Enjoy! 🙂
Why Buy a Crepe Pan?
– “But Barb, I already have a pan. Do I really need to buy a special one for crepes?”
Well, yes and no; it depends on what you like.
- No, because you can make perfectly good crepes in a regular pan, except they will be smaller.
- Yes, if you want to have ideal, picture-perfect crepes that are as big as the ones you’d get in a creperie.
Remember that a crepe pan can be multi-functional too, so if you, for some reason, do not have any pans, I’d suggest just buying a crepe pan. Yes, its edges are a bit lower than those of a standard pan, but this shouldn’t be a problem when cooking most other foods.
Related: Most Recommended Pancake Griddles; Which is the Best Pancake Mix?
What to Look for in Crepe Pans?
1. Size
Most crepe pans have a diameter of 8 to 12 inches, and since French crepes are usually wider than 10 inches, try to find as big a pan as possible. Anything else is less than satisfactory, in my humble opinion.
Note that you need to take into account the edge of the pan when considering the size. For instance, an 11″ pan will give you a 10″ crepe, so do some math before making the purchase.
2. Design
I like pans that look nice, but the appearance is secondary to their functionality. Pans have to be designed so that they promote ease of use and effectiveness above all.
The first feature that you need to pay attention to is the height of the rim. A lower rim is what you’ll want as it will make it easier to slide the crepe out of the pan.
The second feature that you want to look for is a thick bottom, as this will help cook the crepes evenly.
Last, the handle should be long and comfortable.
3. Induction cooktop compatibility
If you have an induction stovetop, make sure that the pan is compatible with it because not all of them are. Pans that are made from non-ferrous metals need to have a base made of copper or steel if they are to be used on an induction cooktop. If you’re using good ol’ flames, don’t worry about this.
4. Coating
As you may or may not know, some non-stick coatings release toxic chemicals and thus endanger your health. For example, PTFE and PFOA are chemicals that can be found in Teflon and they get released when cooking at high temperatures. With that being said, if you want a non-stick pan, look for one without these harmful components.
5. Handles
A handle needs to be strong and heat-proof since you’ll need to get a good grip on it when making crepes.
6. Cleaning
Crepe pans are usually not difficult to clean, but how you do it depends on the pan. Some are dishwasher-safe, but most of them have to be washed with a sponge and then dried with a cloth. Certain types do require very soft cloths to avoid damaging their surface, and these are usually the non-stick ones.
Pan materials
1. Cast iron
Heavy, durable, and if properly maintained, this pan can last you a lifetime. Folks who are worried about various chemicals leeching into the food during cooking should definitely choose cast iron as it does not employ any non-stick coating.
This, of course, means that you’ll need to use more oil so your crepes might be a bit greasier. An interesting thing about this material is that it develops a patina throughout regular use which actually improves its non-stick ability. How cool is that!?
2. Carbon steel
If you liked what cast iron has to offer, then check out carbon steel. It has the durability of iron but with a better cooking surface. This material reacts quickly to temperature changes which makes it optimal for ceramic or glass cooktops. One of its disadvantages is its high vulnerability to acidic foods which can cause corrosion.
3. Stainless steel
Stainless steel pans usually have copper or aluminum bases in order to make them compatible with induction stovetops. However, they are a poor heat conductor and might make the cooking process slower. On the upside, they are as durable as iron but much lighter which makes them easier to use. These pans commonly come with a non-stick coating.
4. Aluminum
Aluminum pans are light, super-easy to handle, and their heat distribution is usually excellent. However, they lack durability compared to the other types of pans out there. If you really want an aluminum pan, but you also want it to last, go for one that was anodized.
Another characteristic of these pans is the non-stick coating that almost all of them have. It makes cooking easier, but it tends to get damaged easily which is not so good.
Most Recommended Crepe Pans: Detailed Reviews 2022
Cook n Home Non-Stick Crepe Pan
Aluminum lovers, behold, the majestic Cook n Home crepe pan, made especially for you! This is an affordable and light piece of cookware that will not leave you disappointed.
The Cook n Home pan has a 10.25″ diameter, with 8.5″ of an active cooking surface. This isn’t too shabby, but you’ll not be able to make very big crepes with this one. Its edges are not very high, and its low angle will allow the pancake to slide out easily.
If you have an induction cooktop, do not go for this one as it is not compatible with these kinds of stoves. The handle is fairly long, heat-proof, and ergonomic, so moving it around it is not a problem at all.
Now, as far as the non-stick coating is concerned, this pan has it and it works like a charm. Cooking without a drop of oil is possible with Cook n Home. Another thing that makes cooking easier is the heavy gauge aluminum the pan is made from. It distributes the heat evenly as it prevents the formation of hotspots.
This pan is not dishwasher safe, and it is best if you clean it with a soft sponge so that the coating doesn’t get damaged.
What I Liked
- Heavy-gauge aluminum has good heat distribution
- The non-stick coating is excellent
- Heat-proof handle
- Light but durable
- Cheap
What I Didn’t Like
- Not compatible with induction cooktops
- Not very big
Nordic Ware Steel Crepe Pan
This pan is as traditional as it gets but better! Nordic Ware created this product with classic French crepe pans in mind, and I think they succeeded in their mission. Let’s inspect this one a bit further.
