You may be surprised to hear that woks, a special type of kitchen utensils, have been used in China for over 2 thousand years. They were usually made of clay, which is ideal for high heat searing, especially in the time of the Han Dynasty.
But today’s woks are built with a variety of robust materials, such as carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, cast iron, etc. They’re versatile enough to cook eggs, fried potatoes, burgers, popcorn, and even steamed vegetables.
If you’re willing to use a wok for smoking or deep frying, some woks are available on the market with heavy-duty lids. So, due to the versatility and excellent searing powers, woks are gradually becoming popular worldwide.
When you’re going to purchase the best flat bottom wok for your kitchen, you have to keep in mind that the best woks are nonstick. They ensure even heat distribution consistently throughout the surface and also easy to clean.
After considering all these things, you can increase the chances of making the right decision. But, choosing the right one might even be a bit challenging for you because the market has dozens of woks from different brands and models.
To help you come out of the dilemma-like situation, we’ve put together 10 top-quality flat bottom woks with a complete buying guide. By the end of this article, hopefully, you can narrow down your choices.
Quick Answer – Top 10 Best Flat Bottom Wok
| 1. Helen Chen’s Asian Kitchen Flat Bottom Wok |
| 2. Joyce Chen J22-0060 Flat Bottom Wok |
| 3. Cooks Standard Multi-Ply Clad Wok |
| 4. Calphalon 1877054 Flat-Bottom Wok |
| 5. Lodge Pro-Logic Wok with Flat Base |
| 6. ExcelSteel 13″ Super Lightweight Cast Iron Chinese Wok |
| 7. Souped Up Recipes Carbon Steel Wok |
| 8. Uno Casa Cast Iron Wok Pan |
| 9. Mammafong Flat Bottom Wok |
| 10. COTOM Authentic Hand Hammered Wok Pan |
1. Helen Chen’s Asian Kitchen Flat Bottom Wok
This flat bottom wok from Helen Chen’s Asian Kitchen is one of the top-quality kitchen appliances, which allows you to do frying, stir-frying, deep-frying, sautéing, stewing, steaming, and braising your favorite recipes.
This excellent wok is made from 1.6-millimeter, heavy-duty carbon steel that distributes heat throughout the surface. If you use this wok, you’re going to get a nonstick cooking performance because it collects a natural patina over time.
Besides, the wok features a heat-resistant, riveted, bamboo handle with a helper handle on the other side. It includes a high-domed lid with a wooden holder on the top of it. It helps to trap vital nutrients and moisture.
Due to the flat bottom design, you can securely set the wok on any stovetops, such as induction, gas, electric, and more. Regardless of a bamboo spatula, you’re going to get a lifetime warranty but against manufacturer’s defects.
All in all, you have to make sure that you perfectly season it before starting cooking for the first time. Once you’ve seasoned it, it will look like a cast-iron skillet. So, you have to take care of it like a cast-iron skillet.
Key Features
| Heavy-Duty Carbon Steel Nonstick Cooking Surface Flat Bottom Design Riveted, Bamboo Handle High-Domed Lid |
2. Joyce Chen J22-0060 Flat Bottom Wok
If you’re looking for the best flat bottom wok, this J22-0060 flat bottom wok from Joyce Chen could be an appropriate option for you. It comes with the construction of heavy-gauge carbon steel with a professional weight of 2.0 mm.
This excellent wok features a flat bottom design with a 14-inch diameter so that you can set it on any stovetop, including gas, electric, induction, and more. It seems pretty lightweight to us because it weighs only 0.64 ounces.
The wok has an ergonomic phenolic resin handle that stays cool while cooking. It also has an additional easy-grab helper handle that helps you maneuver the wok while cooking and serving.
Once you’ve picked the wok, you have to remove the wok’s protective coating before the first-time use. Also, you should season it with cooking oil if you want to get a nonstick cooking performance.
When you need to clean the wok, you shouldn’t wash it in the dishwasher. Instead, rinse it with your hands using hot water and mild soap. If the wok gets rusted, re-season it because a properly seasoned wok prevents rust.
