Top 15 Best Carbon Steel Woks

On the assumption that you love Asian cuisine, you should think over owning a carbon steel wok. Therefore, you can make luscious and savory Asian dishes easily and comfortably in your own kitchen.

Nowadays, carbon steel wok has become more popular and there various supplies of carbon steel wok. You may be confused with different products. To reduce your stress of finding the best carbon steel, let’s start reading now!

What Is a Carbon Steel Wok?

A carbon steel wok is traditional Asian cookware. It is large, round and looks like a big bowl. With the carbon steel wok, you can easily toss and flip vegetables in cooking. Now people use a carbon steel wok for various cooking techniques and it has become popular all over the world.

Benefit and Drawback of Carbon Steel Wok

Everything has its positive and negative sides, and carbon steel is not an exception. Let’s check the benefits of the carbon steel wok to see why many people fancy using it:

Benefits

• Reasonable Price: There are different prices of carbon steel woks, but their prices are always lower than other materials.
• Safety: Unlike other materials, cooking by carbon steel wok doesn’t release any harmful toxins to your food.
• Lightweight: Carbon steel wok is lighter than other materials so you can easily lift and move.
• Durability: Carbon steel is a strong metal that is more durable than other materials. Therefore, it has a longer lifespan, and it is crack-resistant.
• Excellent Heat Distribution: Since carbon steel wok heats up really fast, you can reduce your cooking time. Moreover, it can heat evenly so you can cook more delicious dishes.
• Healthy: After season, the surface of it is nonstick, you don’t need to add much oil or butter. So you can cook healthier meals for your family

Drawbacks

• Require Seasoning: Before you use the carbon steel wok for cooking, you have to make the surfaces of it become nonstick. I will show you how to season a carbon steel wok in this post. Don’t worry!
• Require Careful Storing: To ensure the carbon steel wok is not rusting or spotting, you have to clean it immediately after cooking. And remember to dry it thoroughly before storing it.
• Not Dishwasher Safe: The carbon steel wok may get scratch if you wash it in the dishwasher.
• Avoid Acidic Ingredients: You should avoid cooking tomatoes or lemons in carbon steel wok because acidic can affect the nonstick surface.

Although the carbon steel wok may have some disadvantages, you can easily avoid it. And the advantages of it outweigh the disadvantages. Therefore, it is a wise expense to buy a carbon steel wok.

Which Are the Best Carbon Steel Woks to Buy?

Whether you want to find the best carbon steel in the long run or you want to find a product that costs next to nothing, my recommended list is on the brink to lend you a hand.

• Best Overall: Joyce Chen J22-0060 Carbon Steel Wok
  “Durable heavy-gauge steel material, ergonomic handle, comfortable and safe, ideal for electric and gas ranges, easy to lift, convenient 6-piece combo provided, providing loop for easy storing”
• Best Budget: M.V. Trading 12 Inches Carbon Steel Wok
  “Rapid and even heating, cooling down quickly, ideal size for serving 5 people, convenient flat bottom, effortless to use with wooden handle, affordable price”
• Best for Professionals: Craft Wok Big Carbon Steel Wok
  “Chef’s choice product, fast frying, durable material, large size, suitable for open fire, can be a steamer, a smoke,…”
• Best Nonstick: Ecolution Non-Stick Carbon Steel Wok
  “Heavy-duty carbon steel wok, soft-touch and stay-cool handle, nonstick coating, dishwasher safe, great food release, easy cleanup, heat quickly and evenly”
• Best for Induction: KEN HOM Nonstick Carbon Steel Wok
  “Unique flat bottom design, nonstick interior and exterior, easy cooking and cleanup, PFOA-free coating, heat-resistant riveted handles, dishwasher safe, 2-year warranty”
• Best for Stir-Fry: Chef’s Medal Traditional Carbon Steel Wok
  “Excellent heat circulation, seasoning instruction included, delightful bamboo handle, easy to store, help fasten the cooking process, 100% handcrafted, versatile”
• Best for Searing: Mauviel Made In France M’Steel Black Steel Wok
  “Excellent heat conduction, able to withstand high temperatures, ideal for searing, detailed seasoning instructions included, safe with metal utensils, extremely durable”
• Best for Heavy-Duty Use: Cook Pro Professional Lightweight Carbon Steel Wok
  “Durable construction, ready for induction, ideal for heavy-duty use, longlasting, nonstick coating inside and outside, easy cleanup and storage, stable construction”
• Best HandCraft: Mammafong Authentic Hand Hammered Carbon Steel Wok
  “Longlasting construction, superior heat distribution, 100% handcrafted with passion and care, comfortable wooden handle, able to heat up fastly, high-quality”
• Best Pre-Seasoned: Timoneylove Pre-Seasoned Carbon Steel Pow Wok
  “Pre-seasoned carbon steel wok, ergonomic wooden handle, time-saving, effortless to clean, reduce trouble in seasoning, comfortable to use, durable and sturdy”

