Mexican and South American cuisines are some of the tastiest and most appetizing in the world. Well, when discussing these dishes, you cannot skip tacos, arepas, quesadillas, burritos, and fajita.
If you love such food, you definitely need the best comal for tortillas. This traditional Mexican cooking utensil is designed to make sure the tortillas come out nice and evenly cooked.
The amazing thing about a comal is that it is unbelievably versatile. Even though it is ideally for making tortillas, you can use it to prepare a range of other foods. You could use it for searing meat, sautéing spices and veggies, grilling fish, and frying potatoes.
If you’re looking for a favorable model, you’re in the right place. I’ll help you avoid the hassle of the search by telling you about the market’s favorite models. These are durable, non-stick comals that cook efficiently.
Let’s jump in.
Image | Name | Editor's Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Griddle | 5 out of 5 | |
| Cuisinart Chef's Classic 10-Inch Pan for Tortillas | 5 out of 5 | |
| Futura Non-stick Flat Dosa Tava Griddle | 4.5 out of 5 | |
 | Calphalon Contemporary Aluminum Nonstick Comal Tortilla Pan | 4 out of 5 | |
| Mineral B Carbon Steel Crepe/Tortilla Pan | 4.5 out of 5 |
Top 6 Best Comal For Tortillas In 2022
1. Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Griddle , 10.5-Inch
Lodge Cast Iron is one of the oldest cookware companies, being in operation since 1896. Apart from its long history and experience, what sets the brand apart is the fact that its products are all-American. When it comes to great craftsmanship, almost nothing beats Lodge Cast Iron.
If you’re looking for the best comal for tortillas, you may want to look at the Lodge Pre-Seasoned cast iron skillet for tortillas, a heavy-duty unit with great construction.
The tool has a wide diameter of 10.5 inches, which makes it suitable for not only making tortillas but also a wide range of other forms of cooking. You can use it for searing, sautéing, baking, braising, and broiling meat, veggies, and other foods.
When it comes to comals, the material makes all the difference. This unit is made of a cast-iron gauge with the right thickness. It heats up efficiently and retains the heat, making it a favorable tool for the recipes that require high, stable heat.
Ever seen or eaten a tortilla that was unevenly cooked? One of the reasons why that happens is using a poor-quality pan that provides uneven heating. Thankfully, the Lodge comal has a good, thick, and high-grade material that heats up evenly, meaning your food cooks uniformly.
The heavy-gauge material keeps the unit firm and stable on your cooktop. Hence, you can spin those tortillas without your pan shaking or moving.
Lastly, I imagine you’re not looking to have to replace your comal any time soon. If you want a rugged unit that will last decades, the Lodge griddle will be a good pick. You can use it on all sorts of cooking surfaces from campfires and ovens to grills and stoves.
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2. Cuisinart Chef's Classic 10-Inch Pan for Tortillas
Cuisinart is a common household name throughout the US. The brand is virtually synonymous with kitchen tools, especially food processors and cookware.
If you need a good US-made comal pan, follow closely as I tell you what the Cuisinart Chef's Classic Crepe Pan 10-Inch has to offer.
This cookware is built from aluminum. Though not as tough and durable as iron or steel, aluminum excels at conducting heat. Another fantastic advantage is that aluminum is lightweight. Hence, you have a thick and adequately strong comal that won’t be a hassle to carry around. The item actually weighs in at 1 pound, which might be very convenient for you.
Recognizing the inadequacy of aluminum at standing up to rough use, Cuisinart offers extra fortification. What I mean is, the exterior is anodized with Quan Tanium, a tough, titanium-reinforced compound that offers additional sturdiness. Aside from being wear-resistant, Quantanium is food-grade and safe when used with normal cooking temperatures, under 500 °F.
Ever struggled with tortillas or other food sticking to the surface of your pan? Well, you can say goodbye to the issue.
The quantanium coating on this pan provides a nonstick surface that works very effectively. With the tool, you never have to worry about your tortillas, eggs, omelets, or any other food getting stuck there. They come out nice and intact.
Having a diameter of 10 inches, the pan has a large-enough surface for small and big tortillas alike. You can use it to make more food at once.
It is pleasing to see what a nice handle comes firmly attached to this utensil. The stainless-steel handle is long, about 6 inches, so it offers enough gripping surface. What’s even more amazing about it is that it stays cool on the stovetop.
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3. Futura Non-stick Flat Dosa Tava Griddle, 11-inch
Hawkins Futura offers a beautiful combination of form and function. For truly elegant cookware, look its way and you won’t get disappointed.
