Carbon steel woks are a popular choice for cooking authentic Asian dishes due to their high heat conductivity and versatility in the kitchen.
These woks are also lightweight and easy to handle, making them a great option for both novice and experienced cooks. In this article, we will be introducing you to carbon steel woks on the market.
Our picks include high-quality options from trusted brands in various sizes and with various features to suit your cooking needs. Whether you’re looking to stir fry, deep fry, or steam, a carbon steel wok is an essential tool in any kitchen.
Best Carbon Steel Woks
1. Craft Wok Traditional Hand Hammered Carbon Steel Pow Wok with Wooden and Steel Helper Handle
One of the higher-priced woks on this list, but correspondingly high quality. This wok is best for a professional chef or a very serious hobbyist looking for the best equipment.
This wok is heavier than most on this list, weighing in at over four pounds. It owes its weight to the especially thick material used to make it, so you won’t have to worry about warping over high heat. This wok comes with seasoning instructions, and once seasoned, should prevent food from sticking and reduce the amount of oil you need to use when frying food.
The bamboo handle attaches to the bowl with three heavy-duty rivets, and there’s a metal helper handle attached similarly. This wok will last a very long time if you take good care of it. It’s hand-hammered and has a round bottom, so it’s good for traditional Chinese cooking, but it’s made out of tougher stuff than most people will need.
That’s why this wok is our favorite professional carbon steel wok.
Customers are most fond of the tough, heavy material this wok is made of, and the sturdiness of its construction. Overall, customer feedback was very positive, though a few responses mentioned that this wok takes a good bit of maintenance to keep it from rusting.
Pros
- Sturdy material
- Good value for quality
- Seasons well
Cons
- High maintenance
- Must be used with a gas range
2. Carbon Steel Wok For Electric, Induction, and Gas Stoves
This wok is the highest priced so far and comes with fewer pieces than some entries, but everything included in the package is a premium item. It also functions on all kinds of stovetops, which is important for a flat-bottomed wok.
The wok has a flat bottom and has been tested on gas, electric, and induction cooktops to make sure that it can handle all three. The wok has a textured interior and wooden handle to protect your hands. It comes with a rustic wooden lid, which is flat for easier storage, and a metal spatula.
It’s also accompanied by a video guide which will show customers how to season and use the wok to get the best results. If you follow the directions, this wok will have non-stick properties, and be usable for a long time. At only 12.5 inches, it’s smaller than the previous two entries, making it better for smaller portions. Because it’s so versatile, it’s our pick for the best flat bottom wok.
Customers appreciate this wok for its lightweight and sturdiness, but some have had trouble seasoning it effectively. One customer even accidentally melted a stray piece of plastic while seasoning in the oven, so be careful while seasoning if you decide to purchase this wok.
Pros
- Easy to travel with and maneuver
- The hammer-style pattern holds onto food
- High-quality accessories
Cons
- Tricky to season
- Not many parts for the price
3. Kenmore Hammond Flat Bottom Carbon Steel Wok, 14-Inch, Black
This is a heavy-duty carbon steel wok with a non-stick coating at a surprisingly low price. It’s a good choice for home cooks on a budget.
The wok comes with a nonstick coating and has a subtle striped texture etched into its bowl to help keep food from flying away. It’s a flat bottom wok, so it will sit well on a flat stovetop. The width of this wok is a standard 14 inches, and the bowl is deep enough to cook quite a bit of food at once.
It features a wooden handle, and a wooden helper handle, both with an appealing gloss. The back of the handle has a metal loop that can be used to hang the wok from a wall hook.
Customers’ only complaints concerned the relatively thin material, and the tendency of the non-stick coating to peel off under extreme circumstances. For mild use, this wok seems to hold up quite well.
Pros
- Lower price
- Well built
- Easy to clean, food won’t stick
Cons
- Coating is fragile
- Material is fairly thin
4. Joyce Chen, Classic Series Carbon Steel Wok Set 4-Piece, 14-Inch, Charcoal
This set has all the tools you’ll need to get the most out of wok cooking but at a slightly higher price point. A great pick if you want the whole package.
The Joyce Chen Classic Set comes with a bamboo spatula, a recipe booklet, and a steel dome lid that will seal in the flavor while you cook. This wok requires seasoning, and you shouldn’t use it on induction cooktops, but it’s very versatile, and the lid is especially useful for steaming food and making sure your stir-fries are tender. This is our pick for the best carbon steel wok with a lid.
The Joyce Chen Classic Set ranks highly with customers in maneuverability, but only somewhat well in ease of cleaning, maybe because it comes with more pieces. Most customer feedback is positive, but one customer warns that the wok might bend if used with an induction stove.
