[Top 10] Best Carbon Steel Woks Recommended By Chefs

I know you don’t have time to visit every product page on Amazon, so for your convenience, I made a list of specifications for each item:

1. Craft Wok Traditional Hand Hammered Carbon Steel Pow Wok

View on Amazon

Pros:

• Outstanding heat distribution
• Completely non-stick surface
• Affordable price ($66 pre-discount)
• Non-slippery wooden handle

Cons:

• May rust if the surface can’t be kept dry

2. YOSUKATA Carbon Steel Wok Pan

View on Amazon

Pros:

• Uniform thickness
• Good handle balance
• Pre-seasoned
• Heavy-duty black carbon steel
• Easy handling

Cons:

• Metal utensils can scratch it

 3. Babish Carbon Steel Wok, 14-Inch

View on Amazon

Pros:

• Even heat distribution
• Easily absorb oil
• Compatible with gas, electric, ceramic, glass, and induction stoves
• Easy food release

Cons:

• Subpar sturdiness compared to other products

4. Carbon Steel Wok For Electric, Induction, and Gas Stoves

View on Amazon

Pros:

• Sturdy and solid construction
• Can handle high heat
• Works on electric, induction, and gas stoves
• Pre-seasoned
• Scratch-resistant
• Reasonable price ($40)

Cons:

• Rust easily without maintenance

5. Leidawn 12.8" Carbon Steel Wok

View on Amazon

Pros:

• Ten accessories included
• Honeycomb carbon steel design
• It comes with a manual
• Diversion soup pot design
• Heat-resistant handle

Cons:

• The wooden lid is prone to chipping

6. Craft Wok Flat Hand Hammered Carbon Steel Pow Wok

View on Amazon

Pros:

• Classic wok design
• Reasonable price ($34,22 whole set, without discount)
• Hand hammered by Chinese professionals
• Non-slippery wooden handle
• Good heat distribution

Cons:

• Vulnerable to humidity

7. OXO Obsidian Pre-Seasoned Carbon Steel, 12" Wok Pan

View on Amazon

Pros:

• Pre-seasoned
• Removable silicone sleeve
• Metal utensil safe
• Oven safe up to 660˚F

Cons:

• The pan metal is a little thin

8. YOSUKATA Carbon Steel Wok Pan - 14 “ Woks

View on Amazon

Pros:

• Perfect handle
• Thorough heat distribution
• Pre-seasoned
• Heavy-duty black carbon steel 
• Non-stick pan surface

Cons:

• It can’t balance on its own

9. Made In Cookware - 12" Blue Carbon Steel Wok

View on Amazon

Pros:

• Very durable
• Slick surface
• Lightweight design
• Develop a natural non-stick surface over time

Cons:

• The handle has a bad ergonomic

10. Joyce Chen, Classic Series Carbon Steel Wok Set

View on Amazon

Pros:

• The package includes a recipe booklet
• Best value for money
• Safety design
• Ergonomic birch wood handle
• Non-stick steel dome lid

Cons:

• It wobbles on flat cooking surfaces

If you want to bring home the best product possible, there is some information that you need to know before choosing:

Stove Compatibility

Traditional wok in Asian cultures is made specifically for cooking on an open fire or big gas stoves. After the popularization of the wok, they made different models which can be used on various types of stoves (electric, induction)

While checking out a product’s page, please notice if the wok is compatible with the stove you have at your home.

Handle Style

There are two main ways manufacturers build handles for a wok. The first design is one long handle, the second design is two small metal handles on both sides of the wok.

If you want to make stir fry dishes with style, go for items with long handles. For people who aren’t highly skilled, products with two small handles are the best option since they are easier to handle.

Size

Are you a business owner or do you run a restaurant? For professional uses, you must get big-sized woks with the capacity of six or eight quarts.

If you only use a wok to cook for your family (three to four people), you only need smaller-sized products.

Scratch Resistant

While cooking, the bottom of the wok receives the most damage. The scraping between the surface and your utensils will result in wear and tear on the pan.

If your wok is scratched, the damage can further lead to rust since oxygen can come into contact with the inner steel layer. The rust particles can make their way into your food and cause harm to your body.

If your budget allows it, I advise buying a wok made from high-quality black carbon steel with durable construction.

Heat Insulation

While cooking with a wok, the entire body of the pan can get very hot. With poorly-made products, high heat can get into the handle.

Although the temperature won’t be high enough to burn your hand, it can make you drop the wok and potentially cause injury if it lands on your foot. Not to mention all the food inside will be spilled and wasted.

For this reason, I highly recommend wooden wok handles as wood is an excellent material for heat insulation.

How do I properly clean my wok?

Once you’ve done cooking, rinse your wok under warm water and gently scrape off any food remnants with a nonmetal brush or a soft sponge.

After that, thoroughly dry your wok under sunlight, then using a paper towel, apply a light layer of oil around the entire inner surface of the pan. The pan should be smooth with no oil residue.

Lastly, place your oiled wok on a burner and set it to high heat. Once the oil has heated up and you see slight smoke rising, turn off the heat and allow the wok to cool down.

How long will they last?

With proper care and maintenance, the wok you bought can last you for a lifetime. Professionals and chefs have confirmed this fact.

If you are a beginner, you should look up the internet for instructions on how to clean, maintain, and the most suitable place to store a wok.

Where should I store my wok?

After you have cleaned your wok, put the wok away in dry places, preferably with sunlight.

Avoid places with high humidity, low sunlight, and dust.

Wooden lid or steel lid?

For people without sufficient grip strength, a wooden lid is much easier to handle thanks to its lighter weight when compared to steel lids. But, wood material is prone to chipping, plus the wood can spoil over time if exposed to humidity.

I recommend steel lids as they are much more durable than their wooden counterparts. Plus, they can trap heat inside the pan better.

What is the price range?

The prices range from $40 to $250. Standard-quality woks only cost around $50.

The price of a wok primarily depends on its material, size, and brand.

After finishing this post, I believe you should have a general idea about the best carbon steel wok you want to bring home. They can be a great alternative to traditional pans and you may fall in love with the versatility of a wok.

According to the feedback of previous customers, I recommend the Craft Wok Traditional Hand Hammered Carbon Steel Pow Wok as the best option overall.

If you want a wok that is compatible with multiple types of stoves, the Carbon Steel Wok For Electric, Induction, and Gas Stoves is your best friend.

Thank you for your time and attention!