What is a Carbon Steel Wok and Why Should I Use One?
A carbon steel wok is, in essence, a wok-style pan that is made from carbon steel. A wok is a high-sided, usually round-bottomed (modern ones can be flat-bottomed) cooking pan that originated in China and other parts of East and Southeast Asia.
The round-bottomed design causes liquids to gather at the center of the pan, whereas with a traditional flat-bottomed frying pan, the liquids will be evenly distributed across the bottom of the pan.
Its sides are much higher than a traditional frying pan, which means that less liquid gets splattered and you can use less cooking oil in the process. It heats up very quickly, so it is great for quick frying, which is a common cooking method for many Asian dishes.
A carbon steel wok is a wok that is made from carbon steel. There are many advantages to carbon steel over something like cast iron or aluminum. Cast iron tends to be more brittle and is not nearly as durable as carbon steel.
Additionally, carbon steel can withstand incredibly high heat, which is necessary for stir-frying. To make authentic Asian recipes, you need a quality pan that can withstand high temperatures without releasing harmful toxins.
Carbon steel is designed to withstand super high temperatures, unlike frying pans made from aluminum or that feature non-stick coatings. This means you can have the peace of mind that your family is getting quality, authentic, and safe meals.
A carbon steel wok is also much lighter than a traditional frying pan, making it a lot easier to use. It is a versatile pan that is durable, safe to use at extremely high heat, and that will allow you to have authentic Asian tastes and textures from the comfort of your own home.
Our Picks for Top 10 Best Carbon Steel Woks
We have scoured the web and picked out our top 10 picks for the best carbon steel wok. We have chosen woks of different sizes, that feature different accessories, and have a range of different features. Any of these woks are a great choice and what will work best for you depends on the size of your family, your preferences, and your budget.
1. Craft Wok Traditional Hand Hammered 14-inch Carbon Steel Wok
Craft Wok’s 14-inch carbon steel wok is made from commercial-grade 15 gauge carbon steel. It features a traditional design with high side walls and a round bottom. It is large, with a 14-inch diameter, making it large enough to cook full meals.
The wok is suitable for use for traditional electric and gas stoves and is hand-hammered in Guangzhou province. The pan must be seasoned before use and is not suitable for use with flat, glass electric burners or induction stoves.
The wok features a wooden handle that allows you to move the wok without the need for a potholder. It gives you the ability to get a firm grip on the pan without having to worry that you are going to burn yourself in the process.
The wok is lightweight and durable and will stand the test of time.
Key Features:
- 14-inch cooking surface
- Hand hammered carbon steel
- Wooden stay-cool handle
- Durable
- Versatile
- Lightweight
Specifications:
Brand: Craft Wok
Model: 731W88
Weight: 4.39 pounds
2. Souped Up Recipes 12.5-inch Carbon Steel Wok
Souped Up Recipes carbon steel wok is a unique style of wok that is made for use on flat electric stovetops and induction stoves. Unlike most woks, this wok has a flat bottom, which is what makes it suitable for use with these more modern types of cook surfaces.
It features a 12.5-inch cooking surface, making it large enough to cook full meals. It is lightweight and made from the highest quality carbon steel. The wok is easy to use and easy to clean, making for an easier and more enjoyable cooking experience.
The wok comes with a wooden lid and a metal spatula. It also comes with a video user guide, which shows you how to season your wok properly, as well as over 190 recipes included at no extra charge. See also our review of the best wok for electric stove.
Key Features:
- 5-inch cooking surface
- Flat bottom suitable for use on flat electric stovetops or induction stoves
- Lightweight
- Comes with wooden lid and metal spatula
- Video user guide included
Specifications:
Brand: Souped Up Recipes
Model: B-7RJ39JV
Weight: 5.46 pounds
3. Foodylabs 14-inch Hand Hammered Carbon Steel Wok
Foodylabs 14-inch hand-hammered carbon steel wok is a great choice for someone looking for a durable, versatile, and well-made traditional wok. It features a large enough cooking surface to make full meals and is made from heavy-duty, 15 gauge premium carbon steel.
The wok features a traditional round-bottomed design as well as a long wooden handle that allows you to move the wok around without the need for an oven mitt or potholder.
The wok is non-stick and is suitable for use on most types of cooktops except induction stoves. It comes with a wok ring and is made to be chip and crack-resistant. The wok ring is a great way to help ensure that your food is evenly heated. You place the ring under the pan to allow for better, more even heat.
The wok is also lightweight and easy to clean.
Key Features:
- 14-inch cooking surface
- Hand hammered carbon steel
- Round-bottom design
- Wooden stay-cool handle
- Comes with a wok ring
- Lightweight
- Non-stick
Specifications:
Brand: Foodylabs
Model: B09T82QLP
Weight: 6.59 pounds
4. Helen’s Asian Kitchen 14-inch Flat Bottom Carbon Steel Wok with Lid
This 14-inch carbon steel wok is a unique design and features a non-traditional flat bottom, which allows you to use it on pretty much any cooking surface and can be a better choice for more novice home cooks. The large surface area makes it a great size for those looking to feed a medium-sized family.
