Best Wok Reviews 2018

Have you ever attempted to make a stir-fry with the wrong type of cookware? Then you already know how you’ll certainly want to avoid such a disaster in the future! That’s why woks are so handy to use when cooking food at high-heat. From cooking Asian cuisine to frying meats to searing vegetables, the wok has proved to be an ideal tool for the job. Now, with some of the best wok brands around, you can make the tastiest meals for your family.

Overview

PROS

CONS

SPECS

Wok Type

Handle Design

Size

Material

Care

Our Top Choice

Calphalon Signature Nonstick 12-Inch Wok

Calphalon is committed to being the leader in manufacturing expert culinary equipment for baking, cooking, planning and prepping.

Can be used on halogen, glass and stovetops. It is a PFOA-free wok. It is designed with taller slanted sides. Available in 2 colors. Non-stick surface.

Handle might get hot when placed over a flame.

Flat base; gas & electric stoves

Long handle

12 inches, 8.2 pounds

Anodized aluminum/stainless steel

Dishwasher safe

Best Value

T-fal Nonstick 14-inch Jumbo Wok

T-fal is devoted to their customers and provides them, through their diverse and healthy cooking products, with the opportunity to cook health-conscious meals.

14 inches. Has a non-stick interior and exterior. The design makes cooking and cleaning easy. It is oven safe up to 350 degrees F. Has a large capacity.

Medium heat preferred – might be slow in cooking.

Curved bottom

Long stay cool handle

14-inch, 6 pounds

Durable aluminum

Easy care dishwasher safe

Scanpan Classic 12.5 Inch Wok

Scanpan is among the leaders in making PFOA-free products that ensure innovative, quality and healthy products for their customers.

Designed with ceramic-titanium nonstick interior. It is PFOA- free. It is dishwasher safe. 12.5 inch size. Oven safe up to 500F. Made with squeeze-cast aluminum. Even heat distribution.

The wok takes a long time to heat.

Flat base; stove top and oven use

Patented spring-lock handle

12.5-inch, 5.3 pounds

Ceramic

Dishwasher safe

Lodge 14-Inch Cast Iron Wok

Lodge has held on to their dedication to technology and conservation, focusing on producing high-quality products with the least possible risk to the environment.

Can be used on induction, gas or electric stovetops. It is 100% cast iron. The material is durable. 14 Inch diameter is large enough for families. Has two handles. Seasoned to stop sticking.

The wok takes a long time to heat.

Flat base; electric/gas stovetop

Two large loop handles

14-inch, 14 pounds

Cast iron

Season with oil, hand wash only

The Wok Shop Carbon Steel Wok

The Wok Shop is a darling among many for their wide variety of kitchen tools, and technological perfection in every one of them.

Flat bottom design absorbs heat adequately. Made of carbon steel. Has a wooden handle and side spool. Fast heat up and cool down time. Large size; 14-inch diameter.

Doesn’t come pre-seasoned.

Flat base; electric stove

Wooden handle and side handle

14-inch, 7.5 pounds

Carbon steel

Season before use, hand wash only

(Updated August 3, 2017)

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Watch Our Wok Review

How Do I Choose the Best Wok?

Have you been able to unlock the secret behind getting the best work for your money? If you haven’t yet, here’s an important tip to keep in mind: the performance of a wok is directly related to their heat distribution. Luckily, most woks have this point down-packed. If you have ever tried using one on a cooktop hot plate, then you know exactly what a good wok can do. However, if a wok does not distribute heat evenly, it may not give you the desired results.

If you will only be cooking for one or two people, don’t stress yourself by going for a large wok. A standard sized one will do just fine. You can clean it effortlessly and store it in your dish rack to maximize kitchen space. The monetary setback that comes with purchasing a wok can be a challenge, but if you have a big family then opting for a larger wok will make more sense.

If you are new to woks and don’t know what other products you’ll need to buy along with it, just get a wok set. Wok sets come with various items such as a steam grill, chopsticks, and spatulas, to name a few. These items will come in handy, especially if you regularly use a food mill; but keep in mind that you will still need to pour your puree into the wok carefully. Depending on the dish, you may have to steam veggies. In this case, you’ll inevitably need to use a spatula and a steaming grill. This is why a wok set that includes these pieces, among others, can be your ideal option. In the long run, it’ll save you money and, ultimately, make cooking easier and fun.

