Purchase A Chinese Steel Wok - Best Deals And Information

Before you purchase a Chinese steel wok, there are several considerations you should be aware of. Chinese steel woks are available in regular carbon steel, non stick carbon steel and stainless steel. The most popular is the carbon steel wok. It is used in the majority of Chinese restaurants and by professional chefs.

If you choose to purchase the Chinese carbon steel wok, you should realize that it does require initial and ongoing seasoning to keep it from rusting. The manufacturer has sealed the wok with a preservative oil that needs to be removed and replaced with cooking oil. Make sure you follow the directions exactly so that your wok will be seasoned properly. It will also need to be seasoned from time to time with use.

You should use a soft sponge and not anything abrasive to clean your wok or you will need to season it again. After cleaning and thoroughly drying it, rub a thin coating of oil on it before putting it away. Although there is some work to maintain the carbon steel wok, it is the preferred wok for cooking Chinese food.

Another option is purchasing a Chinese steel wok that has a non-stick coating. In general, the non-stick coatings don’t work very well on carbon steel and the high heat required for cooking Chinese food can damage the non-stick coating. If you prefer a non-stick coating to cook with a heavy gauge hard anodized aluminum wok is recommended. Calphalon and other manufacturers make some really good ones.

Another possibility is a stainless steel wok. Unlike the carbon steel wok, there is no extra work involved. If you care about the appearance of your wok, stainless steel may be the choice for you. The downside of stainless steel woks is that the heat is not distributed as evenly as with a carbon steel wok and you will need to use more oil when cooking.

Another consideration when you are purchasing a Chinese steel wok is the size.  Most woks come in 10 inch, 14 inch or 16 inch.  The most popular is the 14 inch which will accommodate most cookbook dishes.

You must also choose between a flat bottom or round bottom wok.  If you are cooking on an electric range your best choice would be a flat bottom.  The round bottom woks could damage your element.  Flat bottoms can also be used on gas ranges as well. 

Two tips for cooking in your Chinese wok:

Make sure your wok is hot before you add oil. This will help prevent your food from sticking.

Never overload your wok with food. When you put too much food in, it will end up steaming the food instead of stir frying it.

Whichever Chinese wok you decide to purchase, the carbon steel or the stainless steel, it will give you many years of great healthy stir fry dishes to enjoy.