Best Carbon Steel Wok

Asian cookery is the source of some of the healthiest and tastiest dishes in the world. There is a wide range of recipes that you will enjoy preparing and at the center of it all, there is the wok. The wok might just be the most versatile and practical cooking utensil ever created. If you have never used one, you’ve been missing out on a lot. They are adaptable so that they can prepare different meals, even western-style recipes.

In Chinese, wok translates to a cooking pot. It is a very versatile pot. They have a round and smooth design that allows them to heat fast even when placed on a smaller flame. Some of the features, apart from the shape, include the long handles that you can use to toss your meals. That means that there is no need to stir your food constantly.

Why would you need a wok? The main reason why it is a great choice for most people is that it can reach very high temperatures level. Your food will therefore sear beautifully. But that is not the only thing you can do with a wok. You can deep fry, braise, make soup, or even sauces.

If you have tried to find a wok, you know how hard it can be to find the right one. We specifically compiled this article to help you make an informed choice. There is a wide variety to choose from. Read on for detailed information about woks, including a list of the top six woks we have tested.

Choosing the Right Carbon Steel Wok to Buy

We have already established that carbon steel woks are the best idea. However, there is still a wide variety. You need to narrow down your options to get the perfect wok for your kitchen. Therefore, you need to identify the important features of a wok and compare these features in different models to find the one that would suit you best. Here is a list of important considerations.

Flat Bottomed or Round Bottomed?

This is one of the main features you will note on the wok pans we have listed in the previous section. There are flat bottomed ones, which have a flat base, as suggested by the name. These are mainly preferred because they can rest easily on any flat cooktop such as an electric cooker.

The round-bottomed woks, on the other hand, cannot rest on such a flat surface because of the round base. The round-based woks are very easy to use if your cooker is compatible. Consider the type of cooker you have when making this choice or consider a wok rack/ring.

The Size

You should consider the size of the pan for two main reasons. The first is the food you want to cook at once. If you would want to cook more food at a go, you would require to purchase a larger wok. Additionally, a larger wok would simply be heavier and it might be a problem since moving the wok might be cumbersome.

The Design

When it comes to design, it depends on what you prefer. Here is the reason why. There are carbon steel woks with a modern design, while some have traditional designs. Some are simply basic, while some have fancy alterations such as the wooden handles. Some woks have lids. Some also happen to have a non-stick coating. These are pre-seasoned alternatives. Some of them would require to be pre-seasoned before you can use them.

Note: Before you use this wok for the first time, you should clean it. that cleaning removes the protective coating that accompanies a new wok. It is quite simple. You need to fill the wok with water halfway, and boil the water for around seven minutes. You should then pour out the water and immediately scrub it vigorously with hot soapy water, with the help of a scouring pad. Scrub inside and out, then rinse and wipe it completely dry. The final step is to season it as per the instructions provided and you will be ready to go.

• Best Overall – Craft WOK Hand Hammered Carbon Steel Wok

This is the best carbon steel wok we have reviewed and there are several reasons why it takes that spot. First of all, this wok is made of carbon steel, a 15 gauge to be exact, or 1.8mm thick carbon steel. It is an original design from Craft Wok and has been in the market since 2014. As you will learn, the quality has been approved by different users over the years. It is preferred by many professional chefs.

This traditional wok has a round bottom. With that in mind, it is obvious that this model would not be the best wok to use on a flat induction or electric stove. It would not sit steadily on a flat cooktop because of the round bottom.

You must season this pan before you use it even once. The process is quite easy. To make sure that you do it the right way, the company has included a set of instructions with the wok for seasoning. You can also call customer service for detailed guidance through the seasoning process. The customer service is readily available whenever you need help.

This is one of the carbon steel woks that have been hand-hammered by professionals. It has a weight of 4.6 pounds, which not only makes it heavy but also sturdy.

The amazing wok features a helper handle made with steel. It maintains its temperature even when you are cooking with high heat. You can also use it to hang the pan when you are done cooking with it. the wooden handle will give you a firm grip.

