Now that you’ve seen the top carbon steel woks 2024 has to offer, you may want to do some research to ensure you get the best possible product for your needs. Continue reading to learn how to properly care for your wok and what to consider to ensure you purchase a great one.
How to Care For Your Wok
Unless a carbon steel wok comes pre-seasoned, it is not automatically non-stick. Many customers complain that their wok is not non-stick as advertised, but this is often because they did do not realize that a carbon steel wok must be seasoned before its first use. When you purchase a new wok, ensure it is clean with some mild soapy water. Cleanse it gently with a brush or sponge and do not scrub. Ensure the wok is fully dry. Next, you should remove any removable handles and wrap any non-removable wooden handles in tinfoil; this will protect the handle from the heat of the hob. Place the wok on the hob at the highest heat. When the wok turns dark brown and begins to smoke it is the residual oils burning off. The impurities from the oil will then burn away. The wok will turn blackish-blue when it reaches the optimum temperature. Tilt the wok until every part of it has been thoroughly heated. When this process is completed, your wok will likely have a bluish tint. Pour a cup of cold water slowly into your wok to help it cool. Wash the wok in mild soapy water and give it a mild scrub. You will see the impurities from the oils come off. Rinse under cold clean water. Wipe off excess water and finish off drying on the hob on medium-high heat. Now, add a tablespoon of cooking oil to the wok and tilt the wok so it is covered with the oil. Leave it on the heat for a minute. Then turn off the heat and use a folded paper kitchen towel and a spatula to wipe away the excess oil. Leave the wok to cool and wipe it again with your hand and a paper kitchen towel. Rinse and wipe the wok with cold water. Dry it again with a towel, then heat it to remove excess water. Oil again before using. You must repeat the process after every use to ensure your wok does not rust and maintains a nonstick patina.
Round or flat bottom
A traditional Chinese wok has a rounded bottom. This is the ideal shape to easily flip your stir-frys. However, this design can only be used on a gas hob. A rounded bottom hob will not sit flat against a flat top hob. A flat bottom wok is compatible with both gas hobs and flat top hobs. However, flipping the food is not as easy with this design. We recommend getting a round-bottom wok if you have a gas hob and a flat-bottom wok if you use any other type of hob.
Honeycomb design
A honeycomb design is made by hammering the steel to create a textured surface. The textured surface makes it more difficult for food to stick and it is easier to scoop food that is beginning to stick up with a spatula or spoon. We recommend purchasing a wok with this design for its added nonstick capabilities.
Handles
Two handles
Look for a wok with a long handle and a smaller helper handle. Woks can feel heavy and two handles will make it easier to toss your food.
Removable handle
A removable handle will make storing your wok easier. Some people prefer to season their wok in the oven and the removable handle allows them to do so. Simply wrap the non-removable handle in tinfoil for protection.
Comfortable to hold and heat-resistant
The long handle should be comfortable to hold and non-slip. You should feel confident and safe when picking up the wok by the handle.
Pouring Spout (Soup Spout)
Look for a wok with a pouring spout or soup spout. This spout will make it easier to pour sauces or soup with less mess and better presentation. You want the spout to face inwards towards you instead of away from you. For this reason, you should look for a spout to the left of the handle if you are right-handed and a spout to the right of the handle if you are left-handed.
Care Instructions
Ensure your wok has full instructions on properly caring for it. As mentioned earlier in this article, a wok requires more care than many other kitchen pots and utensils. Do not trust a product description that says you can place a carbon steel wok in a dishwasher. This will allow food to stick and likely cause rust.
Included Accessories
Many products have useful accessories included. Some accessories that may be of interest to you include:
Lid
Lids for a wok are usually wooden. Read customer reviews to ensure the lid is well-made and splinter-free. The lid should fit well and should have a little ridge to hold the lid in place. The lid handle should be smooth and comfortable to hold.
Spatula
There are different types of spatulas often used with a wok. A metal wok spatula is the traditional type of spatula used in Chinese cooking. You may prefer a wooden or silicone spatula as these are less likely to scratch your wok.
Cooking chopsticks
Cooking chopsticks are longer than regular eating chopsticks to protect your hands from heat. You can safely turn food over and scramble the egg around rice and noodles with this utensil.
