In this article, we review different types of wok pans and discover a few secrets for choosing a wok pan to bring Asian flavors home.
You can quickly cook almost any Asian and European cuisine in a wok. Its cone shape allows you to fry, stew, and even boil, and the high walls prevent the ingredients from falling out while stirring. The wok pan is suitable for use on any type of stovetop, including induction. It evenly warms up thanks to the thick bottom and thin walls. In some cases, it includes a deep-frying rack or bamboo steamer. In this article, we will review the nuances of wok pans and give you a few secrets for choosing a wok pan.
What Criteria Are Important When Choosing a Wok Pan?
You can begin to narrow down your selections for choosing a wok pan by looking at the five basic criteria: material, protective coatings, types of handles, dimensions, and shape of the bottom. Here are the details about each that will help you when choosing a wok pan.
Material
Chinese cone-shaped woks might be aluminum, steel, copper, or cast iron. Aluminum woks heat up quite quickly and quickly cool down. Cast iron woks heat up longer, but then they keep heat well. Copper utensils are good but very expensive. In this regard, a carbon steel wok pan from https://yosukata.com/carbon-steel-woks/ is considered optimal in terms of the speed of heating and maintaining temperature.
Genuine Chinese models are made from solid steel. This material perfectly conducts heat, which is required for fast cooking. It differs in the ability to absorb fat, which prevents the likelihood of burning ingredients.
A Protective Coating
In Chinese wok pans, intended for the European market, the inner surface is coated with non-stick compounds – a Teflon, ceramic layer, or marble spraying. It looks fashionable and prevents food from sticking to the bottom and walls. But the presence of a non-stick coating reduces the cooking speed, violates the technology of frying in the WOK, thereby changing the taste of dishes. Consider this effect if you are going to please your guests with something delicious from real Asian cuisine.
While a Teflon-coated wok pan is non-stick, it also changes the traditional flavor of dishes. Photo by rep0rter via iStock by Getty Images
Choosing a Wok Pan Based on the Type of Handle
There are differences in the types of handles available on wok pans. Classic models have two handles, one on each side. It is convenient not only for carrying the pan but also for making soups and stewing vegetables.
Classic wok pans have one handle on each side of the pan.
Other models sometimes have one long handle, which is more convenient to use when quickly frying meat, seafood, and vegetables in oil by the “stir-fry” technique.
Some woks have one long handle, making it easy to stir-fry. Photo by Andrii Pohranychnyi via iStock by Getty Images
There are also combinations with both one long and one side handle for safe steaming. The handles must be securely attached to the body, excluding even the slightest loosening.
You can also find a wok pan with both one long and one side handle, making them more versatile. Photo by rez-art via iStock by Getty Images
Ideal Wok Pan Dimensions
The diameter of the wok is from 8 to 28 inches (20 to 70 cm), which makes it possible to use the utensils in either the home or professional kitchen. If you are looking for a frying pan for two, then pay attention to the smaller models. For a larger family, a 10- to 12-inch (25-32 cm) wok is best. For the professional kitchen and cooking in restaurants, large WOK pans up to 28 inches (70 cm) in diameter are suitable.
Consider the Bottom Shape When Choosing a Wok Pan
The bottom of your wok pan can be either flat or convex. For real woks with a convex bottom, a special ring is provided: you need to put the ring on the stove, then place the pan inside the ring, and cook. You won’t be able to cook like this on an induction stove. Flat-bottomed woks can sit directly on the heat.
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Basics of Choosing a Wok Pan
Now that you know the secrets of choosing a wok pan, you can get busy whipping up great stir fry and other simple Asian dishes in your own kitchen. Be sure to check out Wander for some great recipes to try in your new wok.
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