What material wok did I get while thrifting today?
I asked all 4 employees but nobody could tell me. It is heavy, and it doesn't look like the same material as my cast iron pan. A magnet sticks to it.
There are no markings on it at all. I think the red handles are silicone.
It is smooth and dark grey on the outside, and the inside is almost black and you can tell it's been well used.
Thank you!
Best Answer
My guess is carbon steel. It's used in a variety of cooking implements, including stuff like woks and as bread pans. A quick search suggests that carbon steel is often magnetic as you report.
If it is indeed carbon steel, it benefits from seasoning and ongoing love and care similar to cast iron (lest it rust or deteriorate). Many articles on this, such as this one from thekitchn.
It's a fun material, and looks like a nice find! I hope you like it!
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How do I know what kind of wok I have?
Cantonese-style woks have a small handle on either side, while Northern-style woks have a single long handle, and usually a smaller helper handle on the opposite side. The latter is the type of wok you want. The large handle facilitates flipping and stir-frying, while the short helper handle makes it easy to lift.What are traditional woks made of?
The majority of woks are made from carbon steel, which allows for them to still be durable and non-stick while also being light to pick up.What is the best material for a wok?
Carbon Steel: This is the most traditional material used for making woks, and it also tends to be the most recommended by wok enthusiasts. It's inexpensive, lightweight, durable, and most importantly, it heats up quickly and evenly.How do I know if my wok is coating?
Show activity on this post. That looks like a chipped and scratched non-stick coating. Uncoated woks generally look like bare metal when new. They often have a clear lacquer coating, and only darken towards black after repeated cooking and seasoning.The BEST Wok to Buy! - Hot Thai Kitchen!
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Answer 2
IKEA cast iron skillet that sells for about $179. Going to look different because it’s not as heavy as a cast-iron frying pan. But it is indeed a cast-iron pot and you have to treat it the same way as far as how you clean and season etc.https ://www.ikea.com.hk/en/products/kitchen/cooking-tools/pans/identisk-art-50159733
Answer 3
Mine was purchased a few days ago at HKD128 (discounted) at IKEA.
It's definitely not aluminum as magnets are attracted to it very strongly. It feels like steel but not sure if it's carbon steel.
It rusts very very quickly so dry it immediately after use. (mine, at 2nd use meaning, not too well seasoned yet, rusted right after an hour - I used it for steaming food... I took the food without clearing the water or drying it... came back after eating the food and it rusted.
I cleaned it, and seasoned it a few times with rice barn oil: rub with oil, heat until smoking... rub again... heat again... cool down, rub again, heat again...
Hopefully it becomes better and better as my Lodge cast iron skillets.
Answer 4
Looks like it's aluminum! http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/60149197/ I went thrifting again and found the same wok, but this one was a set with IKEA lid. Looks like I didn't get a steal afterall.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Max Vakhtbovych, Brett Sayles, Littlehampton Bricks, Jonathan Borba