We have reviewed some of the best woks around, but first; let’s look at a few of their most exciting features.

Price

The price of a wok varies widely depending on its material, size, handle design, and brand reputation. But, according to your budget or needs, you can get a good wok at a price range from $25 to $120. If you’re looking to purchase a high-end product then expect to spend more.

You can also come across several cheap wok deals on the market, but these are not the way to go. Most of the less expensive options usually lack essential aspects like heat distribution and safety qualities (like PTFE and PFOA-free materials).

Features

Like any other kitchen equipment, you need to consider its features to make sure you end up with a tool that can serve you efficiently. In essence, most woks don’t differ much and typically have various interesting must-have features.

Here are some of the features you need to keep an eye on:

Wok type – Woks come in either flat or round bottom. The flat ones are more convenient to use on electric stoves or grills, while the round bottom woks can be tricky and require careful handling.
Handle design – Most of them feature a Cantonese-style handle with two short additional handles on both sides of the wok, or the Northern-style one with a long and a short (helper) handle on opposite sides.
Size – Woks come in different sizes, but this aspect comes down to the food you are preparing or the portion you want to make.
Material – Most of the time, woks are made from different metals that can withstand the searing heat, while the handles are usually wooden for safe handling of the wok.
Care – This depends on the type of wok you want; some require seasoning, some must be hand washed, while others are dishwasher safe. In short, they differ from one brand to the other.

Construction and Design

Wok brands come in diverse shapes and sizes. Having said that, the shape is however limited to being either circular, flat, or rounded at the base.

When it comes to size, only your needs can determine this feature, as there is a wide range to choose from. The portion of food you want to prepare and the nature of the food itself are what matters in the choice of size.

Woks also vary in weight, which is contingent on size and material. And while the shape of these woks are similar, many are designed to be more visually appealing. Eye-catching colors and various cover designs make woks distinct from one another.

Performance and Ease of Use

A wok’s performance is largely based on the material it is made of. Most of them feature PTFE and PFOA-free coatings for health and safety. Others feature a nonstick coating for easier use and cleaning. Besides, they come in a variety of material, from carbon steel, cast iron, heavy gauge aluminum, and stainless steel, to mention but a few. The metal used is essential in determining heat gain, retention, and distribution, which are indispensable for its performance.

The handle design is also crucial, as it is the connection between you and the wok. The Northern-style is most preferred for safety and easier handling, but the Cantonese-style is stronger, which means it will last longer.

What is the Best Wok?

Other than considering the visual aspect of a wok, you will also need to take into account the size, material, and handle design. All of these factors will go a long way in making your cooking experience more enjoyable. Now that you are aware of what features to look out for in a wok, go right ahead and pick one out that will suit your kitchen needs best.

Our Top Choice

When it comes to versatility in the kitchen, the Signature Nonstick 12-Inch Flat-Bottom Wok never disappoints. You can easily use it on halogen, glass, electric ring, electric, and gas stovetops. If you are a looking for a stir fry pan, then check out the Calphalon 12-Inch Triply Stainless Steel Pan. It is designed with an aluminum core between two stainless steel layers to provide evenly distributed heating while stir-frying your vegetables.

Calphalon Signature Hard Anodized 12-Inch Non-Stick Flat Bottom Wok – Available in 2 Colors

Calphalon Wok 1948257 – Black

Features

Calphalon caters to home chefs, bettering their overall meal preparation experience from planning, prepping, to cooking. With over 50 years’ experience, it’s safe to assume that Calphalon know a thing or two about cooking utensils and cookware. They produce only innovative, easy-to-use, convenient kitchen products, including pans, Dutch ovens, woks, bakeware sets and knives. And that’s just to name a few!

