CookWare – KitchenEon

Wok means Cooking pot. Over 2000-years ago, wok was introduced in China during the Han Dynasty. Now wok has become an integral part of the Asian and west kitchen. Usually, people in the USA use a wok for Stir-frying. Although wok is not an expensive kitchen utensil, you need the right Wok for getting the maximum taste of your cuisine. According to the Master Chefs, the Pow Wok is the Best Wok for Home kitchen and Professionals. Pow Woks are made from carbon steel so It's suitable for stir-frying at high temperatures. We found the Hand Hammered Carbon Steel Pow Wok is the best. In this article, I will cover everything about the wok like the type and material of wok, answer the common questions regarding wok cooking and review some of the best Woks in every category. without further ado, let’s get started. Comparison Table for Best Wok Best Electric WokBreville BEW600XL Hot Wok9.61500 watt wok14 inches diameter6 qt capacity Check Price On Amazon Best Hard-Anodized Nonstick WokCalphalon Signature Hard-Anodized Nonstick Wok9.412-inch flat-bottom hard-anodized aluminum wokTempered glass lid3 layer non-stick surface Check Price On Amazon Best wok for BeginnerT-fal Hard Anodized Nonstick 14 in. Wok9.214 inches aluminum Hard Anodized wokToxicity-free Titanium cotationDishwasher safe Check Price On Amazon Overall Best WokCraft Wok Hand Hammered Carbon Steel Pow Wok914 inches hand Hammered wok15 Gauge carbon steelWeight: 2.1 Kg (4.6 pounds) Check Price On Amazon Budget Carbon Steel WokSouped Up Recipes912.5-inch diameterPackage includes wok lid and spatula Check Price On Amazon Best Stainless Steel WokWillow & Everett Wok913 inches stainless steel wokThickness: 2 mmWeight: 4 lbs Check Price On Amazon Best Cast Iron WokKlee Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Wok914 inches large pres seasoned cast iron wokWooden cover Check Price On Amazon Types of Wok The types mainly depend on the handle, shape, and material. Based on the handle, woks are mainly two types. Cantonese Wok Cantonese wok comes with two U-shaped metal handles on both sides. This type of wok is good for serving a large quantity of food for a group of people. The main problem of this Cantonese wok is you can not easily flip the food while cooking. Mandarin Wok Mandarin woks are round bottom shaped and come with a single long wooden or metal handle. Mandarin Woks are the most popular wok for stir-frying. You can easily flip the food while cooking with the Mandarin wok. Here you can also cook small to a large amount of food and serving for a group of people. Based on the shape, woks are 2 types. Round Bottom Round Bottom woks are perfect for gas stoves. If you are an outdoor cooking lover, you can consider the round bottom wok. You could also use the wok rings for using the round bottom wok for your induction or electric stove. Flat bottom wok The flat bottom wok is perfect for electric or glass top induction. Since most of us use the electric or induction cooker, flat bottom woks are perfect for home use. Based on the material, woks are mainly 4 types. Carbon Steel Carbon steel wok is the most popular choice for the home kitchen and restaurant. Whether you are looking for a small Pow Wok (single-handled) or double-handled wok, Carbon steel is the first preference to us. Carbon steel woks are lighter than the cast iron wok and very easy to handle. Carbon steel woks are inexpensive and long-lasting. You can use a carbon steel wok for decades without any hassle by proper seasoning and care. The only disadvantage of the carbon steel woks that it needs seasoning and a proper handle. You may need at least 30 minutes to create a shiny patina to get the non-stick characteristics. Another common problem of the carbon steel wok is the food gets sticky with the surface of the wok. You can easily get rid of this sticky problem by proper seasoning and create a nonstick coating on the surface. The manufacturer doesn’t recommend using the dishwasher for cleaning it. Anyway, many of the users use a small amount of dishwasher after proper seasoning. Pros Perfect for stir-fryingPerfect for Wok HeiThe wok gets the nonstick features after a perfect seasoningVery lightweight and easy to flip Cons Seasoning needs a long time. it is a bit time-consuming process.Carbon steel is prone to rust.Cleaning is not easy here Stainless steel wok Probably, Stainless steel wok is the least popular wok type in the market. Stainless steel cookware is conducive to health and there is no chance of toxicity here. Stainless steel wok looks elegant and gorgeous. I like the stainless steel wok because it is easy to use and there is no hassle of seasoning here. Stainless steel woks are expensive comparing the carbon steel woks. Most of us have a common misconception about the nonstick coating (known as Patina) for the wok. Yes, Patina is helpful in cooking but it is not mandatory. Pros Stainless steel woks don’t need to seasoningVery easy to cleanLong-lasting and rustproof Cons Comparatively expensive than the carbon steel wokYou may face a Sticking problem while cooking but you can overcome it by using a stainless steel spatula. This is a temporary problem. As time passing, your wok will get the nonstick characteristics. Cast Iron Cast iron wok is the oldest wok type. Usually, two types of cast iron wok are available. One is the heavy thick cast iron and another is light cast iron. Like the carbon steel wok, you need to seasoning the cast iron wok to prevent sticking food on the surface. Patina is crucial for cast iron wok. Cast