Wok and electric hob - which ring to use?

I've a flat electric hob (the gets-very-hot type, not induction) upon which I cook.

When using my wok (which is flat-bottomed) I place it on the largest ring, but obviously the pan only covers a relatively small potion of the ring. I hadn't really thought about it, but for some reason yesterday I was cooking away and it dawned on me maybe the smaller rings would work better.

Do the larger rings normally produce more thermal energy, or the same amount just more spread out?
Would it be better to use the ring that is about the same size as the base of the pan?

equipment wok

Best Answer

The larger ring will transmit more energy, but spread over the size of the ring; so the density is probably roughly the same.

So using an element bigger than your pot/wok bottom is basically just a waste of heat/energy.

Some supporting evidence added by DMA57361:

I've recently gotten a free energy monitor, which tells me the current power consumption of my entire home. So, with a bit of experimentation, I have worked out the approximate power output of each ring on my hob, and this backs up that they have approximately the same output density.

Position     |  Diameter  |  Area   |  Power  |  Density
             |   cm       |   cm²   |   kW    |   kW/cm²
-------------+------------+---------+---------+-----------
Back-Left    |   18       |  254.5  |  1.90   |  7.46
Back-Right   |   16       |  201.0  |  1.45   |  7.19
Front-Left   |   14       |  154.0  |  1.25   |  8.11
Front-Right  |   18       |  254.5  |  1.84   |  7.24

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Should you use a wok ring?

A wok ring helps trap and direct heat rather than letting it escape out the sides of your pan. Protect - The metal grates on gas stovetops can stabilize a wok, but they also scratch it, leaving it open to rust. A wok ring helps protect your pan from wear and tear, ensuring that it lasts longer.

Can I use a wok on an electric glass top stove?

Yes, use a flat bottomed wok on a glass top stove. Flat bottomed woks do not require a wok ring so they heat quickly and evenly on your glass stove top. Unlike a flat bottomed wok, a round bottomed wok sits on a wok ring.

What is the ring under a wok for?

A wok ring is also known as a wok stand. They are the items that will keep your round-bottomed wok in place over a flat cooking surface. They also regulate the heat by making it concentrate at the bottom side of the wok.

Should a wok have a round or flat bottom?

Flat or round bottom? If you are cooking with a Western electric range cooker, your best option is to use a flat-bottom wok. Round bottom woks can reflect heat back on the element, damaging it. A flat-bottomed wok can also be used on gas stoves.

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Images: Karolina Grabowska, Max Vakhtbovych, Anete Lusina, Max Vakhtbovych