Best Carbon Steel Wok Comparison Chart

Finding the best carbon steel wok will become easier if you have a quick view of my comparison chart. After that, you can see the difference between the 15 products and analyze which is the best carbon steel wok for you.

15 Best Carbon Steel Wok To Buy

What can you look for in a carbon steel wok? What are the pros and cons of the 15 best carbon steel on the market? Let’s continue reading to know!

1. Origins 91-0021 Natural Caron-Steel Wok

The Origins natural carbon steel wok has a medium size of 14 inches. Since the bottom of this wok is flat, this product can fit with gas stovetop, induction stove, electric stove,… Using this carbon steel wok helps you improve your cooking levels.

Vegetables will become crispier after stir-frying. If you cook poultry, meat or seafood, they will become more tender and juicier. With the bowl shape, you can have a spacious area to cook. You don’t need to worry that food will come out of the wok when you toss it.

The plastic handle makes it more comfortable to use. And you can protect your hand from burning, too. To make the surface of the wok become nonstick, you have to spend time seasoning the wok before use.

Key Features

• Healthy cooking style
• Quick and even heating
• Superior heat retention

Product Specifications

Weight	4.21 pounds
Dimensions	24 x 14 x 5 inches
Size	14 inches
Bottom	Flat
Handle material	Plastic
Additional helper handle	Yes

2. Regent Traditional Oriental Chef Carbon Steel Wok

The Regent carbon steel wok has a long wooden handle and an additional wooden helper handle. These two handles are cool to touch and comfortable to use so you can stir and flip safely and without effort.

The size of this wok is 13.3 inches, which is enough for you to perform various delicious dishes. The flat bottom makes the Regent carbon steel wok suitable for gas, ceramic, electric and induction heat sources.

This product is ideal for stir-frying vegetables and meat, deep frying, steaming,… because it has quick and efficient heating and significant heat transfer. And what makes this wok the best choice? It is so light so you can move it easily.

Key Features

• High- quality material
• Quick and efficient heating
• Sturdy wooden long handle

Product Specifications

Weight	3.55 pounds
Dimensions	22.1 x 13.3 x 4.6 inches
Size	13.3 inches
Bottom	Flat
Handle material	Wood
Additional helper handle	Yes

3. Sur La Table Professional Carbon Steel Wok

Are you finding a wok that is large but not heavy? The Sur La Table professional carbon steel wok can meet your demand. As this product is made with top-quality carbon steel, it can heat up quickly and distribute the heat evenly.

The interior surface of it is significant so you can cook meals for a large number of people. The additional helper handle is handy when the wok is loaded with food. And the handle is made of maple so it is sturdy and safe to use.

The product won’t rust if you store it properly and season it carefully before using it. This wok has a flat bottom and the bottom size is 6 inches. The Sur La Table professional carbon steel wok is compatible with gas, electric, ceramic, and induction stovetops.