The Futura Non-stick Flat Dosa Tava Griddle is one of the most attractive comals there are in the market. It is made of anodized aluminum with a very fine slightly glossy finish. The handle is attached in an angled design where it is lifted off 4 inches from the pan, in an apparently elegant fashion.
What is even elegant is the stainless-steel material of the handle and that glossy silicone handle.
A lot of benefits lie in the construction of this tool. First off, the hard anodizing of the aluminum material comes in handy for boosting the resilience. Because of that, this is a griddle that you can rely on for decades. Unlike cheaper models, it will not chip, crack, pit, corrode, dull, or undergo other forms of degradation any time soon.
Additionally, the anodizing creates a good surface that your food will not stick to.
When cooking tortillas, the evenness of the heat is a crucial factor. Without the heat being even, the tortillas cook ununiformly, which ruins the appearance and texture. Now, the thickness of the pan is one of the factors that determine whether the heat distribution will be even or not.
Understand that, the manufacturer of this unit made is 4.88mm thick. That way, the material retains the heat better and spreads it uniformly to make even cooking possible.
The raised design of the handle is meant to keep your hands protected from the heat. In addition, the handle is insulated with non-slip silicone material. Getting the pan out of the heat is, thus, safe and convenient.
I like how the handle is attached to the pan with three sturdy rivets. Unlike some units I have encountered, the handle on this comal doesn't shake but stays firm.
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4. Calphalon Contemporary Aluminum Nonstick Comal Tortilla Pan
Round comals are too common. If you’d like to try something different, the Calphalon Contemporary Aluminum Nonstick Square Griddle Pan might be just what you need. As the name tells you, it is a square-shaped cooking pan.
The first thing that drew my attention was the looks. This comal looks unique and gives a touch of elegance with its slightly glossy black finish and the silver handle.
Other than the aesthetics, the cookware offers unbelievable sturdiness. Yes, it is made of aluminum, but the unit is hard-anodized, which makes it resistant to the various forms of degradation that affect cheaper pans. It is resistant to chipping and cracking, and it will not tarnish.
If there’s one thing that can give you constant worry when cooking on a pan, it is your food sticking to the surface. Luckily, the Calphalon pan is crafted in a way that you never have to hold such worry. It is a PFOA-free multi-layer, which food cannot stick to.
I take it you care for your health and that of your loved ones. One way you can adopt a healthy feeding lifestyle is by reducing the amount of fat/oil you consume.
Bringing pans into this context, some models require more fat than others. The Calphalon griddle, with its PFOA-free non-stick multi-layer, needs very little oil. If you want to do low-fat cooking, you will find the tool very helpful.
When shopping for a comal, you probably want to know what heat sources it is compatible with. What makes this model so suitable is its outstanding compatibility.
You can use it with a campfire and any stovetop, electric, halogen, or gas. As long as the heat level is not past 450 °F, you can safely use the cookware.
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5. Mineral B Carbon Steel Crepe/Tortilla Pan 12-Inch
Up to this moment, I’ve only talked about pans with a short wall. This is perfect for tortillas and pancakes as these foods are relatively thin.
But you might need a unit you could also use for searing meat, sautéing vegetables, and doing other forms of cooking that need a higher wall. If that is what you’re looking for, check out the Mineral B Carbon Steel Crepe/Tortilla Pan.
When cooking tortillas – 1, you need to turn them from time to time to make them cook uniformly. For that, you have to use a spatula. But depending on the design of the cooking pan, it can be hard or easy to use the tool.
Tell you what? The wall of this pan has an outward slanting design, which is extremely convenient for sliding a spatula under the food.
How your comal is made and what the tool is made of have a lot of significance in not only the longevity of the comal but also its efficiency.
This unit is made of carbon steel, a greatly strong material that gives the griddle resistance to elements. As a matter of fact, the unit lasts a lifetime without getting damaged.
In addition, the robust construction keeps the pan resistant to heat. You can even put it in the oven for up to 20 minutes at a temperature of 400 °F.
Often, you have to season your tortilla pan when comal pan when you get it. The process is not difficult, but it can be exhausting for some of us. Again, you could be looking to use it right away.
In support of these needs, Mineral B has availed a unit that is pre-seasoned. It uses 100% beeswax, which is effective but safe for your health.
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6. OXO Good Grips Non-Stick Square Griddle – 11-Inch
The last item on our list is the OXO Good Grips Non-Stick Square Griddle. This is a quality item OXO Stores, an online kitchen tool brand that has truly revolutionized cooking with some of the most innovative tools and accessories.
