Wok ranges are typically compact in size and have just one or two burners. They're capable of producing intense heat, so they're often made of stainless steel. A wok range made with aluminum won't withstand high temperatures as well as a steel or cast iron option.
What is a wok?
What is a Wok? With strong Asian roots, the wok dates all the way back to the Chinese Han dynasty. Traditionally it is a round-bottomed, high-walled pan, although flat-bottomed versions are gaining popularity as they can be used on standard ranges. It is commonly designed with either two side handles or one long handle.
What size wok do I Need?
Here in the US, wok sizes vary from 10 inches to 20 inches. Make a choice depending upon the size of your range and how much you want to cook at one time, but generally speaking, we recommend a 13-14 inch wok. What shape do I want? Woks traditionally have round bottoms (rather than flat, though these are relatively common).
Can you cook with a wok on a flat burner?
Cooking with a wok is easy with the proper equipment. For the best results, it's a good idea to have your own wok range. These ranges are specially designed to cradle the rounded bottom of the wok to evenly distribute heat. When placed on flat burners, woks can heat unevenly and result in cold or undercooked dishes.
What is the best type of wok for Chinese cooking?
Chinese restaurants prefer them, and we prefer using them at home as well. Whether it is a “pow wok” with a single handle or a large wok with two metal handles, carbon steel is our top choice. Fairly inexpensive and lighter than cast iron, carbon steel woks season nicely over time to create a non-stick surface.
What is a wok stove?
A Wok Burner is designed to produce a massive amount of heat in a short period so that the wok or cookware can be heated up really quickly allowing the cook to use methods which they normally wouldn't be able to on an indoor stove – for example searing steak, stir frying, deep frying, steaming and smoking.
Do I need a special stove to use a wok?
A gas stove is ESSENTIAL for wok cooking because you need HIGH HEAT! Electric stoves do NOT generate enough heat and because the round bottom cast iron wok shape only gets a small contact area, it won't work!
What is the purpose of a wok?
A wok is ideal for stir-frying; as the food is cooked, it's pushed up to the sides of the wok while the remaining food is cooked on the bottom. A wok uses less oil than a conventional large skillet, and its high, sloping sides contain most of the splatter.
Why is it called wok?
The word wok translates as “cooking pot” in Cantonese, it is also known as “Kuo” in Mandarin and a “Kuali" in many different Asian languages. 5. The wok is usually crafted either from cast iron or carbon steel though you can also find aluminium and stainless steel designs.
Can I use wok on normal stove?
Good news: you can use a wok for cooking stir-fry on an electric stovetop. Most people who cook with electric stoves prefer flat-bottom woks because they have better heat conductivity. However, you could also use a round-bottomed wok with a wok ring.
Will wok work on electric stove?
Verdict: Both a carbon steel wok or a cast-iron one can work well when you're cooking on an electric coil stove-top. Stay away from a round-bottomed wok that won't sit well, even with a wok ring underneath.
Can you cook anything in a wok?
We'll even go as far as to say that you can cook everything in a wok (almost!). Okay, so you'd struggle to bake a cake, but recipes for a wok can involve so many different cooking techniques. You can boil, fry, steam, smoke, or even just use a wok for tossing salads!
Can I fry in a wok?
Deep-frying in a wok is ideal because its concave shape requires less oil than a regular pot, and the roominess of the wok lets you fry more food at one time without crowding, which means frying in fewer batches. Tips for deep-frying in a wok: Never fill the wok more than halfway with oil.
Is it worth buying a wok?
A good wok is one of the most versatile pans in the kitchen. Beyond being the best choice for making a stir-fry, it's also the ideal vessel for deep-frying, steaming, and indoor smoking. It is the most commonly used pan in my kitchen.
Who uses a wok?
ChineseWoks are used in a range of Chinese cooking techniques, including stir frying, steaming, pan frying, deep frying, poaching, boiling, braising, searing, stewing, making soup, smoking and roasting nuts.
What is the advantage of cooking with a wok?
A wok is a healthier way to cook food. It uses less oil and allows food to land back in the pan instead of the stove during stir-fry. It distributes heat more evenly that makes cooking all the quicker.
What is a real wok made of?
