Given the current generation, individuals are always in search of new ideas and creativity in the preparation of meals. The Chinese wok is the latest trend that has been adopted by many people in their homes. In this article, we will try to explain why a Chinese wok can be considered as a perfect alternative to standard pots and pans. Furthermore, it will outline the correct ways of using it and provide recommendations for some of the best brands. Well, let us get straight to the crux of the matter!
A Chinese wok is a cooking pan that has been traditionally used for a long time in China. It has a round base and there are two handles on the two sides of the pot, which allows the user to hold the pot by both the handles while stirring the food inside the pot. The most common method used to cook in a wok is stir-frying, which involves cooking the food at a high temperature while continuously moving the food to ensure it doesn’t burn or become too dry. Woks are available in different sizes; there is the small one that is mainly used as a serving dish while there is the large one that can accommodate a whole chicken. There are also electric skillets that are made to be used for Asian cooking if you want to try this method but you do not have enough counter space for a stove.
For someone who is done with battling with the normal pans or for someone who has never used a wok before, this may be the perfect Chinese Wok for them! To ensure the longevity of your new Chinese wok, make sure to clean it thoroughly after each use and make sure it is completely dry before placing it in storage.
List Of 7 Best Chinese Wok Reviews
1. ZhenSanHuan Chinese Hand Hammered Iron Woks and Stir Fry Pans
Reviews:
- The ZhenSanHuan wok is a multifunctional cooking tool that can also be used to cook Chinese food and stir-fry meats and vegetables. Mirror works have been done to make the surface of the wok smooth and to avoid stickiness which is important in making the ingredients to easily slide into the wok. As if that was not enough, these woks have a dual surface and can be used for traditional or non-stick stir fry.
- One mirror wok is produced through 12 processes and 36,000 times of hand-hammering. Finally, the best Chinese woks are as smooth as mirrors with visible hammer marks yet you cannot feel them. The mirror finish makes it easy for the ingredients to glide into the wok effortlessly. There is no coating or painting on the woks; you do not have to worry about the coating falling off! Iron is a very reactive metal that will usually oxidize to form a layer of iron oxide on its surface.
- The ZhenSanHaun Chinese Hand Hammered Iron Wok is made of iron metal that ensures proper heat conduction and can be used on electric or induction cookers. This kind of quality and performance sets the ZhenSanHuan apart from all other woks available on the market today!
Why Choose this Product:
- Carefully hand-hammered for a smooth cooking surface.
- Each mirror wok is made using 12 processes and 36,000 times of hand-hammering.
- Easy to use and clean.
2. Craft Wok Heavy Canton Style Hand Hammered Carbon Steel Wok
Reviews:
- If you are in need of a wok that will last for many years and able to handle the abuse that you will be giving it, then this wok is perfect for you. The Heavy Canton Style Wok from Craft Wok is made of hand-hammered carbon steel and weighs 5 pounds, but that is not all.
- It has been used by many Chinese chefs in making some of the most delicious meals that Chinese cuisine has to offer. It also has a different design where it has no up-turned rim that will enable you to stir fry without burning your oil as well as drain water after use. Make sure to season it before using for the first time.
- This 16-inch heavy Canton style hand-hammered Carbon Steel Wok from Craft Wok is essential in every kitchen. This wok will be a great addition to your stove for cooking short ribs or stir-frying vegetables. This wok is perfect for high heat and regular use and if well maintained, it will serve you for many years.
Why Choose this Product:
- Hand-hammered carbon steel
- Sturdy and durable
- No upturned rim to drain water
3. Town Food Service 16 Inch Steel Cantonese Style Wok
Reviews:
- The Town Food Service 16 Inch Steel Cantonese Style Wok is a perfect option for those who are willing to prepare more healthy Chinese meals at home. The body is made of alloy steel and this makes the wok stronger than other woks in the market. The riveted handle ensures that the product cannot break while in use and this means that you can concentrate on cooking rather than worrying about the condition of your cutlery.
