Asked by: Janeth Quinet
food and drink cooking

What is the best wok for stir fry?

13
Here are the best woks we tested ranked, in order:
  • Cooks Standard 13-Inch Wok with Dome Lid.
  • Calphalon Contemporary Nonstick 10-Inch Stir-Fry Pan.
  • All-Clad Stainless 14-Inch Open Stir Fry.
  • Lodge 14-Inch Cast Iron Wok.
  • Joyce Chen Pro Chef 14-Inch Excalibur Nonstick Wok.
  • T-fal 14-Inch Nonstick Jumbo Wok.


Also know, what is the best material for wok?

carbon steel

Beside above, what woks do chefs use? 4 of the Best Woks for Home Cooks
  • Tramontina Commercial Non-Stick 10-Inch Restaurant Fry Pan. $25.
  • Joyce Chen 14-Inch Pro Chef Flat Bottom Wok. $45.
  • Joyce Chen 14-Inch Pro Chef Flat Bottom Wok. $45.
  • Calphalon Contemporary Hard-Anodized Aluminum Nonstick 10-Inch Flat-Bottom Wok. $40.
  • Carbon Steel Wok With Wood Side Handle. $25.

Similarly, it is asked, what is the safest wok to use?

The Calphalon wok can be used with metal utensils and is dishwasher safe. This nonstick wok is made from carbon steel, which means it heats up fast and responds to changes in temperature well, but you don't need to worry about seasoning it or caring for it a particular way.

What is the difference between a wok and a stir fry pan?

The main difference in the stir-fry pan is its generous flat bottom—a good couple of inches bigger than the older flat-bottom woks—and a depth of 3 or 4-inches, which beats out a traditional Western sauté pan.

Related Question Answers

Aitane Cinca

Professional

What kind of wok do Chinese chefs use?

Carbon Steel woks are by far the most popular woks and are almost exclusively used in Chinese restaurants. Whether it is a “pow wok” with a single handle or a large wok with two metal handles, carbon steel is by far the most preferred.

Tarsilo Pavsky

Professional

Is carbon steel better than stainless?

Carbon steel, however, lacks the corrosion-resistant properties of its stainless steel counterpart. Although it's stronger and more durable than stainless steel, carbon steel may rust and corrode when exposed to moisture. Furthermore, carbon steel is less ductile than stainless steel.

Khan Toapanta

Professional

Why use a wok instead of a frying pan?

A wok has numerous advantages over the frying pan. It distributes heat more evenly, requires less oil, and ensures that food tossed during stir-frying lands back in the pan and not on the stove.

Isaiah Figler

Explainer

Is stainless steel toxic to humans?

When using stainless steel cookware, know that deeply scratched and pitted pans can cause metals (nickel and chromium) to migrate into food in trace amounts. These are not toxic elements, so there is not really cause for concern unless you have a specific allergy or sensitivity.

Jeraldine Geller

Explainer

Is it safe to use carbon steel wok?

While other materials approach a 500-degree temperature, they might begin to emit toxic fumes and break down. Carbon steel wok, on the other hand, can tolerate higher temperatures and does not release any toxic, thus it is safer to use in cooking. Carbon steel wok is naturally non-stick cookware.

Creuza Aure

Explainer

What is the best brand of wok to buy?

Here are the best woks we tested ranked, in order:
  • Cooks Standard 13-Inch Wok with Dome Lid.
  • Calphalon Contemporary Nonstick 10-Inch Stir-Fry Pan.
  • All-Clad Stainless 14-Inch Open Stir Fry.
  • Lodge 14-Inch Cast Iron Wok.
  • Joyce Chen Pro Chef 14-Inch Excalibur Nonstick Wok.
  • T-fal 14-Inch Nonstick Jumbo Wok.

Renaud Landsberger

Pundit

Does a carbon steel wok need to be seasoned?

