3 Best Pans or Tavas for Making Dosa
Have you ever tried a dosa? Originating from the Indian subcontinent, these crepe-like pancakes come in several variants: crispy, soft, spicy, healthy & more.
Whether you are someone who enjoys a bit of a change from the traditional crepe or you’ve known dosas and loved them all your life, you have to know that to make a good dosa, you will need a good pan.
How to choose the best pans/tavas for making dosa? The pans most suited for dosas are called “iron cast tava”. They’re ultra-flat pans designed specifically for the purpose of making dosas and similar dishes.
The pan should ideally be non-stick, as when your dosa gets stuck to the pan, the entire pancake may be ruined.
Picking the right pan or tava for dosa is no easy task. For that reason, we’ve prepared a list of our favorite pans and a complementary buying guide to help you make your choice. Read on to find out how to make the most delicious dosa ever thanks to your brand new pan.
Top 3 Tavas for Making Dosa
Here are 3 of the best pans for making dosa out there:
| Rank | Product | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Hawkins Futura Nonstick Tava | Non-stick, hard anodized aluminum, 13" |
| 2. | Vinod MT30 Non-stick Flat Multi Tawa | PFOA-free, virgin aluminum, 12" |
| 3. | YADNESH Induction Base Non-Stick Dosa Tava | Non-stick, induction compatible, 1-" |
You can check out the pros and cons of each one below.
1. Hawkins Futura Non-Stick Tava
This 13-inch tava is the absolute best choice when it comes to finding the right pan for your dosas. Specifically designed to suit both expert Indian cooks and those curious about the cuisine, it has everything you need in a dosa pan.
Key Features:
- Non-stick coating
- Extra thick – allows for even heating
- The handle stays cool no matter the temperature
It’s quite rare that a manufacturer manages to check all the boxes with any kind of product. The reason for that is simple – most people are looking for all sorts of different things. This is not the case when it comes to preparing dosa.
Dosa, while delicious, can be fragile and require a pretty specific sort of pan to be done well. Indian natives have long since perfected the art of making dosa, and as such, we know exactly what to look for.
This tava contains everything you might want in a dosa pan. It’s made out of heavy-gauge, hard-anodized aluminum. This allows for proper heat distribution and in turn creates crispy, delicious dosas.
The non-stick coating of the surface ensures that your dosas will never stick to it. This is crucial, as you don’t want to waste your time and products on dosas that end up stuck to the pan.
The handle of this pan stays cool even during the process of cooking. It’s rather thick at 0.19 inch.
You will be pleased to know that this tava, with its non-stick surface, can cook all your favorite foods without adding extra fats such as oil and butter. You will be able to make healthy dosas that will be crispy and as perfect as can be.
Pros
- Thick 13-inch tava, ideal for making dosas
- Non-stick surface
- Allows you to cook with no oil or butter
- Suited for both experts and beginners
Cons
- Not ideal for induction ovens – a gas flame is preferred
2. Vinod MT30 Non-Stick Flat Multi Tawa
This perfectly flat, rather thin tava is a great option for those who don’t enjoy the feel of an iron-cast, heavy-weight pan in their hands.
Key Features:
- Surprisingly light
- 3-coat non-stick pan surface
- Suitable for use with metal spoons
In terms of shape and size, this tava is exactly what you need to prepare a good dosa. It’s perfectly flat, coated with a non-stick finish, and does not have a rim.
The benefits of a non-stick finish are many. First of all, this tava actually has a 3-coat surface. Two of the layers provide extra durability and protection, while the last one makes sure that your dosa never sticks to the pan.
As you may know, this is absolutely necessary. You should never consider buying a tava that does not have a non-stick feature.
The bottom of this pan is flat, which makes for crispy dosas and allows for an even heat distribution. You can use it to make other types of food as well, such as roti and chapaati, or even stir-fried vegetables if you’re careful. Remember that it does not have a rim.
