If you don’t have time to read the entire article, I’ll tell you upfront that the winner is the Presto 5900 Electric Wok. Great features and performance at a great price.
Anyone interested in cooking with a wok should consider an electric wok for its versatility and consistent heat distribution. An electric wok is built with high-quality materials that make them safe and easy to use, and certainly not limited to just Asian dishes. With large capacities, these woks can make healthy dinners for the entire family using almost no oil. Here are a few tips and reviews to help you find the best electric wok for your family.
Here are the products I’ll be reviewing:
- Aroma Housewares Professional AEW-306 Electric Wok
- VonShef Electric Wok with Lid
- Presto 5900 Electric Wok
- Professional Series Chef Electric Wok
- NUWAVE MOSAIC Wok
Considerations When Choosing an Electric Wok
Standard versus Electric Woks
If you are considering purchasing a wok, you may be wondering what the difference is between an electric wok and a traditional wok. The obvious difference is that a regular wok is used on your stovetop while an electric wok has a built-in heating element, so you can just plug the wok in and start cooking without needing a stove.
Typically, an electric wok has a non-stick surface, while a regular wok is made with carbon steel and will require seasoning in order to become non-stick. Other than that, a standard wok and an electric wok are similar.
Why Should You Buy An Electric Wok?
Since a standard wok and an electric wok have so many similarities, you may be wondering why you would choose an electric wok.
Many users like the portability of an electric wok. It’s possible to use an electric wok at the dinner table to show off making your signature stir fry. Imagine impressing all your friends at your next dinner party. Only an electric wok will let you do that.
You can also enjoy cooking outdoors as an alternative to using the barbeque, as long as you have access to an outlet.
And, if you live in a small studio or dorm, an electric wok can be a handy way to cook a decent meal when you don’t have access to a stove.
Features to Look for in an Electric Wok
Heat settings
Using the adjustable heat feature, an electric wok allows you to have precise control over your cooking. When you stir fry, you need to cook at a high temperature. Basically, the higher the wok temperature, the better it is to cook with. Typically, an electric wok can reach temperatures of around 400°F. It is advisable to avoid a wok that is not able to reach that temperature.
Material
Most of today’s woks are constructed of stainless steel, carbon steel, or aluminum. Some units have nonstick surfaces, while others don’t. A good stainless or carbon steel wok is very durable and, if maintained properly, can last a lifetime. However, if you want nonstick performance, the unit will need to be seasoned, which not everyone is willing to do.
Although cookware with a nonstick coating stops food from sticking to the surface and makes cleanup much easier, it does have some drawbacks. Ever since Teflon was introduced decades ago, nonstick cookware, although popular, has raised concerns about safety. It was discovered that PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) and PFOA (perfluorooctanoate), which are both toxic synthetic elements, were present in the cookware.
While many of the brands claim their nonstick woks are scratch-resistant, can handle metal utensils, and are dishwasher-safe, I wouldn’t count on it. My personal experience, along with reviewing dozens of online reviews, paints a different picture. If you want to keep your nonstick coating performing well, it needs to be babied. Silicone or wood utensils only, and hand wash with a soft brush or sponge.
Construction
There are some electric woks that include a built-in heating element, while there are others that have separate bases and can be removed for cleaning.
While some people prefer the traditional, round-bottomed wok, some users find that a flat-bottom wok works just as well. The key is whether the design allows even heat distribution.
A lid isn’t required for stir-frying, but it can come in handy when you need to use your wok for other types of cooking. A nice glass lid will keep food moist, and keep spattering oil from making a mess while allowing you to keep an eye on everything.
Capacity and Size
You need to consider how many people you plan to feed at one time. If you have a 3 qt. capacity, you can cook a meal for one to two people. With a 7 qt. capacity, you are able to cook enough food for a typical family.
Related: Our Best Carbon Steel Wok Review. 5 Great Choices.
Best Electric Wok Reviews
Aroma Housewares Professional AEW-306 Electric Wok
Nonstick and easy to clean, the Aroma Housewares Professional AEW-306 Electric Wok has a 5 qt. capacity and is dishwasher safe. Featuring a sleek design, this wok heats up quickly and retains high temperatures while you cook. Sealing in the flavors of your food, this wok is consistent and gives you professional results each time you use it.
With a full set of temperature controls, the Aroma Housewares Professional AEW-306 Electric Wok is super versatile. It is also easy to operate and has a nonstick coating for hassle-free cleanup. With 1,400 watt power, this wok can do more than stir fry. You can also use it to cook tempura, steam, or braise.
You can even use this electric wok for parties. Just put it in the middle of the table and let your guests choose which meats and vegetables they prefer. The base and handles are heat-resistant, making it safe and easy to use. The Aroma Houseware Professional AEW-306 Electric Wok is easy to take apart and remove from the base for either hand washing or placing in the dishwasher.
