The 5 Best Woks for Electric Stove Tops

Woks are one of the oldest cookware types in the entire world. Originating China over 2,000 years ago and roughly translating to “cooking pot,” the wok is used by chefs all around the world to cook dishes of all types. If you are a home cook looking to continue your cooking journey or just looking for an extremely versatile piece of cookware, a wok is a great choice.

Within the world of woks, there is quite a bit of variety. The best wok for electric stove will vary widely based on what your goals are and your stove type. If you are looking for the best wok for an electric stove, there are some certain things to look for. Below we have compiled our top 5 best woks for electric stove tops. If you want to read our in-depth reviews of each item and learn how to pick the best wok for your electric stove, continue reading!

Best Woks for Electric Stove Tops

• GreenPan Lima Ceramic Wok – Best Ceramic Wok

• Carbon Steel Wok For Electric Stoves – Authentic Wok Pick

• Lodge Cast Iron Wok – Heavy Duty Pick

• T-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized Wok – Best Beginners Pick

• Calphalon Stainless Steel Wok Stir With Cover – Pro’s Pick

Top 5 Best Wok for Electric Stove Reviews

GreenPan Lima Ceramic Wok – Best Ceramic Wok

If you have seen some of our other content, you probably expected a GreenPan option to be on this list. Made from hard anodized aluminum with a nonstick ceramic surface, GreenPan has created a very versatile wok. Like most GreenPan products, this item is oven safe up to 600 degrees so it’s great for oven use. With a riveted stainless-steel handle as well as a helper handle, this GreenPan nonstick wok is fairly easy to move around the kitchen.

At 12.5 inches in diameter in total, this wok is perfect if you typically cook for 1 or 2 people. The bottom of the pan measures about 8 inches in diameter. If you have an electric stove top, make sure you have a burner close to at least 8 inches for even heating.

What we like:

• Nontoxic and nonstick ceramic construction allows for cooking with minimal oil and makes for easy clean up
• Stainless steel handle with an additional helper handle makes this wok easy to handle
• Oven safe up to 600 degrees

What we didn’t like:

• Doesn’t come with a lid
• The handles can get hot with extended cooking

Carbon Steel Wok For Electric Stoves – Authentic Wok Pick

If you are looking for a more traditional wok, this carbon steel wok would be a great choice. If you have never had carbon steel cookware before, it will require a bit of a learning curve. While it is not as high maintenance as cast iron, this carbon steel wok will need to be seasoned prior to its first use. Once you have it seasoned and ready to go (by following the included instructions), you will be able to use the included lid and metal spatula for your first creation. There are also over 190 recipes included to help you make your first dish

As for the design of this wok, there is a lot to like. At 12.5 inches in diameter it is a bit on the smaller side but still has plenty of room. The flat bottom measures 6.5 inches in diameter so it should work with most electric stoves. There is no helper handle, but the main handle is removeable and made of wood. The texture of the wok will help keep food from sticking and give it an authentic feel. There is also a pour spout on one side to help get liquid out of the wok and into your serving dish.

What we liked:

• Removable wooden handle that won’t get hot while you’re cooking
• Pour spout makes getting food out of the wok super easy
• Textured carbon steel will give your dish an authentic wok texture
• Lid, metal spatula, and recipes included

What we didn’t like:

• No helper handle
• Only oven safe to 400 degrees
• Carbon steel requires a bit more maintenance

Lodge Cast Iron Wok, 14-inch – Heavy Duty Pick

Fans of cast iron cookware will be glad to see one of the top cast iron cookware manufacturers also makes a great wok. A little different from a traditional wok, this cast iron wok from Lodge cast iron has 2 helper handles without a more traditional long handle. Because of that, this wok wouldn’t be a great choice if you want to do a lot of utensil free tossing with your new wok. This wok would be a great option if you plan to do a good amount of baking and broiling.