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• Best Carbon Steel Wok With Lid – Helen Chen’s Flat Bottom

This is the best carbon steel wok with a lid that we tested. It is a perfect tool for your kitchen if you want to sauté, steam, stew, braise, fry, or deep fry. You can prepare a range of Asian recipes and many more.

Its construction comprises 1.6 mm thick carbon steel, coupled with a bamboo handle that is resistant to heat. It also has a helper handle, as well as a lid with an efficient high dome. The design is not only beautiful but sturdy too. Storage is also made very easy because you can simply hang it when you are done using it.

Considering that it is made with carbon steel, you can expect that its performance is perfect. It can attain high-temperature levels very quickly. What’s more, it can distribute the heat evenly to all parts of the pan. As a result, food can cook evenly. As you continue to use the carbon steel wok, you will note that a natural patina is collected on the surface the more you use it. what does that mean? It means that as you continue to use it over time, the nonstick performance is improved greatly. The more you use it, the more nonstick it becomes.

Now, to the base. The wok has a flat bottom. It can work on any type of cooktop. That means that you can use it on any cooktop, including electricity and gas. You can also use it on an induction cooktop.

Why would you need a wok with a lid? Well, it is quite easy. A lid can prevent liquids from splattering. Additionally, the wok does not lose much heat when you are cooking. The lid helps to retain it inside the wok.

Seasoning is important before you use this wok. However, it is very easy to season. Once you purchase this wok, you will get a spatula made of bamboo, as well as a recipe booklet.

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• Best Carbon Steel Flat Bottom Wok – Souped Up Carbon Steel Wok

This is the best carbon steel wok with a flat bottom. It has a diameter of 12.5 inches. It has been tested extensively to ensure that it can work on a range of heat sources, which include gas ranges, induction stoves, as well as electric stoves.

As you might know, carbon steel is one of the most popular and efficient materials for making woks. This wok is no exception when it comes to that. It is made with a lightweight carbon steel material. Since it is lightweight, it can attain high levels of heat very fast. It can therefore work in different cooking methods including deep-frying, searing, sautéing, and many more. Try your recipe of choice on this amazing wok.

In regards to accessories, it features an appealing lid made of wood. It also has a spatula made of metal. The wooden handle gives you a firm grip on the wok when you are cooking. What’s more, it does not heat up even when you are cooking at high temperatures, which keeps your hands safe from burning.

The carbon steel material will give you an amazing set of benefits that you will get from stainless steel and cast iron. However, you will avoid all the downsides associated with both of them.

When it comes to the recipes, there is a video guide to help you learn how to use the wok. Additionally, there is a wide range of recipes that you can try out for your family. When you visit the Souped Up Recipes YouTube channel, you will learn and enjoy using your wok.

This is a hand-hammered wok that gives you a unique and appealing addition to your kitchen. Simply purchase one and join the professional chefs who trust this wok over many others in the market. Let us look at the pros and cons.

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• Best Hand Hammered Wok – Youkata Pre-Seasoned

Do you like preparing some Asian cuisines from the comfort of your home? Why not an authentic wok to do that? This 14-inch wok features a round bottom. But that is not all the design has to offer. You will be able to lock in all the flavors and juices inside the wok and make some delicious and nutritious meals.

What more would you enjoy? You might have noticed that most of the woks on our list will require you to season them before your first use. However, this specific wok is pre-seasoned. The carbon steel is pre-seasoned at very high temperatures using some special, effective technics. Therefore, you do not have to worry about seasoning it the wrong way. The more you use it, the stronger and more efficient the seasoning gets.

We all care about the material used to make our woks. The quality of carbon steel used to make this wok is impressive. It is made using black, heavy-duty carbon steel. The design of the wooden handle will make sure that you get a good grip of the wok when you are cooking.

This wok is not only meant for deep frying. It is versatile, which means that you can prepare meals in different traditional methods. For instance, you can braise, pan-fry, deep-fry, and many more technics.

The wok is light, which means carrying it is not a problem. Additionally, storage will not be an issue.

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• Best 14-inch Carbon Steel Wok – Joyce Chen Flat Bottom 

This is a great model offered by Joyce Chen. This might be the best model of the brand. It features a package with four pieces, which include the wok itself, a lid with a dome for that wok, a spatula made with bamboo, as well as a recipe book for all recipes that you can easily try out.

