Owning a wok is great but having a traditional round bottom wok is even better. Who wouldn’t want to prepare satisfying Chinese cuisine with less oil and end up with uniformly cooked food seeing as this piece of cookware distributes heat evenly?
With the best round bottom wok, you will be able to have your food ready faster. If you are looking to buy one, keep it here to find out more about shopping for the same.
Six best Round Bottom Woks: Comparison Table
You probably do not have the time to read this entire review, or you just couldn’t be bothered. Whatever your reason is, we have put together the following comparison table to help you make a quick decision.
| SL | Product Name | Weight | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Craft Wok 731W88 | 4.39 pounds | Check Price |
| #2 | YOSUKATA Carbon Steel Wok Pan | 3.88 pounds | Check Price |
| #3 | Mammafong 14-inch Carbon Steel Wok Pan | 3.3 pounds | Check Price |
| #4 | Futura Non-Stick Deep-Fry Pan | 3.26 pounds | Check Price |
| #5 | Carbon Steel Wok | 3.29 pounds | Check Price |
| #6 | Bielmeier 14 Inch Carbon Steel Wok | 4.4 pounds | Check Price |
How to Choose the Best Round Bottom Wok?
The best wok to buy doesn’t have to be expensive and it doesn’t have to be cheap either. You have to consider several key factors that will guide your purchasing decision. These include:
Type of Wok
They say that you get what you pay for but when it comes to woks, nothing can match a quality carbon steel wok.
This material is not only inexpensive but also distributes heat evenly to give you uniformly cooked food each time.
Of course, there are other materials such as stainless steel, cast iron, and aluminum but Chinese cooks swear by carbon steel.
Handle Type
Traditional woks have two metallic handles that facilitate handling from the Chinese wood stove. However, you want yours to have a long wooden handle that makes it easy to tilt the wok as you cook.
You also want to consider getting one with an auxiliary handle on the side to allow for easy lifting. The handle has to be comfortable to handle and non-slip as well if you are to enjoy a seamless cooking experience.
Wok Size
As expected, woks come in different sizes. You, therefore, want to buy one based on how many people you intend to cook for.
A small to medium-sized one will work for the average-sized family while a larger one should be used for commercial cooking.
You also want to think about how much storage space you have as you shop.
Wok Accessories
How would you like a wok with a lid? Or even one that comes with a ring or spatula? Such accessories make the cooking process easier.
For instance, a lid allows you to steam or simmer your food while a spatula ensures that you do not scratch the wok’s interior surface while cooking.
Care and Maintenance
It is crucial to season your wok soon after buying it as this will prevent it from rusting. Still on that, you want to clean your wok after every use to guarantee its longevity.
That said; seasoning does take a bit of work and if you are not up to the task, you may want to purchase a pre-seasoned wok or one with a nonstick coating.
It is important to get yourself a high-quality round bottom wok but picking it out will not be easy. To that effect, we have reviewed several top options to make the selection process easier for you.
Best Round Bottom Wok – Reviews
1. Craft Wok 731W88
This is an innovatively designed wok from the Craft Wok stable that has been in operation since 2014 and is known for producing quality cookware.
Now, we will tell you that this wok is made from premium material that will stand the test of time. We believe you will appreciate that.
What We Liked About It
This wok has to be among consumer reports best wok seeing as it is hand-crafted by Chinese professionals. It, therefore, does not come as a surprise that it is the preferred choice for Asian cuisine chefs.
It is also sturdy and will sit securely when placed on your stovetop. What we loved most however is that this piece comes with an ergonomic handle that does not transmit heat and makes storage easier.
What Could Have Been Better
Unfortunately, this product does not come pre-seasoned and although it comes with instructions for doing the same, we feel that the manufacturer should have pre-seasoned it to make the user’s job easier.
Pros
- Made from superior material
- Heavy-duty
- Distributes heat evenly
Cons
- Does not come pre-seasoned
2. YOSUKATA Carbon Steel Wok Pan
Bring the rich, original flavor of Asian cuisine right into your own home with this carbon steel wok pan. It comes with a whopping 14 inches to ensure that you and your family are well-fed.
This pan is also pre-seasoned at high temperatures so you never have to worry about the hassle of doing it yourself.
