Tips for cooking with a wok

With all the cooktop and wok options out there, it couldn’t get any easier to whip up the perfect stir fry.

Cooking with a wok can be great fun and produce beautiful meals. Woks are popular because they distribute heat evenly and cook food quickly. They also require less oil than frying pans and work well in creating delicious Asian dishes. 

There are a lot of different types of woks. Traditional Chinese woks were created for wood-burning stoves and made of cast iron. Today, there are woks made from all types of materials that are suitable for all kinds of cooktops, including the NEFF Dual Flame Wok Burner. 

When you should consider cooking with a wok 

Sometimes a frying pan just doesn’t cut it. A wok really is your best bet when it comes to making dinner quickly, creating healthier meals (because woks use less oil), and when you’re using a lot of ingredients at once. If you’re unsure about how to cook with a wok, there are some tips you can follow to make sure your meals turn out great. 

TIP 1: Choose the right setting for your cooktop 

When cooking with a wok, the first thing you need to do is select the right setting for your cooktop. Some NEFF gas cooktops feature a dual flame wok burner. The dual wok gives you the choice between one or two rings – one for simmering and for sizzling – which means you’ll always get the right amount of heat when frying your meat and veggies. The dual system allows you to reach high temperatures of upto 22 Mj/h, meaning you can cook more at once. 

Tip 2: Make sure you have all the right tools 

Because woks are shaped differently than western frying pans, the type of tools used for cooking with woks are a bit different too. You may want to invest in a suitable brush for cleaning your wok in addition to a slotted spoon, a spatula and a ladle all with long handles so you don’t risk burning yourself on the edge of the wok as you cook. 

Tip 3: Take care of your wok 

It’s recommended that you season your wok every time you cook. This means heating up some oil in your wok and disposing of it once it’s smoking hot before adding fresh oil. 

It’s also important to use the right kinds of oil – not all are suitable for woks. Canola oil, peanut oil and sesame oils tend to be popular choices as they have a high smoking point unlike olive oil. 

Tip 4: Don’t try to cook too much at once 

While you’re able to cook more in a wok than in most frying pans, if you overload it, you won’t get the searing heat you need to properly cook the dish you’re making. It’s best to cook the amount the recipe calls for and make a second batch rather than doubling it all at once. Your meal will turn out better if you make sure everything can heat up properly. 

Tip 5: Practice makes perfect 

If you’re not used to using a wok, it may take a few tries to get it down pat. Figuring out the toss to properly mix your vegetables and distribute heat evenly can be a bit of a challenge, but if you practice, you’ll be a master in no time. 

About NEFF  

NEFF is a German-engineered kitchen appliance brand, with a product range that includes ovens, cooktops, rangehoods, coffee machines and dishwashers designed to make life in the kitchen a daily pleasure. For people who love to cook, NEFF gives you the tools to creative meaningful connections, express your creativity and make memories. Because real life happens in the kitchen.  

 Learn more about NEFF here.