Key Features
| Heavy-Gauge Carbon Steel Flat Bottom Design Suitable On Any Stovetops Ergonomic Phenolic Handle Pretty Lightweight |
3. Cooks Standard Multi-Ply Clad Wok
The Cooks Standard is a USA based manufacturer of high-quality kitchen appliances. This multi-ply clad wok is one of the products of Cooks Standard, which comes with the three-layer metal in both the interior and exterior.
This excellent wok is made of premium-grade 18/10 stainless steel with a multi-element alloy aluminum core that ensures even heating throughout the surface. The exterior is designed with brushed stainless steel that resists scratches.
The 13-inch wok features solid stainless steel, a riveted handle, and a helper handle on the other side. The main handle has air-flow technology that keeps the handle cool to touch while cooking and serving.
Besides, the wok includes a secure-fitting stainless steel dome lid with a loop handle, which traps moisture, heat, and nutrients inside the wok. Due to the flat design, you can set it on any stovetop, including gas, electric, etc.
Besides, the wok comes with a magnetic stainless steel bottom that allows you to use it on an induction stovetop. It withstands the oven temperature of up to 500˚F. After all, clean it with your hands to get the best results.
Key Features
| Three-Layer Metal Construction Premium-Grade Stainless Steel Riveted handle with a Helper Stainless Steel Dome Lid Ideal for All Stovetops |
4. Calphalon 1877054 Flat-Bottom Wok
Calphalon has been a leading manufacturer of premium-quality cookware since 1963. This flat bottom wok is one of the products of Calphalon, which is made of heavy-duty, hard-anodized aluminum that ensures even heating.
This excellent wok features 3- layers of PFOA-free nonstick coating, two of which provide durability, and the third one offers easy release performance. Thanks to the flat bottom and curved sides, it has a wide cooking surface for stir-frying.
Besides, the wok has brushed dual-riveted stainless steel handles that stay cool on the stovetop. With the help of the long handles, you can stir fry vegetables, fish, and meats, tossing and turning them easily.
When it comes to suitability on stovetops, you can use this wok on any stovetop, including gas, electric, electric ring, halogen, glass-ceramic, etc. You can also place it in an oven, but make sure the temperature shouldn’t be over 450˚F.
Unlike most hard-anodized cookware, this wok allows you to clean it in the dishwasher. But, we recommend you wash it by hand to ensure a long lifespan. To prevent damage, you should use nylon, coated, or wooden utensils.
Key Features
| Hard-Anodized Aluminum 3-Layer Nonstick Coating Dual-Riveted Handles Oven Safe Up to 450˚F Suitable On Most Stovetops |
5. Lodge Pro-Logic Wok with Flat Base
As you’re looking for the best flat bottom wok, you can consider this Pro-Logic Wok from Lodge. This 14-inch wok is made of heavy-duty cast iron. It comes with a nonstick cooking surface because it’s pre-seasoned with natural vegetable oil.
The wok offers excellent heat retention and even heating throughout the surface due to the flat bottom design. It’s suitable on any stovetop, including gas, electric, grill, oven, induction cooktops, and even campfire.
On both sides of the wok, you’ll find a couple of large and loop handles that help you accomplish various cooking methods, such as sautéing, searing, broiling, baking, braising, grilling, and stir-frying.
As the wok is seasoned with natural vegetable oil, you can easily release stuck-on food. If you want to enhance the lifespan of this USA-made, cast iron wok, you shouldn’t put it in the dishwasher; wash it by hands only.
When cleaning the wok, wash it with warm water with mild soap if you want. After that, you have to dry it thoroughly with a lint-free cloth. And finally, season the surface with some cooking oil while it gets warm.
Key Features
| Heavy-Duty Cast Iron Flat Bottom Design Large, Loop Handles Nonstick Cooking Surface Suitable On Any Stovetop |
6. ExcelSteel 13″ Super Lightweight Cast Iron Chinese Wok
As the name suggests, the ExcelSteel 13-inch wok is made of heavy-duty cast iron, which is more lightweight than other traditional woks. It’s pre-seasoned with natural vegetable oil so that you can have a nonstick cooking surface.
