Best Electric Wok
There’s nothing better than being able to prepare a fresh, delicious meal quickly and guilt-free. One of the best ways to do that is by using a wok. This method quickly cooks bite-sized pieces of vegetables, meat, fish and seafood in a small amount of hot oil for amazing flavor retention. To make this popular cooking method even easier, many people choose an electric wok – there’s no need for a stovetop, just the closest electrical outlet.
An electric wok is super convenient. Shaped like a traditional wok with rounded sides and a small bottom, you just plug it in, turn it on, let it heat up, and it’s ready to go. Equipped with an adjustable thermostat, you have complete control over how much, or how little, heat you use. And since you only need a small amount of oil, your meals are healthy and packed with nutrients – not to mention great taste.
We feature five electric woks you can purchase online. Read on to find the one that best suits your needs.
Top Pick Best Small Capacity: Oster 2124087 DiamondForce Electric Wok
When you want to stir-fry up a delicious batch of veggies and marinated meat and it’s for just you and your partner, you need a right-sized cooking apparatus to get the job done right. If you’re looking for a small capacity electric wok, you may want to consider this 4.7-quart model from Oster.
Perfectly suited for two or three people, this electric wok has everything you need for a smooth and enjoyable cooking experience. The cool-touch side handles make it safe to carry the wok from the kitchen to the dining table for serving. As for performance, it doesn’t get much better than the PFOA-free, diamond-infused, scratch-resistant non-stick surface, which offers up superb cooking performance, easy food release and a hassle-free cleanup.
With this electric wok, you’re in control. The removable temperature probe lets you adjust the temperature up to 420 degrees Fahrenheit so you can cook up a variety of foods, from veggie stir-fries to burgers and chicken.
Equipped with a convenient tempered glass cover, you can track the progress of your meal without lifting the lid and releasing precious steam and heat. This cute, compact electric wok is versatile enough to meet all of your cooking needs.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Has a PFOA-free, diamond-infused scratch-resistant non-stick surface
- Removable thermostat
- Tempered glass lid
- Cool touch knob on lid
- Cool-touch side handles
Cons:
- Location of temperature gauge is awkward and difficult to read
Top Pick Best Large Capacity: Aroma Housewares AEW-305 Electric Wok with Tempered Glass Lid
You take pride in cooking for your large family and over the years, have gathered a fine collection of pots, pans and kitchen utensils to turn all of your creative energy into delicious meals. If you’re looking for an electric wok large enough to feed your crew, you may want to consider this large capacity, heavy-duty model from Aroma.
The classic dome-shaped lid and wide convex curve of this black, sleek-looking electric wok is perfect for any stir-frying, sautéing or simmering you want to do. Made from durable heavy-duty cast aluminum that offers up excellent heat circulation, this seven-quart capacity wok gives you all the space you need. Not just for stir-frying, it’s also great for braising, steaming, and making tempura.
Made to handle high temperatures, it is designed to heat up quickly and retain its extreme heat as you cook, sealing in the flavor of your foods for professional results. The wok’s non-stick surface means you can use less oil when cooking, and makes the cleanup process easier, too. And another bonus? This electric wok can be disassembled and detached from the base to be cleaned in the dishwasher or hand-washed in the sink.
Pros:
- Cool-touch base and handles
- Rapid heat-up with consistent heat retention
- Full-range temperature control
- Durable nonstick coating
Cons:
- Solid metal lid means you need to lift the lid to keep track of cooking process
- Temperature gauge has low-to-high range with no actual temperatures indicated
Top Pick Best Durable: Presto 5900 1500-Watt Stainless-Steel Electric Wok
You love the idea of an electric wok; it’s such a fun way to cook all of your favorite Asian-inspired recipes. What you don’t love is anything with a non-stick coating. If you’re looking for a durable, top-quality electric wok with superior performance that does not have a non-stick coating, then you may want to consider this model from Presto.
The body and handles of this 1,500-watt electric wok are made from a luxurious yet durable stainless steel, with an aluminum-clad base for fast, even heating. The powerful heating element provides the high searing temperatures needed for stir-fry cooking so you can use small amounts of oil for a healthier result.
Equipped with side-loop handles and a tempered glass cover with a stainless steel rim and handle, the wok also comes with a convenient long-handled wooden spatula with a wide-angled edge that conforms to the shape of the wok. And even though the interior surface of the wok does not have a non-stick coating, it is easy to clean – the wok and cover are fully immersible and dishwasher safe with the heat control removed.
Pros:
- Body and handles made from durable stainless steel
- Tempered glass cover
- 1,500 watts of power
- Wok and cover fully immersible and dishwasher safe with heat control removed
- Includes a long-handled wooden spatula designed to conform with the shape of the wok
Cons:
- Oil doesn’t get hot enough to deep fry
Top Pick Best Overall: Breville BEW600XL Hot Wok
You’re all about being authentic, especially when it comes to cooking. You love trying out recipes from various cultures, with Asian-inspired food being your favorite. If you are looking for an electric wok that maintains the high heat necessary for Asian-style gas cooking, then you may want to consider this model from Breville.