Pros:
- It creates healthy meals and doesn’t use a lot of oil
- The handles are heat-resistant
- It is easy to disassemble and clean
- Includes steam rack, tempura rack, and chopsticks
Cons:
- The heat control has unmarked settings, so you have to guess the temperature
- Nonstick coating is not durable
VonShef Electric Wok with Lid
Offering a large capacity, the VonShef Electric Wok can hold 7.4 qt. and comes with a nonstick coating making it easy to use and clean. Featuring an adjustable temperature control, this wok has four heat settings and heat-resistant, silicone handles. This is a functional wok that will also look good in your kitchen.
Easily regulate the heat up to 446°F taking you through warm, low, medium, and high options. The VonShef Electric Wok comes with a glass lid that easily allows you to view the food as it cooks, plus it keeps the food warm until you’re ready to serve. And its large size allows you to cook for your entire family at the same time.
Easily separate the wok from its power source and use it as a serving dish. The VonShef Electric Wok is a great multipurpose appliance that features heat-resistant handles on both the tempered glass lid and aluminum pan. And, with its excellent coating, you won’t have to rely on as much oil when cooking.
Pros:
- It has four heat settings
- Large capacity
- The handles are heat-resistant
- 1,500 watts
Cons:
- Not dishwasher safe
- The diameter is actually 12 inches
Presto 5900 Electric Wok
This stainless steel electric wok offers 1,500 watts and an integrated, aluminum-clad base that provides even and fast high-temperature cooking. The Presto 5900 Electric Wok allows you to use just a small amount of oil to help preserve the food’s textures, flavors, fresh colors, and nutrients. And, it comes with a long-handled wooden spatula that has a wide-angled edge that will conform with the shape of the wok.
Made with durable stainless steel, the Presto 5900 Electric Wok also features a stainless steel handle and rim on the tempered glass cover. The cover and wok are both dishwasher safe and fully immersible when the heat control is removed. This easy-to-use electric wok is a great way to prepare healthy stir-fry meals.
Pros:
- Large 7 qt. capacity
- Made of stainless steel yet easy to clean
- Very durable
Cons:
- Only the very bottom of the wok gets hot
- Doesn’t have a nonstick coating
Professional Series Chef Electric Wok
This attractive unit is another solid performer. With only 900 watts and a 4.5 qt. capacity, it’s not the biggest or the most powerful, but it seems to do the job well. Built from stainless steel with a durable nonstick surface for easy cleaning. A tempered glass lid eliminates any potential splattering, assists with steaming, and will keep the meal warm until you’re ready to serve. With a centralized heat source and a large 16-inch cooking area, the Professional Series Chef Electric Wok produces uniform heat distribution to provide even cooking.
Pros:
- Removable cord for easy cleaning
- Heats up quickly
- Cool-touch handles
Cons:
- Not dishwasher safe
- Power cord is short (29 inches)
NUWAVE MOSAIC Wok
Combining traditional Asian cooking methods with 21st-century technology, the NuWave Mosaic Wok is made from carbon steel and comes with a tempered glass lid. Using induction technology, this wok uses induction coils that are built into the base to heat the matching curvature of the bowl giving you complete coverage of the cooking surface. This type of cooking offers a safer, faster, and more energy-efficient method of cooking. It also helps to save you time by cooking much faster than regular cooking methods.
Made with carbon steel, the NuWave Mosaic Wok offers a lightweight design and sturdy construction. Using a unique material, this wok will quickly respond to temperature changes and can reach the ideal stir-frying temperature in under a minute. And it comes with easy-to-grip silicone handles that stay cool to the touch as you cook.
The intuitive digital controls allow for easy temperature and time adjustments as well as a preheat button that makes it easy to cook delicate foods at just the right temperature. With ten different cooking functions, you can easily ensure that you have the right cooking temperature for whatever you are making for dinner. It also has a bright digital LED display that is easy to read, so you know how much is left on your timer and what your cooking temperature is.
Although a bit more expensive than the other units, it comes with everything you’ll need from an 8-piece bamboo accessory kit, tongs, lid, skimmer, brush, frying rack, and even a 90-recipe cookbook.
Precise temperature control from 100°F to a sizzling 575°F, adjustable in 5° increments. Digital LED display with 10 different cooking functions. It can even automatically shut off when the built-in timer stops. If you’re into technology, this is the wok for you.
Pros:
- Heats up to 575°F
- Comes with lots of accessories
- 10 different cooking functions
- 5 qt. Capacity
- Heats up very quickly
Cons:
- NOT nonstick must be seasoned
- The sides heat up only partway
- More expensive than most woks
Related: The Best Wok For Electric Stoves. Our Top 7 Picks.
The Winner
While there’s something great about each of these woks, my personal favorite is the Presto 5900 Electric Wok. You get the durability of stainless steel, a large 7 qt capacity, and great performance, all from a well-respected brand at a great price. Sounds like a winner to me! If nonstick is a “must-have”, the Aroma Housewares Professional AEW-306 is a great choice as well.
For the best electric wok, check out the Presto wok here.