This excellent flat bottom wok comes with superior heat retention capability so that you can cook a variety of foods faster. It’s suitable for almost all stovetops, including gas, electric, and more. You can use it in an oven without any hassle
The wok features a long, dual-riveted handle to help you toss your food perfectly. It has a loop-style helper handle on the other side to help you hold it comfortably. The helper is dual riveted like the main handle.
As the cookware is pre-seasoned with a beautiful nonstick shine, you can be ready for cooking as soon as you get it. You can also prepare various dishes, such as stir-fried food, savory pasta sauces, delicious breakfast omelets, and more.
Once you’ve done cooking, you should clean it by hand using mild hot water and liquid soap. If you care about this wok with proper maintenance, it can be a reliable kitchen companion, and you can enhance the lifespan of the wok.
Key Features
| Lightweight Cast Iron Durable Construction Pre-Seasoned Cooking Surface Superior Heat Retention Versatile Piece of Cookware |
7. Souped Up Recipes Carbon Steel Wok
‘Souped Up Recipes’ is a popular wok manufacturing company in East Asia. This 12.5-inch flat bottom wok from ‘Souped Up Recipes’ is made of robust carbon steel, which is the best material for woks these days.
This excellent flat bottom wok features printed hammered texture, which is unique and gorgeous. It’s suitable on almost all stovetops, including induction, gas ranges, electric coils, and other direct heat sources without any major issues.
As the wok construction comes with a combination of cast iron and stainless steel, it might be a bit bulkier than most other woks in the market. But, it heats up extremely fast to make wok recipes perfectly.
Besides, the wok has a long, tri-riveted handle with a loop hook, in the end, to hang it when it’s not in use. The handle is made of wood, so it won’t get hot while cooking and serving. It also includes a metal spatula and a gorgeous wooden lid.
Keep in mind that the wok doesn’t come with nonstick coating. So, you have to season it with some vegetable oil before starting cooking for the first time. The included lid may have an odor because it’s made of natural Fir wood.
Key Features
| Carbon Steel Construction Printed Hammered Texture Long, Tri-Riveted Handle Extreme Heat Distribution Suitable On Almost All Stovetops |
8. Uno Casa Cast Iron Wok Pan
If you’re still looking for the best flat bottom wok, the cast iron wok from Uno Casa can be a suitable option for you. As the name suggests, this wok is built with pre-seasoned cast iron that is naturally nonstick and contains heat evenly.
This excellent wok comes with a flat base that allows you to use it on almost all stovetops. You can also use this 8-pound pan on campfires and grills. Besides, the nonstick coating ensures even heat distribution throughout the surface.
When it comes to the core components, the wok features loop handles on both sides. They’re easy to hold and move while cooking and serving. Also, it has a 5.2-quart interior capacity that enables you to cook food for 5 to 6 people all at once.
With the wok, you’re going to get a multiuse silicone lid that can perfectly seal heat, moisture, and flavors in your recipes. The lid comes with a rubber seal on the top of it so that flavor cannot go out of the wok.
Once you need to clean the wok, just use mild hot water and liquid soap and wash it with your hands. Although you can rinse it in the dishwasher, we recommend you wash it using your hands if you want the wok’s long lifespan.
Key Features
| Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Naturally Nonstick Coating Suitable On Any Stovetop 5.2-Quart Interior Capacity A Silicone Seal Lid Included |
9. Mammafong Flat Bottom Wok
The Mammafong Flat Bottom Wok is built with 16-gauge carbon steel. Unlike traditional woks, this quality hand-hammered wok is durable yet lightweight and ensures superior heat distribution throughout the entire cooking surface.
As the name suggests, the wok comes with a flat bottom design that sits accurately on any stovetop, including gas, electric, induction, and oven. Due to the flat bottom, it can also be contacted with the heat source all the time.
When it comes to the core components, the wok has a long, wooden handle securely fastened by two screws. The handle’s cast iron part is tri-riveted with the body to make sure that you can hold and move the wok anywhere you want.
