The Best Woks Of 2022
New Africa/Shutterstock By Trevor Carlson/June 2, 2022 7:48 pm EST
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Woks are much more useful than most people realize. While woks are renowned for their ability to sizzle up some excellent stir fry, you can also use a wok in other inventive ways like whipping up fresh popcorn, or frying fresh tortillas. The wok’s deep, rounded shape also makes it a practical choice for other tasks like steaming, braising, boiling, and frying.
Woks can be made from a variety of materials including carbon steel, cast iron, and stainless steel. While most woks are designed for gas ranges and electric stove tops, some woks are also entirely electric, which adds an element of convenience since they need less care than traditional models made from metals like cast iron or carbon steel. Woks come in two main designs: northern (or Mandarin) and Cantonese. The Cantonese-style wok has two small handles on opposite sides and is best-suited for serving. While cooking in Cantonese-style woks is certainly possible, its small handles make flipping food in the pan particularly challenging. The northern-style wok has a single long handle and is probably the model that most people think of when they picture a wok. The northern-style wok’s long handle makes flipping food in the pan much easier.
At this point, you’re probably on board for adding a new wok to your kitchen. Still, you may not be entirely sure which wok is best for you or what features to look for. Luckily, we’ve stepped in and done most of the work for you.
How we selected products
Lukas Gojda/Shutterstock
This list of woks was curated through expansive research and analysis. We’ve carefully evaluated user reviews, press coverage, and professional recommendations to compile a list of top-notch woks that offer a wide range of valuable features. Whether you’re looking for something on the cheaper side, a versatile bundle pack that comes with a bunch of accessories, or a traditional wok made from premium material, rest assured that all the models on this list can produce satisfying results. Without a doubt, there’s a wok on this list that can suit your needs.
As you’ll see, affordability was also taken into consideration. We’ve showcased woks at different price points that range from a modest price tag to more upscale models on the higher end. Some of these may cost a little more, but are worth every penny. Regardless of your budget or cooking experience, we’ve ensured there’s a wok on this list that will make a great addition to your kitchen.
The Best Woks Of 2022
New Africa/Shutterstock
By Trevor Carlson/June 2, 2022 7:48 pm EST
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Woks are much more useful than most people realize. While woks are renowned for their ability to sizzle up some excellent stir fry, you can also use a wok in other inventive ways like whipping up fresh popcorn, or frying fresh tortillas. The wok’s deep, rounded shape also makes it a practical choice for other tasks like steaming, braising, boiling, and frying.
Woks can be made from a variety of materials including carbon steel, cast iron, and stainless steel. While most woks are designed for gas ranges and electric stove tops, some woks are also entirely electric, which adds an element of convenience since they need less care than traditional models made from metals like cast iron or carbon steel. Woks come in two main designs: northern (or Mandarin) and Cantonese. The Cantonese-style wok has two small handles on opposite sides and is best-suited for serving. While cooking in Cantonese-style woks is certainly possible, its small handles make flipping food in the pan particularly challenging. The northern-style wok has a single long handle and is probably the model that most people think of when they picture a wok. The northern-style wok’s long handle makes flipping food in the pan much easier.
At this point, you’re probably on board for adding a new wok to your kitchen. Still, you may not be entirely sure which wok is best for you or what features to look for. Luckily, we’ve stepped in and done most of the work for you.
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.
Woks can be made from a variety of materials including carbon steel, cast iron, and stainless steel. While most woks are designed for gas ranges and electric stove tops, some woks are also entirely electric, which adds an element of convenience since they need less care than traditional models made from metals like cast iron or carbon steel. Woks come in two main designs: northern (or Mandarin) and Cantonese.
The Cantonese-style wok has two small handles on opposite sides and is best-suited for serving. While cooking in Cantonese-style woks is certainly possible, its small handles make flipping food in the pan particularly challenging. The northern-style wok has a single long handle and is probably the model that most people think of when they picture a wok. The northern-style wok’s long handle makes flipping food in the pan much easier.
At this point, you’re probably on board for adding a new wok to your kitchen. Still, you may not be entirely sure which wok is best for you or what features to look for. Luckily, we’ve stepped in and done most of the work for you.
How we selected products
Lukas Gojda/Shutterstock
This list of woks was curated through expansive research and analysis. We’ve carefully evaluated user reviews, press coverage, and professional recommendations to compile a list of top-notch woks that offer a wide range of valuable features. Whether you’re looking for something on the cheaper side, a versatile bundle pack that comes with a bunch of accessories, or a traditional wok made from premium material, rest assured that all the models on this list can produce satisfying results. Without a doubt, there’s a wok on this list that can suit your needs.
As you’ll see, affordability was also taken into consideration. We’ve showcased woks at different price points that range from a modest price tag to more upscale models on the higher end. Some of these may cost a little more, but are worth every penny. Regardless of your budget or cooking experience, we’ve ensured there’s a wok on this list that will make a great addition to your kitchen.
As you’ll see, affordability was also taken into consideration. We’ve showcased woks at different price points that range from a modest price tag to more upscale models on the higher end. Some of these may cost a little more, but are worth every penny. Regardless of your budget or cooking experience, we’ve ensured there’s a wok on this list that will make a great addition to your kitchen.
Best overall wok
Craft Wok
Hand-hammered by professionals in China, this wok’s wooden handle allows for a solid, comfortable grip. Made with durable carbon steel, it also comes with a metal helper handle to assist with hanging for storage. Study and affordable, this carbon steel wok is well-designed and needs to be properly seasoned before use. This wok also features more than 8,000 customer reviews that average out to an impressive 4.5 stars, ensuring that thousands of other buyers are very happy with their purchase.
