Best Carbon Steel Woks

Review & Comparison, Last Update September 21, 2024
Carbon steel woks let you explore Chinese cuisine and prepare various delicious meals. The best carbon steel woks enable even heat distribution and make preparing restaurant-quality dishes quick and easy. ...Read more ...Read less
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BEST 2024
PROS
CONS
OUR VERDICT
Package Contents
Compatibility
Materials
Extras
Warranty
 
PROS

With this traditional round bottom wok, you will feel like a real Chinese chef. Carbon steel heats up fast and evenly, hand-hammered walls perfectly retain small pieces of food, allowing for quick and thorough food stirring while cooking.

CONS

There's no hanging hole/hook.

OUR VERDICT

If you are one of those cooks who prefer time-proven efficiency and reliability, this wok is for you. It will come in handy for cooking both on the open fire and on the stove, always delivering outstanding cooking results. It will change the whole way you cook and let you enjoy delicious and flavorful Asian dishes whenever you want.

detailed parameters
Package Contents

14" wok 

Compatibility

Gas or open fire, Concave induction cooktop (round bottom) 

Materials

Pan: 15-gauge carbon steel

Handle: wood

Extras

2 handles, hand wash recommended

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

The wok heats up really fast. You can use the supplied spatula to effectively stir the ingredients. The spatula's stainless steel build makes the utensil resistant against rust and corrosion. The wooden handle doesn't heat up. 

CONS

The wooden lid is impractical. 

OUR VERDICT

Souped Up Recipes Carbon Steel Wok is an excellent package. The wok's lightweight yet robust.  The supplied accessories are great. The company's YouTube channel has many videos that will help you with maintenance and seasoning. 

detailed parameters
Package Contents

12.5" wok, lid, spatula, user care video guide 

Compatibility

All stovetops, including induction cooktops (flat bottom)

Materials

Pan: 17-gauge carbon steel

Spatula: metal

Handle and lid: wood

Extras

1 handle, hanging hook, pouring spout, hand wash recommended

Warranty

2 years

PROS

The wok is oven-safe up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. The phenolic handle's ergonomic, enabling a comfortable yet firm grip. Plus, the handle stays cool to the touch no matter the cooking temperature. 

CONS

The pan takes quite some time to heat up. 

OUR VERDICT

Joyce Chen 22-0060 will make cooking easy. You won't have to worry about different ingredients sticking to the pan. Experienced cooks will be able to showcase their skills, while beginners will have the work cut out for them. 

detailed parameters
Package Contents

14" wok

Compatibility

All stovetops, including induction cooktops (flat bottom), oven-safe (up to 350°F)

Materials

Pan: 14-gauge carbon steel

Handle: phenolic resin

Extras

2 handles, hanging hook, hand wash recommended

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

The drip-free rims let you easily pour out the leftover oils. The handles are attached to the pan with high-strength rivets, so you won't have to worry about them getting loose with time.  The round bottom allows for excellent heat circulation and even heat distribution. 

CONS

The wok's relatively difficult to season.

OUR VERDICT

The difference between Chef's Medal Wok and cheap pans is that this pan gets better with age, developing this elegant, black, non-stick patina and adding authentic flavor to the meals from all the past dishes. It is also 100% hand-crafted. 

detailed parameters
Package Contents

14" wok

Compatibility

Gas or open fire, Concave induction cooktop (round bottom)

Materials

Pan: 15-gauge carbon steel

Handle: wood

Extras

2 handles, hanging hole, hand wash recommended

Warranty

Limited lifetime

PROS

The pan's carbon steel base works wonders quickly and evenly distributing. The cooking surface collects and builds this natural patina over time, enabling non-stick cooking performance and adding flavor to the dishes. 

CONS

The lid makes storage somewhat challenging. 