At 11 pounds, this wok is certainly not the nimblest on our list. The diameter of the wok itself is 14 inches and the flat bottom if about 5.6 inches in diameter, making it compatible with most electric stoves. The cast iron construction will require some maintenance but if taken care of well it can last for years to come. It’s also pre-seasoned so you won’t have to worry about that once it arrives.

What we liked:

• Sturdy cast iron construction is very versatile
• 2 helper handles make carrying this wok around the kitchen easy, despite the weight
• Cast iron construction will retain heat very well
• Compatible with all types of cook tops and works well on the grill

What we didn’t like:

• Not great for tossing stir fry given the weight and handle construction
• Cast iron requires more maintenance than other cookware material options

T-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized Wok – Best Beginners Pick

This 14 inch wok from T-fal is a great pick for beginners. Made from hard anodized aluminum with a titanium nonstick surface, this wok will be one of the easiest to cook with and care for on our list. The hard anodized aluminum construction will allow the pan to heat up evenly and the titanium nonstick surface will keep your food from getting stuck to the pain. At 14 inches, you can cook for a small group or just keep the leftovers for yourself.

A main handle with a helper handle make this wok easy to work with. The silicone handle coverings prevent them from getting too hot. The bottom diameter is about 6.5 inches so it will be compatible with most electric stove tops. To prevent the nonstick surface from getting damaged, wooden or plastic utensils would be the best fit for this wok.

What we liked:

• Easy to use wok provides a great introduction to wok cooking
• 14 inch diameter provides plenty of capacity for cooking
• Silicone covered handles make it easy to move this wok while cooking

What we didn’t like:

• Only oven safe up to 400 degrees
• Surface can get scratched if metal utensils are used

Calphalon Stainless Steel Wok With Cover – Pro’s Pick

Looking for a professional grade wok? This stainless steel option from Calphalon would be a great option. With an aluminum core between 2 layers of stainless steel, this wok will heat up extremely evenly for predictable cooking. The stainless steel looks great in any kitchen and will maintain its shine for years to come if cared for properly.

The 12 inch diameter makes it perfect for smaller groups and the 5.5 inch diameter base makes it compatible with most electric stove tops. The stainless steel handle and helper handle don’t get too hot while cooking and the included glass lid makes it easy to monitor your dish as it cooks.

What we liked:

• High-quality stainless steel and aluminum core construction allows for predictable cooking
• Compatible with all types of cooking utensils
• Included glass top makes it easy to see how your dish is cooking without opening the lid
• Riveted stainless steel handle and helper handle allow for easy maneuvering around the kitchen
• Dishwasher safe

What we didn’t like:

• Stainless steel can be a bit difficult to clean
• No nonstick coating, so some oil or fat may be necessary for cooking

 

How to Pick the Best Wok for Your Electric Stove

Traditionally, woks were used to cook food over an open fire. When many people think of wok cooking, they see a fiery image with food being tossed around atop the open flames. Now you can bring this traditional cooking method right into your own home, even if you don’t have any open flames in your kitchen.

That’s right, even with an electric stove top, you can prepare delicious meals with a wok right at home. To make sure you have the best wok cooking experience with your electric stove, you will just need to pick a wok that will work with your stovetop. If you still aren’t sure which is the best wok for you, here are some things to consider!

Shape of the Wok

When looking for the best stir fry pan for an electric stove, the most important factor will be the shape of the wok. Woks are more traditionally rounded, and sometimes sit on a rack above an open flame to keep the wok steady. With an electric stove, this would not work very well because is no open flame. Because of this, a round bottomed wok is not a great option for an electric stove.

Instead, a flat bottomed wok is a much better fit for an electric stove top. Not only will the flat bottom rest nicely on your electric stove, it will allow the wok to heat up much more evenly.

Cookware material

Woks can be made from many different types of materials. Many woks are made from carbon steel, but they can also be made from cast iron, ceramic, hard anodized aluminum, and more. To learn more about different cookware materials and which may be best for you, check out our in depth cookware material guide.

