Showing posts with label cast iron wok. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cast iron wok. Show all posts

4/11/2012

Staub Cast-Iron Wok with Glass Lid Review

Staub Cast-Iron Wok with Glass Lid
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I love this wok, but it's huge and heavy, a little too big for my current stove, actually. Still, I use it fairly often. I got it on sale for $99... kind of wishing Staub would go back on sale, their pans are wonderful, just not cheap.

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Cooking an array of ingredients simultaneously depends on even heat distribution throughout the pan. Staub's 7-quart wok ensures stir-frying success with cast-iron sides for even heating as well as maximum cooking area. Its durable black matte enamel interior is resistant to chipping and needs no seasoning; in fact, it seasons itself over time, as cooking oils penetrate the matte enamel's pores to gradually create a smooth, nonstick surface. Measuring 14 inches in diameter, the wok is constructed with a heavy earthenware bottom that will never warp and can be used on any kind of stove, including glass-top and induction.
The cast-iron wok's even heat distribution and long-lasting heat retention makes it the ideal vessel for many dishes beyond the stir-fry, including soups, rice dishes, curries, and sauces. Self-basting spikes stud the hefty glass lid's underside, providing continuous basting by distributing flavorful juices directly back on the ingredients. A solid stainless-steel lid knob and cast-iron handles reflect the wok's quality construction. The components' high-heat tolerance means they will get hot; use caution and mitts or potholders while cooking. Included is a stainless-steel rack for steaming or keeping finished ingredients warm while the rest continue cooking. Oven-safe to 500°, Staub's cast-iron wok doesn't need high heat and so should be used on low to medium settings. For best care, use with silicone or wooden utensils and wash by hand with non-abrasive cleaners. The wok comes with a limited lifetime warranty. Made in France.
From the Manufacturer

Why Cast Iron?
Retains and redistributes heat for long periods of time
Perfect for slow-cooking meals
Perfect for beginners and professional cooks

Why Staub Enameled Cast Iron? Because of its outstanding performance Staub is used and praised by the most celebrated chefs around the world.
Self-basting spikes underneath the lid ensure continuous, natural basting
The more you use your Staub product, the better it gets! Oils used when cooking will penetrate the pores of the matte enamel and create a natural, smooth, nonstick surface
Special, smooth ceramic bottom is usable on all heat sources
Lids feature stylish solid brass and stainless steel knobs
Staub enameled cast iron products are highly durable, do not discolor or rust, resist chipping, do not require seasoning, and are ready to use immediately


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12/07/2011

Lodge Pro-Logic 14-Inch Cast-Iron Wok with Loop Handles Review

Lodge Pro-Logic 14-Inch Cast-Iron Wok with Loop Handles
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Like all tools in the kitchen, this one has the exact qualities that make it a phenomenal wok that's representative of CAST IRON cookware.
A. It's heavy cast iron, which means it retains heat exceptionally well. Because of the high thermal mass, you'll have to be patient as the wok takes a few minutes to heat up while on the stove. After it heats up, you'll be rewarded with long-lasting high temperature heat (if desired... it's really for you to control... steady medium or low is very attainable, too) perfect for doing restaurant-style stir-frying at home. That is, you can toss food in the pan without worrying that the pan will cool off and boil/steam your food with the escaping moisture. Searing on the home stove is well within this wok's capabilities. All of this just requires patience.
B. It's a wok, which means that the heat is concentrated at the bottom and tapers off going up the sides. You control how you cook your food by where you situate it relative to the bottom/center. The non-slippery surface of the wok makes this possible, since you can slide food up the sides to reduce the amount of heat it gets exposed to, and the food will stay, rather than fall back down to the bottom, like a teflon-based non-stick surface.
C. It's pre-seasoned, so it's fairly non-stick. I have yet to experience having anything completely stick to it while cooking, whether it's coated meat, stir-fry, vegetables, or egg scrambles.
Because it's heavy cast-iron, you get all these benefits that you don't find with the typical woks you see in the marketplace. Compared to traditional woks, this is not one that you'll be handling while you're cooking. Once it heats up, it gets hot... real hot... including the handles. You'll be scooping food out of it rather than pouring food from the wok to a plate, and you'll be leaving it on the stove over dinner until the thing cools down enough to handle. BE CAREFUL! (wouldn't want anyone to experience any nasty surprises)
Also, since it's cast iron, this piece of cookware requires a bit more TLC than your ordinary anodized aluminum/teflon-coated cookware. You won't be washing this with soap, rather Lodge recommends hot water and a stiff brush, and you'll need to keep it dry and seasoned (rubbed with oil) when you're storing it. It's a bit of extra work, but to me, it's completely worth it as even quality teflon-coated pans will wear out far sooner than well cared for cast iron cookware.
At the end of the day, I still use my anodized aluminum/teflon-coated cookware when what I'm cooking calls for it. I reach for my cast iron pieces to do the job they're best suited for... anytime I need steady heat, high temperature cooking, and/or searing capability. It's just a matter of using the right tool for the right job.
Honestly, I'm so glad Lodge makes affordable cast iron cookware. I've been wanting to pick-up some cast-iron pieces for a while. Until I found Lodge via Amazon.com, I have always turned away disappointed when I see how much Le Creuset costs at retail stores. Thanks, Lodge & Amazon.com!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Lodge Pro-Logic 14-Inch Cast-Iron Wok with Loop Handles

Cook up a scrumptious Mediterranean chicken stir-fry or a classic Mandarin pork and vegetable dish in this Lodge cast-iron wok. The vessel measures a generous 14 inches in diameter and 4-1/2 inches deep--large enough for virtually any family-size recipe. And thanks to its heavy-duty cast-iron construction, it cooks its contents beautifully, spreading the heat evenly throughout the bottom and all the way up the sides. The wok's esteemed heat retention is especially suited to browning meats and frying noodles, as its temperature never wavers. Chefs will also appreciate the pan's steady base, which stays stationary on the burner, along with the large loop handles that make it easy to maneuver.
The wok hails from Lodge's Pro Logic line, which updates the classic Lodge look with contemporary rolled edges and graceful curved lines. Pro Logic items are also preseasoned through a proprietary "electrostatic" vegetable oil spray system. The preseasoning process readies the wok for cooking right out of the box, making it far more convenient than old-style cast-iron items that required oil and oven seasoning before use. The timesaving process also generates a nonstick finish that helps preserve the cookware for generations. As with most cast-iron cookware, Lodge recommends hand washing the wok to protect the surface. It also carries a lifetime warranty.

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