The best wok will come with an unique bowl-shaped design that can be used to cook large servings all in one go. The design and sturdy handle will make it easy to toss your vegetables and fried rice and ensure they land back in the pan safely. Woks are also a great multi-tasker. You can use them in the place of a large saucepan or a frying pan, and they come in a variety of finishes.
Some of the best woks in our guide come with non-stick coating and dishwasher-safe designs for a less traditional, but more convenient, day-to-day use. Traditionally though, woks will come with a classic carbon steel design that can be seasoned over time to add flavour and char to your meals with every use.
Unlike many of the best saucepan sets, a wok will have a narrower base and a wider rim. This will allow heat to spread out along the sides of your wok to cook everything directly, which is especially useful in dishes with no sauce. A round-bottomed wok is especially useful for those with gas hobs, but if you plan to rest your wok on an induction or electric hob, a flat-bottomed wok will be far more stable.
Most people will prefer a non-stick wok for the convenience of dishwasher cleaning. It’s less authentic than the carbon steel woks traditionally used in Chinese cooking, but non-stick will be able to withstand the high temperatures of the hob, even on full blast. You won’t get the same charring that you’d find with cast iron or steel, but non-stick pans are often lighter, too.
Choose a wok with a handle that makes you feel safe. Many metal handles will heat up after prolonged use, but if you opt for one with a keep-cool handle, you won’t be able to put the wok in the oven.
It’s not essential to have a lid for your wok, but if versatility is a concern, you can opt for a rounded lid to create high levels of steam to heat through noodles or cook your chicken all the way through. A glass lid will let you look in to see how your meal is coming along, and they may come with a vent to let out moisture and keep your wok from bubbling over.
Best wok overall
Width: 30cm
Oven-safe? Yes
Dishwasher-safe? Yes
Reasons to buy:
• Grab handle for easy lifting
• Sturdy non-stick design
• Not too heavy
Reasons to avoid:
• None!
The Stellar Rocktanium Non-Stick Wok is the best wok for most homes. It’s a far cry from traditional designs, although you’ll find plenty in the rest of our roundup, but the non-stick design is very high quality and will withstand scratches. It can also take a lot of heat to replicate the flash-fried results you’re looking for.
What’s more, it’s oven-safe up to 210 degrees, and it’s got a very generous capacity thanks to the 30cm width. Despite the large design, it’s a good weight, and the curved handle is very easy to hold. Should you want to take it out of the oven, you can hold the handle on the other side of the wok to keep things sturdy.
The flat bottom is suitable for all types of hobs, but the curved sides are ideal for authentically tossing your stir fry ingredients.
Ideal Home’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Best non-stick wok
Width: 28cm
Oven-safe? Yes
Dishwasher-safe? Yes
Reasons to buy:
• Can be used with metal utensils
• Oven safe up to very high temperatures
• Comes with a lid
Reasons to avoid:
• Not the lightest
The Ninja Foodi ZEROSTICK range continues to impress us with its hardy design. The Ninja Foodi ZEROSTICK 28cm Wok is a little heavy, but it comes with a lid included to steam or keep the heat in, and this can also be used on the 28cm frying pans.
We particularly enjoy the quality of the non-stick on this wok. It’s scratch-resistant and you can use metal utensils to stir your egg fried rice or chicken as it cooks. The range is also oven-safe up to 260 degrees.
You can use this wok on hobs of all types, and because of the quality of the non-stick, you don’t need to use much oil to prevent food from sticking or burning to the base. It’s also covered by a ten-year guarantee.
Ideal Home’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Best premium wok
Width: 32cm
Oven-safe? Yes
Dishwasher-safe? No
Reasons to buy:
• Amazingly high quality
• Ergonomic riveted handle
• Grab handle for oven use
Reasons to avoid:
• The most expensive option in our guide
The luxurious Samuel Groves Non-stick stainless-steel wok is a treat from the second you take it out of its woven hessian bag. It’s oven-safe up to 250 degrees, but you’ll need to wash it by hand to keep the non-stick in tact.
It’s a premium pick, and the triple-ply stainless steel is a little on the heavy side if you plan on tossing your stir-fries. This does make it very sturdy though, and the riveted handle allows you to keep your distance from the action. Because it’s metal though, it will heat up when in use, so be careful to not hold the handle too close to the rivets when cooking.
Ideal Home’s rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Best lightweight wok
Width: 24cm, 28cm
Oven-safe? Yes
Dishwasher-safe? Yes
Reasons to buy:
• Lightweight design
• Efficient induction-friendly base
• Three-layered non-stick
Reasons to avoid:
• No lid
The lightest of the woks we tested, if you struggle to toss your vegetables to easily coat them in soy sauce or sesame oil, the Kuhn Rikon Allround Wok is a great choice. It’s got a solid and wide induction-friendly base, and three layers of non-stick protection.
Because the handle is hollow, it will be much more efficient when it comes to keeping cool after even prolonged use.
You can put it through the dishwasher and the oven, up to 240 degrees. It comes in 28cm and a smaller 24cm width, great for single servings.
