JOYCE CHEN Skilled Collection 12-Inch Carbon Metal Excalibur Nonstick Stir Fry Pan with Phenolic Deal with

Loving it!
I posted a review about the Helen Chen Excalibur wok, and am essentially repeating the same information here.I love these Excalibur pans. They have been the best non-stick pans I’ve owned. They’re tough, durable, and get super hot on just medium heat (hot enough to carbonize/burn/sear food in a minute!)You get a fabulous wok-hee effect on your foods, even with the low heat typical of a household stove. These pans are heavy, so they do not warp (do NOT put it on high heat, it WILL destroy the pan – I wouldn’t even put carbon steel or cast iron on high heat – only stainless, and then only to bring liquids to boil).These pans are a breeze to clean up. Hot soapy sponge, rinse, done!Being so heavy, this is a bit of a detraction for me, I have arthritis weakened hands. But, I manage.The Helen Chen Excalibur pans are slightly more expensive, but the quality is worth it to me. If they endure more than 5 years of abuse in my kitchen, I will have gotten my money’s worth! These pans tout a 25 year prorated warranty on defects (which probably doesn’t mean much, as it does not cover “normal wear or scratches” – but it’s nice to see a manufacturer backing their product up with a warranty of any kind these days.)I think this Excalibur coating gives Dupont Teflon a run for their money. I searched for info about newer non-stick coatings, and found a chart that compared several, including Teflon, generic PTFE, ceramic, and others. Excalibur had the better results overall, particularly durability and heat tolerances. Google “excalibur coating” and you’ll come across the test results from the manufacturer.Sorry Fabreware & Teflon-Pro, you were good in the past, but now something better has come along. I’m switching all future non-stick pan purchases to Helen Chen’s Excalibur :)Now if Helen Chen would make a nice flat griddle pan, for pancakes, and a saute pan for omelets, etc….. 🙂

BUY IT BUY IT NEEDS 8 STARS
I bought this for the firehouse but I bought another one for my house a smaller size though. This is a 12″and wow the pan feels solid but light enough to run back and forth for stiring rice and other foods like vegetables in a stir fry.I don’t use metal even though it says its tough enough but the non-stick surface is almost Spackle but nothing sticks to it. NOTHING.USE: cook for firefighters at firehouse about 4-6 times a week.The handle is solid the hook allows you to hang it, the bottom is flat so I use it on a electric stove NO PROBLEM cooking up fast, holding heat and evenly cooking all.I just don’t see a use for a lid even though one is available.I use this pan and feel 100% confident whatever I make it in.I don’t regret buying this and the smaller one for my house is say EVERYONE should have this Wok

Using for “everyday pan”
This pan never gets put away, it’s on my stove top all the time. I have a smaller wok (see my review) by Joyce Chen and love it, so bought the bigger one. I use woks for pretty much everything. I love the high sides, no splatter and because the bottom is small and then tapers up to a larger size, you can use this pan for just about anything except for those items that need to be cooked flat. I use mine for oatmeal in the morning, warming leftovers or soup for lunch, and last night I boiled my noodles in it and drained, then added the rest of ingredients for mac & cheese. Just one pan to clean!! I brown hamburger, scramble eggs, stir fry, sauté onions & bells – you name it – I do it in this pan. I now have 3 sizes of woks – 12″, 9″ and 6″. With these, a stock pot and a cast iron skillet, I don’t need anything else. I have this same group in a R.V. Does it all. By the way, I’m using these pans on an induction stove. Everything works great.Edit**** June 26th, 2015Still using my Joyce Chen Woks – they are holding up great. I think that people that have trouble with non-stick pans, are trying to clean them like a S/S pan. Non-stick needs just a dash of soap and a little warm water, not really hot. Just wipe them out. They don’t need to be scrubbed. But, remember, non-stick doesn’t have the life expectancy of S/S. Just a fact of life.

Finalement un poêle wok si facile à manipuler… car léger et facile nettoyer.. Et cela ne Cole vrrrraiment pas!… vive les sautés!

The wok came with a loose handle. The rivets were not installed with the right amount of pressure. I considered returning it but I had looked a long time before I found this wok that I thought would fit my requirements. So……….I took two hammers and banged the rivets until the handle did not shake any more. Not very good quality control therefore only 4 stars. I also bought the 12″ black lid made by Joyce Chen that was advertised to fit this 12″wok. It was much too big by about an inch. The lid should fit inside the top rim of the 12″ wok. It did not. For 9 bucks I will not return it.The wok (with repaired handle) does stir fry excellent, perfect for my one person needs. I am hoping for a long lasting relationship with this wok.

One of my best wok. Non stick not too heavy and easy to clean.