Every chef out there wants their meals to be evenly cooked. Well, with its proper heat distribution, this wok is sure to meet that goal. Aside from its hard-anodized aluminum, heavy gauge material, the Calphalon Signature Nonstick 12-Inch Flat-Bottom Wok also comes with additional features:

Sear, sauté, and brown your meat, veggies or seafood with its non-stick interior without worrying about burning your food.
With the wok’s see-through tempered glass top, you can easily monitor your cooking progress without losing heat. The glass top also comes in handy when you need to keep meals warm before serving.
If you do not want to burn your hands while cooking, then this wok is a great option. Its long handles stay cool when in use, making it ideal for comfortable handling.
As for durability, the wok’s interior surface is long-wearing, even with the use of utensils like spoons, spatulas, and whisks.
Wait, have you tried it in your oven yet? Well, it is also oven safe and you can use it conveniently up to 500 degrees F.

Looking for a different size and design? Calphalon has plenty of woks that you will love. Check them out!

Best Value

The most interesting thing about this T-fal Easy Care Nonstick 14-inch Jumbo Wok is its non-stick interior and exterior, making cooking and cleaning a breeze. If you are looking for a frying pan with a heat indicator that will let you know when it’s pre-heated and ready for you to cook, then check out the T-fal Excite 12-Inch Nonstick Thermo-Spot Cookware.

T-fal Specialty Nonstick Easy Care Dishwasher Safe PFOA-Free Black Jumbo Wok

T-fal Wok 2100086252

Features

If there is one thing that makes T-fal stand out amongst the competition it is the company’s commitment to their customers. They listen to what their customers want in a product, then base their new product concepts on that. This has given them the ability to make revolutionary products that make cooking easy and fun for you.

When buying a wok, it is important to take into account all of that model’s features. With the T-fal Easy Care Nonstick 14-inch Jumbo Wok, there are many useful features buyers will appreciate. It is dishwasher safe, safe to use, and easy to clean.

Here are additional features that will make you fall in love with the T-fal Easy Care Nonstick 14-inch Jumbo Wok:

Not only is this wok’s design ideal for stir-fry, but also works well for searing, sautéing, braising, deep frying, and pretty much anything else you could think of. This wok can cook virtually any meal in your kitchen.
And when heat distribution has been a challenge with many woks, you can’t get any better on this aspect than with this wok’s aluminum construction. This helps your food cook evenly for tasty meals.
It also comes with an ergonomically designed handle, which helps keep your hands away from the heat. Moreover, the handle has a hole at the end for easy storage.
Everyone is switching to healthy cooking, and you can too. With the ability to cook with little oil or fat, this wok gives you a chance to enjoy healthy but delicious meals.

If you’re looking for a large, spacious wok that’s easy to clean, then grab yourself the T-fal Non-stick 14 Inch Wok today!

The Scanpan Classic Wok has a ceramic-titanium nonstick interior making it easy to clean and reduces time wasted scrubbing burned-on food. If you are looking for an elegant looking wok then check out the Scanpan Professional 12-1\/2 Wok. It has stainless steel handles and covers which have been polished in a two-tone mirror and matte finish, setting an appealing contrast to the all black pan.

Scanpan Classic 12 ½ Inch Non-Stick Oven Safe Wok

Scanpan Wok 32301200

Features

With a combination of tradition, artisanship, and innovation, the company has achieved tremendous milestones in creating ideal tools for modern kitchens. Research and development have been at the heart of this company’s technological success.

If you are after a wok that evenly distributes heat, then this is the item for you. The Scanpan Classic Wok offers ideal even cooking with no hot spots, thanks to the heavy-duty pressure-cast aluminum. Most features of this wok are something you cannot afford to miss if you want to upgrade your cooking.

Here are several features to look out for:

You always want a wok that is a good financial investment, and this one is definitely what you’re looking for. Its coating is 10 times harder than stainless steel, giving you scratch resistant wok that will last for decades.
It also comes with a patented spring-lock handle, which ensures you have command over the wok whenever you are using it.
Looking for an environment-friendly wok? Well, this one here is for you. Made of 100% recycled aluminum, this thing does not compromise quality.
The long chopsticks and rack that this wok comes with are handy too, making your cooking fun.
If your meals require high heat, which can happen often, you won’t be disappointed. This wok can handle it, so just go full throttle and get your stir-fry ready.
This wok measures 12.5 inches in diameter, therefore it should be large enough to cook for a couple or small family
The patented non-stick coating will keep any food from getting burned-on the pan and also makes for easy-cleaning
What makes for even easier cleaning, however, is the fact that it is dishwasher-safe!