OUR VERDICT

Helen's Asian Kitchen 97005 is great. The high-domed lid is able to retain heat and prevent splatters better than standard lids. The supplied bamboo spatula doesn't affect the dishes' aroma and flavor. Plus, the bamboo handles make the pan look refined. 

detailed parameters
Package Contents

14" wok, high-domed lid, spatula, recipes 

Compatibility

All stovetops, including induction cooktops (flat bottom)

Materials

Pan: 16-gauge carbon steel

Lid: carbon steel

Handle and spatula: wood

Extras

2 handles, hanging hook, hand wash recommended

Warranty

Limited lifetime

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Craft Wok Traditional Hand Hammered Carbon Steel

Tribute to Traditions

Despite all the benefits and extras of modern stir-fry pans, traditional-style woks still remain very popular. The Traditional Hand Hammered Carbon Steel Pow Wok is a great example of time-proven Chinese cookware. From most perspectives, this is the best carbon steel wok on this list.

This high-capacity round bottom pan is ideal for cooking on the open fire, allowing you to take it outside and impress all your family members and friends with scrumptious Asian dishes. Yet, it is suitable for a gas stove or a concave induction top as well. You will just need a special wok ring for better pan stability while cooking.

Made of high-quality carbon steel, this model boasts exceptional durability and sturdiness. Under appropriate care, it will deliver high-end performance and serve you for years to come. However, maintenance is no hassle. Simply season your Pow Wok with some oil before the first use, hand wash the pan without using any metal scrapers, and thoroughly dry it after wash.

The hand-hammered surface has tiny dimples promoting better oil distribution and more efficient heat transfer from the cooking surface to the foods while stirring the ingredients. A solid wooden handle provides a comfortable non-slip grip and stays cool when you stir-fry over high heat. A 14” diameter is just the right size for treating a family of 3-6 persons with unbelievably delicious Asian-style dinner.

When it comes to cooking techniques, aside from its main purpose of stir-frying, the Pow wok can be used as a container for deep hot oil frying and for the preparation of various soups, as well as a steamer, and even a smoker. Whether you are a meat-eater, fish and seafood lover, a vegetarian or even vegan, with a traditional wok at hand, you can cook a variety of scrumptious dishes to match any taste and diet.

Review of Craft Wok Traditional Hand Hammered Carbon Steel Pow Wok

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $59.75
Stock In stock
ASIN B00PUZT9MU

 

Souped Up Recipes Carbon Steel Wok

Accessories Too

Souped Up Recipes Carbon Steel Wok presents an excellent, flexible package. The pan's tested thoroughly, so you won't have to worry about having any issues with gas ranges, electric stoves, induction stoves, and other heat sources.

Its carbon steel composition makes this cooking pot lightweight, aiding heat distribution and making sure that the pan heats up as fast as possible.

Plus, the wok comes supplied with this elegant wooden lid and one stainless steel spatula. The spatula is pretty much immune to rust and corrosion, so you won't face any maintenance/upkeep challenges. The downside to the lid is that you'll have to maintain it carefully because wood is susceptible to moisture.

On the upside, the handle is wooden too, which is great since it won't get hot during use.

Generally speaking, you shouldn't have any maintenance and use issues because the company's user care video guide on YouTube makes the necessary information accessible and the techniques easy to replicate. Also, the channel's packed with awesome wok recipes.

Bottom line, Souped Up Recipes Carbon Steel Wok will let you prepare delicious meals. The 17-gauge carbon steel makes the pan as strong as cast-iron pans but much more lightweight.

Review of Souped Up Recipes Carbon Steel Wok with Lid & Spatula

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $34.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B07RJ39JVL

 

Joyce Chen 22-0060

Generous Size

Joyce Chen 22-0060 has been designed to streamline and simplify preparing different Asian meals. The 14-gauge carbon steel construction makes this pan immune to deformation.

The wok is compatible with pretty much all stovetops, including induction 'tops (flat bottom). At the same time, the pan's oven-safe up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Apart from that, the phenolic handle is grippy, comfortable, and remains cool to the touch, so you won't have to worry about burning your fingers. The handle is also well-balanced, so you can grab any part without worrying about tilting the pan. Also, this handle comes equipped with a hanging hook/loop that enables hanging storage.

