Best Woks Reviews

Woks can be traced all the way to China, dating back as far as 2000 years ago.  Although it is not clear if they an invention of the East, throughout Asian territories and even in the western regions, woks are common cookware to find in the kitchen.

A Wok comes in handy when you want to stir fry that a tasty dish of rice, whip up an omelet, steam vegetables, boil a tasty soup, and or you simply want to sear a piece of beef.

Woks come in different sizes and types: Your choice will most likely depend on preference, culinary experience, and budge. You may prefer to go for Carbon steel like many people, or cast iron; you may prefer a flat-bottomed wok to a round-bottom one; you may prefer steel handles or wooden handles.

Whatever your preferences are, you will find something to take home – they come in unique sizes and types.

This article explores the top 8 best woks in the market.

Let get started, already.

Top Works Reviews And Comparison : We Chose The Best For The Money

Carbon Steel Wok by M.V. Trading

This wok, manufactured by M.V Trading, is one of a kind. It is the perfect size if you are looking for a large wok that can serve up to four or five people. It is not coated with an elegant finish, like most modern woks, but when it comes to cooking your various meals, it will impress you.

It has a flat-bottom with diameter of about 5”-6”, which allows the pan to sit well on grills, glass stoves, gas, and electric stoves. You don’t need a ring to use this wok. With a depth of four inches, the wok is deep enough to allow foods to be cooked without splattering. Also, with such a depth, it can hold a lot of food; a serving of a few people.

Because it is constructed with heavy-gauge carbon steel (thickness 14), you can bet this wok is heavy-duty.  Although it feels heavy, such that its challenge to toss food around, it is lighter compared to let’s say traditional woks, or some cast iron woks. On the Brightside, you can mix your food with a spatula.

Wooden handles riveted on both sides of the wok give you full control when preparing your meals. Although some may wish the handles ere longer for occasions when you are using high heat, the handles tend to stay cool throughout the cooking.

When it comes to seasoning this wok using, it may give you a hard time since it’s a carbon steel material. However, the manual comes with straightforward instructions on how to go about it.  Also, it can be seasoned using an oven despite having a non-detachable wooden handle. Simply wrap the handle with a foil or a wet cloth.

Yes! Many people find seasoning this wok a challenge, it should not trouble you if you follow the instructions outlined in the manual.

Pros

• Sturdy construction.Sturdy construction
• 14-gauge thickness
• Lightweight
• Easy to clean and set up
• Large depth
• Simple, but neat look
• Average-priced

Cons

• Seasoning can be a challenge to some
• You have to season before use

Helen Chen’s Asian Wok

Meet the Helen Chen’s Asian Wok, designed with heavy-gauge carbon steel. It has cooking surface area large enough to feed an extended family – up to 14 inches in diameter.   It is a versatile wok as you can try out a variety of cooking techniques, such as deep frying, frying, braising, stir-frying, stewing, sautéing, and even steaming.

The construction is quite solid; given the frame is 1.6mm of carbon steel.  Because the construction is carbon steel, the wok heats up quickly during cooking; also, heat is uniformly distributed, which allows for food to cook evenly.  Concentric grooves ensure the wok receives optimal heating.  Its flat bottom will securely sit on stovetops, gas, induction cookers, and even electric cookers – even without a ring.

Weighing about five pounds, this wok sure feels lightweight.  After all, it is designed from carbon steel which is relatively lighter compared to materials like stainless steel and cast iron.

It comes with high dome lid. The lid ensures heat is retained inside the pot, and that splatters do not occur during cooking.  Also, the package includes a 12-inches bamboo spatula and a recipe booklet with instructions to get you started.

Handling this wok is simple as it is fitted with two handles: one long handle and a helper handle. Both handles are built from heat-resistant bamboo.  On top of that, the long handle has hole for holding the spatula or hanging the wok on the wall.

The pan comes with a protective lacquer finish so the steel does not rust. Since it is made from carbon steel, you should season it before use. Just like cast iron, the cooking surface will turn black, creating a lovely patina; a natural non-stick surface.  To prevent it from rusting, treat it the same way you would treat a cast iron skillet.

Pros

• Affordable price
• Versatile wok
• Its handle is removable
• Lifetime warranty
• Comes with a high domed lid
• Large size
• Easy to clean

Cons

• Need to be seasoned before use
• Seasoning is a challenge to some

Calphalon 1877054 Wok 

Make your kitchen sparkle with the Calphalon 1877054 10-inch wok.  It mimics a traditional wok, which is ideal for stir frying; however, aesthetically they can’t compare as this one has a stylish and contemporary look.

With a deep base, measuring around 5.5 inches, it can be used as a pot. Compared to the previous model, this wok feels lightweight; it weighs only 4.5 pounds.The construction features heavy-gauge Aluminum that is hard-anodized to enhance durability.