The wok is made from thick, 1.6mm carbon steel. It features a bamboo handle that is heat-resistant, allowing you to move the pan around without needing an oven mitt. The carbon steel also creates a non-stick, nontoxic cooking surface that can withstand high heat.
The pan also features a high-domed steel lid that helps reduce splatters and to retain heat. The pan also comes with a bamboo spatula, instruction guide, and recipe book. It is a great choice for the beginning and novice cook and comes with everything you need for a tasty meal.
Key Features:
- 14-inch cooking surface
- Flat-bottomed wok
- 6mm heavy-duty carbon steel construction
- Comes with a high-domed lid
- Comes with a spatula, instruction guide, and recipe booklet
Specifications:
Brand: Helen’s Asian Kitchen
Model: 97005
Weight: 4.91 pounds
5. Mammafong 14-inch Flat Bottom Hand Hammered Carbon Steel Wok
This Mammafong 14-inch carbon steel wok is a unique blend of traditional design and modern function. It is made from traditional hand-hammered carbon steel but features a flat bottom that allows you to use this wok on pretty much any type of cooking surface.
The pan features 14-inches of cooking surface, making it a great choice for people cooking for a family. Made in China, this is a traditional wok that is durable, well-made, and designed to stand the test of time.
It is lightweight, but uses heavy gauge, thick carbon steel to ensure durability and longevity. It is easy to season and care for and features a wooden handle that lets you move the wok around without needing a potholder.
Key Features:
- 14-inch cooking surface
- Flat-bottomed design
- Hand hammered carbon steel
- Lightweight
- Easy to clean
- Durable
- Well-balanced
Specifications:
Brand: Mammafong
Model: MAFW14
Weight: 3.36 pounds
6. Mammafong 14-inch Traditional Round Bottom Hand Hammered Traditional Carbon Steel Wok
Since Mammafong is such a trusted and reputable maker of traditional Asian cookware, we couldn’t help but add a second Mammafong option to our roundup. This 14-inch carbon steel wok is a workhorse in the Asian kitchen.
It is traditionally designed with a round bottom for authentic Asian cooking. It is made from heavy gauge, heavy-duty hand-hammered carbon steel, and is incredibly durable. Carbon steel becomes seasoned and better over time and features a non-toxic, non-stick surface that is easy to care for.
The wok also features a long wooden handle that allows you to move the wok around without the need for potholders and also gives you the grip you need while cooking. The wok is lightweight, which also makes it easier to use.
The wok is easy to care for and clean. This wok comes with instructions on how to season and properly care for your wok so it stands the test of time.
Key Features:
- 14-inch cooking surface
- Traditional round-bottom design
- Lightweight
- Made from heavy gauge carbon steel
- Wooden stay-cool handle
- Easy to care for
Specifications:
Brand: Mammafong
Model: 14″ Round Bottom Wok
Weight: 3.3 pounds
7. Joyce Chen 14-inch Classic Series Carbon Steel Wok
Joyce Chen’s traditional 14-inch carbon steel wok is a great value and the perfect choice for someone looking for a wok that comes with the accessories you need to make great tasting, healthy Asian dishes. The wok has a 14-inch cooking surface, which makes it perfect for average-sized families.
The wok is made from 1.5mm gauge, heavy-duty carbon steel that is well-made, durably constructed, and will stand the test of time. Like most of the woks we review here, it will need to be seasoned before the first use and the wok comes with a guide explaining how to do this.
It also features a long birchwood handle that stays cool when in use so you can move the pan around without the need for a potholder. The wok also comes with a dome lid, a 12-inch bamboo spatula, and a recipe booklet.
The wok is lightweight and is easy to hand wash.
Key Features:
- 14-inch cooking surface
- 5mm carbon steel
- Comes with a dome lid, bamboo spatula, and recipe book
- Stay-cool birchwood handles
- Easy to clean
- Lightweight
Specifications:
Brand: Joyce Chen
Model: J21-9972
Weight: 5.59 pounds
8. Ken Hom Excellence Range 15-inch Carbon Steel Wok
Ken Hom’s 14-inch wok is a great choice for those looking for a good value on a wok that is well-suited to a range of cooking surfaces and is suitable for the novice home cook. The wok is made from heavy-duty, professional-grade carbon steel and features a flat bottom, which makes it suitable for use on a variety of cooking surfaces.
The wok also features long rubberwood handles that stay cool, even when in use. The wok is incredibly lightweight and well-balanced which makes it the perfect wok for the novice home cook. Once seasoned, the wok is incredibly easy to maintain and care for.
The carbon steel doesn’t have any coatings but creates a non-toxic, non-stick cooking surface perfect for authentic Asian food. The pan needs to be seasoned before use and should be hand washed.
Key Features:
- 14-inch cooking surface
- professional-quality carbon steel
- flat bottom
- lightweight
- rubberwood stay-cool handles
- easy to clean
Specifications:
Brand: Ken Hom
Model: KH436003U
Weight: 3.89 pounds
9. Yosukata 13.5-inch Pre-Seasoned Flat Bottom Carbon Steel Wok
For those who are looking for a carbon steel wok that is ready for use straight out of the package, this Yosukata 13.5-inch pan is a great choice. It is made from incredibly high-quality black carbon steel and comes pre-seasoned so it is ready to use with just a quick wash.
