Joyce Chen Carbon Metal Wok Overview

The distinctive smokiness, or wok hei, that greets your tastebuds while you eat dry-fried inexperienced beans or stir-fried lo mein can solely be achieved by cooking with a carbon metal wok at very, very, excessive warmth. After testing 11 fashions, the Joyce Chen wok was the one one to cleanly launch fried eggs. Its broad backside, tall sides, and conductive materials make it perfect for tossing meals and selling taste. Already reasonably priced, it’s now on sale for even cheaper at $33.

Why It Gained Our Overview

It’s Very Nonstick

The wok doesn’t come pre-seasoned, however that didn’t deter us. It was painless to clean and season—the wok took on a nonstick patina immediately. Regardless of being our finances choose, it’s one of many slickest woks we examined. We might easily stir fried rice round its cooking floor with a metallic spatula (simply one in every of many enjoyable wok equipment).

Its Giant Bowl Heats Shortly

In our assessments, the Joyce Chen wok boiled water in simply eight minutes and 50 seconds, the second quickest in our lineup. Its spacious inside offered loads of room for tossing cumbersome heads of bok choy. In response to our assessment, a very good wok ought to produce completely cooked meals that also preserve a “vibrant and recent” high quality. This wok accomplishes that by making it simple to maneuver substances by means of completely different zones of warmth to keep away from overcooking delicate greens.

It’s Straightforward to Use and Clear

We particularly respect the wok’s picket deal with and reverse helper deal with, which make it simple to maneuver the pan with out concern of singeing your fingertips. As soon as seasoned, the slick floor is a cinch to scrub. Whereas it’s a tad heavier than our prime picks at three kilos and 4 ounces, we discovered its worth for cash to be spectacular, particularly now that it’s on sale.

Why We Suggest It

Joyce Chen Carbon Metal Wok

As we talked about earlier, this was the one wok that efficiently launched fried eggs with none sticking or tearing—an admirable feat. Its picket handles are a boon for protecting arms comfy whereas cooking, and its capacious bowl churns out flavorful fried rice and stir-fried greens. Seize it whereas it’s solely $33 at Amazon.

Discover Extra Critical-Eats Permitted Cookware

Yosukata Carbon Metal Wok Pan

OXO Enhanced 8-Inch Frying Pan

Lodge 12-Inch Solid Iron Skillet With Twin Help Handles

Tramontina 12-Inch Tri-Ply Clad Stainless Metal Skillet

Why We’re the Consultants

• An Uong is a author for Critical Eats.
• An has been testing kitchen gear for Critical Eats for over two years.
• A stir-fry fanatic, she prides herself on her selfmade pad Thai.