How To Season A Wok

When you get a wok, it’s important that you make sure that it’s been seasoned properly. This will allow you to prevent the pan from rusting, making sure that it will last for a long time. However, it can often be difficult to know how to prepare your wok. Let’s take a look at everything you need to pick and season a wok. 

Pick The Right Wok

The first thing that you’ll need to do is make sure that you pick the right wok. This will ensure that the material will be strong enough to last for many years to come. However, there are a few different types of woks available for you to choose from. For example, you’ll need to decide whether you want to use a flat-bottom or a rounded wok. While rounded woks are more traditional, they might not be compatible with your stovetop. As a result, it’s common for people to choose a flat-bottomed one. You’ll also need to decide what size you want to use. This will often depend on the amount of storage room available and the type of meals that you want to prepare. 

It’s easy to get overwhelmed at the number of options available on the market. Thankfully, you can use this induction wok for home analysis to tell all the options apart and find the right one. 

Scrub Off The Factory Oil

The first thing that you’ll need to do when you get a wok is to wash it. This will ensure that you’ll be able to scrub off the contaminants it gained from the factory. These factory oils are put onto the wok to stop it from rusting. In most cases, you’ll just need dish soap and a scrubber to remove these oils from the wok. You might need to wash and rinse the wok a few times. As you’re doing this, you might notice some black marks on your fingers. These will be caused by the factory oils. You’ll know that these oils have been removed when you can run a paper towel around the wok without getting and black marks. 

Dry The Wok And Prepare The Area

Once you’ve finished taking off the factory oil, you’ll need to put the oil onto the stove. At first, you want to be using a low heat. This will heat the wok and cause all the water droplets to start to evaporate. As you’re doing this, you might want to prepare the area for seasoning. In this case, you want to turn on the kitchen exhaust fan. You might also want to put a bowl of scallions, garlic, and onion near the stovetop. The vegetables should be roughly sliced. 

Start Heating And Seasoning The Wok

Now you’ll be ready to start the seasoning process. The first thing that you’ll want to do is turn the heat of the stove up, as far as it will go. Leave the wok for a while to reach temperature. You’ll be able to test whether it’s hot enough by flicking some droplets of water into the wok. If the water evaporates instantly, you’ll be hot enough to start seasoning. 

Once it’s reached temperature take the wok off the heat and add some oil. After you’ve done this, roll the pan around, so the oil spreads to every part of the wok. This will ensure that you’re getting an even coating. In some cases, you might notice that the oil starts to smoke. This is because you’ve overheated the wok. This is a fairly common mistake when this happens, you want to take it off the heat and wait for it to cool down. Then, when you’re ready to wash off the oil and start the process again. 

Add Aromatics And Stir Fry

Once you’ve added the oil, you’ll be able to start stir-frying the aromatics, the mixture of garlic, scallions, and onion we prepared earlier. After you’ve done this, reduce the temperature to a medium. Then, stir fry with these ingredients, making sure to use your spatula to push the vegetable and the oil against the side of the wok. If things are getting too dry, you can put in an extra teaspoon of oil. 

Over time, you’ll notice that the color of your wok will start to change. The type of change you’ll be producing will depend on the type of pan that you’re using. In some cases, it might start to turn black, in others, it might develop a blue patina. You’ll need to repeat the stir-frying process for around 15 minutes. 

Cool And Wash The Wok

The final stage of the process is to turn off the heat and leave the wok to cool. As you’re doing this, you might want to discard the vegetables. Once it’s cooled off, you’ll need to wash it out. This will remove any excess oil and morsels of food that’s left in the pan. When doing this, you want to avoid using any dish soap. Stick to hot water and a soft-bristled brush or soft cloth. 

Once the wok has been cleaned, you’ll need to dry it off. To do this, all you need to do is place the wok onto a low heat until the water evaporates. For an extra layer of protection, you might want to place one teaspoon of oil into the pan while it’s still hot. Then, rub the oil around the pan, using a paper towel. You’ll now be able to start using the wok for cooking. In the future, after cooking, you might want to use a soft brush to clean it, so you don’t remove the patina. 

Conclusion

When you get a new wok, it’s important to make sure that you season it before you start cooking. This will protect it from rust and establish a non-stick surface, making sure that your wok will last for a long time. So, use these simple techniques to season your wok so you can start creating delicious meals.