Making the perfect Asian dish at home may be a challenge if you are new to this unique style of cooking. To master it, a good place to start is by purchasing a wok and an electric one at that. An electric wok is ideal for ease of use and convenience, especially for a beginner chef. We’ve curated a list of our favorite electric woks of 2024 that don’t require a flame or external heat source. The Aroma Housewares Electric Wok earns the top spot on our list because it detaches for easy cleaning and has a glass lid.

With an electric wok, you can easily prepare a wide range of Asian dishes at your home. But there are so many different products that make choosing the ideal one overwhelming. If you choose in haste, you may end up investing in a wok having less capacity than you need or one with limited temperature settings. Thus, to guide you through the entire buying process, we have listed some of the most crucial factors you must consider before making the final decision.

How Are Electric Woks Different From Traditional Stovetop Woks?

Even though both the electric and stovetop woks are used for cooking Asian dishes, they aren’t the same. One can easily differentiate between these items based on their features, performance, and appearance. For example:

• An electric wok needs electricity as a heat source while the stovetop wok needs flame for cooking the food.
• You don’t have to continuously toss the food by moving the wok. But when you are using the stovetop woks, you need to toss the food so that it doesn’t get burned.
• Another difference is the cooking time where the electric wok is the winner. They can cook food much faster than a stovetop wok.

How Can You Select the Best Electric Wok From a Huge Product List?

Size/Capacity

The electric woks are available in different sizes or capacities, so you need to consider this factor first. Some woks have a capacity of 4.7 to 6 quarts, while others can have a size of 7 quarts or more. You need to decide the size of the product based on your requirements. For example, if you cook for one or two people mostly, a smaller wok will be suitable. But for a hefty family meal, you should go for a model having a size larger than 6 quarts.

Material

Stainless steel and aluminum are the two main materials with which the wok is manufactured. Aluminum is light and capable enough to quickly distribute the heat evenly. If you want to use the wok regularly or frequently, go for one made from this material. On the contrary, stainless steel woks are more durable and have a higher heat retention capacity. But such woks are heavy and hard to carry around.

Temperature controller

All the electric woks come with a temperature control feature to maintain the heat level required for the dish you are cooking. Some products come with temperature probes that act as heat sensors and help you set the right temperature for cooking. You can even remove it from the wok’s body in some models. Another type of temperature controller found in a few woks is a knob or a regulator. Using this, you can toggle between different temperatures needed for cooking the food to perfection.

Heat settings

Before you move ahead, make sure to check the number of heat settings available in the wok you choose. If you want to cook basic Asian food items like stir-fried noodles, sauteed vegetables, or soup, go for a product that has fewer heat settings. But if you truly want to master Asian cuisine and establish complete control over the food’s flavors and texture, pick a wok with more heat settings.

Detachable base

Most electric woks sit on a detachable base to ensure that your kitchen countertop is safe from any damage. When you have to clean the wok, simply detach it from the base and wash it in the dishwasher or using your hands. However, ensure you don’t have to spend too much time detaching its base.

Lid

In most woks, the lids are manufactured from tempered glass that can tolerate a high amount of heat without cracking. Such lids are transparent, so you can easily see the food being cooked inside the wok. Make sure to go for a product with a lid that has a dome shape so that the trapped hot air can circulate inside properly and cook the food faster. Apart from this, it would be better to select a wok whose lid has a steam vent that allows you to control the steam inside.

Side and lid handles

While choosing the electric woks, you have to pay special attention to its side handles and the lid’s handle or top knob. Make sure they are made from heat-resistant material like silicone so that when you touch them, they don’t burn your fingers. Besides, these cool-touch handles make it easier for a person to carry the wok around in the kitchen.

What Kind of Dishes Can You Make With an Electric Wok?

Using an electric wok, you can prepare a myriad of Asian dishes. Some of them include:

• Stir-fried rice or noodles
• Soup
• Gravy noodles
• Tempura fried items
• Deep-fried items
• Braised rack of lamb

The electric wok will allow you to cook almost all kinds of Asian food items, provided you have picked the right product for your cooking needs.

Top Picks

• Best Overall: Aroma Housewares Electric Wok
• Best Design: Presto Electric Wok
• Large Capacity: Breville Hot Electric Wok
• Value For Money: Oster Diamondforce Electric Wok
• Best For Non-Stick Cooking: Vonshef Electric Wok

Reviews

Best Overall

Aroma Housewares Electric Wok

Pros	Cons
Can be detached from the base for easy cleaning Will keep the food moist for a long time due to the glass lid cover	Can be hard to set the temperature due to the unmarked temperature probe

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Best Design

Presto Electric Wok

Pros	Cons
Has a rim with a handle for better and safe usage Keeps your kitchen counter safe owing to the high stands	The lid does not have a steam vent

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Large Capacity

Breville Hot Electric Wok

Pros	Cons
Comes with 15 temperature settings for authentic Asian cooking Won’t need much oil for cooking because of non-stick coated wok walls	Can be difficult to handle due to heavyweight

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Value For Money

Oster Diamondforce Electric Wok

Pros	Cons
Will keep food healthier owing to PFOA-free, non-stick surface coating No more hassles in cleaning the wok’s lid as it’s dishwasher safe	Does not come with a detachable base

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Best for Non-Stick Cooking

Vonshef Electric Wok

Pros	Cons
Comes with a detachable electric cord for better serving on the dining table Won’t need too much oil for cooking owing to the non-stick coating	Has only four fixed temperature settings

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