iron woks are heavy and it is hard to handle while flipping the food. Another problem with the cast iron is the cleaning and it is prone to rust. You could consider the light cast iron for your home kitchen to get the aesthetic taste of cooking in a cast iron wok. Pros Cast iron woks are less expensiveHeat retention capacity is the highest than any other woks typePerfect for cooking in high heat for a long time Cons Cast iron woks need seasoning and extra careCleaning process is not easyIt needs a long time to heat the surface and cool down to the surfaceIt is quite impossible to flip the food when the wok is full of food Non-Stick or Teflon Coated Non-stick or the Teflon coated woks are the most beginner-friendly wok in the market. There is no chance of rust or sticking food on the surface here. Teflon coated woks are very easy to clean and don’t need seasoning. If you are a beginner in wok cooking, you could consider the Teflon coated wok. Pros Non-stick Woks are very easy to cleanNo chance of sticking food with the wok surfaceBeginner-friendly Cons Non-stick woks are not perfect for stir-frying, Because it is not for use in the high heatThe non-stick coating may contain a chemical that is not good for the health What is the Best Type of Wok to Buy? Well, let us discuss the best wok to buy. Here I have made a list of different types of wok beyond the signature types. I have chosen the product based on the real user experience. Our Top Pick Craft Wok Traditional Hand Hammered Carbon Steel Pow Wok14 inches hand Hammered wok15 Gauge carbon steelWeight: 2.1 Kg (4.6 pounds) Check Price On Amazon If you are looking for a hand-hammered carbon steel wok for stir-frying, you could consider this Craft Wok. From my point of view, this is one is the best carbon steel Pow wok for stir-frying. This is a heavy-duty hand-hammered wok made from 15 gauge commercial steel. With a 4.6 pounds (2.1 KG) weight, this is a bit heavy to use. This traditional round bottom wok is hand-hammered in Guangzhou, China by professionals. A large number of Chinese chefs use this wok for their restaurant kitchen. You can stir fry with this wok in high heat. Even you can easily handle this wok in 500-degree Fahrenheit or more. So, this one is good for getting the Wok Hei. Pros Traditional Hand Hammered wok for professional and home usePerfect for cooking in high heat and Wok HeiLarge enough for serving a group of people100% authentic carbon steelDurable Wooden handle for easy flipping Cons Seasoning is mandatory before usingIt is not dishwasher safe. Dishwasher will create rust on the surfaceNot perfect for using on the induction or stovetop since it is a round bottom deep wok. You could use a wok ring for using on the flat surface Our Top Pick Breville BEW600XL Hot Wok1500 watt wok14 inches diameter6 qt capacity Check Price On Amazon Electric woks are a great solution for outdoor and indoor cooking indeed. many of us have a misconception about the safety of the electric wok. But electric woks are completely safe indeed. This Breville BEW600XL comes with stainless steel base and the bowl is made of cast iron. This is a 14 inches family-size electric wok. This wok is based on the 1500 watt heating surface. The bowl and lid are dishwasher safe. So the cleaning is very easy here You can cook up to 425 degrees Fahrenheit with this powerful electric wok. Pros Dishwasher safe lid and bowlPerfect for stir-frying and authentic Asian style cookingQuick temperature controlNeed a little or no oil for cooking Cons It is a bit difficult to put back the bowl after cleaning separately Our Top Pick T-fal Hard Anodized Nonstick 14 in. Wok14 inches aluminum Hard Anodized wokToxic-free Titanium cotationDishwasher safe Check Price On Amazon If you are a newbie in wok cooking, you could consider this T-fal hard anodized wok. This one is completely made from hard-anodized aluminum. Also, it is coated with a non-stick surface to prevent rust. Don’t worry about the safety of using this wok. Because it is coated with toxic-free hard Titanium that prevents the acidic reaction. Also, it retains the heat and the surface will not be damaged even after everyday use. Unlike the traditional wok, it comes with a reverted silicone handle and a support handle. Anyway, this wok is not perfect for the stir fry because you can use this wok to the max. 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, this one is not for cooking on the induction cooktop. Pros Perfect for using daily life for the beginnerNo hassle in cleaning because this is a Dishwasher safe wokLarge enough for cooking for family Cons Not perfect for stir-frying (not perfect for using over 400-degree Fahrenheit)Not for cooking on induction Our Top Pick Souped Up Recipes Carbon Steel Wok12.5-inch diameterPackage includes wok lid and spatula Check Price On Amazon If you are looking for the best carbon steel wok in the budget, you could consider this Souped Up Recipes wok. This one is one of the most popular carbon steel woks in the market for ease of use. This is a 14.5 inches wok, so this one is easy to wash and handle. You will get a spatula and wok lid with this package that is incredible in this budget segment. You can use this wok on every cooking surface including gas, induction and electric cooktop. This one is perfect for stir-frying because it is made from 100% carbon steel. Pros Perfect for stir-fryingFit on every cooking surface including gas, induction and electric cooktopLighter than the cast iron and stainless steel wokVery easy to clean Cons Need seasoning before