The oven or cooking range is an item that will never remain unchanged for long. With the changing of the times, the appliance is also equipped with innovative and new ideas to make cooking an enjoyable time. With every change in your oven or cooking range it’s obvious that you need to alter the cooking equipment to work with the latest versions of your oven.
Woks are among the most commonly used appliances you will find practically everywhere in the kitchen. In the past, if you had a gas-powered stove, you would put the wok on the cooktop to cook as it was perfectly set on. However, the electric stove is taking the place of gas stoves and you need to redesign your kitchen. So, the question one would like to ask, ” how to use a wok on an electric stove?” To get the correct answer, you must look into the whole issue. Let’s explore.
What are woks?
Woksare a form of frying pan that is made from different components like carbon casting iron, cast iron and non-stick steel. It is mostly utilized for different cooking techniques such as boiling, frying, steaming smoking, and other. Two types of handle, loop and stick, this pan does more than help you cook quickly, but also protects your hands from burning.
Types of Wok
There are two kinds of woks that are used widely. One is a round-bottomed and the other is a flat-bottomed. Both offer a different look however they offer almost the same service, with a few exceptions. Let’s take an in-depth review of both and discover the differences between the two.
Round-Bottomed Wok
The round-bottomed wok is ideal for mixing, and can also allow heat to penetrate all the parts within the wok. There are only a few adjustments to improve its functioning. This means that you require an aluminized wok ring that allows your round-bottomed wok to be used with electric stoves.
Flat-Bottomed Wok
The wok with a flat bottom works better with electric stoves. Since it has a proper contact with the heat , and it remains solid on the stove’s surface. There is there is no need for a wok-ring for it to be stable.
How to Use a Wok On an Electric Stove
It is now time to learn the workings of a wok with an electric cooktop. It is essential to understand you can choose between two kinds of electric stoves. One can be described as an electric coil stove, and one is glass ceramic stove.
On an Electric Coil Stove
When using an electric coil stove for cooking, you must utilize a flat-bottomed frying pan that is placed above your heating coils. So the heat will be able to be distributed throughout the wok’s bottom in a uniform manner and enable you to cook your food in a proper manner. Particularly, a carbon-steel wok can do a fantastic job in this regard. With regard to the round-bottomed wok kind of stove isn’t as easy to cook on. Since you can’t make it stand on the cooktop for a long time, you should always hold the handle when you work.
On a Glass-Ceramic Stove
For the glass ceramic stove, you must utilize a round-bottomed frying pan for greater efficiency. Before that, however you should set up a wok ring onto the cooktop so that you can put the wok in it. This lets the wok remain in place in the oven. In addition it also has a gap of half “- 1” between the wok’s bottom and the cooktop, to avoid scratches from happening. This is why you can’t use a flat-bottomed wok when cooking on the glass ceramic stove.
Glass Ceramic Stove
Furthermore, the glass-ceramic cooktop is the best choice for round-bottomed woks for another reason. This is because it is constructed of solid material that is able to withstand extreme temperature fluctuations without breaking. However, if you drop a sharp object, cracks could develop on it. This is why you shouldn’t make use of the carbon-steel wok with the type of top.
Preferred heat required for Wok
It doesn’t matter what kind of cooker you’re using, in all cases you must heat your wok for at minimum 10 minutes before adding oil to the wok. After that, you need to whirl the oil form an oily coating inside the wok. Once the oil is hot and then you can add all the ingredients for food according to the recipe, and stir fry.
However, in the beginning you must start heating your wok slowly before gradually increasing the temperature until you reach 3000-watts or more. If you apply the maximum heat right at the beginning can cause your wok to shrink. Temperatures ranging from 145 degF up to 300 degF are required for cooking a variety of food items in the wok.
Seasoning of wok
The process of seasoning is a crucial one that should be carried out by your wok even in the event that it is new. In order to avoid becoming rusty for the manufacturer, you must use the oil. This must be cleaned out prior to the beginning cooking for the first time. In order to do this you must follow a specific procedure.
