{"id":1925715,"date":"2023-11-07T13:56:03","date_gmt":"2023-11-07T19:56:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/?p=1925715"},"modified":"2025-03-20T19:26:39","modified_gmt":"2025-03-21T00:26:39","slug":"hexclad-wok-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/article\/hexclad-wok-review\/","title":{"rendered":"HexClad Wok Review: The Ultimate Cooking Companion for One-Pan Meals"},"content":{"rendered":"Over the past few years, the cookware market has incorporated new materials, innovative designs and upgraded manufacturing technology to revolutionize home cooking. One brand at the forefront is HexClad<\/a>, which has created a full line of cookware that combines the best elements of cast iron, stainless steel and<\/em> nonstick pans.\r\n\r\nI'd long been ride-or-die with my trusty cast-iron pan, but when I tested the HexClad skillet<\/a>, I was thrilled with the results. I must admit, though, that I only use it sporadically. Its small size doesn't make it ideal for cooking large meals for myself and my two teenage sons. The HexClad wok<\/a>, however, offers plenty of room to work with. Here's how the HexClad wok fared in my home kitchen.\r\n\r\n[SINGLE_AFFILIATE_PRODUCT superlative=\"We Tried It\" product_name=\"HexClad Wok\" short_description=\"The HexClad wok is ideal for high-volume cooking, so you can prepare a whole meal in one pan.\" image=\"2083950\" image_credit=\"TASTE OF HOME\" pr_name=\"HexClad\" pr_url=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com?id=131817X1598243&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fhexclad.com%2Fproducts%2F12-hexclad-wok\" pr_display_text=\"Shop on HexClad\" retailers_2_name=\"Amazon\" retailers_2_url=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/HexClad-Nonstick-Dishwasher-Friendly-Compatible\/dp\/B07W99LJBZ\" retailers_2_display_text=\"Shop on Amazon\" \/]\r\n

What is the HexClad wok?<\/h2>\r\n\"Fried\r\n\r\nHexClad cookware has been dubbed \"the Rolls Royce of pans\" by none other than Gordon Ramsay<\/a>, and a countless number of Michelin-starred chefs have sang its praises. Its patented design combines all the best elements of cast iron, stainless steel<\/a> and nonstick pans to create a \"super pan\" of sorts. Like cast iron, it's sturdy and resilient. Like stainless steel, it retains heat in ways other pans can only dream of. Two layers of non-reactive stainless steel with an aluminum core distribute heat evenly across the surface of the pan. And, like nonstick, it is intuitive to use. (Although you do need to use some fat to avoid sticking.)\r\n\r\nWhat sets the HexClad wok<\/a> apart is its size. There are three available sizes (10 inches, 12 inches and 14 inches), so there's plenty of room to make all sorts of dishes\u2014not just stir-fries and Asian food! Use this pan as you would a large saute pan to cook one-pan meals<\/a>, pasta, fried foods, eggs or whatever else you're able to imagine. This versatile pan offers endless possibilities, and the superlative construction makes it the perfect everyday pan.\r\n

HexClad Wok Features<\/h2>\r\nThere are five elements to HexClad's patented technology that make its pans unlike anything else on the market. Like many other brands of high-quality cookware, it all begins with an aluminum core, which rapidly conducts heat and gets your pan lightning-hot in less than a minute. Beneath it is a nearly indestructible stainless steel base that retains that heat, and because it's magnetic, it can be used on induction cooktops in addition to electric and gas stoves. There's a layer of stainless steel on top, too, which distributes heat evenly across the surface while helping the pan maintain a consistent temperature. The stainless steel and nonstick hybrid design makes HexClad products, including their Dutch oven<\/a>, stand out.\r\n\r\nNow comes the ingenious part! The top stainless steel layer is coated with a layer of high-grade nonstick material. Then, a laser is used to etch a hexagonal design through the coating, exposing some of the stainless steel below. This not only helps distribute heat evenly across the pan but also helps create a gorgeous sear on meat, fish or whatever else you're cooking. And unlike many other nonstick pans, it's safe to use metal utensils while cooking with the HexClad wok.\r\n\r\nIn addition to being a powerhouse on the stovetop, the HexClad wok is also safe to use in the oven up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, with a stay-cool ergonomic handle that makes it easy to maneuver. As for cleanup, it's dishwasher-safe, or it can be quickly hand-washed with warm, soapy water. Don't worry about scratching the surface in the event of stains; the HexClad wok is durable enough to stand up to abrasive sponges.\r\n

