More than 2,000 years ago, during China’s Han Dynasty, cast iron was smelt into a unique form, one where a curved bottom flared out into an expansive width ending in high walls designed to retain both heat and ingredients. The name it was given was simple: wok. In the Cantonese spoken in its region of origin, wok literally means “cooking pot.” Not particularly specific, perhaps, but neither are its uses. As time has shown, the wok's design is that of a workhorse—a multi-cooking wonder with infinite capabilities. Also never put cold water into a hot pan or plunge hot cookware in cold water. Sudden changes of temperature may cause the metal to warp, resulting in an uneven base. My pan seems unstable on my hob - why? An exterior coating protects your cookware from the harmful consequences of dishwashing. It is therefore extremely important not to damage this coating and we recommend that you avoid the use of scouring pads (Scotch Brite). A wok's handle is equally as important: A too-short wok handle could mean it getting too hot to handle (or worse, using a kitchen rag and risking it catch on fire). An uncomfortable handle means tossing food with two hands or arm fatigue while cooking. The worst handle is one that can't be taken off and can't go into an oven when the wok itself needs proper oven seasoning. The pan must be cleaned each time it's used to remove the film of grease that can stay on the surface. If the pan is only wiped with a paper towel or rinsed in water, the film won't be fully removed and may cook the next time you use the pan: stains may appear.

This extremely well-crafted pan is a cinch to use, clean, and maintain, but the performance comes at a premium Gas burners have a dead zone in the middle, which means that although the sides of your wok will get hellaciously hot, the base will have several inches of indirect heat right in the spot you want to sear.Special handle (such as wood or removable handles like Ingenio): NO, hand washing only, recommanded with a non-abrasive sponge.

Performance: To analyze a wok's heat conductivity and distribution, we boiled water in each, monitoring how long it took to come to a boil and how long to cool down. We also recorded how well a wok seared beef and browned rice. To extend the life of the coating, you should use a small amount of oil when stir-frying or grilling. You do not need oil when boiling or stewing. Can I leave my handle on the cookware while I am cooking with it on the stove?

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It is also necessary to avoid overheating and scratches, in particular due to use of metal accessories (spatulas, ladles) and/or due to cleaning with a scouring sponge. After cooking, we were able to wash away everything easily with a gentle scrub and rinse, and re-seasoning with oil and a paper towel helped pull away anything that was left behind. The only thing we could really complain about were how hot the metal parts of the handles get, but that's easily solved by keeping an oven mitt or dish towel nearby to protect the hands when needed.

Only frying pans, saucepans or saute pans from the Ingenio range can go in the oven, thanks to their detachable handles (ensure that the detachable handle is removed). Utensils should never be used in a microwave or convection oven. Thermo-Spot®: To what temperature does the frying pan need to be heated for the temperature indicator to change colour? A wok's price tag is just that, a price tag: We tested a few woks more expensive than any on this list. We found that there wasn't anything extraordinary about their performance or design, and a couple were even harder to use. We cleaned this wok with soap and water, but according to Chen, the process of scrubbing, rinsing, and heating your carbon steel wok really is the best way to keep it clean—no soap is necessary. It does require stovetop drying and oil rubbing after every use, but this meticulous care ensures it continues to get better with use. This is the optimum temperature for frying and searing food. This indication helps you cook healthier and at an ideal temperature. General recommendations Traditional, round-bottomed woks are meant to be used with a special stove featuring a burner that is fitted to cradle a wok. This setup creates a hotspot at the bottom while sending heat up the sides of the wok, and also allows for a smooth scooping motion to stir ingredients around. Flat bottoms are an evolutionary allowance for flat cooktops. These center the hot point on the surface that touches the burner, taking a longer time for the sides to capture and keep higher temperatures.

We did find that this carbon steel wok was on the heavier side, so keep that in mind if you have any issues with strength or mobility. As with all carbon steel, you'll need to keep up the pan's finish by taking some time out to clean the wok and go through the seasoning process once more before storing it away. During that seasoning process, you'll need to remove the handle before placing the oven as only the wok itself is oven-safe. Storage & organisation Furniture Textiles Kitchenware & tableware Kitchens Lighting Decoration Rugs, mats & flooring Beds & mattresses Baby & children Smart home Bathroom products Laundry & cleaning Plants & plant pots Home electronics Home improvement Outdoor living Food & beverages Christmas Shop Shop by room The best woks can do it all, but only a wok can turn out stir-fry as it's meant to be: with vegetables that are vibrant, blissfully blistered, yet tender-crisp; meat that captures a little browning without drying out; and dishes with little oil but a lot of naturally extruded flavor. Not only does a wok allow you to cook high-volume ingredients—like the vegetable-heavy dishes Asian cuisine is known for—by virtue of its tall sides, but its sloping sides also catch heat in a blooming pattern, creating different zones. Where the flames hug the bowl is where you sear; up toward the edge is where you keep warm and dry.