Woks & Stir Fry Pans
Woks and wok pans: Allrounders for the kitchen
If you like to cook Asian dishes, there is no getting around the purchase of a wok or a wok pan. Woks or stir fry pans as they are also called, are real multi-talents for the kitchen and can be used in many ways. For example, there are so called wok pans with one handle, woks with two handles or without any.
When it comes to choosing which woks to buy, you should choose according to your personal preferences. The shape of the wok is less important than the type of stove and the material the wok or wok pan is made of. For example, if you are cooking on a gas stove, a wok with a round base is very suitable. Ideally, you should place a standing ring between the gas flame and the wok so that the wok stands securely and the material is protected. For a classic electric stove, there are also extra flattened wok models.
However, when using a wok made of carbon steel, sheet steel, or aluminum on an electric stove, you must be aware that the material can warp over time, and therefore it is better to use pots made of cast iron or stainless steel. In ZWILLING's online store you will find woks, wok pans and stir fry pans made of different materials and in various sizes for every need.
What are the distinguishing features of woks?
The special thing about the shape of woks is their high sidewalls. The frying surface gets hot very quickly, while the outer walls have a lower temperature. This allows you, for example, to store ready-fried food on the side edges while you sear other ingredients in the middle. Alternatively, you can also take the finished fried food out of the wok and mix it again in the wok at the end.
What are wok pans used for?
Woks are used in Asian cuisine for various cooking methods. With a wok or a wok pan, you can, for example, roast, cook, braise, deep-fry, steam, or smoke.
The best known and most popular cooking method is frying while stirring meat, vegetables, and pre-cooked rice or noodles, with the ingredients being fried in the order of their cooking time. As a rule, first the meat, then the vegetables, and then the rice or noodles.
Woks can also be used as a cooking pot. When cooking, however, make sure that the liquid stays below boiling point, otherwise it will bubble too much. Furthermore, woks are also suitable for braising, whereby the braising time is shortened in contrast to the conventional cooking pot. When deep-frying, you can cook meat, fish, or vegetables in floating fat. When deep-frying, however, make sure that your wok stands securely. For smoking or steaming you will also need additional attachments. Discover not only high-quality woks or wok pans but also the matching cookware accessories in ZWILLING's online store.