Key Features

• Perfect for high-heat cooking
• Sturdy maple handle
• Safe with metal utensils

Product Specifications

Weight	Not specified
Dimensions	Not specified
Size	14 inches
Bottom	Flat
Handle material	Maple
Additional helper handle	Yes

4. Helen Chen’s Asian Kitchen Carbon Steel Wok

 

Helen Chen’s carbon steel wok comes with a high-domed lid so you can make many of your favorite dishes. And the handle of it is made from wood that is resistant to heat. You can effortlessly move the wok without fear of burning.

And there is a small hole at the end of the handle so you can easily hand it for storing. Now you can make perfect fried rice because this carbon steel wok can distribute heat quickly and evenly.

Thanks to the flat bottom, this wok can sit securely on stovetop, electric stove, induction cooktop,… When you purchase a product, you can receive a 13-inch bamboo spatula, a recipe booklet with instructions.

Key Features

• Top-domed lip and spatula provided
• Rapid and constant heating
• Extremely durable

Product Specifications

Weight	4.95 pounds
Dimensions	19 x 14 x 10 inches
Size	14 inches
Bottom	Flat
Handle material	Wood
Additional helper handle	Yes

Do you want to know how the wok works in reality? Watch the video to know:

5. Craft Wok Big Canton Style Carbon Steel Wok

(Best for Professionals)

If you need a carbon steel wok with a large size, the craft canton-style carbon steel wok is worth considering. This product has a big size of 16 inches, and it is the best choice of many professional Chinese chefs.

Since this is the traditional carbon steel wok with canton style, you have to season it before use. Chinese professionals hammer the hands of it so they are very durable and reduce your effort in moving the wok.

You should note that this product is heavy and big. So if you think you cannot handle a big and heavy carbon steel wok, don’t go for this product. If you have enough conditions to buy this product, you can make your friends surprised by unbelievable Chinese dishes.

Key Features

• Chef’s choice product
• Fast frying

Product Specifications

Weight	5.4 pounds
Dimensions	16.5 x 16.5 x 9.8 inches
Size	16 inches
Bottom	Round
Handle	Hammer handle

6. M.V. Trading 12 Inches Carbon Steel Wok

(Best Budget)

The M.V.Trading carbon steel wok is suitable for small serving because it has a small size. This 12-inches wok is made of 14-gauge carbon steel, so there is nothing to discuss about its durability.

Thanks to the natural, blond, wooden handle and side spool handle, you can easily and safely have full control of your cooking process. With the flat-bottom design, this product can securely sit on even electric and induction stoves.

On a gas stove, it works efficiently. With 4-inch depth, you can easily create delicious Chinese dishes to serve your friends and families.

Key Features

• Rapid and even heating
• Cooling down quickly
• Ideal size for serving five people

Product Specifications

Weight	4.15 pounds
Dimensions	14.4 x 14 x 6.7 inches
Size	12 inches
Bottom	Flat
Handle material	Wood
Additional helper handle	Yes

7. Joyce Chen J22-0060 Flat Bottom Carbon Steel Wok

(Best Overall)

The Joyce Chen carbon steel wok looks very attractive and elegant with many exceptional features to remember. This product is sturdy and durable since it has a heavy-gauge steel construction. I think this product can accompany you for a long time.

The Ergonomic Phenolic handle is safe to touch and provides you with great comfort in use. With the help of the additional helper handle, it is much more convenient for you to toss the food or move the wok.

There is a loop on the handle so you can hang the wok after using it. You can choose to buy the 6-piece set for more choices of cooking.

Key Features

• Durable heavy-gauge steel material
• Ergonomic handle
• Comfortable and safe

Product Specifications

Weight	0.64 ounces
Dimensions	22.8 x 15.4 x 3.6 inches
Size	14 inches
Bottom	Flat
Handle material	Phenolic
Additional helper handle	Yes

8. Ecolution Non-Stick Carbon Steel Wok

(Best Nonstick)

You don’t have much time to season the wok or you are tired of various steps of cleaning. Buying the Ecolution nonstick carbon steel wok is the best choice. Thanks to the extra-durable carbon steel construction, this product has excellent performance.