The overall size of the pan is 10″ which leaves it with 8.5″ of cooking surface, and this is enough to make a decent-sized crepe. The edges of the pan might be a bit higher than usual, but this is not a problem because their angle is rather low.
It can be used on all types of stovetops, including induction, so you won’t have to worry about this. Its bare, stainless-steel handle is long, heat-proof and enables easy maneuvering.
The pan has a non-stick coating so you can cook on it without any oil. It’s made from aluminized steel, a material with superior heat distribution properties that will help the crepes to cook evenly.
When it comes to washing, it is advisable to use a mild detergent and a soft sponge with this one as it is not dishwasher safe.
What I Liked
- Authentic French crepe pan design
- Non-stick surface works well
- Affordable
What I Didn’t Like
- The relatively small cooking surface
- Not dishwasher safe
Cuisinart 623-24 Chef’s Classic Crepe Pan
Looking for a versatile crepe pan? Cuisinart 623-24 might be just what you need.
The pan’s diameter amounts to 10″ which means that the cooking surface is a tiny bit smaller than that. However, this one has rounded edges that will let you cook slightly bigger crepes as the batter “climbs” up the rim.
As the exterior of the pan is aluminum, it cannot be used on induction stovetops. The handle is plain, strong, provides a necessary firm grip, and it doesn’t heat up.
Now, what makes Cuisinart 623-24 so unique? The answer: its construction. The exterior is made from hard-anodized aluminum which is durable, crack/abrasion-resistant, and a good heat distributor.
The interior is made from, what the company calls, Quantum – a coating mixture with pieces of titanium in it. This gives the pan its great non-stick properties and makes it oven safe as well.
The pan is not dishwasher-safe, so you’ll have to clean it by hand, but I assure you that this isn’t difficult.
What I Liked
- Sturdy and durable construction
- Good non-stick properties
- Oven-safe
- Heat-proof handle
- Good price
What I Didn’t Like
- Not compatible with induction cooktops
- Not dishwasher-safe
Related article: Copper Chef Pan Reviews 2022
Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Crepe Pan
Last but not least, Le Creuset is a French-inspired crepe pan that will satisfy any old-school chef at heart. It comes fully equipped with a wooden crepe spreader and spatula, so all you need to do is make the batter.
The pan’s size is 10″ 3/4,’ and it has a very low rim and rounded edges, so the active cooking surface is only a wee bit smaller than its overall size. Handling your crepes will be a piece of cake with this pan.
The material used for this one is cast iron, which means that it is compatible with induction stoves, as well as any other kind of stove. It can tolerate very high temperatures both on the cooktop and in the oven.
The handle is rather short, compared to other pans in today’s reviews, but this is not necessarily a problem. What is important is that it is heat-proof and strong so that gripping it is made easy.
Let’s talk about its construction. I’ve mentioned that it is made from cast iron which makes it highly durable and sturdy. It is also coated with enamel which gives it excellent non-stick properties and makes it easy to clean. The exterior of the pan is painted cherry red, and I just adore this look.
Washing the pan is best done by hand, and make sure not to soak it in cold water as it might damage the coating.
What I Liked
- Beautiful appearance
- Durable and sturdy construction
- Great non-stick properties
- Comes with a spreader and spatula
- Oven-safe
What I Didn’t Like
- Not dishwasher safe
- Requires careful washing
- Expensive
La Crepiere Non-Stick Crepe Pan by Josef Strauss
Folks who like fuss-free, functional, and straightforward things will definitely take a liking to La Crepiere by Josef Strauss.
This is a 10″ pan with very steep edges which increases its cooking surface, which is still not the full 10″ but is close. The shallow rim is makes flipping and removing crepes super simple.
It is made from aluminum but doesn’t let it bother you as this pan is induction stove-ready. Yes, you can use it with an induction cooktop. However, there were some complaints that it doesn’t heat up well with induction, so maybe you’ll want to look into that a bit more.
Le Crepiere has a long, ergonomic handle that stays cool while cooking and is really convenient for pancake flipping.
As I’ve already mentioned, the pan is made of aluminum which implies that it has some kind of non-stick coating. You’ll be happy to know that this product does not release any harmful chemicals during cooking as it is made without PFOA’s. It’s also pretty durable, and you can even use metal utensils with it.
Furthermore, Le Crepiere is oven safe up to 350 F and is the first pan in this list that’s dishwasher-safe.
What I Liked
- Sturdy and durable
- Oven safe up to 350 F
- Good non-stick properties
- Dishwasher-safe
- PFOA-free
What I Didn’t Like
- Relatively expensive
- Reports of not heating up well on induction stoves
The Final Word
I know that you’re eager to meet the winner of this roundup and I won’t hold you back. Here we go!
I chose Cook N Home Non-Stick Crepe Pan as the top crepe pan in this list. There are two main reasons for my decision: it’s cheap, and it makes fantastic crepes! Yes, it isn’t as big as I’d like it to be but that’s not a big issue.
The truth with non-stick coated pans is that they usually don’t last very long, and if you find a good and affordable one, you can easily buy a new one whenever the old pan gets scratched.
So what do you think about my reviews? Did I miss anything? Let me know in the comments!