Why You Should Buy a Wok
A wok is a special type of pan used for cooking. It is great for making stir-fries and other dishes that need to be cooked quickly. The shape of the wok helps the heat spread evenly compared to a traditional frying pan, so food cooks faster. The curvature of the wok and its versatile composition are what make it so effective, allowing for an even distribution of heat from all sides.
Woks are most commonly used for stir fry dishes, but can also be used for steaming, deep-frying, and braising. Whether you’re making Thai cashew chicken or Filipino style street food, a wok is essential in cooking authentic dishes. The traditional round bottom wok is ideal for high heat cooking on a gas stove as the flame wraps around the sides of the pan. Other types of woks such as flat bottomed ones may work better with electric stoves.
Common Wok Materials
Carbon Steel Woks
A staple of Chinese kitchens, carbon steel woks have become an essential tool for Asian chefs around the world. Carbon steel is light, easy to maneuver, and heats up quickly. It’s also highly tuneable, so you can adjust its heat levels as needed. This means that with a bit of skill, a chef can prevent food from sticking. Carbon steel woks are also magnetic, meaning they can be used on wok induction ranges. The only downside? It requires frequent seasoning or oiling to keep it in good condition.
Stainless Steel Woks
Stainless steel woks are durable and easy to clean, making them a popular choice for home cooks. The downside? They don’t heat up as quickly as carbon steel woks, so you may end up waiting longer for your food to cook.
Cast Iron Woks
Cast iron woks are great for retaining heat, but they’re also heavy and can be hard to maneuver. However, this means that as it becomes more seasoned, it becomes more non-stick as it ages. They take much longer to heat up than carbon steel or stainless steel woks, so if you prefer a faster cooking experience, this may not be the best option for you.
Nonstick vs Seasoned
Nonstick woks are easy to clean and require no seasoning, making them a great option for beginners. The downside? Nonstick woks don’t last as long as seasoned woks and are more
Seasoned woks need to be properly maintained by seasoning with oil before each use, but they will last longer than nonstick ones. They also provide a better flavor in the food that you cook.
How to Season a Wok
If you’ve opted for a carbon steel or cast iron wok, you’ll need to season it before using. The process is fairly simple: start by heating the wok on high heat until it begins to smoke. Remove the wok from heat and carefully wipe the inside with oil or fat. Then place the wok back over the heat and let it cook until another layer of smoke appears. Once that happens, your wok is ready for use!
Flat vs Curved Base
Flat-based woks are great for electric stoves as the heat is distributed evenly. Curved-based woks, on the other hand, are better suited for gas stoves. The curved base helps to better distribute heat, ensuring that food is cooked quickly and evenly.
Cantonese vs Mandarin Woks
Cantonese woks boast two U-shaped handles that are firmly attached on either side, and they are ideal for when you need to serve a large number of people at once. While cooking with these woks is possible too, their peculiar handle shape can make it more difficult when flipping food.
The Mandarin-style wok has been fashioned to have a unique round-bottom shape and is complete with an extended wooden or metal handle. This single handgrip makes it effortless to toss around items like stir fry dishes, while also making it easier for chefs to portion out food immediately after cooking.
Electric Woks
The electric wok is a great choice for busy cooks who want to take the hassle out of cooking. Electric woks come with built-in temperature controls so you can easily switch between different heat levels. The downside is that they are less responsive to changes in temperature, meaning it may take a while before your food is actually cooked. But if you’re looking for convenience and ease of use, an electric wok is the way to go.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to selecting a wok, there are many options available. From carbon steel to stainless steel and cast iron, each type of wok has its own advantages and disadvantages. Depending on your cooking style and preferences, you can choose the one that best suits your needs. With the right wok in hand, you’ll be able to whip up delicious stir-fries, steamed dishes, and deep-fried snacks.
No matter which type of wok you choose, make sure to spend some time learning about its care instructions so you can keep it in top condition for years to come. Now that you know more about different types of woks, try your hand at making a delicious stir fry! Happy cooking!
