Crêpe Pans – Yes or No

People often ask, “Do I really need a crêpe pan to make good crêpes?” Here’s what I tell them. Of course you don’t have to have a crêpe pan to make crêpes. Let’s face it, crêpes have supposedly been around since biblical times. Do you really think those 1st century folks had nifty little flat pans for making crêpes, or whatever they were called back in the day? Of course not. One writer even suggests that the earliest crêpe makers prepared them by pouring the batter onto flat stones made hot in the fire.

IMG_2649Sounds doable, but hardly a convenient way to turn out a classic crêpe by today’s standards. And convenience is what crêpe pans are all about. Just look at the design of today’s classic crêpe pan. These streamlined beauties have a super-low profile, barely one-half inch from the cooking surface to the top of the pan’s rim. Why such low sides? Easy. First, crêpes don’t spatter, so there’s no real reason to have high sides. Second, you need to be able to slip your spatule (crêpe turner) under the crêpe to turn it over for that 30 second cook on the second side. High pan sides just get in the way of that move. And third, the low sides of a classic crêpe pan let you slide the finished crêpe right out of the pan on to a waiting plate. Oh, one more reason a low profile pan is a must. If you’ve learned how to flip your crêpes, without using a spatule you for sure want a lowsided pan. Sorry, high sides just don’t belong on a proper crêpe pan.

Then there’s the shape of the crêpe to think about. Crêpes need to be flat from edge to edge. That’s why crêpe pans are designed with a totally flat cooking surface. And instead of curved sides, you will notice that crêpe pans usually have angled (but small) sides to them. That way, when you pour in your crêpe batter and swirl it around to cover the cooking surface the crêpe will cook flat with no curved edges. And the low, angled sides to the pan makes it perfect for either slipping your crêpe turner under the crêpe, or for flipping it. Incidentally, once you learn the simple knack of flipping your crêpes you won’t want your crêpe turner anymore. And all your friends, relatives and neighbors will “wow” and clap when your beautiful crêpe arcs up and lands right back in the pan where it’s supposed to. Great fun!
So, yes, you really need a crêpe pan to make good crêpes. So take the plunge and get one. It’ll last you forever (well, almost) and you’ll wonder why you ever waited. Next time we’ll talk about the various types of crêpe pans. ‘Til then, don’t forget our motto, “The world would be a better place if we all got together and had crêpes.”