Pros
- Very versatile
- Comes with essential cooking tools
- Insulated handles
Cons
- Not induction friendly
- Less easy to clean
5. Helen Chen’s Asian Kitchen Flat Bottom Wok
Helen Chen’s Asian Kitchen offers a handful of different models, but our favorite is the 14-inch carbon steel version. This is a good option for a minimalist cook who wants to season their wok.
The wok has solid construction and bamboo handles that will keep you from burning your hands, and it comes with a lid, a bamboo spatula, and even some recipes. All this comes at a relatively low price point, making it a great place to start if you’re just getting into Asian cuisine.
With a steel hook on the back of the handle, you can hang this model from a wall hook to store it, freeing up more room in your cabinets. Its medium size and simple construction make it the perfect wok to cook for your family. We think it’s the best 14-inch carbon steel wok for light use at home.
Customers have given Helen Chen’s flat bottom wok the maximum rating for ease of use, but a slightly lower score for ease of cleaning. Most customers have been very satisfied with this wok, but almost all of them insist that you should take the time needed to season it properly before you use it.
Pros
- Traditional design
- Seasons well
- Easy to use
Cons
- Takes a while to season properly
- Fairly thin material
6. Joyce Chen Carbon Steel Wok, 14-Inch, Silver
This wok is one of the simplest on this list, and one of the lightest, making for easy maneuverability. We recommend it for anyone who wants to be able to toss their food without too much strength.
This is another 14-inch wok. It has a smooth carbon steel bowl, and birch wood handles that are a little bit tougher than bamboo. It works on gas, electric, or induction stovetops, and has a flat bottom. The area that makes contact with the cooktop is smaller than in some of the other woks on this list, but this wok will still heat up quickly. Its price is similar to the woks that have been listed already, although this one does not come with a spatula or lid. Because of its manageable weight, this is our pick for the best lightweight wok.
Most customer responses to this product were positive. Some customers reported finding rust on their woks, but also that it was easy to remove. Once seasoned properly, rust will not be an issue for this wok. Customers’ favorite qualities about this wok were its maneuverability and ease of use.
Pros
- Light and easy to use
- Simple, durable design
Cons
- Possible rusting
7. Ecolution Non-Stick Carbon Steel Wok with Soft Touch Riveted Handle
This non-stick wok is simple, stylish, and solid. It’s a good choice if you don’t want to season your wok.
This wok uses a non-stick coating that’s non-toxic and free of PFOA, which can cause health problems. It’s also produced using processes that release fewer greenhouse gasses, making it an eco-friendly choice. It’s suitable for electric and gas stovetops and has a striped texture on the inside of its bowl that will help hold onto food. With its safe and ethical non-stick coating, this is the best non-stick wok we’ve reviewed.
Customers found that this wok was a good value for its price, and reported that it cooks effectively. There were some reports of the non-stick coating flaking off, so if you buy this wok, try to avoid using metal spatulas that could scratch the coating.
Pros
- Eco-friendly
- Doesn’t need seasoning
- Non-toxic
Cons
- Fragile coating
8. Mammafong Round Bottom 14-inch Traditional Carbon Steel Wok Pan
This is a wok made in the traditional Chinese style, without a flat bottom or non-stick coating. It’s a good pick for a cook interested in making authentic Chinese cuisine.
The Mammafong Round Bottom Wok is hand-hammered by a master craftsman in China, so you can be sure you’re getting the real deal. The hammer marks on the surface of the wok will help the food stay put, and once it’s seasoned, it will have a natural non-stick effect as well.
Its lightweight and long handle makes it easier to manage the food inside while cooking, which would be a benefit if you’re cooking over a flame or another non-traditional heat source. It’s built for professional chefs, and it’s tough enough to be used in an industrial kitchen for years. This is a solid choice for those looking for the best hand-hammered wok.
Customers praise this wok for its durability, heat distribution, and ease of cleaning. Customers also reported that this wok seasons easily.
Pros
- Traditional style
- Sturdy
- Easy to season
Cons
- Not everyone will want a round-bottom
- Needs maintenance after use
9. Mammafong Flat Bottom Carbon Steel Wok Pan
This wok is similar to its round bottom twin and has the same high quality. It’s a good choice for cooks interested in cooking authentic Chinese food on a traditional stovetop.
This wok is hand-hammered in the same way as the previous entry but has a machine-pressed flat base. This allows it to sit comfortably on a stovetop, and it will work with gas, electric, or induction stoves. This is a less traditional design, but more functional when using it with modern cooktops.
This wok still features all of the benefits of the previous entry, like the ease of seasoning and sturdy structure, so don’t worry that you’re missing out. Because many cooks in China use modern electric or induction stoves, this is our pick for the best Chinese wok.