This electric wok has a stainless steel base and a die-cast wok bowl with heat-responsive aluminum layers that maintains high heat to sear food and seal in moisture. The generous 14-inch diameter and six-quart capacity are perfect for large families and entertaining. Equipped with a glass lid, it’s easy to track the progress of the meal without lifting the cover.
The powerful 1,5000-watt butterfly heating element is similar to gas cooking and evenly distributes heat up the walls of the wok bowl. Equipped with a removable temperature control probe, the wok heats up to 425 degrees Fahrenheit with the option of choosing from 15 precision heat settings.
Perfect for all of your stir-fry, steaming, braising and shallow-frying needs, this quality electric wok also makes a thoughtful gift for the chef in your life.
Pros:
- Dishwasher safe bowl and lid
- Stainless steel base
- Die-cast wok bowl with aluminum layers
- 1,500-watt butterfly heating element
- 15 precision heat settings
- Heats up to 425 degrees Fahrenheit
Cons:
- More expensive than other models
- Heavier than other models at 12 pounds
- Large size may not fit into standard-sized kitchen cabinets
Top Pick Best Versatile: VonShef 7.4Qt Electric Wok with Lid
You love cooking and take the time and effort to create delicious meals for your family. Lately, though, you’ve been wanting to use less oil and fat, but without sacrificing the taste and flavors that makes eating so pleasurable. One way to use less oil but still produce an array of your favorite awe-inspiring meals is to use an electric wok that offers up a range of temperatures to suit different foods.
This large capacity, seven-quart aluminum electric wok is roomy enough to cook up large portions of food, and features an interior with advanced coating to prevent food from sticking so you can use little or no cooking oil.
Experienced chefs know that different flavors require different cooking temperatures, so the adjustable temperature control, with its easy-to-read rotary dial, is a real bonus. Select one of four heat settings to meet the needs of a variety of situations: warm (176 degrees Fahrenheit), low (302 degrees Fahrenheit), medium (374 degrees Fahrenheit) and high (446 degrees Fahrenheit).
Other features include cool touch, heat-resistant silicone handles and a tempered glass lid. And when you’re done cooking, you can remove the temperature probe and bring the wok to the table for serving.
Pros:
- Large 7.4 quart capacity
- Four temperature settings
- Advanced non-stick coating
- Cool-touch, heat-resistant silicone handles
Cons:
- Not immersible or dishwasher safe
Things to look out for:
Consider these things when looking for an electric wok so you will choose one that works best for you:
Capacity:
While most woks have a similar, bowl-like shape, they do not all come in the same size. Before choosing an electric wok, consider what you will be using it for. If it’s just for you and a partner, then consider a smaller size, perhaps four quarts or less. If you have a large family or like to entertain, a larger six or seven-quart electric wok would be a better choice. Of course, there is no harm in having a larger wok, even if it’s just for two people; the next best thing to delicious fresh food prepared in a wok is having leftovers the next day.
Material:
Electric woks are usually constructed from aluminum, stainless steel or carbon steel. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. For example, aluminum is a good conductor and distributor of heat, but is not as durable as stainless steel. Stainless steel is not a great conductor of heat in terms of even distribution, but some woks have a stainless steel exterior with layers of aluminum, which is a good combination for durability and even heat distribution. Carbon steel is the most traditional material used for making a wok as it’s inexpensive, lightweight, durable and heats up quickly and evenly.
The attraction of a wok is that you can use a small amount of oil and quickly stir up a delicious meal. Some models come with a non-stick coating to offer the option of using no oil and for an easier clean up. If you prefer a non-stick surface, make sure it is made with non-toxic materials.
Features:
Handles:
Most electric woks come with side handles. If you intend to carry your wok from your workspace to the table to serve, look for a model that has heat-resistant side handles to protect your hands if you don’t want to wear oven mitts.
Lids:
Many woks come with solid covers for when you need to steam the food. These work well, although if you need to add spices, stir or check the progress of the meal, lifting the lid to do so will allow heat and steam to escape. If this is not your style, then opt for a tempered glass cover so you can easily watch your meal as it cooks and open it only when needed.
Cleanup:
If you like everything to be easy, and that includes a quick clean up, then look for a model that you can immerse in water (after removing the temperature probe), or is dishwasher safe. Many models do not allow for this, making cleaning the wok more time consuming.
Temperature control:
Most electric woks come with detachable temperature controls. These can vary greatly in the amount of control you have in choosing the level of heat you need for a particular food. For the utmost control, look for a thermostat that has the different temperatures clearly marked on the dial, rather than just a low-to-high feature with unmarked increments. Also check for the location of the controls. Some are situated under a handle or out of the way and may be difficult to read and reach. Finally, if you want to be able to sear food or cook at a high heat, make sure the electric wok you choose has the ability to reach the temperatures you desire.