How To Use a Wok for Outdoor Grilling

To describe them in one word, woks are versatile cooking equipment particularly for stir-frying. You can also use them on your bbq grill to cook. Chinese woks are quite popular and have traditionally been used for centuries. Woks let you toss the food around vigorously without allowing the food to spill over on the stovetop because of their depth.

The best part of it all is that your grill or stove will stay clean and your food is cooked evenly. Depending on the grill grate your wok could either sit comfortably on it or require a stand to keep it steady. Most people just hold its handle and toss away. Some stoves take a wok ring when the grate is removed and this takes the wok as near to the heat source as it can get. Since wok rings come in a variety of sizes you will need to ensure that you find one that fits your burner. These rings have open sides or closed sides. The rings with closed sides come with holes, making them suitable for electric stoves since you can focus the heat around the wok. For gas stoves, the open rings are better since the circulating air will help control the flames.

Choosing a wok

When you buy a wok, it is best to choose one that is quite deep and preferably made of carbon steel as these can maintain adequate heat. Many people use flat bottom types since these are easier to use on flat stovetops. But people who are familiar with cooking woks will prefer the traditional rounded Chinese woks. The rounded ones are easier to clean. Even if you stir fry two or three installments of food, you do not have to clean the wok in between. If you preheat the wok before adding the oil, the food will not stick to the surface.

A regular wok used with a hot burner will let you cook for up to eight hours. For different quantities of food you might like to use different sized woks. In addition to stir-frying, woks are very good deep fryers. Most models come with large cooking surfaces. The food can be easily scooped up with a spatula.

While the classic wok is rounded, the hand hammered woks are slightly flared at the edges. Most of the woks we get today are made of carbon steel or cast iron. The carbon steel and cast iron woks must be seasoned prior to using them so that they do not rust. Stainless steel woks are not expensive and are quite light weight, conduct heat quickly and last a long while.

You get wok pot sets in different sizes. These can have long handles or short handles. Woks, in general can be used for stir frying, steaming, deep-frying and also to make soup. In Asian cooking, woks are used to fry a fish whole since they can brown it evenly. The wok pot sets contain a wok, a potholder and utensil holder with a bamboo turner, fork and tongs.

The latest electric woks, which are nonstick and very easy to maintain, come with adjustable temperature control. The electric wok has a heat resistant base and handles. The oil heats within two to three minutes and while the food is getting done, you can control the temperature. Also when you add cold oil to the heated wok, the oil will not burn or make your kitchen all smoky. Another tip you can bear in mind is to add the seasoning, namely the garlic and onion as soon as you add the oil so that the oil soaks up the flavor and transfers it to the food. Woks, regardless of the material they are made of, need good care.

Charcoal Companion Non-Stick Vertical Poultry Roasting Wok

Outset QS70 Square Stainless Steel Grill Wok

Weber Wok

Outset QN70 Round Copper Nonstick Grill Wok

Charcoal Companion Non-Stick 12-inch Square Wok

Charcoal Companion Non-Stick Round Wok with Folding Handle

King Kooker CI2 Cast Iron Stir Fry Wok

Mr. BAR-B-Q Platinum Prestige 10-Inch Stainless-Steel Wok Topper

Charcoal Companion SpaceSaver Non-Stick Grilling Wok

Portable Wok Station

Grillfinity 430111, 12" Square Wok Topper

Grillfinity 440112, 11" Stainless Steel Wok Topper