Customers like the long handle on this wok because it allows easy flipping. They rate its sturdiness highly on average, though one customer did notice some warping. Customers emphasize that you have to maintain the seasoning on this wok if you want to avoid rust, but it does come with instructions.
Pros
- Traditional style
- Compatible with flat stovetops
- Sturdy construction
Cons
- Needs maintenance after each use
- Not fully hand-hammered
10. Eastman Outdoors 37212 Outdoor Gourmet 22 Inch Carbon Steel Wok Kit
This wok kit is meant to be used outdoors, so it’s a solution for cooks who want to use a round bottom wok, but don’t have gas stoves.
The wok is only part of this kit. It also includes a propane burner with a tripod, a thermometer, and a metal spatula and ladles. With all these extras, it’s no surprise that this entry comes at a much higher price than the others. The carbon steel wok has a solid construction, but an unconventional shape.
It’s larger than most of the woks on this list, 22 inches wide, and has a deep bowl. Instead of one long handle and one helper handle, it has two small metal handles on opposite sides. To use it effectively, wear oven mitts or thick gloves. It’s a little bit like a combination grill and wok, and would be ideal for outdoor cookoffs and porch parties. This is our pick for the best outdoor wok.
Customers’ favorite qualities in this wok were its sturdiness and ease of cleaning. Customers have found this wok effective for outdoor cooking, and consider it a good alternative to working with a smaller wok on a stovetop burner.
Pros
- Large enough to serve a lot of people
- Able to cook outside
- Solidly build
Cons
- The protective coating must be burned off before seasoning
- Requires propane to operate
Factors to Consider
Should I Get a Non-Stick Wok?
One of the major factors that will help you make a decision on which wok to buy is how you’re going to use it. If you’re going to be using your wok at blisteringly hot temperatures, you’ll want to avoid woks that come with non-stick coatings, because they could vaporize, and that vapor might be harmful to breathe in.
Non-stick woks will be better for more casual cooks working at lower temperatures. They also have the benefit of being easier to maintain.
Seasoning a Wok
If you decide to buy a wok without a non-stick coating, then you’ll probably end up having to season it. This process can usually be completed in a single day, but it can be labor-intensive. You will need to heat the wok and coat it with an oil that has a very high smoke point, and it will likely smoke anyway.
Most woks that require seasoning will come with instructions, but if yours does not, you can use a tutorial like this one. Wok Hei, or “the breath of the wok” is a flavor achieved when cooking at very high temperatures with a wok, and some say that the seasoning of a wok over time contributes to it.
Carbon Steel Wok Maintenance
Once you’ve seasoned your wok for the first time, you will still need to make sure you’re caring for it correctly. The most important thing is that you don’t use soap to clean it. Instead, soak it in warm water, and use a washcloth or a sponge to scrub it gently. You don’t want to scrape off the patina that you created when you seasoned your wok.
Wok Shapes and Sizes
Woks will either come with one long handle and another smaller bar on the other side, or two of those bars. For single-person use on a standard stove, a wok with one long handle is your best bet. Similarly, flat-bottom woks will serve you better if you’re cooking on an electric or induction stove, though they will function on gas stoves as well. Round bottom woks are better suited for use over flames.
FAQ
What kind of cooking can I do with my wok?Woks are usually used for Asian cooking, especially dishes that need to be fried at very high temperatures. You can use them for making stews, for steaming, or most other uses that would usually call for a heavy saucepan, though. They’re especially useful for popcorn.
Where can I buy a wok?You can get a wok at most kitchen supply stores, but you’ll probably find a larger selection online.
Are woks safe to use?A well-made wok shouldn’t put you in any more danger than any other cooking pan. Because they often have a less flat area to sit on, it’s important to make sure that they are stable before letting go of the handle, though.
Summary
Now that you know everything you need to, it’s time to pick your favorite wok and start cooking! You should pick whichever model fits best with your personal needs and cooking style, but our top pick is the Craft Wok Traditional Hand Hammered Pow Wok. As far as we can tell, this is the best carbon steel wok available for a reasonable price. It’s designed for professional chefs and meant to last for generations if you can take good care of it. It’s hand-hammered out of thick carbon steel and designed for good heat distribution and ease of use.
If that wok is too expensive, or too heavy for you to use easily, we think the second-best overall option is the Carbon Steel Wok For Electric. It’s much lighter and more inexpensive but still made of tough enough material to handle heavy use. This wok also has a flat bottom, so it will work with most stoves.
No matter which wok you choose, if you take good care of it, it will take good care of you. Happy cooking!