Ideal Home’s rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Best wok for multi-tasking
Width: 28cm
Oven-safe? Yes
Dishwasher-safe? Yes
Reasons to buy:
• Sturdy lid with a pouring vent
• Can be used as a sauté pan
• Easy to clean
Reasons to avoid:
• Quite flat base
We’re big fans of BergHOFF’s Leo range, and while it’s not labelled as a wok, the BergHOFF Leo 28cm Non Stick Stir Fry Pan is designed for the task of stir-frying. The handle is non-stick and ergonomic, as is the lid handle, and the non-stick is very easy to clean.
It is technically oven-safe, but only up to 160 degrees. Because it has a wider base and steep sides, it can easily step in to the task of being a sauté pan or even frying pan for multi-tasking in the kitchen.
Ideal Home’s rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Best wok for steaming
Width: 28cm
Oven-safe? No
Dishwasher-safe? Yes
Reasons to buy:
• Very durable non-stick
• The matching pan set is one of our favourites
• You can use the lid for steaming and keeping food warm
Reasons to avoid:
• Plastic handles can’t go in the oven
We enjoyed the Salter Megastone range when reviewing saucepans, and the megastone wok is no exception. The range is made of rough non-stick that’s durable enough to endure heavy use, and the handles are plastic coated, which will keep them from getting too hot when in use. This does mean they can’t go in the oven, but this isn’t essential when cooking with a wok anyway.
The glass lid has a steam vent which can be very useful when cooking fish or heating through noodles. It’s also great for cooking dishes with sauce without reducing the liquid down too much.
Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Best value wok set
Width: 25cm
Oven-safe? Yes
Dishwasher-safe? Yes
Reasons to buy:
• Comes with all the extras you need
• Authentic-style lid
• Keep-cool handles
Reasons to avoid:
• Cannot be used on induction hobs
At an impressive price, the Judge 35cm Non-Stick Wok Set is packed with value. It’s made of classic Chinese carbon steel and comes with plenty of accessories to keep your busy. That includes a serving trivet, seaming rack, turner, chopsticks, and a lid. The lid is curved and reminiscent of more traditional woks.
You can’t use it on induction hobs and the handles are coated with a stay-cool coating. While it is oven-safe (save for the wooden extras) it can only go up to 150 degrees, so be careful.
Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars
When testing we considered how fast the wok heated, and how evenly. After all, when cooking with a wok, you’re usually in a hurry to stir-fry a quick and healthy dinner.
Another factor we took seriously was the material used in construction. Carbon steel is the material of choice for most cooks, but these woks are becoming tricky to come by on the mass market, and have been replaced by durable non-stick that aims to replicate its lightweight design. However, you won’t be able to season your non-stick as any remnants will wash away after cooking.
The balance of the wok was a big factor, because it should be able to support itself when left on the hob. However, the handle should also be sturdy enough to flip the wok when cooking, without the bowl being too heavy.
The post Best wok 2021: for speedy stir-fries and healthy meals appeared first on Ideal Home.
A DIYer has given her dark and narrow landing a gorgeous pink makeover. Using a tin of paint and striking lighting fixtures, she has totally transformed it.
Previously, it was certainly in need of some creative and characterful landing ideas to bring it to life. Now, guests won’t just ‘pass through’ on the way to the bathroom – they’ll be pausing a moment to admire the warm and welcoming space.
Image credit: @homeonthegrove
Emma, who shares her renovation projects on her Instagram account @homeonthegrove, lives in an Edwardian house. The characteristically narrow landing receives little natural light.
‘When we first moved in I was really keen on having a stripey runner and grey walls,’ Emma tells us. ‘However, on reflection, it was just too dark and gloomy.’
After living with it for a couple of years, Emma was spurred on to give this area a brand new look. Having tried some different tester pots out on the walls, Emma decided the landing was going to be pink.
Image credit: @homeonthegrove
‘It was the only colour that seemed warm enough and light enough for this space. I painted the whole hall, stairs, landing and ceiling in this shade,’ she says.
Emma used delicate pink Calamine from Farrow and Ball. She made the decision to go up and over the ceiling, which works so well, enveloping you in the blush pink hue.
It goes to show just how transformative a tin of paint can be. ‘Now the light bounces around and it’s so different!’ says Emma.
Image credit: @homeonthegrove
The flooring is also a key element of the transformation. Instead of opting for a different carpet, Emma decided to give the space a more pared-back feel.
She pulled up the carpet and painted the floorboards and stairs. This was her top tip from the renovation, as she found some inexpensive floor paint that has proved to be really durable in this high traffic area.
As for the woodwork, it’s been painted white to keep the space feeling light and fresh. We also love the family photos, prints and addition of some greenery through some houseplant ideas.
Pink rooms feel modern and inviting, and the traditionally feminine tone has long since shed its ‘girls only’ associations. Because Calamine pink has a dose of grey, we think it injects just the right amount of warmth, while still feeling very calming.
The post A DIYer has given her dark landing a gorgeous pink makeover appeared first on Ideal Home.
