Appa Kal (Thandavala)

An Appa Kal (also called appam pan or chatti) is a traditional, semicircular cast iron pan with a thick base and concave surface used in South Indian cooking to make appam, a fluffy and crispy rice-flour pancake. These pans are pre-seasoned with oil to create a natural non-stick surface, distribute heat evenly for cooking, and enhance the food with beneficial iron.