It will work perfectly with a gas flame stovetop. An electric stovetop will be a bit less ideal, but it will do. However, it’s worth noting that it will not be suited to an induction stove.
It’s just big enough for the perfect dosa, and it will surely bring many benefits to your kitchen while not taking up a lot of space.
Pros
- 3-layer non-stick coating
- The ceramic is reinforced right through
- Requires much less oil or butter for cooking
Cons
- Not suited to induction stoves
3. YADNESH Induction Base Non-Stick Dosa Tava
This unique tava stands out not only on our list, but on the market in general. It has a mix of features that make it suited to those who are looking for a less traditional option for their dosas.
Key Features:
- Compact size: 10 inches width
- Comes with a wooden spoon and a plastic scrubber
- Sturdy cool-to-touch handle
This tava, unlike the previous models, is suitable for use on an induction stovetop. If you have an induction stove and want to make dosas, you may have a bit of a hard time finding the right tava – this one is a strong contender. It is also compatible with gas flame stovetops.
It stands out in yet another way. As opposed to many dosa pans, this one comes with a rim. While many choose and prefer to use tavas without a rim when making dosas, it doesn’t mean that you can’t use a rimmed pan for that purpose.
In fact, some people recommend it – it all comes down to individual preference.
It has a non-stick surface, which is an absolute must when it comes to dosas, and it is remarkably easy to handle and clean. It’s rather thick (measuring at 3 mm), but not overly heavy. As such, even a beginner in the arts of Indian cuisine will be able to handle this tava.
Pros
- Not just a tava – it also comes with a plastic scrubber and a wooden spoon
- Dishwasher safe
- Compatible with induction stovetops
Cons
- It has a rim – many people prefer tavas that do not have one.
Tava for Dosa Buying Guide
Now that you’re familiar with some of the best pan models on the market, you may still be wondering: which one of those is the right one for me? If that’s you, we recommend that you take a look at our buying guide.
Consider the properties you may need in your pan & pick the one that is the most tailored to your expectations.
Don’t Use a Regular Crepe Pan
While dosas are similar to crepes, they are typically made using designated pans referred to as tavas. An ideal tava should be around 13 inches in diameter and completely flat. It’s preferred that the tava doesn’t have a rim, and it should also be thick enough to retain heat.
Choosing a Tava
One of the crucial things that your tava should feature is a non-stick surface. As dosas can easily get stuck to the surface if you’re using the wrong pan, you may find yourself throwing away a lot of products that you would normally use and fully enjoy.
Natives that have been making dosas for years all recommend using cast-iron tavas. However, these pans are quite heavy. It’s up to you whether you want to go the cast-iron route or stick to lighter options.
Despite their weight, thick cast-iron tavas are often the best. They offer the greatest heat distribution thanks to their thick bottom, allowing your dosas to reach the perfect taste and color. When you choose a lighter pan, you may expect worse results.
Rimmed Pans
Generally, tavas do not come with a rim – and they don’t need to. As a dosa is made on a perfectly flat surface, you don’t have to worry about the batter dripping out of the pan. You do, however, need to ensure that your oven is even and not tilted in either direction.
Related Questions
If you still find yourself with questions, we are here to address the most common ones!
What to Do If My Dosa Is Sticking to the Pan?
If you use a non-stick tava, you shouldn’t have trouble with your dosa sticking to the pan. However, if you do run into this issue, you can easily prevent it. Before you start making dosa, heat the tava on a medium flame.
Next, sprinkle some water, allow it to evaporate, and then add 2-3 drops of oil. Rub the tava with half an onion. Only then spread the dosas on the pan.
What Else is an Indian Tava Used for?
Tavas have a variety of uses, so when you pick one up, you will not be stuck with just dosas – you’ll open the door to a variety of amazing recipes. Tavas are used to prepare a variety of flatbreads, such as Paratha, Chapati, Cheela and Dosa. You can also use them to stir-fry vegetables.