Most importantly, the wok doesn’t come with synthetic coatings or chemicals. It’s seasoned with vegetable oil so you can use it immediately after receiving the pan. With time, it provides you with the best performance.
Once you need to clean it, rinse the wok with mild-warm water to remove stuck-on food. If necessary, you can use a nonmetallic scrubber. Don’t forget to rub the cooking surface with vegetable oil for the next-time use.
Key Features
| 16-Gauge Carbon Steel Pre-Seasoned Cooking Surface Flat Bottom Design Long, Wooden Handle Suitable On Any Stovetop |
10. COTOM Authentic Hand Hammered Wok Pan
We’re going to end up our review section with the Authentic Hand Hammered Wok Pan from COTOM. This 12.5-inch wok is made of a 1.5mm thick iron sheet with a fish scale shape and a flat bottom design.
This excellent wok doesn’t come with any chemical coating. So, you have to pre-season it with some vegetable oil before every cooking. Due to its durable construction, it’s anti-rust and serves you for a long time in your kitchen.
Besides, this black wok has a long, reinforced rivet handle of solid, non-slip wood so that you can hold the wok when cleaning on the stovetop.
It’s suitable for a variety of cooktops, including gas, induction, electric, and more. Although this wok is much more lightweight than cast iron woks, it’s still a little heavier for us (around 3 pounds).
Once you need to clean the wok, we recommend you wash it with your hands. Use a little amount of detergent to brush the wok to release the leftover foods. If you see any rust on the cooking surface, you have to wash it with vinegar.
Key Features
| 1.5mm Thick Iron Sheet Flat Bottom Design Fish Scale Shape Long, Reinforced Rivet Handle Suitable On Any Stovetop |
The Ultimate Flat Bottom Wok Buying Guide
Before purchasing the best flat bottom wok, keep a few things in your minds that we’re now going to talk about. After reading these essential factors, you won’t be an expert, but will surely make the right decision.
Construction Material
Flat bottom woks usually come in various materials, including cast iron, carbon steel, ceramic, stainless steel, and more. It’s obvious that the behavior of a wok varies, depending on the build material.
For example, a stainless steel wok heats up fast and doesn’t require seasoning. On the other hand, a cast iron wok needs at least 10 minutes to heat up. But, once it heats up, it delivers constant heat and helps you cook tasty dishes.
Size
When choosing a high-quality flat bottom wok, size is one of the essential factors that you need to consider. If your wok comes in a bigger size, it can provide more room for meat, vegetable, and other useful ingredients.
However, you should choose a wok that can meet your requirements in the case of the size. For example, you should go for a 14-inch wok when you’re going to make the meal for 4- persons. But, a 10-inch wok is suitable for a one-person meal.
Shape
The shape of the bottom of the wok should be flat. And therefore, you have to make sure that you’re using a flat stovetop. You shouldn’t worry about it because most of today’s stovetops are suitable for flat bottom woks.
Besides, the sides of the wok should be round to easily spread the heat throughout the surface. The combination of flat bottom and rounded sides will lead you to cook foods faster than usual.
Handle
A handle is an essential part of a wok to stir and toss the ingredients. Most woks come with a couple of handles to allow you to hold and move the wok, while some of them have only a long handle to deal with.
There are several kinds of handles, such as two loop-style side handles, one long handle with a helper handle, etc. The handle of the wok should be made of heat-resistant material, for example, wood so that you can hold it without potholders.
Accessories
Some flat bottom woks include an additional lid to trap the heat and moisture and an extra spatula to stir the ingredients. If you choose a wok that comes with these useful items, it will be your best investment.
Conclusion
A flat bottom wok is an ancient piece of cookware that you cannot improve. However, you can choose a wok made of carbon steel for the best results. Make sure that the cooking surface is naturally nonstick.
You can also select a wok made of cast iron for your kitchen. But, make sure that you season it before every cooking. Handles should be long and made of wood so that you touch the handle for holding and moving it easily anywhere you want.
By the way, we hope this guide has helped you at least a bit in your search for the best flat bottom wok. If you have any queries regarding this article, feel free to ask us below in the comment section. Finally, we would like to say, “Bon Appétit.”