need a wok

FTM · 16 May 2012 at 11:20

I had been using a big skillet for general dishes, but my new one isnt as deep so I am losing stuff over the edge!

so fancy a good size wok (30cm+) is there a big difference between and 10 quid wokt and a 30 quid wok?

or should I just get a ken hom one and be done with it?

FrenchTart · 16 May 2012 at 11:46

Don't get a ken hom one - waste of money.

Pop down to a local chinese supermarket and grab a heavy duty one for ~£10. Season it properly and you'll have a wok that lasts for years.

Moses said:
£20.

This isn't GD.

Martynt74 · 16 May 2012 at 12:03

I got one from Tesco which seems pretty good, think it was £25 and compared to my old frying pans its incredible.

Not sure if that says more about the frying pans than the wok though....

mp260767 · 16 May 2012 at 14:36

FrenchTart said:
Season it properly and you'll have a wok that lasts for years.

ermmm could you clarify what you mean by "season it" please

.

FTM · 16 May 2012 at 15:21

http://chinesefood.about.com/cs/cookingbasics/ht/seasonwokhowto.htm

NickPembs · 16 May 2012 at 15:36

FrenchTart said:
Don't get a ken hom one - waste of money.

When you say waste of money, do you mean that it is just over priced or it is of poor quality?

FrenchTart · 16 May 2012 at 15:39

mp260767 said:
ermmm could you clarify what you mean by "season it" please .

Answered above

NickPembs said:
When you say waste of money, do you mean that it is just over priced or it is of poor quality?

Definitely a waste of money and I would personally say poor quality too but I haven't owned one in a few years so perhaps they have improved.

SHEDDER1uk · 16 May 2012 at 16:11

I picked up a tefal Jamie Oliver one on offer and it's been great.

Sudden · 16 May 2012 at 22:47

Haven't bought it yet, but thinking of getting one from John Lewis. Decent size and only 16 quid.

http://www.johnlewis.com/Shopping/Product.aspx?Type=SKU&Id=230843743

mp260767 · 16 May 2012 at 23:16

FTM said:
http://chinesefood.about.com/cs/cookingbasics/ht/seasonwokhowto.htm

cheers

nelviss · 17 May 2012 at 00:52

that john lewiss woks like the type of thing you would find in your local asian store, just make sure the lid and pan are a realy nice fit.

DcD · 17 May 2012 at 01:46

Totally agree with FrenchTart. Don't get a Ken Hom one, the last I had wasn't great, bit over priced imo.

Doctor McNinja · 17 May 2012 at 03:34

FrenchTart said:
Don't get a ken hom one - waste of money.

Pop down to a local chinese supermarket and grab a heavy duty one for ~£10. Season it properly and you'll have a wok that lasts for years.

This isn't GD.

+1

This way you don't have to worry about poisonous fumes coming off overheated non-stick coatings.

FTM · 17 May 2012 at 10:54

yeah..looks like just plain steel is the way to go rather than non stick

boxman2000 · 17 May 2012 at 10:58

I'm looking to get another Wok as I use mine almost daily, it was only a cheap non-stick one but has done well but don't think the handle has many more uses out of it.

I had been looking at one on the rainforest which is under 'Heavy Gauge Carbon Steel Wok 34cm (14")' and seems quite good, although tempted with enamel and 'Tefal By Jamie Oliver Hard Enamel Wok Pan, 28 cm' looks ok but prefer slightly larger, especially when doing rice.

Any other suggestions would be welcome.

tom_e · 17 May 2012 at 11:02

boxman2000 said:
I'm looking to get another Wok as I use mine almost daily, it was only a cheap non-stick one but has done well but don't think the handle has many more uses out of it.

I had been looking at one on the rainforest which is under 'Heavy Gauge Carbon Steel Wok 34cm (14")' and seems quite good, although tempted with enamel and 'Tefal By Jamie Oliver Hard Enamel Wok Pan, 28 cm' looks ok but prefer slightly larger, especially when doing rice.

Any other suggestions would be welcome.

I've had one of the Amazon ones for the last few years and it's spot on, much better than non stick ones.

boxman2000 · 17 May 2012 at 11:23

tom_e said:
I've had one of the Amazon ones for the last few years and it's spot on, much better than non stick ones.

Which one, the first or the Jamie Oliver one?

tom_e · 17 May 2012 at 11:30

boxman2000 said:
Which one, the first or the Jamie Oliver one?

Sorry, the first one.

a1ex2001 · 17 May 2012 at 11:35

I have a decent Tefal one and it's served me brilliantly, I had a plane steel one but the fact you are not supposed to really clean them made storage a pain.

FrenchTart · 17 May 2012 at 12:06

a1ex2001 said:
I have a decent Tefal one and it's served me brilliantly, I had a plane steel one but the fact you are not supposed to really clean them made storage a pain.

You can clean them as much as you like - but if you use too harsh a cleaning method then you'll need to re-season.