A Wok is one of the best pieces of cookware for any kitchen. Famous from their use in Chinese cooking, these conical pans are as multipurpose as it gets. If you’ve ever wondered why you may need a wok or what you can do with one, you’ve come to the right place. Here we’ll break down what a wok is, how they compare to other pieces of cookware, and even how to cook with one.
A Wok is a deep-rounded, conical pan originating from China. There are a few different versions of this classic pan: the Cantonese Wok and the Mandarin Wok.
The Cantonese Wok is often made from carbon steel and has two U-shaped helper handles, one on each side. A Mandarin Wok is usually made from steel and has one long handle, often made from bamboo.
Our Wok is a combination of these two styles. In making our Wok, we utilized Carbon Steel for its high-heat capacity and opted for one long Stainless Steel handle to make hands-on cooking techniques, like stir fry, comfortable.
What are Woks Made Of?Woks can be made from many different materials. Most typically, Woks are constructed from either cast iron or carbon steel, although you can find aluminum and stainless steel designs as well.
We opted to design our Wok from Carbon Steel. Carbon Steel, which is safe up to 1200F can get extremely hot, and provide superior heat retention, making it ideal for stir-fry. And because Carbon Steel is lightweight, it is much easier to maneuver than cast iron.
Wok vs. Frying PanA Wok is different from a Frying Pan for a few reasons. A Wok has a more conical shape, while a Frying Pan is flatter. Frying Pans have flat bottoms, while Woks typically have curved ones (although we designed our Wok with a flat bottom so you can use it on your home burner).
Beyond appearances, they also differ in functionality. A Frying Pan should be your go to for sauteing and searing, while a Wok is much more suited for techniques like stir-frying and even deep frying thanks to its big hollow body.
While a Wok is often used for stir-fry, there are plenty of other techniques it’s great for too. With a Wok, you can deep-fry tempura, steam dumplings, braise mapo tofu, and even fashion it into an indoor smoker if you’re feeling adventurous.
Cooking with a Wok is relatively simple, however, your approach does depend on what technique and style you’re cooking with. Here are some tips to remember.
We believe that Woks are essential kitchen tools for everyone, not just adventurous cooks. However, if you frequently cook with high heat, enjoy experimenting with cooking techniques, and are always looking to perfect a new recipe, then a Wok should be in your kitchen arsenal.
A Wok is an incredibly versatile pan that can help you achieve many different cooking styles and techniques. When you pair this classic pan style with our award-winning Carbon Steel construction, you’ve got a Wok that will last you a lifetime.