In addition to that, the pan comes fitted with an extra handle. This handle will let you stabilize the pan when necessary and simplify transportation. You can grab both handles and not worry about tipping over/knocking over/dropping the pan.

As far as its downsides are concerned, despite the pan's carbon steel construction, this wok takes quite some time to heat up, so you'll have to exercise patience.

Besides that, Joyce Chen 22-0060 will let you achieve professional results without much experience under the belt. In other words, it is probably the best carbon steel wok for beginners within this lineup. The 14-inch bottom is quite generous too.

Review of Joyce Chen 22-0060 Pro Chef Flat Bottom Wok
Last updated price $65.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B0001VQIP4

 

Chef's Medal Wok101

Pass Down to the Next Generation

Chef's Medal Wok is that pot that you'll pass down to the next generation. Featuring 1.8-mm thick, high-grade carbon steel, the wok's been hand-hammered to make sure this pot is resistant against deformation and high temperatures.

Because the bottom is round and not flat, the wok is somewhat difficult to season. At the same time, the round bottom makes flipping and stirring the ingredients much easier. Also, this curvature enables even heat distribution and circulation, making sure that the dish is completely and fully prepared throughout.

You'll have no issues stewing, steaming, boiling, and deep-frying various meats and vegetables. The pan will let you prepare stir-fried chicken and veggies within minutes.

Again, the 15-gauge carbon steel is no joke, keeping the pan lightweight yet tough as nails. The bamboo handle doesn't heat up, so you'll be able to grab the pan without wrapping the handle in a towel. The second handle will let you balance and carry the pan when there will be too much food on it. You can use the hole in the pan or the second handle for hanging storage.

Long story short, Chef's Medal Wok will make sure that the pan withstands the test of time and get even better with age.

Review of Chef's Medal Wok101 Hand Hammered Carbon Steel Pow Wok
Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B07BB2C12J

 

Helen's Asian Kitchen 97005

High-Domed Lid

Helen's Asian Kitchen 97005 is affordable and about as good as these woks come. Using this pan, you'll have no issues frying, stir-frying, deep-frying, steaming, stewing, sauteing, and braising different ingredients, preparing various Asian meals. The 1.6-mm, 16-gauge carbon steel means that this pan is durable, sturdy, yet more lightweight than cast-iron skillets.

At the same time, the heat-resistant bamboo handle is ergonomic and pleasant to the touch, letting you comfortably grab, hold, and carry the pan. The second handle also features bamboo padding, so you'll be able to balance and carry this pan fully-loaded with food. The high-strength rivets make sure that these handles remain steady and secure.

Along with the pan, the people behind this product send you this high-domed lid and one bamboo spatula. The lid's design makes storage somewhat challenging but also makes cooking comfortable, sealing the aroma and keeping the flavor inside. Also, the high dom retains heat and prevents splattering. Of course, the spatula will let you comfortably stir the ingredients.

Last but not least, the pan's flat bottom sits nicely and securely on most stovetops, working with gas, electric, and induction cooktops.

Review of Helen's Asian Kitchen 97005 with Lid and Stir Fry Spatula

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $39.50
Stock In stock
ASIN B000OFREDC

 

What Is a Carbon Steel Wok?

There are many reasons Asian cuisine has been getting more and more popular here in the West.

First and foremost, Asian meals are usually much healthier than most Western meals since they always add multiple vegetables to the dishes. Also, they seldom use dough and rarely add sugar. At the same time, these dishes are pretty easy to prepare as long as you have the right cooking utensils.

As far as we're concerned, carbon steel woks top that cooking utensils list. These pans let you quickly and easily fry, stir-fry, deep-fry, boil, stew, steam, poach, braise, and sauter various ingredients to prepare different Chinese meals.

These woks are made from carbon steel more often than not because the construction makes them lightweight yet sturdy and durable. The pans usually are flat-bottomed and compatible with all stovetops, including induction cooktops. Modern woks almost always come equipped with wooden/phenolic handles so that you're able to grab and hold the pan even when it is hot.

People who like Asian cuisine will also likely appreciate these sushi makers and rice cookers.

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Publish Date: 2020-01-08 14:50:17