To get rid of this chemical layer, clean the wok both the inside and out using a stainless steel scrubber as well as some of the liquid soap.
Place the wok over the flame and allow it to dry using high temperatures.
If the black spots appear on the bottom, and the wok begins to turn gunmetal gray, it indicates that the wok has been heated to the right temperature.
Then, let the wok cool.
Incorporate some oil that has been heated over the wok, forming an extremely thin, non-stick coating.
After that, heat the wok and add 2 TBSP oil. Spread it over the wok.
Mix in some chopped ginger, and stir fry for 15 to 20 minutes. In this manner your metallic scent should disappear and your wok will never be rusty again in the future.
Remove the mix from the wok, and then remove your wok off the heat source. Allow it to cool.
Clean the wok using an absorbent sponge. In this manner your wok is now ready to cook
Advantages
Both flat and round bottomed woks have benefits which can be a good fit depending on your preferences.
It’s pretty simple to wash You’ll need dish soap and water to wash your wok after cooking session has ended.
Disadvantages
Temperatures that are below the recommended temperature are the most significant issue when using the electric cooking wok. Under heating makes the dish more cooked than it is fried.
The majority of electric woks will require 1000-1700 watts to create the necessary heat required for cooking. It’s a sure way to eat into your pockets while you pay the electric cost.
How to use a wok on an electric Stove: step-by-step
Here are a few easy preparation steps for your wok to prepare your wok that is electric in less than a minute!
Step 1: Put your wok over the burner before turning it off.
If you’re cooking in a wok with a flat bottom, put direct on your stove that you prefer, and make sure that the burner is of exactly the same size as the wok, if it is possible.
If you have a round-bottomed wok, you should start by placing the wok’s ring on your electric stove and then place the wok on top, and examine it to ensure it’s in a secure position. Ideally, you would like the ring to raise the wok off the burner by less than 1/2-1/2 inch.
Step 2: Let the wok heat slowly on the stove.
Let the wok heat on the stove for 10 minutes before adding oil or food. The wok should appear to be smoking by this time.
The preheating process is essential whether you’re using carbon-steel as well as cast-iron woks. Both react badly to sudden temperature changes. Carbon steel woks can crack, and the virtually impervious cast-iron may crack.
Step 3: Add the cooking oil and heat and you’re ready to mix fry!
Pour cold oil into the wok. Gently move the pan and swirl it until the pan is completely coated. When the oil is hot you’ll be able to be able to hear it sizzle and it’s the time to begin cooking.
A Few Extra Wok Cooking Tips
Cast Iron Wok
Slice your food into pieces that are uniformly sized to cook them more evenly
Sprinkle the surface with seasoning every time you cook once you have finished. In other words, high temperatures can cause a seasoning to become weaker over time.
Do not double the recipe, because an over-filled wok will prevent ingredients to get to the hot surface directly.
Choose cooking oils with high smoke point such as grapeseed oil, instead of olive oil with a low smoke point that can ignite when heated to high levels and then releases carcinogens harmful to the body.
Find a long-handled ladle brush, spatula and slotted spoon , so that you are able to easily reach the wok’s bottom without having to squish your hands overheated with burning hot vegetables and oil.
Incorporate your most difficult vegetables first, and then wait until adding the soft ones to ensure that all ingredients are cooked, but not too much.
Wrapping up
How To Use a Wok On an Electric Stove?
his article on the best way to cook with a wok with the electric cooktop has met your needs and provided sufficient information about this issue. It is important to keep in mind that no matter what kind of stove top you have at home, there’s one wok that can be used in all situations: the cast-iron flat-bottomed wok, which is great for electric, gas and glass top stoves.
We are awestruck by the cast-iron pieces we carry however, while the added weight can make transferring your food items a bit more difficult It also helps to avoid scratches on glass tops. It’s also an alternative method to increase your muscle mass If, obviously, you’re willing to try it!