The pan features a large, flat-bottomed cooking surface that is suitable for use on most types of cooktops. The wok features a long wooden handle that gives you a firm grip while cooking and that also stays cook so you don’t need a potholder when using.
The wok is lightweight and versatile, suitable for use in stir-frying as well as deep-frying and braising. The pan is lightweight and features a large hand for easy transport. It is easy to clean and does not need to be hand-seasoned before use.
Key Features:
- 5-inch cooking surface
- Black carbon steel construction
- Flat-bottomed wok
- Comes pre-seasoned
- Long wooden stay-cool handles
- Easy to care for
- Lightweight
Specifications:
Brand: Yosukata
Model: Black Carbon Steel
Weight: 3.69 pounds
10. Mecete 13.5-inch Traditional Hand-Hammered Carbon Steel Wok
If you are looking for a high-end, traditionally-made wok, this Mecete wok is a great choice. It is made from 1.8mm thick hand-hammered professional-grade carbon steel. The wok features a 13-inch, round-bottomed cooking surface that provides for fast even heating.
The pan, once fully seasoned, will be non-stick without the need for any coating. The pan is incredibly well constructed using traditional techniques and will never have any bubbles or other issues that can affect uniform density.
The wok also features a covered carbon steel hand that creates a well-balanced wok that can be easily handled without the need for a potholder. The wok is lightweight and easy to clean.
Key Features:
- 13-inch cooking surface
- Traditional design and construction
- 8mm thick carbon steel
- Round-bottomed
- Non-stick
- Uniform density
- Lightweight
- Easy to clean
Specifications:
Brand: Mecete
Model: B07Q4HMXBY
Weight: 5.04 pounds
Carbon Steel Wok Buying Guide
When looking for a good wok, you want to make sure that it is well-balanced, lightweight, solidly built, and can withstand the high temperatures needed for stir-frying. This is why we highly recommend a carbon steel wok for everyday use.
These are safe, effective, durable, and versatile pans that can be used for far more than just stir-frying and making Asian-inspired dishes. They come in a variety of sizes and styles and some come with accessories like lids for added utility.
When looking for the best carbon steel wok for your needs, you will want to consider the size of the pan, the weight and balance, and any accessories you may wish to have.
Size
The size of the pan you need will depend on the amount of food you plan on making. If you are cooking for just one or two people, a smaller wok will be suitable. For larger families, you will want to look for a larger wok, at least 10-inches in diameter.
Weight and Balance
You want a pan that you can easily move around, so a lightweight pan will be the easiest to work with. But you also want a pan that is well balanced. You don’t want a pan with a handle so heavy that the pan won’t sit flat on the stove.
Accessories
Some woks come with accessories like lids or rice paddles. If this is important to you, you will want to look for this when shopping.
Carbon Steel Wok FAQ
What is a carbon steel wok?
A carbon steel wok is a wok, which is an Asian-style, round-bottomed pan that features high sides. It is meant to be used for quick-cooking foods over high heat and the shape of the bottom of the pan means the liquid gathers at the center of the pan, rather than being distributed across the bottom. A carbon steel wok is a wok style pan made from heavy-duty carbon steel which is lightweight, safe to use at high heat, and highly versatile.
Do I need a carbon steel wok?
If you like to stir fry foods and regularly cook using high heats, it is highly recommended that you use a carbon steel wok. This pan is designed explicitly for use at high temperatures and unlike other metals and materials, will not release any dangerous gasses while using.
What is the biggest consideration when choosing a carbon steel wok?
The size of the pan is the most important consideration. Carbon steel woks come in a variety of sizes. If you are cooking for larger families, it makes sense to get a larger wok. If you have space considerations, a smaller wok will be just as effective in terms of cooking quality, you just cannot make as much at once.
See Also: 10 Best Wok for Electric Stove and 7 Best Soup and Stock Pots
- What is a Carbon Steel Wok and Why Should I Use One?
- Our Picks for Top 10 Best Carbon Steel Woks
- 1. Craft Wok Traditional Hand Hammered 14-inch Carbon Steel Wok
- 2. Souped Up Recipes 12.5-inch Carbon Steel Wok
- 3. Foodylabs 14-inch Hand Hammered Carbon Steel Wok
- 4. Helen’s Asian Kitchen 14-inch Flat Bottom Carbon Steel Wok with Lid
- 5. Mammafong 14-inch Flat Bottom Hand Hammered Carbon Steel Wok
- 6. Mammafong 14-inch Traditional Round Bottom Hand Hammered Traditional Carbon Steel Wok
- 7. Joyce Chen 14-inch Classic Series Carbon Steel Wok
- 8. Ken Hom Excellence Range 15-inch Carbon Steel Wok
- 9. Yosukata 13.5-inch Pre-Seasoned Flat Bottom Carbon Steel Wok
- 10. Mecete 13.5-inch Traditional Hand-Hammered Carbon Steel Wok
- Carbon Steel Wok Buying Guide
- Carbon Steel Wok FAQ
