A review of 5 beautiful jam pans that are suitable for all hob types including Aga, and Rayburn. 4 of the pans are ideal for induction hobs. Jam pans, also known as preserving pans or maslin pans are well worth getting if you want to make your own jams and preserves. Making your life easier in the jam-making process.
Why? Simply, their design may not seem that much different from your average cooking pan, however, all those small differences add up and make a big difference to how easy it is to make your jams and other preserves.
How The Jam Preserving Pan Helps You Make Better Jams and Other Preserves
If you are using a normal saucepan the problem you will get is the jam spitting out over everything when it gets hot. This really hurts and can be quite dangerous. You cannot use a lid as this holds in the moisture and stops or slows the jam reducing down.
If you are using a deep pan with tall sides to avoid the jam spitting this then slows down the process of the jam reducing down. It also can make it difficult to test the temperature of your jam using a thermometer as most are too short to use in a tall pan. Trying to put one into the pan with your hands can cause scolding from the confined heat of the pan.
Preserving jam pans avoid this as they are the correct height to avoid most splatters. The thermometers are designed to go into the pan, so are the correct length, and also most clip into the sides so making reading the temperature easier.
The pan is also tapered to let the steam rise and allow the jam to reduce down.
The Handle/s of the Jam Pan
It is vital to have a handle that sits above the pan. Ideally, it should stay upright and be high enough that your hand does not burn when lifting it. Some pans have an additional handle on the side to help with lifting, stability, and pouring.
The Pouring Lip
Ideally, these need to be shaped well to avoid splashes when pouring (use a funnel).
Heat Distribution
Your pan needs to cook your jam evenly so it doesn’t burn or stick. For this a nice flat base is essential.
Weight of the Pan
How easily can you lift it once it is full of hot jam or jelly mixture? You don’t want something too heavy as you need to be able to lift and manoeuvre your pan easily so you can pour your mixture into your jars with ease.
Materials Used
The most popular material used today is stainless steel. Stainless steel is hardwearing, strong, rust-resistant, does not react with some types of preserves, and distributes heat reasonably well. Other materials used are enamel or copper. Copper is popular for those who like tradition. It has excellent heat distribution, however, it can react with certain things you put into your pan causing some toxicity.
Quick Check For Points to Look Out for When Buying a New Pan
- Does it have markings on the inside?
- Does it retain heat easily?
- Does it have a pouring lip?
- Does it have a handle for lifting?
- Is the base of the pan flat?
- Is there even heat distribution?
- How heavy is the pan?
Individual Jam Pan Reviews
Below we have chosen 5 jam pans to review. They have been chosen not only for their outstanding quality and reliability but also for the range of hobs they can be used on and because each has different qualities than the others. This gives you a better overview of what is on offer and which kind of pan will best suit your own personal needs.
This gives you a better overview of what is on offer and which kind of pan will best suit your own personal needs. In addition to the stainless steel pans, there is also an enamel one and a copper jam pan as well.
The Kitchen Craft Stainless Steel Pan
- Quality: ♥♥♥♥♥
- Design: ♥♥♥♥♥
- Usability: ♥♥♥♥♥
- Heat Distribution: ♥♥♥♥♥
- Value for Money: ♥♥♥♥♥
This is one of the most popular jam pans on Amazon. With over 457 reviews at the time
of writing, it far outsells the other brands. And no wonder, it has all the features you need in a good pan for jam making and is great value for money to boot.
It has two handles that are strong and well-riveted. Guide markings on the inside and good even heat distribution to help prevent your jam from sticking.
The Amazon reviews are mostly great (4 and 5 stars) and people are happy with it.
Hob Types: All types of hob, including Woodburners, Agas and Rayburns
Suitable for Induction: Yes
Pan Size: 9 litres/2 gallons
Material: This pan is made of 18/10 stainless steel
Markings Inside: Yes it has imperial and metric markings on the inside
Pouring Lip: Yes. Well designed to avoid splashing when you are pouring
Handle for Lifting: Yes. It has a good quality heavy duty handle that you can fold down when you need to
Side Handle: Yes
Flat Base: Yes. It has a smooth flat encapsulated solid base so that you get even heat distribution
Even-Heat Distribution: Yes
Pan Weight: 1 Kg
Find out more on the Great Value Stainless Steel Maslin Pan
The Stylish Andrew James Jam Pan for the Induction Hob
- Quality: ♥♥♥♥♥
- Design: ♥♥♥♥♥
- Usability: ♥♥♥♥♥
- Heat Distribution: ♥♥♥♥♥
- Value for Money: ♥♥♥♥♥
This jam pan is both stylish and practical. It works really well on an induction hob. It has high-quality stainless steel 304 which means you have a triple base, this gives outstanding heat distribution which is even with no hot spots. However, makes the pan heavier than some other models.
It has high-quality stainless steel 304 which means you have a triple base, this gives outstanding heat distribution which is even with no hot spots. However, makes the pan heavier than some other models.
The trick is to heat up gradually and then lower the heat. The jam reaches its setting point very quickly.
