The Ultimate Guide to Buying the Right Wok

The secret to cooking sumptuous stir-fried meals, be it Chinese foods or other common foods, is having a wok in your kitchen. A wok is a favorite cooking utensil that perfectly works when preparing Chinese dishes, frying beef, warming tortillas, scrambling eggs, and cooking any other stir-fried meals. You can choose various woks from the market, depending on your preferred size and quality. But what should be the buying guide that lets you buy the right wok to satisfy your cooking needs? Well, here is a top list of the items you should look out for when purchasing a suitable wok.

Material

A wok purchased should have a suitable material that is conducive for cooking. Woks are made of several materials such as carbon steel, aluminum, or cast-iron. Initially, the woks were made of carbon steel material that is efficient in heat transfer. According to reviews from thedaringkitchen.com/best-wok, carbon steel conducts heat well, offers a naturally nonstick surface, and it’s durable. It’s still a favorite to many. If you need a light-weight material, then you need to purchase aluminum wok. If getting iron’s browning is your choice, then you can go for the cast-iron wok if you don’t mind its heavyweight.

Size

Woks are available in various sizes. There are both large and small woks in the market. The quantity of food that you cook determines the appropriate size. If you have a large family or fancy cooking large meals, a large wok fits you. However, if you usually cook small amounts of food, then a tiny wok will be appropriate for you. Other factors, including the type of stove that you have and your personal preferences, will determine the wok size you should buy.

Flat versus curved base

At the market, you will likely get most woks having a curved base. However, to suit your cooking needs, you will need to choose whether to buy a flat or curved-based work. Each of the flat and curved based woks has their advantages over the other. A wok with a curved base is efficient in tossing food around, allowing heat transfer around the curved surface quickly. It also holds food in the wok perfectly. However, the curved base will not be appropriate if you are cooking on a flat-top or an electric range. If you prefer your wok sitting directly on your burner, you will need to buy a flat-based wok. An electric range cooker is more fit with a flat-base wok. If you prefer purchasing a curved-bottom wok, you should choose the one with a separate “collar” that helps hold the wok on the electric stove.

Handles

Woks were initially made with two metal handles to help in lifting the wok. Nowadays, you will find the flat-based woks having a long wooden handle with one small grip. The majority of the curved-base woks consist of two small handles to aid in lifting. For ease in moving the wok without a potholder, choosing a wok with a wooden handle will be the best choice.

Non-stick versus Seasoned Coating

The type of coating in a wok will impact factors like ease of cleaning and durability. A nonstick wok avoids food from getting stuck on your wok, making it easy to clean. Also, a non-stick wok lets you use less fat during cooking, which is a significant health consideration nowadays. If you want a nonstick wok, go for the aluminum wok since the nonstick coating does not fit in the carbon steel. 

You should note that the nonstick coating will wear out after some considerate time of use. If you purchase a material like carbon steel and cast-iron, you will need to season with oil all the time to avoid having your food sticking on the wok. The good thing with the seasoned coating is that it can handle cooking temperature over a medium-heat, unlike the nonstick wok, and thus, your stir-fried food will be crispy.

Lid

For a great cooking experience, you should choose a wok that has a lid. A wok with a lid might not be at the top of your priorities but buying a wok with a lid comes with several advantages. Some of the benefits include letting your ingredients simmer as desired in a covered wok. Further, the lid allows you to steam your covered food using less oil than always having to fry your food. So, be sure to purchase a wok that comes with a lid to benefit from such advantages.

Woks are a must-have in your kitchen for your stir-fried foods. Next time you think of buying a wok, consider the factors indicated in this guide to get the most appropriate wok for your kitchen.