How We Tested It<\/h2>\r\n\"Meat\r\n\r\nMuch like every other piece of HexClad cookware I've ever come across, the HexClad wok<\/a> impressed me straight out of the box with its heft and ergonomic design. While it may weigh a bit more than some of the other pans I've tested (like the Hero Pan from Drew Barrymore<\/a>), I didn't mind one bit. A heavy pan is a durable pan, and considering the HexClad wok comes with a lifetime guarantee, I do expect it to last a lifetime. Besides, if a pan is made with multiple layers of high-quality metals, it should<\/em> be heavy! And despite the weight, the handle and overall design of the wok make it surprisingly easy to handle.\r\n

Ground Meat<\/h3>\r\n\"Frying\r\n\r\nThe first thing I tested in the HexClad wok was plain ground meat. (chorizo, to be specific.) This would give me a good idea of how the pan heated up at various points across its surface. When a recipe tells you to begin by browning meat<\/a>, it's not just to cook it through\u2014it's to develop flavor. When cooked in less-than-stellar pans, meat often browns unevenly, meaning you'll have spots where it becomes richly colored and flavorful and other areas where the meat becomes bland and gray before it ends up simmering and steaming in its own juices.\r\n\r\nA good pan will coax the maximum amount of flavor out of the meat, and the HexClad wok definitely comes through in this department. Every bit of chorizo from the center to the edge came out beautifully, and the high sides made it easy to stir and smash without the errant piece of meat jumping ship. The high sides also helped contain the grease, which helped reduce spattering when compared to a typical skillet.\r\n

Stir-Fry<\/h3>\r\nBecause it is<\/em> a wok, I obviously had to try out a few quick-and-easy stir-fries in my new HexClad pan, and it should come as absolutely no surprise that it worked spectacularly. The high sides and curved shape made it easy to flip and toss my ingredients without anything flying out of the pan. One of the major keys to successful stir-fry cooking is to work with a lightning-hot pan, and on my electric stove, the entire cooking surface of my HexClad wok gets scorching hot in under two minutes. Because it cooks so well so quickly, it truly is possible to get dinner on the table in less than 10 minutes!\r\n

15-Month Update<\/h3>\r\n\"Hexclad\r\n\r\nSenior Shopping Editor Katie Bandurski<\/a> also owns the HexClad wok and has been using it since January 2024.\r\n\r\n\"I've never owned a wok before, but I'm impressed with its versatility,\" Katie says. \"I use mine at least once a week to mix up fried rice, noodle stir-fry, potato hash and frozen Trader Joe's meals. It's deep enough that I can cook a big batch without overcrowding the pan.\"\r\n\r\nKatie finds that it does a good job of browning food items without getting too hot. \"Veggies, especially, get a nice little char when I use the wok,\" she explains. \"However, if I'm cooking something I want to get really crispy, like tofu, I do still use a standard skillet or griddle<\/a> to get an even sear and develop a crust.\"\r\n\r\nWhile Katie is typically only cooking for two, she's also obsessed with the wok's big-batch capacity. \"My partner and I are big fans of leftovers,\" she says. \"And the wok makes it easy to cook a really big meal. You could easily cook enough for six to eight people in this thing.\"\r\n\r\nKatie is an avid HexClad cookware fan who\u00a0has tested the brand's\u00a0knives<\/a>, Dutch oven and pizza steel<\/a>, so she is<\/span> familiar with the cookware's sturdy construction and nonstick surface. \"I'm impressed with how it's holding up so far,\" she says. \"After over a year of use, it's showing zero signs of wear. I'm confident this wok will last for many years.\"\r\n

Pros<\/h3>\r\n