My wok pan looks worn off, I can see the silver underneath, why?

I saw this today and it's very new. What's the problem? Is it caused by scratching or using dishwasher? What may have caused it? I always wash it with a very soft sponge, but other flatmates might have washed it in an inappropriate way. What could be the problem? How can I prevent this from happening to a new wok?

cleaning wok

Best Answer

Your non-stick coating appears to be coming off the underlying metal.
The solution is to discard the wok (it cannot be saved) and replace it with a plain, uncoated carbon steel wok.
Stainless steel is a lousy conductor of heat - DO NOT (buy one).
Avoid non-stick coated woks, they cannot stand the high heat/high temperatures required for proper cooking in a wok.
Season the carbon steel like you would a cast iron skillet and avoid the dishwasher.

Pictures about "My wok pan looks worn off, I can see the silver underneath, why?"

My wok pan looks worn off, I can see the silver underneath, why? - Stylish various eyeglasses for vision correction

My wok pan looks worn off, I can see the silver underneath, why? - Person Holding Can With Cactus Plant

My wok pan looks worn off, I can see the silver underneath, why? - From above of fashion glasses with optical lenses for vision correction in metal shells together with pair in plastic tortoise shell placed on white table

Quick Answer about "My wok pan looks worn off, I can see the silver underneath, why?"

Your non-stick coating appears to be coming off the underlying metal. The solution is to discard the wok (it cannot be saved) and replace it with a plain, uncoated carbon steel wok. Stainless steel is a lousy conductor of heat - DO NOT (buy one).

Why is my wok peeling?

The most likely problem is that you let oil pool in the bottom of the wok during seasoning, so it didn't polymerize properly. Personally, I would scrub that portion off, and reseason only the bottom, using this method: Heat the wok to smoking hot.

How do you clean an oxidized wok?

If your wok ends up with rust or burned-on food, soak it in warm water for about 5 minutes to loosen up the particles. Then clean it as you usually would (read: with a gentle sponge or cleaning pad). You can also use steel wool for particularly difficult-to-remove rust or food, if necessary.

Is my wok ruined?

Do not be alarmed if the wok looks mottled or has blackened areas. The patina will gradually darken the more you cook with the wok, giving you a natural nonstick surface. A newly seasoned wok (left, below) looks mottled and some think they've ruined the pan (but they haven't).

Why is wok discolored?

You may see some dark spots in the metal from impurities in the carbon steel but it is nothing to worry about. Wipe down the excess water with a paper towel and place the wok back on the burner to dry it with medium high heat.

How to Repair Carbon Steel Pan Seasoning That is Worn Off!

Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Images: Karolina Grabowska, Karolina Grabowska, Dids, Karolina Grabowska