- This wok has a diameter of 16 inches and it weighs about 4 pounds, meaning that it is easily maneuverable when in use. The specially designed interior area allows you to achieve a perfect crispy result on one side of your dish without having to flip the dish over, making it perfect for soups, roasted vegetables, and many more. This wok can be stored either in the vertical or horizontal direction as per the convenience of the user; this wok is quite compact as it has a low profile design. This one is made of stainless steel and comes with a nice finish that will complement any kitchen décor.
- This one is made of steel with a size of 16 inches in length, width, and 16 x 17 inches in dimension, which is enough to prepare some Cantonese dishes like beef, chicken, and shrimp. It is equally good for use when preparing food at home with your family or when you are in a professional kitchen because it has a heavy duty construction that makes it distribute heat uniformly and also allows for easy turning of food; attributes that every chef will appreciate.
Why Choose this Product:
- Sturdy construction
- Easy to store in either a vertical or horizontal position
- No rusting, even with water and acidity in food
4. Winco Chinese Wok with Integral Handle
Reviews:
- If you are in search of a wok that can withstand the demands of your kitchen, then you are in the right place. The Winco Chinese Wok with Integral Handle is a very sturdy and stylish wok and would be ideal for anyone who wants to elevate the look of their kitchen.
- This wok comes with all the essential features of a traditional Chinese wok while incorporating the convenience of a modern design and features like an integrated handle for easy carrying and storage. It is made of stainless steel, and that makes it very durable and can be used for many years even if it is used daily.
- Winco provides inexpensive, long-lasting, and excellent-quality tools that are used by professionals in the restaurant industry. The best Chinese wok is a piece of equipment that is used in quartering, searing, and stir-frying and for sliding in the meat, seafood, or vegetables into the pan. This also has built-in handles to facilitate storage at high temperatures, which is a big plus. This 16-inch medium edition is ideal for use where you have to prepare quarters for multiple people in successive sittings or for people who have different preferences at the same time while the main dish is being prepared.
Why Choose This Product:
- Durable stainless steel construction
- Integrated handles for easy storage
- Easy to clean and maintain
5. Norpro 10-Piece Wok Set
Reviews:
- The Norpro 10-Piece Wok Set is a versatile and useful set of tools that can be used by anyone who wants to cook more vegetables and meat. This set includes all the necessary accessories to make the process of stir-frying your vegetables and proteins interesting; it comes with a reversible burner ring, a tempura rack, cooking chopsticks (two sets), non-disposable taking apart chopsticks (10 sets), a wire steaming rack for foods with long handles, turner spoons with rubber/silicone ends for precise stirring and handling hot foods that cannot fit in the pot or pan, and a ladle with an ergonomic and round handle designed in the shape of a silk drawstring bag to avoid finger burns.
- This four-legged, 14-inch-diameter, and 2-mm-thick carbon steel wok is suitable for new chefs. It has an etched interior that gives it enough room for large quantities of food, and the heavy-gauge aluminum lid ensures that the food is moist and not smoked in the kitchen.
- If needed, can switch off flames on the stovetop with a reversible burner, which is quite useful to save on energy costs besides keeping the cost per meal on appliance usage time down, and it also doubles up as a hot pad. It also includes a wire steaming rack that makes rice preparation easier than ever, and cleanup is a breeze as well!
Why Choose This Product:
- Wok heats up quickly
- Nice and big with a solid cooking surface
- Convenient, clean, and easy to use
6. YOSUKATA Carbon Steel Wok Pan
Reviews:
- A carbon steel wok is a valuable piece of equipment that is useful in any kitchen. The product’s construction includes heavy-duty 15-gauge carbon steel and a traditional wooden handle that is comfortable to hold and does not heat up during use. Our artisan has crafted and hammered the wok to the best of their ability to create the hammered wok.
- For the ideal cooking wok, it must be strong, heat resistant and built to last for many years of usage. This Carbon Steel Wok Pan is made of 15 gauge carbon steel and has a traditional wooden handle that is comfortable to hold during long cooking times. The pan has a hand hammered finish which is the work of experts who have many years of experience in creating such cookware.
- This 14 inches Carbon Steel Wok Pan with Round Bottom is highly versatile and can be used in any form of cooking including deep frying, sautéing, and even braising! As a result of its numerous functions, the hand-hammered wok is the perfect tool for creating mouth-watering stir-fry dishes in your own kitchen!
