Woks should be made with a very conductive metal, and preferably one that's also lightweight. Carbon steel is a popular choice. Aluminum is another lighter-weight option.<\/p>\r\n
Cast-iron woks will be heavier, but if you enjoy cooking with your cast-iron skillet<\/a>, you'll likely love a cast-iron wok just as much. You can even get a Lodge cast-iron wok<\/a> to match your Lodge skillet.<\/p>\r\n\r\n \t\t\tNonstick vs. Seasoned<\/h3>\r\nYou definitely don't want food to stick to the pan in a high-heat situation. A material like carbon steel can be seasoned with oil, just like your best cast-iron pan, which creates a naturally nonstick surface that will improve with every use.\r\n\r\nMany woks come with a nonstick coating, like this GreenPan wok<\/a>. It's easy to clean and lets food glide over the surface. On the other hand, a nonstick coating usually can't handle a cooking temperature over medium heat, which means your stir-fry won't be as crisp as it could be over a hotter temp. Nonstick pans also don't last as long as carbon steel or cast-iron woks since the coating does wear away over time.\r\n
Flat vs. Curved Base<\/h3>\r\nMany woks have a curved base, which makes for easy food tossing and lets heat travel up the curved sides most efficiently. Curved-bottom woks work best when placed in a wok ring: a round collar that holds the wok over a burner (typically a gas burner).\r\n\r\nCooking directly on a gas or electric burner? You want to look for a wok with a flat base, which will allow it to sit directly over the burner and conduct heat.\r\n
Handles<\/h3>\r\nTypically, woks either have two small metal handles (like ears) or one long one\u2014often made of wood like this Joyce Chen wok<\/a>.\r\n\r\nIf you want to shake and toss your ingredients like a pro, a wok with a long handle is the model for you. If you'd rather just stir the contents of your wok, one with small handles will work better.\r\n
Size<\/h3>\r\nCooking for a big family? Go ahead and get a big wok (some are as large as six or eight quarts).\r\n\r\nIf you mostly cook for two or three, seek out a smaller model. Cooking a small amount of food in a too-large pan makes it easy to burn the food and scorch the cooking oil, which gives food a bitter taste.\r\n\r\n[dam-video dam-id=\"47993\"]\r\n
Electric Woks<\/h3>\r\nStand-alone electric woks have a built-in heat element, which lets cooks plug in anywhere and get cooking. They offer a high, consistent heat that's ideal for stir-frying.\r\n\r\nElectric woks like the Breville Hot Wok Pro<\/a>, offer you flexibility in the kitchen. You can set up an electric wok anywhere there's an outlet and get to work. This can give your sous chef some room to make rice<\/a> on the stovetop. These types of woks, however, tend to be more expensive than their classic counterparts.\r\n