Full Answer
What is a POW wok and should I buy one?
A pow wok, a wok with a single handle so one can toss the wok over a high gas flame has proven to be extremely popular whether you want to toss/flip the wok while cooking or not. Available in round or flat bottom, just the right weight and gauge, in 10″, 12″, 14″ the most popular size, and 16″.
What is a hand-hammered POW wok?
A hand-hammered carbon steel pow wok is a wok with one a single long handle, approx. 6-7″ long either metal hollow handle or a wooden handle so one can flip, toss the wok over a high gas flame (like flipping an omelette). Pow woks are available in 10″, 12″ 14″ the most popular size, and 16″.
How do I know if my POW wok is too hot?
(Metal hollow handle stays cool to the touch for quick stir fries. If constantly on high heat, after 20 minutes, metal handle will be too hot to handle with your bare hands and a towel, or silicone slip-on handle is recommended, $7.95). >top< 5. What is a USA made carbon steel pow wok:
What is a wok used for?
A wok, meaning "cooking pot" in Chinese, is a versatile piece of kitchenware that stretches far beyond its stir-frying capabilities. Their smooth, round shape is great for quickly heating over a small flame. They typically have long handles that allow you to "toss" foods, eliminating the need to stir entirely.
What wok do professional chefs use?
carbon steel woksProfessional chefs generally prefer carbon steel woks to cast-iron ones because carbon steel weighs less and maneuvers more easily. Cooking stir-fries requires moving, lifting, and shifting the pan to toss vegetables and meats for even cooking; it can be tough to do that with a heavy cast-iron wok.
How do you season a POW wok?
3:066:55WOK 101: How To Season A Wok | Angel Wong's Kitchen - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThen rub a light layer of peanut oil all over the inside. And outside of the wok. Just make sureMoreThen rub a light layer of peanut oil all over the inside. And outside of the wok. Just make sure it's a light layer because a heavy layer of oil may cause the seasoning to flake.
Which is better round or flat bottom wok?
Advantages of Round Bottom Woks The round bottom Wok's shape allows it to reach a higher heat threshold, which cooks food faster. The high heat gives your food the wok hei flavor that you may want in your stir fry. Thanks to its dome-like shape, the round bottom Wok gives you more flexibility with stir-frying.
What is the point of an electric wok?
Like their counterparts, electric woks are used to make stir-fries and noodle dishes. As its name suggests, an electric wok is a modern version of the traditional Asian stir-frying pan that derives its heat from electricity rather than from a stove burner.
What kind of wok do Chinese chefs use?
carbon steel woksChinese restaurant chefs exclusively use carbon steel woks and swear by them. Different styles and sizes may be used depending upon the task at hand.
Can I use olive oil in a wok?
For wok cooking, use oils with a high smoke point and low polyunsaturated fat content. Grapeseed oil, peanut oil, etc… Sesame oil and olive oil will burn and taste bitter. Oils with high polyunsaturated fat contents like soybean oil will also turn your food texturally unpleasant.
Why do chefs use carbon steel pans?
A carbon-steel skillet can brown food just as deeply and evenly as cast iron. It also has two advantages: It heats up more quickly, and its lighter weight makes it easier to handle.
How do I choose a good wok?
Look for carbon steel woks that are at least 14-gauge—about two millimeters thick—which won't bend when you press on the sides. Avoid nonstick woks at all costs. Most nonstick coatings cannot handle the high heat necessary for a proper stir-fry.
Is a wok ring necessary?
The only time you definitely need a wok ring is when using a round-bottomed wok on a ceramic glass cooktop. Without a properly fitted wok ring, your pan will roll over the surface of your range, creating a hazard.
What is better a electric wok or a stove-top wok?
Electric woks have an almost immediate advantage over stove-top woks--they do not need to be seasoned. A traditional wok needs to go through a somewhat elaborate process of seasoning its metal to avoid future sticking problems. Nonstick electric woks help cooks avoid this process.
What can you cook in an electric wok besides stir fry?
8 New Things to Cook in a WokBeyond Stir-Fry. If you don't already own a wok, we highly recommend you get one! ... Popcorn. ... Eggs. ... Burgers. ... Mussels. ... Deep-Frying. ... Steam Fish and Vegetables. ... Soup.More items...
Can you fry in an electric wok?
There are many recipes you can prepare with an electric wok. Electric woks are large enough to cook a whole chicken or roast. If you want to stir fry, simply add the vegetables to the wok and stir.
How do you season a nonstick wok?
Using the soft side of a sponge, wash the surface of your Non Stick Pan with warm water and dish soap. Once your pan is dry, lightly rub vegetable or canola oil onto the surface of the pan. Heat the oiled Frying Pan over medium heat on a burner for 1-2 minutes and then remove it from the burner and let it cool.
What happens if you don't season a wok?
If you don't use it frequently enough, or if you prepare acidic food in it before it has gathered some seasoning (and most vegetables are acidic), you will get rust on the bottom too, before seasoning has had time to build up on its own. Ingesting rust is not an immediate health risk, but it is better to avoid it.
Do you have to season a wok every time you use it?
You may have even gone out and purchased one. But it's also important to know how to season a wok. Most require seasoning before first use and continued maintenance to continue building that nonstick patina.
How do I know if my wok is seasoned?
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).
How We Tested Each Wok
We chose to focus on carbon steel woks for their durability, heat adaptability, and natural non-stick that comes from seasoning. To put these woks to the test, Marianne looked at the ease of the seasoning process, weight and feel of each wok, and comfortability when stir-frying with each wok.
What to Consider When Buying a Wok
Aren't all woks the same? Well, no. Turns out woks can vary on everything from size, shape, and even material. For the sake of our testing, we chose to focus on carbon steel woks, as this is the material that is traditionally used to make woks.
Best Value Round Bottom Wok: The Wok Shop Carbon Steel Wok With Metal Side Handle
For those looking to invest in a traditional round bottom wok, Marianne selected this classic carbon steel model from The Wok Shop as her favorite.
Best Splurge Round Bottom Wok: Craft Wok Traditional Hand Hammered Carbon Steel Pow Wok
If you're willing to splurge for a more artisan look and feel, this wok from Craft Wok was hand-hammered in China. Marianne says, "After seasoning, this changes color and really achieves a natural non-stick surface. It's a gorgeous and affordable workhorse."
Best Value Flat Bottom Wok: KYTD Carbon Steel Wok
If you prefer the ease and convenience of a flat bottom wok, this one from KYTD received high marks from Marianne for its lightness and comfortability during use. The flat bottom will sit nicely on any stove top, and the hole in the handle allows for easy hanging storage. The fish-scale pattern finish on the black carbon steel resists scratches.
Best Splurge Flat Bottom Wok: Yosukata Carbon Steel Wok Pan
For a wok that's truly the best of both worlds, this flat-bottomed black steel wok is well worth the splurge. "This wok heats impressively quickly and evenly," says Marianne. "Its flat bottom allows for use without a wok ring, yet it has rounded edges on the bottom which made stir frying without the wok spatula easy."
Others Woks We Tested
We can't all be winners. Although these woks didn't place top in their categories, some of them still performed well in Marianne's testing. Read on if you're curious about the competition.
