Electric Wok - Discuss Cooking

jabbur · 10-20-2009, 04:06 PM

I recently accquired a West Bend electric wok. My son's roommate left it behind and son didn't want it either. I've not used a wok before. Has anyone used this brand? Is it any good? It's an older model. I could only find it on ebay but here's a link to one for sale there.
West Bend Electric Wok Model# 79525 - eBay (item 380140489117 end time Nov-14-09 22:18:51 PST)

Chef Munky · 10-20-2009, 04:19 PM

I've got the exact same on..Got it as a gift.It's ok for some foods.Not an over all best wok I ever had.It now sits above the kitchen cabinets collecting dust.
Found the food tasted odd.Might be the coating they use,or me.. :)
Something wasn't quite right on the temp if I recall correctly.

Munky.

thymeless · 10-20-2009, 04:48 PM

They're pretty worthless for stir fry.

Fine for soups, steaming, braising.

Which, overall, means they're not worth the storage space in most cases as all those jobs can be done by equipment you probably already have.

Selkie · 10-20-2009, 08:19 PM

I had one several years ago. I could never get it hot enough to fry properly.

On lower temperatures, you could use it as a bun warmer.

jabbur · 10-21-2009, 08:43 AM

Thanks for the replies. I really don't have room for it in my cabinet so I guess I'll freecycle it. I'd like to learn to do a good stir fry but haven't found a pan to do it well with my electric ceramic top stove. Guess I'll keep looking.

Andy M. · 10-21-2009, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jabbur

Thanks for the replies. I really don't have room for it in my cabinet so I guess I'll freecycle it. I'd like to learn to do a good stir fry but haven't found a pan to do it well with my electric ceramic top stove. Guess I'll keep looking.

I recommend a carbon steel flat-bottomed wok. It will have to be seasoned once as you would a cast iron item.