Why Choose this Product:
- The wok is made of carbon steel which is extremely sturdy
- The wok heats up quickly and evenly.
- The ergonomic traditional wooden handle ensures a comfortable grip during use.
7. Yosukata Chinese Wok with Flat Bottom Pow Wok
Reviews:
- The Yosukata 13.5-inch wok with flat bottom is a kitchen essential that every chef or food enthusiast should have! This pan has been pre-seasoned at 600F for a long time to give it a constant shine and also to prevent rusting and oxidation by keeping the chemical bonds in the metal and thus no need for extra seasoning. It has been manufactured using heavy-duty black carbon steel and constructed with high-quality material with an easy to grip wooden handle for cooking prep.
- This large 13.5-inch pan is constructed with heavy-duty black carbon steel with the wooden handle designed to provide a comfortable grip while preparing food. Available in both small and large sizes, they are suitable for use on the stovetop, oven, or BBQ grill. It is also important to always follow safety procedures when dealing with fire or other open flames.
- This Chinese-style wok pan has a carbon steel wok inside, and the carbon steel used is heavy-duty black carbon steel, making it very versatile. Some of the ways that you can use it include stir-frying and other cooking methods such as pan frying, braising, deep frying among others. This product is very portable and can be easily stored as it has a diameter of 13.5 inches; you should therefore order for more pieces for your customers – do not delay!
Why Choose this Product:
- Carbon steel is heat-resistant up to 600°F.
- Excellent for high heat cooking, especially on open fire and BBQ grill.
- A wooden handle provides an extra layer of safety when handling the pan.
Buying Guide for the Best Chinese Wok
Here are some tips to help you navigate through the shelves and get the best Chinese wok for your buck.
Shape
There are two main shapes of woks: those with rounded bottoms and those with flat bottoms. The current best Chinese woks come with a round bottom, which is useful in placing the pan on the stove. This is crucial since you will be sliding your pan in and out constantly during the entire duration of your cooking. If it cannot stand properly, then you might have some problems cooking your food, as there will be some parts that will be overcooked while the others are still raw. Another thing is that round bottom woks are more suitable for induction stoves, which means that if you are planning to use this kind of stove, then the round bottom wok is what you need to use. The flat-bottom pans are best suited for use on gas stoves, and this is only if they have ring stands. However, this type of cookware cannot be used in induction stoves, and it tends to be unstable and tip over easily.
Materials
Another factor to consider when choosing a Wok is the material that has been used in making the Wok. The type of material used in cooking also has unique heating characteristics and responses to different cooking techniques.
For instance, carbon steel can heat up fast, but once you remove it from the heat source, it cools down very fast, which can be inconvenient in your cooking. However, the carbon steel pans are quite sensitive, and if you are not careful with them, they may change color after some time of usage.
As for the cast iron and stainless steel skillets, they heat up and cool down slower, which can be beneficial for those who prefer the slow cooking methods or for making stocks and soups.
The surface of the stainless steel pans does not react with other substances, which implies that they will not change color or get discolored despite using them for many years. Most of the woks that are available in the market today have non-stick surfaces; hence, if you are not interested in any of the cooking methods mentioned above, then you should opt for the one that is made of such material.
Seasoning
Carbon steel and cast iron woks contain a seasoning barrier that helps to avoid food sticking to the surface when using them. Some people like to use the unseasoned wood, while the seasoned ones can also be as good, provided that they are not damaged. However, today in the market there are many pre-seasoned pans and woks for sale, and their quality of seasoning may not be natural. You should always go for the hand-seasoned skillets, as they tend to develop a better patina with use as compared to the pan coatings, which may chip off after some time of use! Seasoning is essential as it prevents the formation of rust and corrosion by providing a layer of polymerized oil on the exterior of your best Chinese wok.
Cooking Methods
You should also ensure that the cooking method that you use is appropriate for the material that your wok is made from as well as its size. For instance, cast iron and carbon steel pans require long and slow cooking methods because they hold heat really well. Those who fry their foods may also need a flat-bottomed wok since it is easy to heat and cool when using induction stoves!