The utensil has a fabulous square shape and a very nice dark-gray finish. It is a truly unique and elegant tool that you’ll be proud to have in your kitchen.
Aside from the fantastic look, this comal has a quite thoughtful construction. Firstly, the size is excellent for large meals and more servings. It is a flat and wide 11 by 11-inch surface that holds more food than the smaller, curved models.
The wall is less than an inch high, so working with a spatula is a piece of cake. You just slide it in without any restriction.
If you love sauces and reductions, you will find the construction of the edge quite helpful. How, you ask? Perhaps you’ve worked with a pan that created drip in the past. In this model, the edge is rolled, meaning you’ll be able to do drip-free pouring.
Durability is a vital consideration that depends on how the tool is crafted. This comal is German-engineered from aluminum. The material is then anodized to reinforce it, making it resilient to damage.
One of the benefits accrued is that the heat retention is excellent. That, in turn, makes speedy, even cooking possible.
The next perk is the resistance to elements. This is not the kind of tool with a finish that gets easily damaged by other utensils like spatulas. It is highly resistant to scratching.
A nice non-stick surface is something we all look for when seeking a tortilla griddle. Thankfully, this multiplayer unit is non-stick. Owing to that, this pan is easy to clean, and fortunately, it is dishwasher-safe.
Lastly, the tool comes with a fine, contoured handle. Rivetted, long, and made of stainless steel, the handle does a good job providing a cool gripping surface.
If you want a big comal for tortillas, be sure to check out the OXO Good Grips Non-Stick Square Griddle.
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Comparison Table
Name | Shape & size | Material | Maximum temperature (°F) | Pre-seasoned |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Griddle | Round, 10.5-inch | Cast Iron | 600 | Yes |
Cuisinart Chef's Pan | Round, 10-inch | Hard-anodized aluminum | 500 | No |
Futura Non-stick Tava Griddle | Round, 11-inch | Hard-anodized aluminum | 450 | No |
Calphalon Griddle Pan | Square, 11-inch | Hard-anodized aluminum | 450 | No |
Mineral B Carbon Steel Crepe | Round, 12-inch | Carbon steel | 400 | Yes |
OXO Griddle | Square, 11-inch | Hard-anodized aluminum | 430 | No |
How to Choose Comal for Cooking Tortillas?
Lots of people ask me how to get an authentic Mexican comal. They want to be sure that the tortillas will come out superb in form and taste. However, in the real sense, it is not “made in Mexico” that matters, but rather things like the non-stickiness, durability, ease of use, heat retention, and so on.
To help you get a durable unit that works efficiently, I have composed a list of what to consider when shopping for the best comal for tortillas.
Material (What it is made of)
An effective comal is one that is able to retain heat and spread it evenly. The material that the utensil is made of is the main thing that will determine this factor.
A griddle can be made of any strong metal from stainless steel to aluminum, but the ideal material for heat retention is cast iron. Apart from that, a comal made of cast iron heats up uniformly.
Another great perk of cast iron is that it is heavy. That means it will not move or shake on the stove when you’re cooking.
Also, heat tolerance makes cast iron superior to the rest of the materials. For instance, while anodized aluminum can only withstand temperatures of around 400 °F, cast iron can withstand over 600 °F heat levels.
But for various reasons, you might be looking for a lighter-weight model. Maybe you just don’t want to struggle to carry your pan. In that case, I’d recommend buying one made of aluminum. This material is not as tough and durable as cast iron, but it still works and it is lighter. For the purpose of strength, heat tolerance, and durability, make sure the aluminum is anodized.
Design
Design refers to how the unit is made. For example, does what color is it? Mostly, comals are black or gray.
But most importantly, with regard to the design, look at the size of the unit. Depending on your needs and what you want to use the tool for, you may need a small or large size.
If you live alone and will only make meals for one person most of the time, a smaller unit is okay. But if you have a family or you just need to make bigger meals at once, go for a large-size pan. In the review above, for instance, the 12-inch Mineral B Carbon Steel Crepe/Tortilla Pan is the best suited for larger meals.
Another factor that determines the size of the food the tool can accommodate is whether the surface is flat or not. Flat surfaces allow you to prepare more food than convex ones.
Something else you might want to look at is the shape of the pan. The common shapes are round and square, and from my perspective, your choice should be a matter of preference. For instance, if you want the food to come out square-shaped, then you’ll choose a square comal.
