Wok pans are becoming increasingly popular in Russia. Initially, they were cooked on an open fire, but today they are also used on the stove at home. How to choose a wok pan to enjoy cooking on it? Which models are popular? Read about this in this article.
Features of pans
Wok is a fashionable dish that is used by many housewives. Invented it in China to prepare the appropriate dishes of Asian cuisine, but the Russians adapted it for all other purposes - stewing, frying, sautéing and much more. The uniqueness of the woks is that cooking on them is possible both on the stove of the house, and on an open fire. The production is carried out from steel, aluminum, cast iron, which are treated with a special coating that is resistant to external influences and heating in the first place. The distinctive design features of the pan include:
- round bottom
- high sides
- cone shape.
These are the main characteristics that distinguish dishes of this type. The uniformity of heating during cooking depends on the thickness of the bottom and walls, which is different for models from different manufacturers. In general, there is no more versatile tableware than a wok pan. How to choose a good one? To do this, take into account a number of recommendations.
About the secrets of choice
You can buy a wok pan in specialized dishwashing centers or chain stores, where they are cheaper. However, the quality of such dishes is in doubt. In addition, you need to know how to choose a wok pan. We suggest paying attention to the following parameters:
- Size: A pan with a diameter of 30 cm is suitable for use in the home kitchen.
- The thickness of the bottom and walls: dishes with a thin bottom are problems with burnt food; therefore, it is better to choose thick-walled models. In them, the food will warm up and cook evenly, and it will cool much more slowly. The ideal thickness is 4 mm.
- Weight: good wok pans weigh a lot due to the thickness of the walls and bottom, so choose those that weigh more.
- Handles and lids: many pans are supplied complete with a lid, which is very convenient since you do not have to pick it separately. Two handles: long and round. It is important that they are made of heat-resistant materials.
- Application: Woks can be universal, that is, suitable for any type of stove, and can be designed for use on a gas, electric or induction surface.
It is worth paying attention to the manufacturer and reading reviews on how to choose a good wok pan. This will help you make the right decision and get dishes that will meet your requirements. And we offer you a rating of the most popular models, of which there are the most positive comments on behalf of users.
1st place: Mayer & Boch
Customers consider the Mayer & Boch brand wok pan to be one of the best models. It is equipped with a lid, chopsticks, tongs and grill. It has an enamel coating and is made of hardened cast iron. Diameter 36.5 cm. Heat-resistant varnish is used for coating, which, when heated, does not emit toxins and is absolutely safe. If you decide how to choose a wok pan for a gas stove and which model to prefer, pay attention to Mayer & Boch products. The walls are thick, so the taste properties of food are preserved to the maximum. It can be used on any type of stove, including induction. Do not wash in the dishwasher.
Pros:
- large diameter
- high walls
- volume 4.7 l
- heat resistant handles
- rich equipment.
Minuses:
2nd place. Regent Inox Ferro
How to choose a wok pan at a reasonable price? Pay attention to the Regent Inox Ferro with a diameter of 30 cm. For its manufacture, durable cast iron is used, resistant to deformation under the influence of heat. The model comes with a wooden handle that is easy to use and protects your hands from burns.
Pros:
- a wooden handle that does not heat up,
- classic look
- flat bottom, stable on any surface,
- durability of use.
Minuses:
- no cover included
- there is no coating on the inside, so the pan needs to be wiped off after each wash.
3rd place. Rondell Escurion RDA-870
The Rondell Escurion RDA-870 is one of the popular wok-pans that are suitable for home use. This model is the answer to the question which wok pan is better to choose, if necessary, to be of high quality at an affordable cost. The wok with a diameter of 28 cm is made in a simple design with a predominance of black. The production is made of thickened cast aluminum, so the finished product weighs much less compared to other options.
The inside of the pan is covered with a double-layer non-stick Xylan Plus material, which guarantees the longevity of its service even with intensive use. The exterior is made of silicone polyester, which is resistant to high temperature.
Pros:
- cover made of heat-resistant glass and silicone,
- removable screw handle
- original design with stylization under the skin of amphibians,
- application on any plates,
- built-in spout for easy draining of excess fluid.
4th place. Granchio Marmo Induction 88013
How to choose a wok pan, which will be a beautiful addition to the kitchen? An interesting model is offered by the Italian brand Granchio, embodying a unique design and advanced technologies in its products. For the manufacture of the brand uses durable cast aluminum. Coating with a reinforced composition with marble particles increases non-stick properties, so cooking is possible even without oil and grease.
Pros:
- diameter - 32 cm
- cover included
- volume - 5.2 l
- stylish design,
- uniform and quick warming up.
5th place. Paderno Ethnic Cuisine 49604-36
How to choose a wok pan for a gas stove? It is worth paying attention to the products of the Paderno brand from Italy. This model is an ideal solution for those who are a true connoisseur of Asian cuisine. The pan has a diameter of 36 cm, made of thin carbon steel. Its feature is a sharp narrowing of the diameter to the bottom. Wok weighs just a little more than one kilogram, so you can use it even with one hand. It can be used to cook a wide variety of foods - from meat to vegetables.
Pros:
- light weight
- affordable price
- the possibility of cooking over an open fire,
- quick warm up.
Minuses:
- individual care required
- no non-stick coating
- lack of a cover in a complete set.
6th place. Fissman vesuvio stone
A distinctive feature of this wok pan is its aluminum construction and Platinum multi-layer non-stick coating. It consists of several layers of natural stone chips and mineral components. Due to this, the wear resistance of dishes of this brand is designed for at least 4000 cycles. The model has a diameter of 28 cm, which is quite enough for a large family.
Pros:
- convenient to use,
- high-quality non-stick coating,
- comfortable handle, resistant to heat.
Minuses:
- lack of a cover in a set.
7th place. KitchenAid KC2T13WKST
KitchenAid KC2T13WKST, whose diameter is 33 cm, is considered one of the best wok models. High quality steel is used for its production, and the dishes themselves are three-layer: a layer of steel, a thin aluminum layer and again a layer of steel. The pan is fast and evenly heated and can be used not only on gas stoves, but also on an open fire. Two handles on the case make the use of dishes even more convenient and easier.
Pros:
- cover included
- divisions on the inner surface to control the volume of the dish,
- use on all types of plates.
Minuses:
8th place. BergHOFF Neo Series 3501398
If you are looking for pans of unusual design, we advise you to pay attention to this model. It is produced with a diameter of 36 cm, made of steel polished to a shine. The walls have a thickness of less than 1 cm, so the heating is quick and uniform. The sides with a height of 14 cm allow you to cook a large amount of food. Suitable for use on all types of stoves and on an open fire.
Pros:
- quick warm up
- unusual design
- cover included
- possibility of use on any plates.
Minuses:
We have described the most popular types of wok pans that are widely used by customers. Many are faced with the problem of how to choose a wok pan. We advise you to pay attention to such parameters as the presence of non-stick coating, the diameter of the dishes, the height of the sides and the volume. These parameters affect the volume of cooked food and the quality of the process itself. For use by one person, models with a diameter of 20-28 mm are sufficient, but for a large family, the product should be more spacious. Also consider whether a specific wok can be used on a gas, induction, electric stove or open fire.