The wok is one of the most versatile and recognizable cookware used in Asian countries, particularly for Chinese cooking. With high sloped sides and round bottom, this cooking vessel allows heat to distribute evenly, making it ideal for deep-frying, stir-frying, steaming, boiling, stewing and more. Due to its curved bottom, food can be cooked to perfection with relatively less oil. Thanks to its rising popularity, there are plenty of choices available in the market. You will be spoiled by choice when it comes to choosing the right wok.
Here’s how to choose the right wok for you:
- Material
- Woks come in a variety of materials such as cast iron, aluminum, carbon steel, stainless steel and non-stick coating. Cast iron wok is perfect for stir-frying food as it spreads the heat uniformly and retains heat for longer, but it is much heavier than others. If you’re looking for something lighter in weight, aluminum woks are the way to go. Apart from that, aluminum offers excellent thermal conductivity to ensure quick and better cooking results. Additionally, carbon steel wok is another popular choice as it is durable and cheaper. Also, it tends to heat up faster than those made of stainless steel. However, stainless steel wok is safe as it is rustproof and does not leach any metallic particles into food. Non-stick wok, however, is not recommended for deep-frying because the Teflon coating might release hazardous fumes once it reaches a certain temperature.
- Handles
- Generally, woks feature either two loop handles on both sides or one small loop handle on one side and one long handle on the other. The handles are made of metal and normally welded or riveted to the sides of the wok. The long handle makes the lifting and tossing job easier and safer, especially the wok is full. Nowadays, the handles are covered with either plastic or wood to insulate the cookware during use.
- Size
- Woks come in a wide array of sizes, from as small as 8” to large, 18” commercial sized ones. For the majority of households, the standard wok size would be around 14” to 16” as they are adequate to prepare most dishes. Besides, you should always opt for a lighter wok and never choose a wok that is too heavy to lift. It is advisable to test the weight of a wok before purchase. Other considerations include the amount of food you have to prepare, the size of your stove and the size of your family.
- Round vs Flat
- There are two choices when it comes to woks, namely flat-bottomed wok and round-bottomed wok. Both types work well with gas stovetop because the wok ring can hold them in place. However, if you are using an induction hob, you would want to look for a flat-bottomed wok as it allows full contact with the heating panel and it can be placed safely on the electric stove while cooking. On the other hand, a round bottom allows food to be tossed and flipped easily without worrying about any spillage. Also, the food can be cooked faster and evenly as the heat is concentrated at the bottom of the wok. Whether it is flat or round-bottomed, it all depends on the type of stove you are using.
- Care & Maintenance
- After choosing the right wok that best meets your needs, you should put some time and effort to keep your wok performing at its best. Always clean your wok thoroughly with soap and water after each use. It is best to not scrub them with abrasive materials no matter what it is made of. In addition, seasoning your wok by applying a thin layer of oil over the surface can help to prevent it from rusting and also keep the surface non-stick for easy cleaning as well as maintain the cooking performance.