Size of the edge
When using a tortilla pan, you will likely need to put a spatula in there. Don’t go for a pan with a very high wall/edge, as that will make it harder to insert the spatula. A low edge that is bent outward is ideal.
With regard to the design, a rolled edge is great as it reduces dripping. This factor is very helpful if you’ll be pouring liquids or semi-liquids like sauces from the pan.
Non-stick surface
Have you ever used a pan that wouldn’t let your food go without tearing it or without having to dig below with a spatula? It is quite frustrating to use a pan with a sticky surface.
But a pan that releases your food readily makes cooking tortillas and other foods easy and fun. Hence, non-stickiness is one of the paramount features you want in a griddle.
Realize that non-stickiness is not an innate feature of most materials. Rather it is made possible by coating the surface with various compounds, a popular one being quantanium. Although quantanium is safe in normal cooking heat levels of less than 500 °F, some non-stick coatings are unsafe for your health. To be on the safe side, look for a tool that is free of PTFE and PFOA.
Handle Quality
I haven’t seen a comal that didn’t come with a handle but the design and material of the handle matters.
The purpose of the handle is to provide a means to carry the unit from place to place. Moreover, it provides a gripping surface when using the griddle.
A longer handle is better than a shorter one in that the length reduces the heat coming from the pan. The handle should be nicely riveted to the pan so that it doesn't shake.
As for the material, stainless steel is a favorable choice for durability. Also, the material loses heat relatively fast, which helps keep the handle cool. It’d be nice to have a heat-resistant piece of rubber or plastic added to make the handle absolutely safe to hold when the comal is on the stovetop.
Common Qestions and Answers
1. What is a tortilla comal?
A comal is a flat griddle traditionally crafted from clay, but now usually made of cast iron, steel, aluminum, and other materials. It is mostly used in South and Central America and in Mexico to make tortillas.
2. What can I cook in a comal?
Typically, a comal is used to make tortillas. However, there’s an endless list of the items you can make using the griddle. You can sear, sauté, fry, bake, grill, broil, and braise a whole range of foods from meat and wheat to vegetables and spices.
Folks use them to prepare fish fillets, broiled meat, arepas, pancakes, meatballs, burgers, omelets, and many other foods.
3. Can I use my tortillas comal on a glass stove?
The good thing with tortilla griddles is that they can be used on virtually any cooker. You can use it on an electric, gas, or solvent cooker without any issues. Due to their tough nature, these tools can also be used with a campfire.
4. Is it necessary to season my comal pan?
Unless your tortilla pan comes already seasoned, like the Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Griddle (first in the review above), seasoning is crucial. The importance of seasoning is to make sure your food will not stick to the surface. When you season the pan, you fill the small pores on its surface, thereby making sure food will not stick therein.
To season your pan, start by rubbing a spoon of cooking oil over its surface. Without wiping away the oil, put the tool in the oven for 60 minutes at a temperature of 350 °F.
After that, remove the pan and wipe away the remaining oil before allowing the unit to cool down. Once the pan is cool, put it in the oven for an extra one hour at the same temperature as before.
Conclusion
It is fun to use a comal to prepare your favorite meals such as tortillas, eggs, pancakes, broiled meat, and more. However, an inferior comal can take away the fun and bring disappointment. That is the reason why you got to choose your unit carefully.
If you’re seeking the best comal for tortillas and other foods, the models in the review are favorable choices. These are top-rated products with incredible toughness, heat resistance, non-stickiness, an ergonomic handle, and other features to give you a good experience.
When making your choice, consider your needs. For instance, a larger model like the 12-inch Mineral B Carbon Steel Crepe/Tortilla Pan might be a great choice if you have a large family, as it has a big cooking surface area.
To wrap it up, be sure to clean your tortilla griddle appropriately. Leaving a dirty oil residue layer on it will cause it to degrade and lose its non-sticky nature. Consider handwashing rather than using the dishwasher and use a soft towel to protect the non-stick coating.
Related article that you may like:
- How to Use or Heat a Tortilla Warmer
- How to use a tortilla press - Easy guideline.
- Choose the best cast iron tortilla press for homemade tortillas.
- Top 10 brownie pans with buying guide lists for you.
About the Author
Tamara J. Sims
EXECUTE CHEF
As a seasoned kitchen and food writer, Tamara has a remarkable ability to weave words together, transporting readers to the heart of the culinary world. Tamara’s articles are written with an engaging blend of insightful commentary, honesty, and real-world examples based on personal experiences. She has the ability to captivate seasoned food enthusiasts and novice cooks alike.
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