Size of the wok

Once you have an idea of which material you want your new wok to be made from, the next major thing to consider is the size of the wok. This is particularly important with electric stoves, because you want to make sure the base of the wok will be in full contact with your electric burner. If you have a wok larger than the size of the burner you intend to use it on, you won’t be able to heat the wok evenly.

When you see the size of a wok, it is typically referring to the diameter of the top of the wok. Most woks are between 10 inches and 16 inches in diameter at the top, with the most popular sizes being 12 and 14 inches. With a 14-inch wok, you can easily prepare stir fry for 4 people. If you usually only cook for 2 or 3 people, a 12 inch wok should do the trick.

Helper handles

After you have figured out which size and cookware material would suit your best, the next thing to consider is whether or not you want helper handles. Helper handles, as the name suggests, are additional handles that can help you pick up the wok. These handles can certainly be a big help, no pun intended, but aren’t necessary for all home cooks using a wok. If you are looking for a larger wok or plan to cook heavier foods, helper handles would be a great addition. Helper handles can also be very beneficial if you plan to use your wok in the oven, as it will be much easier to get in and out of the oven.

If you plan to only use your wok for stir fry and stove top cooking, helper handles may not be necessary but certainly won’t hurt. If you want your wok to be a bit more versatile and possibly be used in the oven, helper handles would be a great addition.

Material of the handles

The handle material that is best for your new wok will also largely depend on how you choose to use it. The main materials used for wok handles are steel, plastic, and wood. Handles such as wood or plastic can be great because they won’t get hot like a steel handle. They will be a bit more difficult to use if you plan to use your wok in the oven. If you want to get the best of both words, a wok with a removable wood or plastic handle may be a great choice for you.

Oven Safety Rating

The final thing to consider in choose your new wok for an electric stove top is the oven safety rating. Again, this will be very dependent on if you want your wok to be able to go into the oven at high temperatures. Do you see yourself popping your wok into the oven to finish or cook entire dishes? If so, be sure to look into the oven rating on the wok you are interested in. Woks can range from being not oven safe, to oven safe up to 600 degrees.

Our Picks

Now we’ve seen some different woks in search of the best wok for electric stove. We’ve looked at a ceramic wok, a carbon steel wok, a cast iron wok, a non-stick wok, and a stainless steel wok. We also looked into some of the factors you should consider before buying your new stir fry pan.

Even after all that, it still might not be clear which is the best wok for you! Here, we’ll round up our choices for woks worthy of the title best wok for electric stove to help you decide!

For those looking for a great overall stir fry pan, you can’t go wrong with the GreenPan Lima Ceramic Wok. It’s versatile, easy to clean, and can be popped in the oven. It may not give you the authentic wok cooking experience, but you will still be able to cook up a serious stir fry.

If you are look for a more authentic wok cooking experience, the Carbon Steel Wok for Electric Stoves would be a great choice for you. Carbon steel is the traditional wok construction material, so you will be in good company with many chefs with this choice.

Are you looking for a wok that will last for decades to come? Our heavy duty pick would be the choice for you. Made of solid cast iron, this Cast Iron Wok will be there when you need it for years to come. It’s durable, can handle high heat, is flat bottomed, and will keep you stir frying for years to come.

Are you new to wok cooking and want a beginner friendly pick? The T-Fal Hard Anodized Wok fits the bill. The hard anodized aluminum is durable, super easy to clean thanks to being dishwasher safe, and has even heat distribution. It will work well on gas and electric stoves so no need to worry if you move.

For our pro chefs in the audience, we recommend the Calphalon Stainless Steel Wok. Being stainless steel with an aluminum core, it’s super durable and gives you even heat distribution. It’s dishwasher safe and comes with a tempered glass lid.

Wrapping Up

Woks can be a great addition to any kitchen, even if you have an electric stove top. With a wok, you can prepare all types of foods and get creative with your very own stir fry. By choosing one of our best woks for electric stove tops, you can make sure to have a great wok cooking experience at home.

If you are new to the world of wok cooking and just want a straight forward option to get started, our beginners’ pick is a great choice. You will have plenty of space for cooking in a nonstick pan that is easy to care for.