Non-stick stainless steel pans, on the other hand, are a good choice for those who want a skillet that can be used at high temperatures without being ruined. However, it is also crucial to consider the handle of the pan, as some of the materials offer better grip than others! Wood handles, for instance, are quite useful if you do not want to burn your hand, but they can be more dangerous than other types, so ensure that you select a model that has an ergonomic handle in case you are not conversant in using the Wok!
Washability and Maintenance
A best Chinese wok that is made of carbon steel or cast iron surface will get stained after some time of using it. This is a disadvantage that most people dislike because these pans cannot be cleaned as easily as those made from stainless steel. But this is not always the case, and many seasoned skillets with a non-stick layer do not demand much attention and upkeep throughout their shelf life.
You should also ensure that you get to know the best cleaning agent that you can use in cleaning your Wok before buying one, as this may damage the surface of the Wok. Most of the seasoned pans available in the market today come with a non-stick surface that is easy to wipe and clean. If you are interested in an eco-friendly option, then you can always go for a stainless steel Wok, as it does not require seasoning and will not rust or corrode even after lengthy usage!
Size
As for the size of the Chinese skillets, there are many options on the market, so the ideal one should be selected depending on the needs of the cook and the size of the intended meals. Big pans are beneficial when there are many members in your family or when you need to prepare a lot of food for a party. On the other hand, small-sized woks are perfect if you are alone or looking for a lightweight tool that can be taken to the office for lunch! First of all, it is advisable to purchase a Wok with a thick body and a flat base, as this will ensure that heat is well retained and distributed uniformly.
Price
The cost of a work largely depends on the material used to make it. It is important to note that the best Chinese woks are normally made of carbon steel, stainless steel, or cast iron, meaning that you will have to dig deeper into your pocket for a better material. For instance, carbon steel and stainless steel are both strong types of steel, but carbon steel is much more affordable than stainless steel.
However, there is a disadvantage to cast iron skillets in that they are quite heavy compared to other types of pans and they are costly. But if you are on a tight budget, then you can simply go for the traditional stainless steel best Chinese wok. If you have some extra money to spend, then it is advisable to go for the carbon steel or cast iron, as they are known to hold heat well, and this is very useful in cooking.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Chinese wok healthy?
A wok is a special frying pan with a round bottom and a deep concave shape that alters the way foods are cooked. It is safer than traditional cooking apparatus since it has high heat retention capacity and uses fewer oils in the cooking process; hence, any fat that may be in the food falls to the bottom before serving. It also has a unique design, which means that you do not have a lot of work to do in terms of cleaning!
2. What kind of wok do Chinese chefs use?
The key to a good stir-fry is the pan. Carbon steel woks are used by the Chinese restaurant chefs only, and they will tell you that if you want to get the best results, no matter the style or the size of the utensil, you have to use a carbon steel wok only!
3. How do I choose a good work?
Carbon steel is the best option for stir-fry. Consider a 14 gauge, about 2 mm thick, and it does not flex when pressure is applied on the side, and the heat is evenly distributed to ensure that the food turns out well every time! Avoid using non-stick, as most of them are unable to withstand the high temperatures required in the cooking process, as in this case.
Conclusion
The Chinese wok may also be used in place of the conventional pans and pots. It's also really easy to use! Hopefully, this article has given some guidance to anyone wondering what the best cooking utensil might be. Well, let the exploration begin on how to choose the finest Chinese woks in the market!
When it comes to choosing the right work, there are a myriad of options available, and it can be confusing to know where to start. It is crucial to know the type of stove that you have and the amount of cooking surface that is required for your cooking needs. Looking at this list, there are several things that all woks have in common, for instance, the fact that they are made from metal or they have a round bottom with the side walls sloping.
It is therefore important to note that cooking with a wok is a craft that anyone can learn. If you’re tired of fighting with conventional pans or if you have no prior experience of using a wok, this might be the perfect Chinese wok for you! Here are some tips: Do not forget to clean your new Chinese wok after each use and make sure that it is dry before putting it away.
