BRADLEY SMOKER | "Taste the Great Outdoors"

Miscellaneous Topics => General Discussions => Topic started by: FLBentRider on December 16, 2011, 03:24:07 PM

Title: Going for a Wok!
Post by: FLBentRider on December 16, 2011, 03:24:07 PM
I'm in the market for a new Wok, ours bit the dust a while back.

What do you have, and do you like it?
Title: Re: Going for a Wok!
Post by: SiFumar on December 16, 2011, 07:48:03 PM
I "had" a carbon steel one for years....till my younger son lifted it.  It is going strong for him.  It's about 20yrs old now.  Cost about $50 then.  I've been looking at the Lodge ones lately.
Title: Re: Going for a Wok!
Post by: FLBentRider on December 16, 2011, 07:49:28 PM
Ours was electric with a non-stick coating that was no longer doing its job.
Title: Re: Going for a Wok!
Post by: SiFumar on December 16, 2011, 07:50:46 PM
Never tried an electric one...will take a look at them.
Title: Re: Going for a Wok!
Post by: KyNola on December 16, 2011, 08:17:54 PM
Quote from: SiFumar on December 16, 2011, 07:48:03 PM
I "had" a carbon steel one for years....till my younger son lifted it.  It is going strong for him.  It's about 20yrs old now.  Cost about $50 then.  I've been looking at the Lodge ones lately.
Had one of those carbon steel ones too.  Those things rock.  Takes the heat nicely
Title: Re: Going for a Wok!
Post by: jiggerjams on December 16, 2011, 08:59:54 PM
I have an electric Breville and love it. Heats quick and non stick. As a home cook I couldn't imagine needing anything more.
Title: Going for a Wok!
Post by: GoCobbers95 on December 16, 2011, 09:41:56 PM
I use a calphalon brand wok that I really really like.
Title: Re: Going for a Wok!
Post by: 3rensho on December 16, 2011, 10:07:54 PM
Personally I'd never get an electric or anti-stick wok.  Can't get them hot enough for "wok heh".  You need a steel wok and a wok ring that puts out some serious btu's.
Title: Re: Going for a Wok!
Post by: Habanero Smoker on December 17, 2011, 01:39:20 AM
I agree with SiFumar, carbon steel wok over a gas burner is the way to go. Just keep it well seasoned.
Title: Re: Going for a Wok!
Post by: FLBentRider on December 17, 2011, 04:53:58 AM
Sometimes I wish we had a gas range, but we do not.

I'm not sure how well it will work on an electric range.
Title: Re: Going for a Wok!
Post by: Quarlow on December 17, 2011, 05:04:43 AM
They suck on an electric range, well at least on mine. I am not sure it heats as well as it should but it does not get hot enough to wok proper. All it does is boil the food instead of stirfry. I want a gas stove, grr.
Title: Re: Going for a Wok!
Post by: ArnieM on December 17, 2011, 05:16:24 AM
I use a Lodge cast iron wok on an electric glass top range.  The bottom is flattened some.  No problem getting hot enough.  Cleans easily and no non-stick junk in my food.

But, I too wish for a gas top stove.   :-\
Title: Re: Going for a Wok!
Post by: Tenpoint5 on December 17, 2011, 06:47:10 AM
If you get one of them cast iron Lodge ones you should be able to set right on top of the  heat diverter in the MAK and cook that way
Title: Re: Going for a Wok!
Post by: 3rensho on December 17, 2011, 07:04:21 AM
QuoteSometimes I wish we had a gas range...

You can get stand alone wok rings with some serious fire power.  Without the "wok heh" one is kidding ones self.
Title: Re: Going for a Wok!
Post by: Quarlow on December 17, 2011, 12:29:04 PM
I have to ask what a "Wok Heh" is. Is that the stove ring.
Title: Re: Going for a Wok!
Post by: Habanero Smoker on December 17, 2011, 12:58:26 PM
On an electric range they do not work well. You probably be better off getting another electric one, but I don't know any thing about electric woks.
Title: Re: Going for a Wok!
Post by: FLBentRider on December 17, 2011, 01:41:29 PM
I'm deciding between the Breville and the Lodge, I know I can get the Breville locally, and it is a Christmas present for the Mrs, so I'm kinda short on time.
Title: Re: Going for a Wok!
Post by: Habanero Smoker on December 17, 2011, 01:54:26 PM
I've never had any luck with a wok on an electric range, but I've never used a cast iron wok. I just took a look at the Breville, and if it performs the way they say; that may be the way to go.
Title: Re: Going for a Wok!
Post by: jiggerjams on December 17, 2011, 02:23:20 PM
Quote from: 3rensho on December 16, 2011, 10:07:54 PM
Personally I'd never get an electric or anti-stick wok.  Can't get them hot enough for "wok heh".  You need a steel wok and a wok ring that puts out some serious btu's.