What We Liked About It
If you are in search of a heavy-duty wok, you have to consider this one as it is made from solid carbon steel. As far as the handle, it is a wooden design with a comfortable grip that you will appreciate while cooking.
Another great thing about this wok is that it is quite versatile as it can be used for different cooking methods including deep-frying, braising, and stir-frying. We love that about it.
What Could Have Been Better
Although the product description of this wok states that it comes pre-seasoned, several users have complained that it is not. We feel that the manufacturer should have been transparent with this to avoid customer mistrust.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Easy to store
- Versatile
Cons
- Misleading product description
3. Mammafong 14-inch Carbon Steel Wok Pan
This could be the best deep-frying wok if you are in the market for the same. It is a traditional-style wok and is built to offer durability. That means that it can easily withstand the demands of a commercial kitchen.
Handcrafted in China, you can be sure that this product will deliver the functionality and longevity you want in your cookware.
What We Liked About It
Using less oil for cooking is healthy so wouldn’t it be great if your cookware facilitated that? Well, this unit comes with a natural nonstick surface that actualizes that. The nonstick surface also makes cleaning this wok a breeze.
Moving on swiftly, this wok is made from superior carbon steel that gives you rapid heating as well as even heat distribution to ensure that you end up with uniformly cooked food. Another thing we liked about it is that it can be gifted to anyone who enjoys cooking.
What Could Have Been Better
Some users have reported that this product corrodes after a while of using it. We feel that the manufacturer should have used a better nonstick coating to avoid this.
Pros
- Can be used as a gift
- Built to last
- Fast heating
Cons
- Prone to rusting
4. Futura Non-Stick Deep-Fry Pan
You will not experience any issues as far as the cleaning of this pan. This is simply because it comes with a non-stick surface.
You also get a diameter of 26 cm when it comes to the cooking surface and a 2.5 liter capacity for the depth. That gives you enough room to prepare average-sized meals for the average family.
What We Liked About It
Whether you love fried rice or any other fried meals, this pan will come in handy. It comes with two short handles that make lifting extremely easy.
This unit is also built to offer durability so you will not have to think of replacing it soon. We love that this piece is also among the most affordable on this list even with all its features. That gives you value for money.
What Could Have Been Better
According to some users, this pan is not as sturdy and will therefore not sit securely on their stovetops. We feel that the manufacturer should have included a wok ring in the package to make it sturdier.
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Value for money
- Durable
Cons
- Not as sturdy
5. Carbon Steel Wok
How would you love a wok that can be used right out of the box? That is exactly what you get with this one simply because it comes pre-seasoned at very high temperatures.
It does not contain any harmful coating so you can rely on it to cook healthy meals using different techniques such as boiling, deep-frying, and searing.
What We Liked About It
The handle makes a crucial part of any wok and this one is as ergonomic as they come. It remains cool even while cooking under high temperatures and is comfortable to hold.
It has a nonstick surface as well for easy food release and cleaning. Who wouldn’t appreciate that?
What Could Have Been Better
As per several users, this pan is quite heavy making handling difficult. We feel that the manufacturer could have used lighter material in its construction to counter that.
Pros
- Ergonomic handle
- Non-stick cooking surface
- Wonderful for both indoor and outdoor cooking
Cons
- Could be lighter
6. Bielmeier 14 Inch Carbon Steel Wok
This is the kind of wok that you would like to pass down to the next generation not only because it is aesthetically appealing, but also because it is built to offer longevity.
Although it does not come pre-seasoned, it does come with clear and detailed instructions on how to do the same. Not bad, wouldn’t you say?
What We Liked About It
This unit comes with a bamboo handle that not only remains cool but also comes with a hole that makes it possible to hang the wok when not in use.
You may also love that this product is versatile and can be used this round bottom wok for gas stove and also can be used to boil, steam, or deep-fry your food but what we found most appealing about it is that it does not contain any harmful coating that could be detrimental to your health.
What Could Have Been Better
This wok’s handle is quite short making it easy to get burned while cooking. The manufacturer should have simply fitted it with a longer handle to avoid this.
