Customer Reviews

16 inch Traditional Cast Iron Wokset

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

After the purchase of my last non-stick wok (over $100) that lasted about 2 years using only plastic cooking utensils, I decided to go for a cast iron wok. I've started purchasing Lodge cast iron products, but opted for this wok because it reminds me of the wok I used growing up. I'm very happy (and so is my wallet) that I made the decision to go with this one. For years, I've wondered why I can't get that nice loud "sizzle" when I first put my food in a heated wok, now I know. I've been using the wrong type of wok! Anyway I cooked fried rice in it after owning it for about 2 weeks and it was great. The rice stuck a little bit (since I was using oil sparingly), but the clean up was easy.

After a couple of uses with this wok, I noticed that my right arm would get really tired. I found out that it was due to the fact that the spatula was too long. I contacted the Wok Shop on the purchase of a shorter handle one. Funny, it felt like they were grilling me, but they were just making sure that I bought the right spatula for the size wok. After much discussion, they "let" me purchase a 14" spatula (it comes with a 17"). They wanted to make sure I didn't spend money for an unneccessary item. Funny, most companies will sell you anything, but the Wok Shop wanted to make sure the product was right for me before selling it to me. The 14" spatula works great and it's the right length for a short person that is closer to the wok when cooking.

If you're not sure what size wok to go with, I would recommend the 16". You can cook as little or as much food as you want in it.

The tools contained with the purchase are excellent, and the wok is wonderful, durable, and authentic.

Once properly seasoned, it is an easy-to-clean and essential part of the kitchen. I am VERY pleased with this purchase, and know you would be as well!

This is NOT a cast iron wok - it's is a carbon steel wok.

There are others like this here on Amazon for around $[...]. Cast iron woks are (get this-) cast from molten iron. They are thick, (usually at least 3/16 inch on the sides and over 1/2 inch on the bottom) and heavy and extremely ridgid. They heat up slowly and distribute the heat more evenly, reducing the likelihood of hot spots and uneven cooking and give you greater versatility than do the carbon steel variety. Carbon steel woks are good in their own right, but do are not used in the same manner as cast iron woks.

So, do your research before you buy. I took for granted the listing as being a true cast iron and now I need to go spend another $[...] for the one I need.

As for the accessories, the lid that came with mine was not the same as in the picture (polished stainless steel with a black plastic handle) and does not even fit the wok - it is 14 inches in diameter for a 16 inch wok?? I loose about 20% of my cooking area due to this. The bottom ring is made of thin punched metal. No comment there other than you get what you pay for (except in this case.) As for the spatula - I am certain the wood handle will fall out just like everyone is saying, but it is simple enough to pinch it into place permanently. Mine came with an extra utensil not advertised - a bamboo cleaning whisk. Nice for decoration, but not practical in a modern kitchen.

If you are looking for a thin steel wok, then there are others on Amazon that are better quality and less expensive. If the shipping and restocking fees weren't so ridiculous I'd return it. As it stands, I'll use this one when I need to use a traditional wok, and go get the cast iron wok I intended to buy in the first place.

[...]

Worse yet, there is no warning of the insane shipping fee until after you complete your purchase and get your confirmation email. I was lucky enough to catch it in time and change the shipping method, but I have read feedback from others who weren't so fortunate.

Lastly, be very careful to buy only from the guy with the 99% positive feedback and not the other guy. I'm not even going to try to leave feedback (I got mine from the guy with the lower feedback.) In his replies to customers negative feedback he has not only been rude, but has gone so far as to post their email, tracking numbers and even addresses in his replies. After I write this review I am contacting Amazon to see what can be done about that.....

This wok seems to be a fairly good deal. We've only used it a few times and so far haven't had a single problem with it. It seasoned up after a couple of treatments. Be careful with it though, It's pretty thin and could crack if you were to drop it.
Also, I think the spatula that comes with it is pretty flimsy. The wooden handle came off immediately. But I didn't buy it for the spatula.
Over all I am satisfied with this wok and think it was a fairly good deal.

This is a great wok. It's big and roomy for stirfrying veggies for a party of 20! It's great for salt and pepper crabs. It cooks the food evenly. It's also great for deep frying fish, eggrolls or tempura since it can keep the heat high - allowing you to get your food brown and crispy quickly since you don't have to let the food sit in the oil until it get brown.
The spatula that comes with the wok needs a lot of improvements. The handle is too short. The wooden handle tends to fall off suddenly since there's nothing to keep the wooden locked into the metal part of the spatula.
Make sure you condition the wok before you use it and make you dry it off completely after washing since it does
get rusty if left to dry on its own.
This is a must have for health conscious camper. You can steam and/or stirfry/ deepfry your favorite veggies/meat or fish at the camp with this wok. It's easy to clean and so versatile that all you will need is this wok. You won't have to bring extra pots/pans on your next camping trip.

Apparently right now the wok set from China has changed a bit. The wok I got was a cast iron, thin, and definitely a "cast" process wok. I wish they kept the old bowl shape (like half a sphere); now it's more shallow bowl.

Also the wok ring doesn't fit on my old stove top, even when I take the original grate off and use the wok ring instead. You are supposed to put the smaller diameter side of the wok ring down on the grate (the picture shows the wok ring turned on the wrong side - the wide side is up, to accomodate the wok, and the small side down to sit firmly in the grate). Unfortunately, my grate size is 8", and the smaller diameter is 8", so it doesn't sit inside the grate. The wok ring needs to be 7.75" in order to fit. So now I'm looking for someone who has access to a metal shop in order to fit it for me.

The lid also changed. It is now a shorter lid, not as tall, and the handle is much smaller with a black handle. I like the old domed lid, but it's a personal preference.

It's too bad that China is in a rush to modernize, and more and more Chinese believe that the nonstick woks are their future. For people who are still debating, get this before it's gone. I live close to 99 Ranch Markets, and they stopped carrying traditional woks like these about 10 years ago, and most of the Chinese markets only carry nonstick woks, believing it to be superior.

You and I both know that cast iron or carbon steel woks are the best. Nonstick is not good for our health. My doctor determined that nonstick pans and microwaves are damaging my health (interfering with my reproductive system). Nonstick pans should only be used for low-medium heat for simmering stews. For those who are still debating whether to buy one or not, I highly recommend this wok set from the Wok Shop. This is a great wok, and I've seasoned mine today. Looking forward to better health and yummy food.

Personal note: 14" wok is really for serving 2 people. 16" wok I find is sooooo much easier to use because it's bigger, and the bigger real estate makes better stirfries, and it's really good for 4 people. When you overload the wok with food, there's really no room to move the food around and cook it. The guidelines that Mom taught me was: wok shouldn't be more than 2/3 full, preferably only 1/2 full, so you have plenty of room to do the cooking.

I bought this item as a christmas gift, it arrived very quickly. I have to say that this is the best thing that I have ever bought off of Amazon. It is great quality and a great price for everything you get.

I purchased this wok for a small cook-out.
I got raved reviews for the stir fry that it produced.
I will surely get many meals from it.....
Great product!!!!!!

This is a great Wok. We use it all the time. Perfect for stir fry!

Bought this as a xmas gift for a friend who wanted a wok to cook stirfrys. I had no idea what to get, but apparently I did well. He says it is wonderful! It came with all the proper utensils needed as well. Great service and was delivered when expected.