Carbon Steel: This is the most traditional material used for making woks, and it also tends to be the most recommended by wok enthusiasts. It's inexpensive, lightweight, durable, and most importantly, it heats up quickly and evenly.
Do you need a wok ring for a gas stove?
Round bottom wok pans on a gas stove don't require a wok ring but can be a good way to protect the bottom of your pan from scratches. The only time you definitely need a wok ring is when using a round-bottomed wok on a ceramic glass cooktop.
Is it worth getting a wok?
A Wok's main purpose is to stir fry and it excels at that. because it can handle the heat of a professional stove. The high heat and naturally Non-Stick surface means that you need to use less oil in a Wok, therefore making it a healthier option.
What is the best kind of wok to use on a gas stove?
carbon-steel wokFor a standard gas or electric: Choose a flat-bottomed carbon-steel wok with a long wood handle and a short helper handle. Carbon steel heats quickly, conducts heat efficiently, and --once seasoned-- has a naturally nonstick surface. The flat bottom sits and heats evenly on the burner.
Is carbon steel wok is good for electric stove?
Carbon Steel woks are the best for cooking on an electric stove. They provide even heat distribution without the usual flame that woks thrive on. A wok is not shaped for most electric stoves. They are not the first choice for wok cooking, but it doesn't mean they can't be used.
What is a Wok?
With strong Asian roots, the wok dates all the way back to the Chinese Han dynasty. Traditionally it is a round-bottomed, high-walled pan, although...
Why Use a Wok?
A wok, as opposed to a traditional frying pan, distributes heat a lot more evenly. This occurs because of the concave shape with sloping sides, as...
What is a Wok Used For?
While most commonly used for stir fry, a wok has an array of different potential uses because of its unique design. Since it is so deep it can be f...
What are Woks Made of?
Carbon Steel, Stainless Steel, and Cast Iron are the most commonly used materials for Woks.
What is a wok?
Cantonese and Mandarin Woks 1 Mandarin wok cooking involves the use of intense heat to quickly stir fry foods. A mandarin wok has a long, straight handle that can be used by cooks to flip and sear food in the pan. The hallmarks of Mandarin cooking are speed and intensity, and wells designed for these feature intense, concentrated burners with mounded rings that accommodate picking up and moving the pan around. 2 A Cantonese wok stays put during the cooking process. Shovels and ladles are used to move the food around to get it cooked evenly. Cantonese woks have loop handles, one on each side, and they're usually heated with burners that create moderate heat that is spread out evenly along the cooking area. Cantonese wok rings are lower, creating a more shallow well, letting the wok sit securely and close to the flame.
How big is a Chinese wok?
Available wok sizes are between 13 and 22 inches in diameter. There are two different types of rings, one for each kind of wok.
What is a wok used for?
Cantonese wok rings are lower, creating a more shallow well, letting the wok sit securely and close to the flame. Woks are used for more than cooking stir fry. Boiling noodles, cooking soup, and frying tempura can be done in a Cantonese wok with a burner that spreads the heat out.
What is a wok in cooking?
A Cantonese wok stays put during the cooking process. Shovels and ladles are used to move the food around to get it cooked evenly. Cantonese woks have loop handles, one on each side, and they're usually heated with burners that create moderate heat that is spread out evenly along the cooking area. Cantonese wok rings are lower, creating a more shallow well, letting the wok sit securely and close to the flame.
Why are Chinese woks water cooled?
These models are sometimes called water-cooled because the water is used to cool down the surface of the range, which can become very hot after you've been cooking for a while. The water can also be used to quickly rinse woks between batches or at the end of the day, saving time and making life easier for your cooks. Water-cooled woks are not allowed in some areas with restrictions on water usage, so be sure to check local regulations to see if your restaurant is allowed to have one.
Can you use water in a wok?
The water can also be used to quickly rinse woks between batches or at the end of the day, saving time and making life easier for your cooks. Water-cooled woks are not allowed in some areas with restrictions on water usage, so be sure to check local regulations to see if your restaurant is allowed to have one.
Can a Chinese wok have a flue?
The Chinese wok range can be ordered with or without flues. A flue's purpose is to vent ambient heat, and since a wok range can have some serious firepower, this can make a big difference in warmer climates where temperatures in the kitchen can become unbearable during the summer months.