Hob Types: This pan can be used on all kinds of hob
Suitable for Induction: Yes it is
Pan Size: 9 litres/2 gallons
Materials: It is made from corrosion-resistant high-quality stainless steel
Markings Inside: Yes both metric and imperial measurements are inside
Pouring Lip: Small pouring lip
Handle for Lifting: Yes but does not stay upright
Side Handle: Yes
Flat Base: Yes
Even-Heat Distribution: Yes it has excellent heat distribution
Pan Weight: 2.74 Kg
Read more on the Andrew James Jam Pan
The Elegant & Traditional Kilner Red Enamel Jam Pan
- Quality: ♥♥♥♥
- Design: ♥♥♥♥
- Usability: ♥♥♥♥♥
- Heat Distribution: ♥♥♥♥
- Value for Money: ♥♥♥♥♥
This red enamel pan is made of very strong and hard wearing carbon steel with an enamel outer coating. It is more maroon than red in colour.
Beautifully designed, it has tradition and style built in. It is easy to lift and handle. Be aware that the handle may get hot.
Loss of hearts: While most people found this pan fine in all categories, a few had trouble with burning and then cleaning afterward.
Hob Types: Suits all hob varieties
Suitable for Induction: Yes
Pan Size: 8 litres
Markings Inside: Yes, in pints and litres
Pouring Lip: Yes
Handle for Lifting: Yes
Side Handle: side handle
Flat Base: Yes
Even Heat Distribution: Mostly. Easy to get to jam setting point
Pan Weight: 2kg
The Red Traditional Kilner Enamel Jam Pan
The Beautifully Traditional Mauviel Copper Jam Pan
- Quality: ♥♥♥♥♥
- Design: ♥♥♥♥♥
- Usability: ♥♥♥
- Heat Distribution: ♥♥♥♥♥
- Value for Money: ♥♥♥♥♥
This stylish and practical copper jam pan is a must for those that love tradition. With its copper hammered surface and bronze handles. Due to the traditional materials involved this pan is the heaviest of our pans at 4.4 kg. It is also the largest holding a full 10 litres of jams or preserves.
Due to the traditional materials involved this pan is the heaviest of our pans at 4.4 kg. It is also the largest holding a full 10 litres of jams or preserves.
Loss of Hearts: The usability is reduced due to the lack of a high handle, pouring lip, and no markings. However, it is perhaps unfair to judge this as a failing as this is a traditional pan it is more fitting that it is designed that way.
Copper is a dream to use for jam-making as it changes the whole experience. It works differently, heats better, stops heating quickly when you want it to and is less restrictive when stirring.
Note: Copper is affected by the acid in fruit. And can taste funny. To avoid this follow the instructions carefully and do not leave fruit in it overnight.
Hob Types: All hob types except:-
Suitable for Induction: No Sorry not this one
Pan Size: 10 litres ( huge 18 litres one is also available
Markings Inside: No markings inside
Pouring Lip: No pouring lip
Handle for Lifting: No central handle
Side Handle: Two side handles
Flat Base: Yes
Even Heat Distribution: Yes, the copper makes heat distribution very even
Pan Weight: 4.4 Kg
More on the Mauviel Copper Jam Pan with Hammered Finish
VonShef Stainless-Steel Preserving Pan
Quality: ♥♥♥♥♥- Design: ♥♥♥♥♥
- Usability: ♥♥♥♥♥
- Heat Distribution: ♥♥♥♥♥
- Value for Money: ♥♥♥♥♥
This pan is great for cooking without burning due to the encapsulated aluminum base which allows longer cooking times without burning. At the same time the wider top allows for better evaporation of your liquids so reduces the time it takes to cook the preserves.
Hob Types: All heat sources
Suitable for Induction: Yes it is brilliant for induction hobs and fits them perfectly
Pan Size: 9 litre/2 Gallons
Markings Inside: Yes it has metric and imperial in cups and quarts
Pouring Lip: Yes
Handle for Lifting: Yes
Side Handle: Yes
Flat Base: Yes,
Even Heat Distribution Yes, with encapsulated aluminium for better heat retention and distribution
Pan Weight: Approx 2 KG
VonShef The High Quality Stainless Steel Maslin Jam Pan
So, Which Will, You Choose?
These jam pans have been chosen for their quality, style, usability and flexibility all but the copper one work on induction, although many users say some are better than others. Your final choice will depend on your personal preferences and cooking style and kitchen type.
There are advantages and disadvantages to each one. It really comes down to which is most convenient or preferred
Below are some points to consider when you are deciding:
- Would you prefer the copper tradition or the modern ease with the higher handle?
- Is economy more important than high-quality jams and preserves? Then the copper one is probably best left out as is much more expensive.
- Do you need a pouring lip? Then any pan is fine but the copper one.
- Do you struggle with heavy pans? If so the lightest pan the Kitchen Craft one.
- Easy to get to jam set point is the Kilner or the copper pan.
- Is burning and cleaning an issue? Then the copper pan or Andrew James one.
- Is a reactive material a concern? Then do not pick the copper one.
It is also well worth looking at the comment on the individual pans from various people both the good and the not so good to make sure it is the right jam pan for you.