This product is dishwasher safe so there is no more stress about cleaning. With the nonstick coating, cooking and cleanup are a breeze. The soft-touch riveted handle makes it more comfortable to hold the wok. And the handle is safe to touch, too.

And the flat bottom makes the product stand securely on all heat sources, including induction.

Key Features

• Heavy-duty carbon steel wok
• Soft-touch and stay-cool handle
• Nonstick coating

Product Specifications

Weight	2.4 pounds
Dimensions	19.5 x 12 x 5.8 inches
Size	12 inches
Bottom	Flat
Handle	Riveted handle
Additional helper handle	No

9. KEN HOM Nonstick Carbon Steel Wok

(Best for Induction)

Many people favor the KEN HOM nonstick carbon steel wok because it is effortless to clean. The nonstick coating surface helps you comfortably cook and release the food. Moreover, the flat bottom of the product makes it perfect for the induction cooktop.

Not only does the interior surface have a nonstick coating, but the exterior also has a nonstick coating to prevent scratch, rust, and stain. Thanks to the riveted handle and helper handle, you can safely control the large wok.

Key Features

• The unique flat bottom design
• Nonstick interior and exterior
• Easy cooking and cleanup

Product Specifications

Weight	3.6 pounds
Dimensions	24 x 14 x 4 inches
Size	14.5 inches
Bottom	Flat
Handle	Riveted handles
Additional helper handle	Yes

10. Chef’s Medal Traditional Carbon Steel Wok

(Best for Stir-Fry)

The Cher’s Medal carbon steel wok needs seasoning before use. However, there are careful instructions included, so you don’t need to worry much. The handle is long for ease of carrying, and it is made of wood, so it is heat-resistant and safe to touch.

And there is a small hall, which is perfect for hanging the wok for storage. Since this wok has a round bottom, it can circulate the heat around the food you are cooking. That’s why this is an excellent product for stir-frying.

And you can’t use this wok on electric or induction cooktop because it has a round bottom.

Key Features

• Excellent heat circulation
• Seasoning instruction included
• Delightful bamboo handle

Product Specifications

Weight	4.6 pounds
Dimensions	22.5 x 14 x 6 inches
Size	14 inches
Bottom	Round
Handle	Wood
Additional helper handle	Yes

11. Mauviel Made In France M’Steel Carbon Steel Wok

(Best for Searing)

The Mauviel M’Steel black steel wok has a construction of thick black carbon steel, so this product has excellent heat conduction. This is the reason why this is the most appropriate product for searing.

The handle is made of iron for durable construction. However, it may be hot to touch so you should be careful. Remember that you should not remove the black layer at the bottom of the pan because it can make the surface become sticky.

Key Features

• Excellent heat conduction
• Able to withstand high temperatures

Product Specifications

Weight	6 pounds
Dimensions	20.9 x 11.8 x 3.8 inches
Size	11.8 inches
Bottom	Round
Handle	Iron
Additional helper handle	Yes

12. Cook Pro Professional Lightweight Carbon Steel Wok

(Best for Heavy-Duty Use)

The Cook Pro carbon steel wok is a heavy-duty tool, but it is lightweight. Therefore, you can effortlessly move the wok and have full control of it. This product has carbon steel construction so it can stand the test of time.

Apart from having simple and elegant designs, this product also has an ergonomic wooden handle and assistant handle. You can freely flip or toss the vegetables. Your family will be surprised by the impressive dishes you can make.

This wok has a nonstick coating interior so you don’t need to season it before use. Moreover, the cleaning task has become easier than ever. The exterior surface also has a nonstick coating so the product won’t get rusted easily.

Key Features

• Durable construction
• Ready for induction
• Ideal for heavy-duty use

Product Specifications

Weight	2.25 pounds
Dimensions	22.5 x 3.8 x 13.8 inches
Size	14 inches
Bottom	Flat
Handle	Wood
Additional helper handle	Yes

13. Souped Up Recipes Carbon Steel Wok

The Souped Up Recipes carbon steel wok comes with a gorgeous wooden lid and a metal spatula. And the handle of this wok is wood so it doesn’t get hot when you cook. This product thas a diameter of 12.5 inches.

