A wok is a round pan that is mostly used for frying and stirring different types of foods. It is one of the best cooking pots that we have to keep in our favorite kitchen. Woks are made with two types of grips. One type has a long grip that is attached to one side of the wok. The other type has two short grips that are attached to both sides of a wok. Some woks come with a nice lid that helps cooking faster. But you can purchase a lid separately if there is no lid added to the package.
However, woks can be of several categories. Such as round-bottom, flat-bottom, Cantonese, Mandarin, electric, stovetop, POW, etc. Numerous things within electric woks are similar to stovetop woks. An electric and a stovetop wok have some differences as well. Therefore, in this article, we are going to discuss the similarities vs dissimilarities of an electric wok and a stovetop wok.
What is an Electric Wok?
An electric wok is a convenient and up-to-date version of a traditional wok. Electric woks get their heat from the power of electricity. The body shape of an electric wok is the same as that of a traditional wok. But the main difference is that electric woks have an in-built heating system that is not there within a traditional wok. Additionally, the electric wok’s coating and style of handles are prepared differently so that you don’t get in touch with electricity whenever you touch the handle of the wok.
What is a Stove Top Wok?
Stovetop wok, also known as a traditional wok, is a kind of wok that works through the heat of stovetops like a gas burner, induction, or ceramic. These woks are made with various types of materials. Such as aluminum, carbon steel, cast iron, stainless steel, etc. As the heat of a stove or gas is easy to increase or decrease, you can cook various foods without wasting much time using a stovetop wok. These woks are easy to season and maintain as well.
Differences and Similarities between an electric wok and stovetop wok
Because there are different categories of woks available in the market, people sometimes become confused at the time of picking one. While there are some common factors between an electric wok and a stovetop wok, there are differences between these two categories as well. So, let’s know the differences and similarities between the electric wok and stovetop wok before picking one.
Design
The basic design of an electric wok is the same as the basic design of a stovetop wok. Both types of woks are available in flat-bottom and round-bottom styles. Moreover, you can use both items to stir and fry different types of foods.
Function System
An electric wok’s function procedure is a lot more separate from that of a traditional wok. While an electric wok gets heat through an electric connection, a stovetop wok gets heat from a gas top or a stovetop burner. Perhaps it is quite a problem that you can’t use an electric wok if there is no electricity available around you.
Cooking time
Electric woks don’t create much heat that is necessary at the time of stirring and frying foods according to many users. Because there is no system available for increasing or decreasing power in case of electric woks.
But stovetop woks can work better in case of making fry and stir foods. Because you can easily increase or decrease the power of the gas burner or stovetop burner.
Material
Both electric wok and stovetop wok are prepared using stainless steel, cast iron, aluminum, or carbon steel. There is a non-stick coating system added to a stovetop wok. Instead, an additional coating is there on the electric wok as a built-in system is added to the electric wok.
Seasoning & Cleansing
Seasoning woks before starting to use it is a must-needed task for wok users. It is easy to season a stovetop or traditional wok. Instead, it can be a bit difficult to season an electric one according to many wok users.
It is not much hassle to clean a stovetop wok as you can use a simple dishwasher to clean it. Conversely, you have to be more careful while washing an electric wok because the connection of water inside the built-in system can damage an electric wok.
Perhaps the problem is that after cleansing a wok, you have to repeat the seasoning process before you use it. Otherwise, food will stick to the bottom of the wok.
Convenience
Electric woks have an in-built plug-in system that works with the connection of electricity. This system makes electric woks a highly convenient pot for many users. In contrast, a stovetop wok needs a gas burner or a stove burner to be heated and work. This system makes it a bit difficult to work in such a place where there is no gas or stove available.
Durability & Price
Both electric and stovetop wok will serve a long time if you use them carefully. The problem is when the coating goes away because of using it for a long time. At that time, your food will be stuck to the bottom of the wok.
Apart from this, an electric wok will cost you a little bit more than a stovetop wok. So, it’s your choice to choose which one you need.
Two Best Electric and Stove Top Wok: Review in short
1. Aroma Housewares AEW-306 Electric Wok
This professional model Chinese AEW-306 electric wok is finely made with the best quality cast aluminum by the famous brand Aroma Housewares. This fantastic black color wok is a long-lasting item that is offered with a greater-tempered glass lid.
With a dimension of 14.2×15.5×8 inches in length, width, and height, this item weighs 8.4-pound. This wok has longer chopsticks that will help you cook easily. You can make anything you want in this wok. Such as soups, fried tempura, stir fry, fajitas, etc.
This electric wok has a power consumption of 1500W with 120V 60Hz. It has a greater capacity for cooking more foods for the family. Its non-stick coating doesn’t let foods stick to the pan. Besides, it is easy to handle and wash this wok with a simple dishwasher.
Product details
- Model Name– AEW-306 Electric Wok with Tempered Glass Lid,
- Material– Quality and sturdy metal
- Brand-Aroma Housewares
- Color-Black
- Item Dimensions LxWxH-14.2 x 15.5 x 8 inches
- Capacity -5 Liters
2. Kenmore Hammond Flat Bottom Carbon Steel Wok, 14-Inch, Black
Here is an amazing stovetop wok from Kenmore Hammond that is offered in a flat-bottom shape. This wok is prepared with heavy-duty carbon stainless steel with a non-stick coating. This Chinese item has a perfect diameter of 14-inch.
This awesome black color stovetop wok is suitable for steam, stir fry, or deep fry foods. You can heat pre-making foods using this wok as well. This high-quality wok heats up quickly and evenly that helps to cook food properly.
This flat-bottom wok weighs 5.74-pound. It will serve you a long time because of its fantastic quality. It’s easy to clean this wok with a regular dishwasher. You can put this wok on any stovetop such as ceramic, gas, induction, or electric stovetops as well.
Product details ( At a glance)
- Model Name– Flat Bottom
- Material– Strong and Stainless Steel made
- Brand-Kenmore
- Item Diameter-14 Inches which is user friendly
- Color -Black
- Has Nonstick Coating -Yes
Rapping Up
Both electric and stovetop woks have pros and cons. But overall, both types can be used for making different types of foods. The only thing that you need to consider seriously is the heating feature. The stovetop wok becomes heated quickly and works swiftly. Instead, the electric one will work anywhere through the connection of electricity. Otherwise, both are suitable for use in your lovely kitchen. Now the decision is yours to make. Just pick one and you will be ready to cook your favorite food using a wok.
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