A carbon steel wok is the way to go. Like cast iron, carbon steel needs to be seasoned before using and then given special care to maintain its coating. Most if not all nonstick coatings are not supposed to be heated to a very high temperature, but all stir-fry cooking happens at a high temperature.

Giuliano Igna

Pundit

How do I choose a good Chinese wok?

Woks vary from a round bottom to shallow, flat bottom. Ideally, the wok should be deep enough to allow you to toss the vegetables while cooking. Classic woks are round in shape, while the Western versions have a flat bottom that make them look like deep-frying pans.

Mariangel Liceran

Pundit

Do you need a lid for a wok?

Why choose a wok with a lid? Because a wok with a lid will make your life a lot easier especially when you cook Chinese food. A lot of time the ingredients need to simmer and be covered during cooking. So if you purchase a wok with a lid this will make cooking food with a wok much easier.

Segundino Grischuk

Pundit

How do you season an old wok?

How to Season a Wok
  1. Complete initial washing to remove factory oil.
  2. Preheat the wok over high heat.
  3. Perform a water test by throwing a drop of water on the pan.
  4. Add in about 2 tablespoons of oil and reduce heat to medium-high.
  5. Add aromatics like chopped onions, ginger, and garlic to the pan.
  6. Reduce heat to medium.

Anicet Palatsi

Pundit

How do you care for a carbon steel wok?

Once the wok is seasoned, don't use soap to clean it. Instead, soak the wok in hot water for 5 minutes to loosen stuck-on food. Then wash the interior with hot water and a soft sponge (to protect the patina), and the exterior with hot water and a scrubber sponge. Dry over low heat before storing.

Kathryne Paharkov

Teacher

How do you Reseason a carbon steel wok?

Here's How
  1. Wash the wok in hot water with a small amount of liquid detergent and a scrubber (such as a stainless steel sponge or pad).
  2. If needed, scrub the exterior of the wok with the scrubber and an abrasive cleanser.
  3. Rinse the wok and dry thoroughly.
  4. Place the wok on high heat.

Agar Hamhaber

Teacher

Which is better cast iron or carbon steel wok?

A cast iron wok is easier to seasoned as you mentioned. A carbon steel wok however is usually slightly lighter and has more toughness to it -- that is, it does not crack as easily. So if you like to toss, shake and bang your wok, then a carbon steel wok is still preferred.

Tanesha Salvetti

Teacher

How do you clean a rusty wok?

To remove the rust on a wok, use a fine steel wool pad and some dish soap to scour its surface until the section that is rusted feels smooth to the touch. Rinse the area well, and using a fine sandpaper, go over the area once more to get it really smooth.

Avelino Corzo

Reviewer

Are woks non stick?

The deeper sides of a wok prevent food from spilling out, and a seasoned carbon-steel wok has a natural nonstick surface that requires less oil than a skillet. I also don't like to use a skillet for stir-fries that have spices that can burn into the skillet.

Edelia Servio

Reviewer

Is Iron Wok good for health?

A cast-iron skillet may seem like an old-fashioned cookware choice. But this dependable object is a must in the modern kitchen. Cast iron conducts heat beautifully, seamlessly transitions from stovetop to oven and lasts for decades. Plus, cooking with cast iron can be good for your health.

Iskren Waterstat

Reviewer

How do I know if my wok is carbon steel?

There are many tests, but here is one. Try to get a papertowel soak with a bit of cooking oil and add some salt. Try to scrub it a bit. If the paper towel turns dark with very fine black/brown particles, then this is seasoned carbon steel wok.

Eun Merkeli

Reviewer

Does Walmart sell woks?

Mainstays 13.75" Non-Stick Wok - Walmart.com.

Heliberto Wylenga

Supporter

What should a seasoned wok look like?

The wok is seasoned and ready for cooking. Do not be alarmed if the wok looks mottled or has blackened areas. The patina will gradually darken the more you cook with the wok, giving you a natural nonstick surface. A newly seasoned wok (left, below) looks mottled and some think they've ruined the pan (but they haven't).