Thanks to the flat bottom, it can work well on a gas stove, electric stove, and even induction cooktop. Like most carbon steel woks, this product is lightweight for you easy to control. And this wok heats up really fast and helps you cook all the dishes most quickly.

Key Features

• Providing a wooden lid and a metal spatula
• Stay-cool handle

Product Specifications

Weight	6 pounds
Dimensions	13.7 x 13.4 x 4.8 inches
Size	12.5 inches
Bottom	Flat
Handle	Wood
Additional helper handle	No

14. Mammafong Authentic Hand Hammered Carbon Steel Wok

(Best HandCraft)

The Mammafong hand-hammered carbon steel is built to last. It has a round bottom so it works best with the gas stove. Chinese master craftsmen make this product 100% with care and passion.

This product is effortless to season. After seasoning, its surface will become nonstick. And you don’t need to add much oil in cooking so using this carbon steel wok can contribute to good health for your family.

Since the product has superior carbon steel construction, it can heat up quickly and distribute the heat thoroughly. That’s the secret to every mouthwatering crunchy and crispy stir-fry dishes.

Key Features

• Longlasting construction
• Superior heat distribution
• 100% handcrafted with passion and care

Product Specifications

Weight	3.31 pounds
Dimensions	22.5 x 14 x 6 inches
Size	14 inches
Bottom	Round
Handle	Wood
Additional helper handle	Yes

15. Timoneylove Pre-Seasoned Carbon Steel Pow Wok

(Best Pre-Seasoned)

If you find the seasoning process too complicated, you can pick up the Timoneylove Pre-Seasoned carbon wok for more convenience. You can save more time and trouble so it is the best choice for busy people.

Artisans have already seasoned the product so you don’t need to do that again. Don’t worry about chemical smoke since it doesn’t have a chemical coating. This is the pre-seasoned product, not a nonstick coating wok.

This product helps you clean up with ease and you can effortlessly release the food after cooking. You just have to follow the storing instruction coming with the product to maintain that it is always n good quality.

Key Features

• Pre-seasoned carbon steel wok
• Ergonomic wooden handle
• Time-saving

Product Specifications

Weight	4.25 pounds
Dimensions	22.7 x 14 x 6 inches
Size	14 inches
Bottom	Round
Handle	Wood
Additional helper handle	Yes

How to Season a Carbon Steel Wok?

The process of seasoning a carbon steel wok seems quite complicated, but you just do this one time only. After that, you can enjoy cooking with a perfect nonstick carbon steel wok.

Cleaning for the First Time

The first thing to do after you purchase a carbon steel wok is to clean it. You have to clean the wok thoroughly with the sponge and soap. You just have to clean it with a sponge only at this time.

First of all, you have to put the carbon steel wok under hot and soapy water. Secondly, you scrub all the two sides of the wok to remove oil and dust. Thirdly, you clean the wok thoroughly with water then dry it with a towel. Finally, evaporate the leftover water by heating the wok on the stovetop.

Choose Seasoning Oil

The best oil to season carbon steel wok must have a high smoke point. Therefore, the pan doesn’t get burnt when you cook it at high temperatures. You can choose one of the oils below:

• Canola oil
• Peanut oil
• Grape seed oil
• Sunflower oil
• Pork fat

Please don’t use olive oil and sesame oil because they have low smoking oil

The Seasoning Process

There are three ways of seasoning a pan. Let’s choose the one that you find most comfortable to do.

