Photo: Stellar
Woks did originate in Asia, and many who know about it may associate it with Asian (or Chinese) dishes, but it is a handy kitchen appliance that would suit many of your cooking needs today.
You can stir fry, simmer, steam or sauté different recipes with a wok.
Electric woks are superior because they come with non-stick surfaces, and heat up significantly faster than traditional ones.
Woks are versatile. You can make a range of dishes with it from breakfast to stir-frying different meals.
Dive into our top 5 electric woks review and buying guide to discover the best offers on the market for your cooking needs and budget.
In this post:
5 Best Electric Woks – Review
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Breville BEW600XL (Best Overall) |
| |
 | 2. Presto 5900 (Best Stainless-Steel Wok) |
| |
 | 3. Aroma Housewares AEW-306 (Advanced Wok) |
| |
 | 4. Aroma Housewares AEW-305 (Compact & Lightweight) |
| |
 | 5. VonShef 9000200 (Highest Capacity) |
|
PRODUCT |
|---|
1. Breville BEW600XL (Best Overall)
|
2. Presto 5900 (Best Stainless-Steel Wok)
|
3. Aroma Housewares AEW-306 (Advanced Wok)
|
4. Aroma Housewares AEW-305 (Compact &Lightweight)
|
5. VonShef 9000200 (Highest Capacity)
|
1. Breville BEW600XL – Best Electric Wok
Photo: Breville
- Material: Die-cast
- Power: 1500 watts
- Capacity: 6 quarts
Breville BEW600XL is the best electric wok on our list because it boasts of a premium build quality and robust features that make for superior cooking.
The top-rated electric wok has a 3-material construction; the base is made of stainless steel, the wok’s bowl is Die-cast, and the non-stick surface is Quantanium.
Its premium build and materials enhance even distribution of heat so that no part of the wok is hotter than the other at a given time. You don’t have to worry about some parts of your food overcooking while others are undercooked.
Since its temperature probe is removable, you can use the dish as a serving bowl, a neat feature that allows it to be multi-purpose thus reducing the need for additional utensils.
With up to 15 precision heat settings, the wok gives you the freedom to experiment with different recipes and cooking styles.
Although Breville BEW600XL is the best electric wok on our list, all that quality and excellent features cost a premium that may force some to explore alternatives.
Notes: Use plastic or wooden utensils.
Pros:
- Heavy-duty build quality
- Robust precision heat settings
- Removable temperature probe
- Lid and bowl are dishwasher safe
Cons:
- Pricey compared to rival woks
- No guarantee for the high price
2. Presto 5900 – Best Stainless-Steel Wok
Photo: Presto
- Material: Stainless steel
- Power: 1500 W.
- Capacity: 7 quarts
Presto 5900 is an elegant, durable, and easy-to-clean electric wok whose body is made of stainless steel. For even and fast heating, its base is made of aluminum.
With a capacity of 7 quarts and 17-inch top diameter, the wok will easily accommodate small family meals.
Its lid is made of tempered glass, which not only resists high temperature but allows you to peek through it and monitor the food as it cooks. Both the wok and its lid are dishwasher safe, but even hand cleaning with warm soapy water is almost effortless.
Strong stainless-steel handles are attached at the wok’s sides for ease of handling. They make it easy for you to transfer the wok from one point to another.
A wooden spatula is included in every purchase so that you can get on with your cooking as soon as you can. Wooden and plastic tools are ideal for this wok due to their high heat resistance. They also won’t scratch the surface of the wok.
Although Presto 5900 is the best stainless-steel wok, it does not have a non-stick surface. Burnt food may stick on its surface, but it is still easy to clean in the dishwasher.
Pros:
- Durable stainless-steel body
- Large capacity for family meals
- Tempered glass lid for easy food monitoring
- Stainless steel handles for efficient handling
Cons:
- Lacks a non-stick surface
3. Aroma Housewares AEW-306 – Advanced Electric Wok
Photo: Aroma Housewares
- Material: Sleek metal
- Power: 1400 watts
- Capacity: 5 quarts
Unlike other woks, which have standard lids that are slightly curved, the Aroma Housewares AEW-306 has a unique dome-shaped lid. This lid allows for rapid heat circulation.