use some of the users can’t season perfectly. But you can do it by following the video instruction Our Top Pick Willow & Everett Wok13 inches stainless steel wokThickness: 2 mmWeight: 4 lbs1 stainless steel lid for the wokBamboo coated spatula Check Price On Amazon Stainless steel woks are elegant and safe for health. Most professional cooks advise using stainless steel cookware for daily life. Anyway. If you are looking for the best stainless steel wok in the market, you could consider this one. This is a 13 inches wok and it comes with a spatula and wok lid. This one is very easy to use because this stainless steel wok is oven and dishwasher safe. This deep wok is perfect for stir-frying, boiling, deep frying and searing. You can use this wok on the both gas stove and induction top. Most importantly, this wok comes with a non-stick coating layer. And you can use this wok in high heat up to 500-degree Fahrenheit for stir-frying. Pros Dishwasher and Oven saveNon-stick coated wokPerfect for Boiling, deep-frying, stir-frying and searingErgonomic handle for easy flipping Cons In the beginning, the food will get stuck and burnt since it is made of stainless steelThe lid produce sound while cooking because of the stainless steel material Our Top Pick Calphalon Signature12-inch flat-bottom hard-anodized aluminum wokTempered glass lidSafe for metal utensils3 layer non-stick surface Check Price On Amazon Are you looking for a compact hard-anodized non-stick wok for daily use? well, you could consider this Calphalon Signature. This is a 12-inch flat-bottomed wok. So the heat distribution is very good here for cooking on a flat surface. This one is made from Hard anodized aluminum. Since it comes with a non-stick coating, it is safe for dishwashers. So the cleaning process is easy indeed. This Calphalon Signature is fit for up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Although it is not perfect for the traditional wok hay, you can work in the high temperature. Pros Metal utensils safe, so there is no chance of scratch hereVery easy to cleaning because it is dishwasher safeNon-toxic non-stick coating Cons Not perfect for wok hei and stir-frying Our Top Pick Klee Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Wok14 inches large pres seasoned cast iron wokWooden coverEvenly distributed heat because of the flat bottom surfaceVery easy to cleanHigh heat-retaining capacityFlavourful food than other wok material Check Price On Amazon Are you looking for a cast iron wok for everyday use? well, you could consider this Klee Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Wok. This is a 14 inches wok and the capacity is quarts here. This is flat bottomed pre-seasoned cast iron wok. You can smoothly use this wok both for the indoor and outdoor kitchen. This cast iron wok is not perfect for flipping food while cooking because of the hand position. This cast iron wok is pre-seasoned. So, you don’t need to season it before the first use. the non-stick coating prevents rust. It is not dishwasher safe, so beware of the dishwasher. Cons Need times to heat the wokNeed proper care So, Who is the Winner? If you are a beginner in Wok Cooking, I suggest you buy the T-Fal Hard Anodized Wok. On the other hand, If you are looking for an electric WOK, you could consider the Breville BEW600XL Hot Wok. Related: Best meat grinder What should you consider when choosing your wok? If you are beginning in wok cooking, then you could consider the following points. Otherwise, you will not get the maximum performance from your wok. What is the right size? 14 inches wok is the right choice for the family. Another size like 12 inches is perfect for 2 people or an individual. What shape should I buy? If you are looking for a wok for indoor cooking on a flat surface, then you could consider the flat bottomed wok. For outdoor or professional cooking the round-bottomed woks are perfect. What kind of Wok handle is convenient? The mandarin woks are perfect for flipping food during cooking. So, you could consider the long-handled wok for more convenience. Do I need a wok with a lid? If your intention is using the wok for multipurpose use like boiling, steaming, then the wol lid is crucial. Otherwise, you don’t need the wok lid. What is the best stove for wok cooking? Obviously, the gas stove is the best for wok cooking. To get the traditional restaurant flavor you need the gas stove and hand-hammered carbon steel wok. FAQ https://youtu.be/WhqLDraN92Y What Is The Best Wok To Buy For Your Recipes? If you love the Asian cooking or Chinese cooking style, then you could buy the carbon steel wok. Carbon steel wok is the best for Chinese recipes. What is the healthiest wok to use? Stainless steel woks are the healthiest wok to use. although the carbon steel and cast iron wok are healthy, you need the proper maintenance here. Now non-stick coated Teflon woks don’t include the toxic chemical. So you could consider them also. Which is better carbon steel or cast iron wok? The carbon steel wok. Because carbon steel wok is lighter and easy to handle. But both of them needed to be seasoned before using. Do Woks work on electric stoves? Yes, you can use a wok on the electric stove. For an electric stove, the flat bottom woks are perfect. Do I Need A Wok Ring? For using the round-bottomed woks on the flat surface the wok rings are mandatory. Final thoughts I believe you have got the elementary knowledge on the Wok after reading this article. You should choose the wok based on your demand. Thanks for being with me. Happy cooking!