Its Interior is coated with three layers of nonstick coating.  The first layer makes it easy to prepare meals without food sticking on the pan while the other two layers enhance durability. Also, the non-stick surface is easy to clean since it is dishwasher safe.  There are mixed reviews when it comes to durability of the nonstick coating – some say it peels off while others report the coating lasts, but only if one takes care of the pan.

Stir-fry dishes like meat, and fresh vegetables with ease as the pan is shaped to look like a traditional wok – curved sides but with a flat bottom. The flat bottom offers a wide cooking area; this gives you more room to do your thing when mixing dishes like pasta, stew, and soup.

Also, since it has a flat bottom, it will work well with an electric stove, ceramic gas stovetops or gas heaters.  Heating occurs evenly as the Pan is constructed with heavy-gauge, hard-anodized Aluminum.  The pan does not warp since heating happens consistently.

It has a long, polished stainless steel handle riveted on one side. Although the handle is steel-made, it is easy to use the pan as it is not heavy.  Also, the handle stays cool throughout the cooking process.

Lastly, this pan will cook well even an oven at temperatures of up to 450 degrees F. ​

Pros

• Contemporary design
• Dishwasher and oven safe
• Life time warranty
• Rugged construction
• Hard-anodized to enhance durability
• Average priced

Cons

• Has only a single handle
• Nonstick surface peels off with time
• No life-time guarantee with this cookware

Joyce Chen 23-0001 

The Joyce Chen 23-0001 looks simple when you give it a look but it has a robust built – it is a wok that is guaranteed to serve you for a long time if you take care of it.  With the Joyce Chen 23-0001 wok, you experience superior performance with a traditional-like cookware, designed with Cast iron minus the weight.

Although it is well-known that Cast iron woks are heavy, that is not the case with this wok. This wok is constructed with lightweight cast iron. Even if you are not that strong, you can handle this skillet with ease as it does not weigh as heavy as other cast iron skillets.  Its interior surface is seasoned with cast iron, which is safe compared to nonstick surfaces that peel off.

Also, since it is cast-iron made, it retains heat, and there is uniform heat distribution during cooking.  Also, since it is cast iron made, this wok responds to temperature adjustments better compared to woks designed with thick cast iron.

Its base has a large cooking surface area, and the sides are contoured to mimic a traditional wok. This means you will not struggle or spill foods while stirring and scooping food.  Also, because its bottom is flat-shaped, you can use this on an electric stove, gas, and glass or ceramic stovetops without a ring.  Also, it perfectly works with an induction stove.

Lastly, it is fitted with two solid maple handles that remain cool when the wok is on the stovetop.  There are two handles, one short and another long; both are secured with rivets on the Wok’s frame.

Pros

• Free to use metallic utensils
• Cooks on stoves without a ring
• Even heat distribution
• Retains heat during cooking
• Rigid construction
• Stylish, durable finish
• Pre-seasoned
• Large cooking surface area

Cons

• Cast iron woks are not popular among many people

13” Super Lightweight Cast Iron Wok 

If you want to experiment with Cast iron cookware, the Excelsteel 13” wok by Cook Pro is yet another lightweight cast iron pan you can give a try.  With this Chinese made wok, you get to practically try out a variety of cooking styles while at the same time enjoying the convenience of using a cast iron cookware.

Measuring about 7.5-inches wide, the flat-bottom surface will hold a decent portion of food; also that’s ample space for stir frying.  Although it is not exactly like a traditional wok, it has curved sides and a depth of around 3.2 inches; still food and oils do not splatter.  The flat bottomed base remains stable when placed on glass stovetops, gas, electric cookers, and even induction cookers.

You will love the rugged construction, plus the exterior finish, which is a coating of silicone finish to prevent it from rusting.  For a cast iron wok, it is incredibly lightweight. It weighs approximately 4.8 pounds, which is like half the weight of traditional cast irons. In reality, it should not be that heavy to lift even if you are a petite person.

Being a cast iron wok, you will save time when cooking as the pan has superior heat retention Also, it heats uniformly making food cook with less time.

Remember, it comes pre-seasoned with nonstick finish to save you the hassle of seasoning it yourself; you start cooking as soon as you receive the package.

Lastly, it is safe to cook with it using an oven at high temperatures.

Pros

• Lightweight cast 
• Rigid construction  
• Pre-seasoned
• Versatile
• Durable construction
• Low-priced
• No need for a ring
• Easy to clean

Cons

• It lacks some elements of a traditional wok

Cooks Standard NC-00233 Wok 

The NC-00233 wok by Cooks Standard is a muilti-ply wok, designed with an alloy of Aluminum and stainless steel. The construction is All Cladd, featuring two layers of 18/10 gauge stainless steel and an aluminum core in between the two layers.  This multi-ply construction not only enhances durability but also it improves heat retention, and even dissipates heat during cooking.