The sleek metal build is well suited for heat retention and even distribution. Your food cooks faster and stays warmer for longer when in the wok.
A full-range temperature control feature is versatile and gives you the flexibility to determine the best cooking conditions for your food.
The wok also boasts of a cool-touch base and handles. The heat-resistant materials used in these parts prevent you from burning your hands while handling the wok.
Its surface is non-stick, making it more user-friendly than that of the Presto 5900. With a non-stick surface, food is unlikely to stick, and cleaning it is bliss.
As if the offer couldn’t get any better, a 5-year warranty is included in every purchase, so you can be confident of the quality you’re investing it.
That said, Aroma Housewares AEW-306 has the lowest capacity of all woks in our list. However, you can still count on it to make decent-sized meals for your family.
Pros:
- Dome-shaped lid for heat circulation
- The sleek metal build for heat retention
- Full-range temperature control
- Cool-touch base and handles for safe handling
- Comes with a 5-year warranty
Cons:
- Lower capacity compared to rival brands
4. Aroma Housewares AEW-305 – Compact and Lightweight Wok
Photo: Aroma Housewares
- Material: Sleek metal
- Power: 1500 watts
- Capacity: 7 quarts
Even though the Aroma Housewares AEW-305 is a large capacity 7-quarts electric wok, it weighs only 4.5 pounds, making it the lightest and most compact on our list.
The wok’s sleek metal build enables fast heating and optimal heat retention. It also keeps the food warmer for longer.
It has a dome-shaped lid for efficient heat circulation and diversity of cooking style. You can stir fry, simmer, or sauté your food.
Just like the smaller-capacity AEW-305, this wok also has the cool-touch handle and base safety feature that prevents burn injuries while handling it.
At less than $45, it is also the most affordable electric wok on our list. So, you will be getting a lot of value for your money with this purchase.
Although the Aroma Housewares AEW-305 is a small electric wok, its temperature probe is not detachable and some may find the cleaning process a bit uncomfortable compared to models like the Breville BEW600XL.
Pros:
- Lightweight and compact
- Large capacity wok
- Fast heating and superior heat retention
- Affordable for the value it offers
Cons:
- Non-detachable temperature probe
5. VonShef 9000200 – Highest Capacity Electric Wok
Photo: VonShef
- Material: Aluminum
- Power: 1500 watts
- Capacity: 7.4 quarts
VonShef 9000200 is the highest capacity electric wok on our list at 7.4 quarts. With this wok, you can cook for an entire family or a small party.
It is made of aluminum, a material recognized for its superior heat conductivity and even heat distribution. A non-stick coating is placed on top of the aluminum to prevent food from sticking.
The coating also promotes little-to-no-oil cooking, for healthy diets.
You get a 4-heat setting with this wok, allowing you to choose between warm (1760 F), low (3020 F), medium (3740 F), and high (4460 F).
Safety is a major bonus with the purchase of this wok. Both the aluminum pan, and the tempered glass lid have cool-touch silicone handles, which are heat-resistant. They will protect you from burn injuries while cooking with the wok.
Although the VonShef 9000200 high capacity wok is not as expensive as Breville BEW600X, you will still spend significantly more on it than other products on our list.
Pros:
- Large capacity wok
- Superior heat conductivity and even cooking
- Non-stick coating for healthy cooking
- 4 heat settings for flexible cooking
- Heat-resistant cool-touch silicone handles for safety
Cons:
- Pricey compared to rival woks.
How to Buy the Best Electric Woks
Photo: Aroma Housewares
1. Material
Build material is a key consideration when buying a wok. The build material will determine a lot of the value you get from your wok.
Stainless steel is one of the most common materials used to make woks. It is durable, rust-free, and promotes even heat distribution.
Aluminum is a popular material used on woks. You will love it for its superior heat conductivity and even heating. An aluminum finish is also shiny when cleaned well. Thus, it complements your other kitchen equipment and tools made of similar materials.
Whether the wok is made of stainless steel, aluminum, sleek metal, or any other material, you should opt for the one with a non-stick coating on top of the main material.