The Breville electric gets to 425 F. Should I be looking for something hotter? My meals for four are ready to plate in less than 10 minutes as it is. Here is a link for a review of the product.
http://chinesefood.about.com/od/chinesecookingequipment/fr/Breville-Electric-Wok.htm
Title: Re: Going for a Wok!
Post by: devo on December 17, 2011, 02:29:56 PM
I bought a cast iron wok about five years ago. I use it for all kinds of cooking. Very nice addition to any kitchen. They are more expensive than most out there but well worth the price. I even put mine on my turkey fryer burner in the summer to make french fries.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-neY8ePBGc58/TkWxcQ7OaaI/AAAAAAAAA94/W7XrEaR0o9A/s912/HPIM3860.JPG)
Title: Re: Going for a Wok!
Post by: La Quinta on December 17, 2011, 06:56:39 PM
I am totally with Jigger on this...I have the breville cast iron electric wok...stir fried pork and veggies done and on the plate in 15 minutes...I love the thing...I also fry chicken wings in it...I prefer it to splattering grease all over the stove...and it cleans up so freaking easy...

If you've had an old electric wok that crapped out (like i did) you will be amazed at how fast this one gets hot...
Title: Re: Going for a Wok!
Post by: jiggerjams on December 17, 2011, 07:42:50 PM
Devo - great looking wok!
LQ - My experience exactly. I couldn't believe the performance when I first got this wok for a gift.
Title: Re: Going for a Wok!
Post by: FLBentRider on December 18, 2011, 11:09:21 AM
I picked up the Breville Hot wok.
Title: Re: Going for a Wok!
Post by: SiFumar on December 18, 2011, 01:06:38 PM
Quote from: La Quinta on December 17, 2011, 06:56:39 PM
I am totally with Jigger on this...I have the breville cast iron electric wok...stir fried pork and veggies done and on the plate in 15 minutes...I love the thing...I also fry chicken wings in it...I prefer it to splattering grease all over the stove...and it cleans up so freaking easy...

If you've had an old electric wok that crapped out (like i did) you will be amazed at how fast this one gets hot...

LQ which model is the cast iron one?   I might be interested in that one.
Title: Re: Going for a Wok!
Post by: jiggerjams on December 18, 2011, 05:50:31 PM
Congrats FLB. Let me know what you think of it after you get to take it for a test drive. Is great and effortless with popcorn too.
Title: Re: Going for a Wok!
Post by: devo on December 18, 2011, 05:52:30 PM
QuoteIs great and effortless with popcorn too.
Heck I never even thought of popcorn with mine before, thanks for the info
Title: Re: Going for a Wok!
Post by: 3rensho on December 18, 2011, 10:10:25 PM
QuoteI have to ask what a "Wok Heh" is. Is that the stove ring.

Sometimes spelled "wok hei" is a Cantonese phrase to describe the look and taste of wok'd food cooked with lots of heat, flames and smoke.  A wok ring is a round gas burner with an outer ring to set the wok on.  The flames come all up the sides of the wok.  Definitely for use outside unless you have a restaurant type of hood in your kitchen like a friend of mine does.

Something like this - http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Wok-Hei-Flaming-Wok.jpg (http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Wok-Hei-Flaming-Wok.jpg)  and

this - http://www.womguide.com/assets/images/images/March10/25March/DPD1.jpg (http://www.womguide.com/assets/images/images/March10/25March/DPD1.jpg)
Title: Re: Going for a Wok!
Post by: La Quinta on December 18, 2011, 11:50:46 PM
Si...I looked on the Beville site and I can't find my model...I have to find the manual to see the model number and I looked everywhere I would have pit it...

Nuff said... >:(
Title: Re: Going for a Wok!
Post by: SiFumar on December 19, 2011, 12:55:33 PM
Thanks for trying LQ...if you've had it for a while they may have discontinued your model if they don't have on the web site.
Title: Re: Going for a Wok!
Post by: Quarlow on December 19, 2011, 08:32:38 PM
Quote from: 3rensho on December 18, 2011, 10:10:25 PM
QuoteI have to ask what a "Wok Heh" is. Is that the stove ring.

Sometimes spelled "wok hei" is a Cantonese phrase to describe the look and taste of wok'd food cooked with lots of heat, flames and smoke.  A wok ring is a round gas burner with an outer ring to set the wok on.  The flames come all up the sides of the wok.  Definitely for use outside unless you have a restaurant type of hood in your kitchen like a friend of mine does.

Something like this - http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Wok-Hei-Flaming-Wok.jpg (http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Wok-Hei-Flaming-Wok.jpg)  and

this - http://www.womguide.com/assets/images/images/March10/25March/DPD1.jpg (http://www.womguide.com/assets/images/images/March10/25March/DPD1.jpg)
Thanks 3R, that is kind of what I figured.