Pros
- Non-chemical coating
- Long-lasting
- Sturdy
Cons
- The handle could be longer
Read here best woks for induction hob
why Round Bottom Wok is best?
You can choose to buy a round-bottomed or flat-bottomed wok. Here is why you should opt for the former.
It Makes Stir-Frying Easier
Heat distributes more evenly in a round-bottomed wok than it does for a flat-bottomed one. Direct heating is what makes it easier to toss your ingredients for stir-frying.
They Won’t Warp
Just for the simple reason that they come with a curved bottom, these pans cannot warp. Heat distributes evenly in a linear fashion on the sides of the wok to make warping impossible.
They Work Well with Most Utensils
Did you know that most wok utensils are specially designed for round-bottomed woks? Spatula and ladle edges usually conform to the curved bottom.
That said; the shape of the utensils should not influence your purchasing decision. You can easily shape the utensils, not the wok.
Tips for Cooking with a Wok
Here is what you need to keep in mind as you cook with your wok for a seamless experience.
Prepare- Woks heat up fast so a cooking method like stir-frying will take about five minutes. As such, you want to have your ingredients ready to avoid wastage of cooking oil and fuel.
You also want to have the wok as close as possible to the heating surface whether you are using a wok ring or not.
Season- You need to season your wok before using it especially if it is new. The easiest way to do that is by pouring some salt into the wok and swirling it over high heat for about 20 minutes. Use an oil with a high smoking point to complete the process.
Pre-heat- You want to pre-heat your wok every time before you start cooking. After this, you want to add some oil and allow it to heat up to a smoking point.
Use the Right Oil- We cannot stress enough the importance of using oils with high smoking points when cooking with a wok. Even the best wok for deep frying will not function optimally without the right oil.
Air your Kitchen- Using a wok to cook produces a lot of smoke and the last thing want is for you or your family to gasp for air simply because it is not well ventilated. It would be best to open your kitchen windows before you start cooking.
The Half Mark- Most woks come with a half mark that your food should not pass. This is supposed to make the food cook evenly and quickly.
While at it you want to keep your food moving while in the wok. This facilitates even cooking and prevents overcooking.
Clean- Follow manufacturer instructions when it comes to maintaining and cleaning your wok. This will give it a longer lifespan.
Frequently Asked Questions
At this point, you probably have one or two questions when it comes to the best round bottom wok picks. We have answered a few below that could be of help.
What is a round-bottomed wok?
It is a type of cookware with a curved base that distributes heat evenly from the bottom to the sides. A round-bottomed wok is preferable when it comes to stir-frying and cooking on gas cooktops.
Which is better flat or round bottom wok?
This largely depends on the kind of cooktop you will be using. A flat-bottomed wok will work best for an electric range cooker while a round-bottomed is preferable for gas stoves.
Do I really need a wok?
Yes, you do particularly if enjoy Asian cuisine. Woks can be used for stir-frying, deep-frying, boiling, searing, and braising making them extremely versatile. Most of these cooking methods require high heat that the wok can withstand.
What is the best round-bottomed wok?
Most people will say that the traditional cast iron wok is the best mostly because of its heavy-duty construction. Nevertheless, we realize that many great products in the market deliver sterling performance.
Consider the build material, size, handle, and other things like the capacity of your cooking wok to ensure that you are getting the right product for your needs.
Our Top Pick
We have settled on the Craft Wok 731W88 as our top pick. First, it is an original design handcrafted by Chinese professional artisans. As a brand, Craft Wok is known for producing superior quality products ad this one is not an exception.
This wok pan is made from durable material that should give you years of service so you do not have to worry about replacing it anytime soon.
We also realized that this is a favorite round bottom wok among Asian Cuisine chefs, that has to count for something no?
Anyway, what we loved most about it is that it is quite sturdy and will sit securely on most stovetops. The fact that it comes with a stay-cool ergonomic handle was a plus as well.
Conclusion
Modern cooktops favor flat-bottomed woks but you should be able to enjoy the authentic, rich flavorful food that comes from the traditional round-bottomed wok.
Of course, you can always use a wok ring to facilitate seamless cooking but we have introduced you to round-bottomed woks for the modern cooktop.
We feel that with this review at your disposal, you will be in a better position to make the right choice. Go ahead and do that.