Once you purchase this package, you can trust that you will have everything you require for your stir-frying requirements. It is definitely worth the money.

The dome lid is one of the features that you will learn to appreciate the more you cook with the wok. From different carbon steel wok reviews, you will realize that the lid is efficient in ensuring that your food’s flavors are retained inside the wok, so are all the nutrients.

The wok you purchase will feature some handles made with birch wood. The wood is a great choice because it resists the heat so that the handles remain cool even when you cook at high temperatures.

You will also get a helper handle that gives you a firmer grip on the wok when you are cooking. It also gives you more control over the wok’s movements.

One of the major disadvantages associated with Joyce Chen wok is the sides, which are smoother than the rest. Therefore, there is a chance that the wok might not be able to hold food as a hand-hammered wok would.  Additionally, it is not dishwasher safe.

One guarantee that you will get is the ability to use the wok on any type of cooktop that you might prefer. To make sure that you know how much confidence she has in the product, Joyce Chen gives you a warranty of 25 years.

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• Best 14 Gauge Carbon Steel Wok – M.V. Trading Carbon Steel Wok

This is the best carbon steel wok with a 14-gauge thickness. It features a flat bottom and a carbon steel construction. The main idea behind the flat bottom is to allow you to use the flat stovetop you have in your kitchen. You can easily stir-fry or use any other cooking method with ease and the wok will simply sit steadily on the stovetop.

Compared to the traditional woks, this specific model features some of the best designs in the market, making it a trendy and modern wok. It will complement your kitchen with amazing beauty.

The main problem associated with this wok is that it does not have a round bottom, as most of the woks in the market do. Why is that a problem? Well, there is a limitation on the amount of deep-frying and boiling you can do with this specific model. Nevertheless, it is a great wok and the flat bottom is fancied by many because of the ability to sit still on a stovetop.

It is important to remember that this model will require seasoning for you to use it. Otherwise, the food you are making will stick to the sides and the bottom.

There are different sizes, three to be exact. You can opt for the 16 inches, this 14-inch model, as well as a 12 inch one. The options are great so that you can make your decision based on the number of people you plan to cook for.

Remember: The smaller one is cheaper than the larger one.

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Frequently Asked Question

1. Is a carbon steel wok good?

Carbon steel woks are very good, to be honest. Carbon steel is very affordable compared to woks made with other materials. That’s not all. They can conduct the heat evenly throughout for cooking evenly. You can learn from Asian chefs that it is a highly recommended type of wok for different purposes.

2. Which is better? Carbon steel wok or cast iron wok?

Carbon steel has been recognized to conduct heat better than cast iron would. However, you can simply balance it out by getting a cast iron wok that has thicker material. If you have a durable and enameled cast iron wok, you will have an easier time cleaning up. Additionally, you do not need to season it, neither will the seasoning flake off.

3. Is carbon steel wok toxic?

There are indeed certain materials that will start breaking down and releasing dangerous food, especially when they start approaching temperatures of around 500 degrees Fahrenheit. However, carbon steel woks will get to extreme temperature levels without breaking down. Neither will carbon steel release any chemicals into your food. It is safe to use carbon steel woks. It is safer than most materials.

4. Does carbon steel rust easily?

Carbon steel is generally stronger than stainless steel. It is more durable. However, carbon steel will rust when you expose it to moisture. It will also corrode, even when the moisture amount is small. Moisture vapor will also cause it to rust. You need to care for it and store it properly.

Conclusion

Carbon steel woks are highly preferred all over the world for different cooking purposes. We have narrowed down the choices and given you a list of the best carbon steel woks. We have also included each of their specific strongest features. Make sure that you consider the list and choose one that is perfect for your kitchen. Get one today!

Also Read:

• How To Use Wok On An Electric Stove
• Matfer Bourgeat Black Carbon Steel Pan Review
• Yamada Japanese Made Iron Wok Review

Now I’d like to hear from you.

Did I miss one of your favorite carbon steel woks?

Or maybe you have a question about something.

Either way, let me know by leaving a comment below right now.

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