I've had the copper core wok from AllClad, too pretty for the abuse and heat, what do all a y'all like in carbon steel?
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Buy the cheapest 14 incher that you can find, probably from a restaurant supply house. The only issues are your preferred handle configuration and round or flat bottom. -
Yeah I’d say 14”. I got the 16” and it’s a bit big. Although I love it for deep fat frying.
Don’t order from The Wok Shop in San Francisco. The product is great but their customer service stinks. Took months for it to arrive and they never answered the phone when I was trying to track it down. I think they never placed the order until weeks later when I finally talked to someone.Comment
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I picked up a Chefs Medal hand hammered 14” off of amazon but it’s not available at this time. It was $36, and I think that’s the key. Doesn’t have to be expensive. I really like my wok, the only thing I’ve had to do to it is a little glue on wooden handle, as it would come out occasionally. Otherwise, it’s been a great wok.
Have fun shopping for your wok!Comment
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CaptainMike I have a no name 14” carbon steel wok ….. it’s 1mm thick, it’s a great weight, it’s well seasoned, and it cooks anything I want to do in a wok. Don’t spend too much money on this. Unless you feel like shelling out dollars you don’t have to and in that case, send it my way ;-)
I honestly don’t know where this came from. I also have a 13” Made In CS wok …. I like this less expensive, thinner, cheap handled 14” wok much more
If it is real carbon steel, and you can get that for a very reasonable price, then all you need to do is heat up and blue the steel. Then season it. Then cook with it. After a few years of making Kung Pao chicken, it’s gonna look like mine :-)
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I’ve got a 14” carbon steel flat bottom wok with a metal helper handle from The Wok Shop. Unlike JCBBQ I had no issues with my order, and went with them because FireMan I think may have mentioned them. I’ve had mine for several years though, so maybe they’ve gone down hill.
I have a 4 burner gas cooktop and if I had gone bigger than 14” the wok would not be useable on the back two burners, as the 14” pretty much hits the backsplash when centered on the rear burners of the cooktop.Last edited by jfmorris; December 22, 2025, 08:37 AM.Comment
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Sorry to hear that JCBBQ. I feel like I got mine 3-4 years ago, obviously before things went south.
CaptainMike will be best served to check any local Asian markets for a wok before he orders online, if he wants it soon, given the proximity of Christmas...
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+1 for The Wok Shop. I have been using mine for years with no problems. Their website sucks and is clunky to navigate, but they have great woks at a reasonable price. But in reality, any 14" carbon steel wok is going to be fine. If you have a decent Asian grocery store nearby, I'd check there first.Comment
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This is probably the quickest way to get one. I did not even THINK to check the local Asian markets, but used to go in there for gochujang and such, before Kroger started stocking it all the time. I can confirm that local big box stores had nothing but non-stick coated woks. And a Wok is a high temp cooking device - which you are NOT supposed to do with non stick skillets. Go figure! Even their "carbon steel wok" was coated inside.
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Got two of em, one (the first) from Walmart, the second from the Wok Shop. Use em both equally. It has been mentioned “go cheap” and “don’t spend a lot of money”, good general rule. If goin fer stove top remember flat bottom. Keep It Simple!Comment
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I’m #blessed with that grate that turns upside down, so my wok “nestles” in right in the flame. My wok was a wedding gift (yeah, I used to be married…. For about a minute and a half). It’s amazing!Comment
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FireMan I was a mere lass of 22 and he was 23. It didn’t last a year. Since we were not married in the church (he is baptist and I’m Catholic), it was a simple annulment. We were kinda pressured by our families to get married instead of just living together (1988).
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Don’t buy this one, unless you want it, but I put this here cause it’s a really pretty one. But comes with a price. It sure is nice to look at. I’d go the less expensive route.
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This helped me decide. I got the $35 they link to and have no issues. The cheap spatula needed another screw to hold the handle on though. https://thewoksoflife.com/best-wok-to-buy/Comment
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One highly important aspect of wok cooking that is overlooked. You need a burner that can reach some
prett dang high temperatures. The key to wok cooking is very hot and very fast. Don’t overload the wok.Comment
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