I would love one for Christmas~

But I've heard not to purchase a cheap wok...

I've also heard you can not use them on the type of stove I have. I have a stove with a flat cooktop.

Any ideas or suggestions?

By Karen~moderator on Sunday, September 5, 2004 - 09:26 am:

We have owned several. I love food cooked in a Wok. I have a flat cooktop and I use my Wok on it.

Definitely don't buy a cheap one. The non stick surfaces are great, but will deteriorate and peel or flake off of the cheap ones. We received one of those for a wedding gift and when it started flaking and peeling, it was during the cooking and I had to throw the food out.

Calphalon makes a great Wok, but you're going to spend around $80 for it. We were going to splurge on that one, but it doesn't come with a top, so we didn't get it. For that reason, we replaced the one we had with the highest priced Joyce Chen Wok. So far so good.

Depending on whether or not you get a stainless or non stick Wok, you'll have to *season* it - not to be done on the non stick models.

I'd recommend getting one with a top because you can *steam* while you are cooking. Also, make sure it has a long handle and a short handle on the opposite side.

When it comes to Woks, in my experience, you definitely DO get what you pay for.

HTH

By Bea on Sunday, September 5, 2004 - 01:15 pm:

Mine sat on the top shelf of my panty for years, collecting dust, until I took it to the Thrift Shop. I make stir fry all the time in my slant sided Calphalon fry pan. It works great, and I use it for so many other things, that it was a great investment. The wok took up too much space and was a one use pot.

By Karen~moderator on Sunday, September 5, 2004 - 01:21 pm:

Bea, don't you love Calphalon?? It's pricey, but well worth the investment.

By Marg on Sunday, September 5, 2004 - 02:28 pm:

Thank you ladies, I will take your advice

I love to cook (as I get older) and I love making oriental dishes and steamed dishes. I heard woks are wonderful

I don't think there are any dealers in our area, I will probably have to purchase online. Any advice here?

By Bea on Sunday, September 5, 2004 - 02:56 pm:

Go to Froogle

http://www.google.com/froogle?hl=en&tab=wf&q=

type in "Calphalon One"skillet
and you'll get lots of on line places that sell it.

By Happynerdmom on Sunday, September 5, 2004 - 03:14 pm:

I used my wok all the time when we had a gas stove and loved it, but the wok I have will not work with an electric stove.

By Fraggle on Tuesday, September 7, 2004 - 10:01 am:

I have an All-clad wok and I barely ever use it. I have the flat top stove, too and it just never really gets hot enough-anything wet always seems to end up steaming. I use a good non-stick fry pan instead. I'd like one like Bea has . I have ordered kitchen items from Amazon and have had good luck.

By Kellyj on Tuesday, September 7, 2004 - 11:20 am:

My husband bought us an "authentic hand hammered" wok. It is bulky and has made a wonderful piece of dust collecting clutter.