Best budget wok
Hyoank
The Hyoank wok is made with durable carbon steel and has an exceptionally smooth surface that will make cooking a breeze. It has a flat bottom that’s compatible with different gas and electric stove tops, making it highly suitable for most kitchen setups. With a removable wooden handle, this wok can also slide right into the oven for baking. It also has a pouring spout on the side of the pan so that soups or any other liquids can be easily transferred from the wok into bowls. The Hyoank wok even comes with a tempered glass lid to help with steaming or finishing the cooking process. All in all, there’s no doubt that this carbon steel wok gives you a lot of bang for your buck.
Best carbon steel wok
Yosukata
It’s also important to note that the Yosukata wok comes recommended by one of the most influential chefs and food writers in the game, J. Kenji Alt-Lopez (via Serious Eats). It’s fair to say that he knows a thing or two about woks, considering he’s a best-selling author who published a critically acclaimed book about them. Between the widely-respected endorsement from one of America’s most popular chefs, to the thousands of positive reviews from satisfied buyers, it’s clear that this Yosukata carbon steel wok is the real deal. Once you experience the wonders of this wok, you’ll wonder where it’s been all your life.
Best cast iron wok
Lodge
This Lodge cast iron wok has a flattened bottom and can work on both gas and electric stove tops. Its specially-designed ergonomic handle allows for enhanced control with maximum comfort. Another bonus of using a cast iron wok is that cast iron has excellent heat retention (via Serious Eats). This means that once your cast iron pan gets hot, it’s going to stay hot for an extended period of time. There’s no doubt that a pan’s ability to effectively maintain consistent heat has its advantages in the kitchen, especially in processes like searing or frying.
Lodge is a family-owned American company that’s been in the cast iron cookware business for more than 120 years, so you know this is an investment you can trust. Once you start using your new cast iron wok in the kitchen, you’ll wonder where it’s been all your life. Treat yourself to a top-notch cast iron pan that will last a lifetime.
Best hand-hammered wok
Made with carbon steel, this round-bottomed wok works well on gas stove tops or over an open fire. This Yosukata wok is also easy to handle and store, considering it weighs less than 5 pounds. At 14 inches, this wok can hold nearly 2 gallons and is easily spacious enough to cook good-sized meals for family and friends. The treated beech wood handle is over 5 inches long to provide a solid grip and smooth control. Handmade in China, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more authentic wok that’s this high-quality and affordable.
Best Cantonese-style wok
Jim Beam
Even though Cantonese-style woks have shorter handles, they still have their advantages. That’s because Cantonese-style woks tend to have a little more space inside the pan which makes it easier to cook larger batches of food (via Wok All). So if you’re looking for a little more room to cook bigger meals, a Cantonese-style wok may be a good fit for you. Just be aware that flipping your food with the mini-handles on a Cantonese-style wok is much more challenging that flipping food in a Northern-style wok. That said, a Cantonese-style wok makes a wonderful serving dish once the food is ready. Heavy-duty and well-designed, this wok is also safe for your grill, oven, or over an open flame.
Best northern-style wok
Babish
Best wok bundle
BrBrGo
This deal comes with a 13-inch flat-bottomed wok, a wooden lid, spatula, soup ladle, spaghetti spoon, tongs, an egg beater, two scouring pads, and a pair of kitchen scissors. The BrBrGo wok’s versatile design and composition allows it to work on multiple cooking surfaces and stoves including gas ranges and induction stoves. It has a detachable handle with a metallic ring hanger and dual soup spouts on each side of the pan for easy pouring of liquids. It also weighs less than 3 pounds which makes it a breeze to handle and store. There’s no doubt that this affordable bundle package is an amazing deal you should take advantage of while you can.
Best flat-bottomed wok
Weighing less than 5 pounds, this wok is also very lightweight and extremely easy to work with. Its 1.8 millimeter thickness provides just the right amount of distance between the heat source and your food to create an ideal cooking temperature. All in all, this Craft Work is sturdy and well-designed, making it worth every penny. You don’t have to just take our word for it — the hundreds of positive reviews from customers speak for themselves. If you’re looking for a flat-bottomed wok that can do it all without breaking the bank, this might just be the one for you.
Best round-bottomed wok
This wok comes pre-seasoned and treated at high temperatures, but you’ll still need to give it a full season with more oil before you work with it. This is because all new woks comes with a thin coating from the factory that needs to be cleaned off before the pan comes into contact with food and direct heat (via Fine Cooking). This first cleaning can be accomplished very easily with a good scrub in some hot water, followed by a rinse and a dry over low heat. Once dried, rub the wok down with some oil and you’re good to go! If you’re looking for a versatile round-bottomed wok that won’t let you down, this model by Yosukata was made with you in mind.
Best wok with a lid
Helen’s Asian Kitchen
Its flat-bottomed design and metallic composition allows it to be used on gas and electric stove tops, making it a good fit for just about any kitchen. After nearly 3,000 positive reviews, the Helen’s Asian Kitchen wok has a high star rating from plenty of satisfied buyers. If you’re looking for a solid wok with a high-domed lid, this will definitely do the trick.
Best mini wok
Made with cast iron, this little wok has the potential to last generations. It’s also comforting to know that Lodge doesn’t use any chemicals or synthetic coatings on its pans. With a diameter of 6 inches, this mini wok is an ideal choice for preparing Korean dishes like bibimbap that require small metallic bowls so the rice on the edge of the pan gets a light crunch. And because it’s made of cast iron, it can easily be used on the stove or grill, in the oven, or over a fire.
Best electric wok
Aroma
The Aroma wok can hold 5 quarts, which is plenty of space to cook a large meal. It’s designed to hit high temperatures and heats up at a rapid rate. It also has a nonstick coating to ensure a smooth cooking process every single time. Every piece on this model is detachable and dishwasher safe so you can cleanup with ultimate efficiency.
