Helen Chen's Asian Kitchen 14-inch Carbon Steel Wok with Bamboo Handles

Product Description

Amazon.com Handsome, rugged, and classic in composition, this Asian Kitchen wok is an ideal tool for the high-heat searing and stir-frying called for in Eastern cooking. Created by Helen Chen, daughter of renowned Chinese chef Joyce Chen, the pan is made of durable 1.8 mm carbon steel. Substantial in weight and construction, it will gradually season to create an optimum cooking surface for veggies, seafood, and meat. Generous in size, the piece is a quick conductor and includes dual two-tone bamboo handles for comfortable, heat-resistant control. Flat-bottomed for use with gas, electric, and induction stovetops, the pan measures 14 inches in diameter and should be washed by hand for best results. A version with wooden handles is also available. --Emily Bedard






CUSTOMER REVIEW



I purchased this wok about 1 month ago. I spent some time researching woks before I made the purchase, including going to stores to look at them, and reading reviews on the internet. I ended up choosing this one and am very happy with my selection. I like the fact that it has bamboo handles and thick carbon steel. It is also well made.



I looked at woks at stores and found that most of them were poorly made. At one box store there was one for about $20. It looked okay, but upon inspection, the metal was thin and the handles were not made well.



I also went to a cooking store only to find poor quality too. The wok I looked at was about $39. Very thin material.



I will agree with one cooking expert who said not to buy an expensive wok. You can spend up to $100 on one, but you don't need one that expensive. In fact, a good carbon steel wok with decent thickness should cost you about $20 to $30. I got mine for a little over $22.



This wok is about the thickest one you can buy on the market. 1.8mm. I think Helen Chen sells another one that is 2mm thick too. The thickness of this one is just perfect. Compared to others I looked at, this one doesn't flex when you pick it up.



As far as seasoning the wok. Use a gas stove. An electric stove doesn't get hot enough. I initially used my electric stove, but was not satisfied with the glaze, so I got my white gas Coleman camping stove out. It worked just perfect! The electric stove works fine for cooking though.



If you have an electric stove, like I do, and need to season your wok, go to a friend's home that has a gas stove, or use a camping stove like I did. Open all the windows, it does get quite smokey and the smoke will set off the smoke alarm.



In conclusion, I recommend this wok. If you like stir fry like I do, you will be very satisfied with your purchase.



Thanks for reading my review.