Get value for your money with quality Scanpan wok’s. Check out what they have to offer today!

The most appealing thing about the Lodge 14-Inch Cast Iron Wok is its ability to work on induction, gas or electric stovetops, and it can be used in the oven too. If you are looking for a skillet that can sear, bake, sauté, and stir fry then check out the Lodge 10.25-Inch Cast Iron Skillet.

Lodge Seasoned 14-Inch Cast Iron Wok with 2 Handles

Lodge Wok P14W3

Features

Lodge has been modernizing cookware throughout the last century and is still moving forward, making the company one of the most sought-after in the industry. They create a range of kitchen products in cast iron, enamel, carbon steel and stone, whilst holding them all to the same high standard of durability and functionality.

If you are looking for convenience without necessarily spending a fortune, then the Lodge 14-Inch Cast Iron Wok is what you need. It is easy to clean as it comes pre-seasoned with oil to stop food sticking. It’s hand-wash only so unfortunately you can’t just throw it in the dishwasher!

There is more to this wok’s features, and here are some additional ones that you may find useful:

Forget all other aspects; this wok’s performance secret is in its size; a healthy 14-inch diameter. It is ideal for prepping family meals, making it a great tool to have in your kitchen.
With continuous seasoning, the wok gains an impressive non-stick cooking surface for easier cleaning as well as cooking. This is unattainable with a chemical-nonstick coating, which wears out with time.
You wouldn’t want to work with a handless wok, would you? Not to worry with this model. It comes with handles on each side, so you get all the control you need to command your cooking.

If you are all about convenience without breaking your bank, then get the Lodge 14-Inch Cast Iron Wok today!

The Wok Shop Carbon Steel Wok with a Side Handle has a flat bottom design, which is very crucial for making the best of the heat on your stovetop, as wokking requires high heat. Alternatively, if you’d like an even larger wok, you should check out the 16-inch Carbon Steel Wok. It also comes with 2 handles so you’ll always have full command of the wok.

The Wok Shop 14-Inch Carbon Steel Flat Bottom Wok with Helper Handle

The Wok Shop Wok CSWK14FB/HH

Features

For over four decades now, The Wok Shop has honed their innovativeness in making products as well as their customer service skills. This has been far reaching, not only when educating their customers but also when offering them some of the best products in the market.

One of the fascinating features of The Wok Shop Carbon Steel Wok with Side Handle is its heavy 14-gauge carbon steel, which makes it a lasting souvenir in your kitchen. This durability is very crucial, especially if you want to be cooking for your family with this over years to come.

This wok comes with many more features that you will find useful, and these are some of them:

If you are looking for a wok that can handle food for a medium sized family, then this is the one. It is deep enough to prepare meals without to much hassle and has a 14-inch diameter.
Once you season it well, the wok not only makes food more delicious, but it also gains nonstick qualities that make cleaning easy.
You can also use minimal oil with this wok; your stir-fry will be much tastier as compared to using other woks.
If you are thinking of using it in the oven, go ahead and try it, it does not smoke or smell.

Feel like this wok doesn’t suit your needs? The Wok Shop has several other woks you can choose from. Take a look!

Get the Best Wok of 2018!

We have invested several hours in research, all to ensure that you will have the adequate information necessary when looking for the right wok. This is all to help you pick which wok would be best for your needs. But, if our list did not tickle your fancy, then perhaps you may want to consider other products from these reputable brands. Check them out!

Our Top Choice

Calphalon Signature Nonstick 12-Inch Wok

Best Value

T-fal Nonstick 14-inch Jumbo Wok

Scanpan Classic 12.5 Inch Wok

Lodge 14-Inch Cast Iron Wok

The Wok Shop Carbon Steel Wok