Where did the wok originate?
What is a Wok? One of the most versatile cooking pans in the world, the simple design of woks originated in China and are now used the world over. They come in a variety of materials and forms, but the signature style of these round cooking pans is as useful as it is recognizable.
What is a Wok Used For?
While most commonly used for stir fry, a wok has an array of different potential uses because of its unique design. Since it is so deep it can be filled with water and used to boil foods or filled with oil for deep frying. When paired with wood chips and a rack, a wok can also be used as a smoker for meats and cheeses. If you have a lid for the wok it can also be used for steaming vegetables or seafood.
Why Use a Wok?
What makes a wok any better than a standard frying pan? Do I really need one for my particular culinary operation?
What are Woks Made of?
Each wok material has its own features and benefits. From the non-porous nature of stainless steel, to the non-stick perk of properly seasoned cast iron or carbon fiber. It's important to know the highlights of each material before making a purchase.
Why do you need a wok cover?
A good wok cover will not only prevent hot oil and juices from splattering outside of your wok, it will also keep food hot by retaining heat that would otherwise escape. Designed in all shapes and sizes, most covers are domed to allow for proper air circulation and to lock in moisture.
Why is it better to toss food in a wok?
Also, because of its shape, tossing food such as stir fry is a lot simpler and allows for the ingredients to fall back into the wok.
What to add to a wok?
Adding Ingredients to a Wok. Aromatics - Since aromatics are the foundation of flavor for your dish you'll want to add them first. Once the wok and oil is hot, you can add in your garlic, onions, herbs, and other aromatics the recipe calls for. This will allow the flavors to marry with the oil for a more flavorful dish.
What is a wok?
Aside from stir-frying, your wok is a great tool for any type of deep-frying, steaming, or boiling. Woks heat up fast, which means boiling noodles or heck, even pasta, is very quick! When in doubt, whip out your wok!
How big is a Chinese wok?
The majority of Chinese woks are 13-14 inches, and fit perfectly on a range top. Most modern Chinese kitchens are equipped with range tops, the all-too-important kitchen hood, and a door to the kitchen so the cooking smells don’t escape into the main living area.
How to clean cast iron wok?
Clean with soapy water and thoroughly rinse before your first use, and then coat the entire wok in vegetable oil before reheating it over a flame or in the oven. If you’re concerned about the weight of this option, lighter cast iron woks are available to make cooking and care more manageable these days.
How big of a wok do you need for a fish?
Different styles and sizes may be used depending upon the task at hand. Cooking large portions or steaming large plates of fish requires a large wok (20+ inches) and cooking stir-fried dishes to order calls for smaller ones similar to the size you would use at home.
What is the best wok to buy?
Whether it’s for cooking in a restaurant or at home, though, if you asked a Chinese chef: “ what is the best wok to buy? ” his answer would always be: carbon steel.
What is the heart of Chinese cooking?
The wok is the heart of any Chinese kitchen, so it’s important that you find a good one that fits your personal preferences!
How hot is a wok hay?
At the temperatures required for Chinese cooking, these are of questionable safety, since most are rated around 500 degrees or less, and many times you may exceed or come close to that limitation (e.g., when heating the wok to “just smoking”).
Cantonese and Mandarin Woks
Burner Styles
- As we've already mentioned, different burner types are available to complement different cooking styles. The primary difference between the types of burners is the way that they distribute heat. Some will focus the heat on the bottom of the wok. These are for stir-fry styles of cooking and are typically paired with a Mandarin wok ring. Other types of burner spread the heat out more evenly…
Water-Cooled Tops
- You'll find that most Chinese wok ranges are fitted with faucets along the back riser, with one for each ring or one for every two rings. These models are sometimes called water-cooled because the water is used to cool down the surface of the range, which can become very hot after you've been cooking for a while. The water can also be used to quickly rinse woks between batches or …
to Vent Or Not to Vent
- The Chinese wok range can be ordered with or without flues. A flue's purpose is to vent ambient heat, and since a wok range can have some serious firepower, this can make a big difference in warmer climates where temperatures in the kitchen can become unbearable during the summer months. You might hear ranges with flues called "east-coast" versions...