It has a wide cooking base with a diameter of 13 inches with sloping sides up to five inches deep; its bottom is around 7.5 inches, which is an ideal size to experiment with different types of cooking styles, such stir frying, deep frying, and sautéing.  Furthermore, the flat base with curved, sloping sides allows for spreading with ease without causing pours.  This flat bottom will comfortably sit on induction cooktops, electric cookers, gas, glass, and ceramic stovetops. You don’t need a ring to use this wok.

Weighing 7.8 pounds, this wok feels quite heavy.  While that can be an advantage because it will remain sturdy when stirring your meals; on the down side, tossing food with it can be tricky. You need strong hands or you have to use both hands. However, if you don’t need to move the pan whatsoever, that should not worry you.

The NC-00233 wok comes with a dome-shaped stainless steel lid, measuring 12 inches in diameter. This lid will trap heat and steam when making those delicious meals. On the sides, it is riveted with stainless steel handles. The handles are comfortable to hold and they always stay cool during cooking unless when using an oven.

Lastly, you can clean this wok using dishwasher, and it can withstand high temperatures when used in an oven.

Pros

• Multi-ply construction
• Easy to clean
• Affordable price
• Can be used without a ring on a variety of heating sources
• Stylish finish
• No Teflon coating
• Mimics traditional wok

Cons

• It is heavy

Calphalon 12 Inches Wok    

If the Calphalon 13 inches wok seems big for your kitchen, then you can go for the 12 inches wok – otherwise just get the 10-inches wok if this still seems too big. Typically, it features a similar built construction as the 13 inches cookware.

The frame consists of two layers of stainless steel, and aluminum core stuck in between the two sheets of steel to enhance rapid heat movement.

This wok will perfectly blend well with other cookware in your kitchen with its elegant, polished stainless steel finish.

Since its exterior surface is all steel, you are free to use a wide variety of cooking utensils, including metal, wood, and nylon utensils.

Although it is shaped to look like a traditional round-bottom wok with curved sides, its base is indeed flat; this base has a large surface area, wide enough to mix your foods. Also, it is stable when placed on gas and electric cookers.

It comes with a see-through glass lid, which makes it easy to monitor food while cooking. This domed lid is safe to be used in an oven, and once food has finished cooking it will help keep the food warm until it is serving time.  When you want to steam or simmer soups, the domed lid cover will be useful.

Handling the pan is effortless thanks to secured stainless steel handles – a short and a long handle. The handles remain cool while cooking on stovetops.

Pros

• Rigid construction
• Even heat distribution
• Contemporary stylish design
• Easy to clean (dishwasher safe)
• Comes with a lid
• Life-time warranty
• Shaped like a traditional wok
• Safe to use in an oven

Cons

• Expensive

Joyce Chen 22-9938 Wok set 

The Joyce Chen 22-9938 Wok has that magnificent look that will make your kitchen décor pop. Besides the nice-looking finish, this wok will not let you down when it comes to experimenting with different cooking techniques, such as searing, boiling, deep frying, stir frying, browning, and so on.

Compared to the previous model by Joyce Chen, this wok has a thicker construction, and it’s made from carbon steel. This model is designed with heavy gauge carbon steel, with a thickness of 2mm while other models have a thickness of around 1.5mm. The more thickness, the more improved the heat distribution. Also, the solid construction means superior durability.

The exterior of the wok is furnished with premium nonstick surface. Being a carbon steel wok, you will need to scrape off the coating on the cooking surface (a sand paper will do), and then season it before first use.

Its flat bottom surface will sit on different heating sources without a ring. Also, with a diameter of about 7.5” inches, it has a large cooking surface area.

To simplify your work, it is fitted with wooden handles; a short handle and a long one, both of which are detachable.  Since the handles are removable, it can safely be baked inside an oven at around 450 degrees F to season it. Also, because the handles are wooden, they stay cool when cooking on a gas or stovetop.

Compared to many woks out there, this wok is quite heavy, weighing about 7.15 pounds.  While having such a weight makes it stable on the stove, it would be difficult to flip foods with the pan. Not unless, you use both hands, and that too can be tiring.

Lastly, this wok comes with complete set of kitchen accessories, up to a set of 10; it comes with accessories like maple wood handles, a lid, table chopsticks, a rice paddle, a long spatula and even a steaming rack.

Pros

• Perfect size for a large serving
• 25 year warranty
• Removable plastic handles
• Affordable price
• Sturdy construction
• Contoured sides to avoid splatters

Cons

• You need to season it before using
• It is heavy
• It does not come with a lid
• Tough to season for many people

Final Thoughts

A wok brings so much convenience in the kitchen, it is one of the cookware that is a must have in most modern homes today – it does matter whether you come from the East or the West – you will find something practical to do with it.  Whether it is stir frying, searing meats, boiling soups, whipping up an omelet or a simply deep frying – a wok gets the job done.

See if you can find a wok that will suit your needs from our list of best woks above.