Stovetop

1. Place the carbon steel wok on the stovetop at a high temperature until you can feel the heat.
2. Put 2 or 3 tsp of oil and swirl the wok to spread the oil to the whole surface
3. Put chopped scallions and ginger into the wok
4. Adjust the temperature to medium
5. Stir for 20 minutes (add more oil if the vegetables become dry)
6. Unfilled the wok and let it cool down
7. Wash the wok by warm water
8. Put the wok to the stovetop one more time
9. Dry the leftover water
10. Preheat the wok and add 1 tsp of oil
11. Now the carbon steel wok is entirely coated and ready to cook

Oven

1. Set your oven at 450F
2. Use foil to cover the baking sheet
3. Remove the plastic and wooden handle of the wok( Choose another method if it is impossible to remove)
4. Cover the interior and exterior of your wok with oil
5. Put the baking sheet at the bottom rack
6. Place the wok on the top rack
7. Bake for 20 minutes
8. Remove the wok and let it cool
9. Wash it with a clean sponge, don’t add any soap
10. Put it on the stovetop and dry with oil
11. Repeat this process six times or start using it now

Salt

1. Pour a cup of oil into your wok
2. Place the wok over high heat on a gas stovetop, fill it with salt
3. Stir the salt continuously for 20 minutes (spread the salt over the interior surface)
4. Remove the salt and let the wok cool
5. Wipe the wok with oil
6. Spread a thin layer of oil on its surface

The video below can help you do the seasoning task easier:

How to Maintain a Carbon Steel Wok?

Remember to follow the instruction coming with your carbon steel wok carefully. To ensure that your carbon steel wok can remain better quality over time, you should clean it correctly after using it. It is straightforward to do, and you just have to follow some steps:

1. Rinse the wok in warm water
2. To remove food, gently scrub the surface with sponge or wok brush
3. Wash it thoroughly with water
4. Dry completely with a towel
5. Evaporate leftover water by drying it at medium heat on the stovetop

You shouldn’t use abrasive scouring pads, soaps, sanitizers, or chemicals. If you use these items, the nonstick surface you carefully create will be affected.

On the condition that you want to store the carbon steel wok in the cabinet and won’t use it for a week or more, remember to cover the wok with a thin layer of oil before storing.

Tips to Buy the Best Carbon Steel Wok

To pick up the best carbon steel wok, there are some tips you need to take into account.

Utensils

You can see that you have to pay more attention to the cleaning task if you want the carbon steel wok to last long. To ease your cleaning and cooking process, you should consider investing in the utensils below:

• Amagabeli Stainless Steel Cast Iron Cleaner
• M.V. Trading WB-7 Wok Cleaning Whisk
• Helen Chen’s Asian Kitchen Stainless Steel Spider Strainer

The bamboo cleaning whisk helps you clean the carbon steel wok quickly and effectively while the cleaning pad is more modern and can be used to clean for both carbon steel and cast iron cookware.

The Helen Chen’s Asian Kitchen Stainless Steel Spider Strainer is also worth considering because it is a useful tool when you want to cook, fry, or drain food. This is a must-have item when you want to cook Japanese and Chinese recipes.

Size

The common size of traditional Chinese carbon steel wok ranges from 10 to16 inches. If you just need to carry a small task or serve just a small number of people, it is wise to go for the small size(10 inches).

If your family has many members or you need to serve many guests, let’s pick up the large size(16 inches). However, I think the medium size(14 inches) is the best because you can correctly guess how many people you will serve.

Flat Vs. Round Bottom

There are usually two forms of carbon steel woks: flat bottom and round bottom. if you use the wok on a gas stovetop, you can choose both flat or round bottom. For cooking on induction or electric stove, you have to choose the wok with a flat bottom.

FAQs

There are many things you need to jot down when you want to purchase the best carbon steel wok. Therefore, I will answer some frequently asked answer on the market to make everything become more apparent.

My Top Pick

Among the 15 best carbon steel woks, my favorite product is the Joyce Chen J22-0060 Flat Bottom Wok because it is large enough for me to cook food for my family. Moreover, the product has superior heat distribution and quick heating so I can carry many of My favorite Chinese dishes.

How’s about you? Have you made your choice? Is it challenging for you to season a carbon steel wok? Do you know any good carbon steel wok? If you want to ask something or share something, feel free to tell me!