Non-stick has many benefits, including preventing food from sticking on the wok’s pan, reducing the amount of oil used to cook, and simplifying the cleaning process when you’re done using the wok.
Just make sure to use wooden or plastic utensils on the wok to prevent scratching the non-stick surface.
2. Size and Capacity
Most woks have a standard size so that you don’t have an unusually large or small appliance in your kitchen. The outer diameter ranges between 14 inches and 17 inches.
The typical wok depth is between 7 inches and 10 inches. Such woks will sit comfortably on your countertops when using them.
Besides size, you can get more value from woks with detachable temperature probes they give more storage flexibility than non-detachable ones.
Capacity is very important because it determines how much food you can cook in one go. A 5-quarts capacity wok will satisfy most of your cooking needs, but if you want a larger one, there are many 7-quart woks in the market for that extra capacity.
3. Heat Setting
You will get the most value from your wok if you have flexibility with temperature control. Heat settings thus become important.
Our review shows that most woks allow you to adjust their heat settings. Some have as many as 15 while others have few settings. The one with the most settings will likely give you the highest degree of flexibility when cooking.
A wok without heat settings may limit you, but luckily, you are unlikely to find an eclectic one without some mechanism for adjusting the temperature.
4. Budget
Our review did show that the best electric woks can vary from less than $50 to more than $120. Therefore, the wok’s budget becomes an important factor when deciding the one to buy.
Even if you go for the lowest priced wok, you will still be getting a ton of value including non-stick surfaces, cool-touch grips for safety, and large capacity pans.
In fact, some modestly-priced woks come with warranties that are not available with an expensive one. Thus, a low price does not mean low quality.
You may also get bonus features for buying a pricey wok, such as the detachable temperature prob, and superior build quality. That said, you can get a good quality wok without breaking the bank.
How to Use an Electric Wok
Photo: VonShef
You’ve got an electric wok and you want to make the best out of it.
Even though this handy tool traces its origins to Asia, it has become popular in English cultures because it caters for a wide range of cooking styles and needs including stir-frying, steaming, simmering, poaching, boiling, smoking, roasting, and many more.
Setup Basics
An electric wok is a cooking device with an electric base known as the temperature probe attached to the pan. Some woks have detachable heating devices. Most will have temperature control knobs that you can use to adjust the heat that woks generate for cooking.
The wok is meant to be a portable device that you can use indoors and outdoors as long as there is a power supply you can plug into. Before you do so, we recommend reading the setup and user guide that comes with the brand on wok you purchase.
Best Use Tips
Since your wok will likely have a non-stick surface, it is best to use wooden or plastic cooking utensils for safety. These materials have high heat resistance, so they prevent burn injuries to your hands.
Also, these materials won’t scratch the non-stick cooking. Since the wok’s temperatures can go as high as 500 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s best to use high-heat oil that won’t burn or smoke at these high temperatures.
Due to the wok’s high temperatures, you can get things done faster by pre-preparing your ingredients. Also, you can refer to recipes for the best ways to fry, steam, boil, roast, and simmer different dishes.
Not all the pan’s handles have cool-touch silicone so to be safe, you should use oven gloves when handling works with metallic handles.
Maintenance
Electric woks are easy to maintain. For the ones with detachable heating devices, the pan will likely be dishwasher safe. If not, you can simply use a damp cloth or cotton dishcloth to clean the wok, but make sure to do it while it still hot so that food doesn’t stick.
Since the wok has electrical components, not all parts are suitable for submerging in water. Ensure you read the instructions attached to your wok to determine how best to handle the appliance especially when cleaning.
Conclusion
If you’re up for some Asian-style cooking and recipes, then an electric wok is your ideal appliance. It has very many advantages over traditional woks.
A wok made of stainless steel, aluminum, or sleek metal will get the job done. Woks with a capacity of 5 quarts will satisfy most of your cooking needs, but if you want more space, there are many with larger 7-quart pans to choose from.
If you are cooking for your family, or a small group of people, and desire a wok that will help prepare those delicious Asian-style recipes, our top 5 electric wok review serves as a good starting point.