Sometimes, when cookware suitable to their use is not available, cooks look around and then decide to design their own. There must be something that makes them frustrated enough with what is available out there that they want to put in their knowledge and expertise and design their own cookware. The common, regular folk definitely benefit when such things happen and this is exactly what happened to restaurateur Joyce Chen when she opened her own restaurant in the USA 1958.
Out of her need for quality Chinese cookware in the USA was born the carbon steel wok that bears her name proudly – the Joyce Chen Pro Chef 14-Inch Flat Bottom Wok uncoated Carbon Steel. There sure was a reason to make it out of carbon steel and it sure did work. As a restaurateur, Joyce Chen ought to know better than normal folk. Today, there are many stores across the USA that carry these products and many satisfied consumers who use them every day.
The wok is Chinese in origin and the carbon steel wok from Joyce Chen comes from the expertise of a Chinese restaurateur. Read on for more details regarding this -the Joyce Chen Pro Chef 14-Inch Flat Bottom Wok uncoated Carbon Steel that came about due to the woes of a professional chef. It is not often that these things happen.
What is carbon steel and why use it?
Like other types of steel, carbon steel has the advantage of being very strong and that it resists cracking and rusting. And, it is extremely hygienic. In addition, high carbon steel is heavy and thick and can withstand more heat. Also, it retains heat better and this makes for very efficient cooking. This leads to better use of cooking gas/electricity thereby leading to a smaller gas / electricity bill. Not just that, professional quality steel is dishwasher safe and resists chemical corrosion and this means that cookware will last for years to come. High carbon steel has the feature that cookware does not need to be greased while cooking.
Last but not the lease, there is a classy, modern and elegant look that steel has and this is also a part of its killer appeal!
What to look for when buying a wok
- Material used
- Size
- Handles
- Material of handles
- What is the price
Designed use / How does it work
Designed by restaurateur Joyce Chen, the Joyce Chen carbon Steel Wok was created out and filled a gap that needed to be filled. Joyce Chen created this cookware since she found that the quality of Chinese cookware in the US did not live up to her high standards. This certainly speaks volumes about the Joyce Chen carbon steel wok.
What is included?
Generous size
Measuring 14 inches in diameter, the carbon steel wok offers a generous size for virtually any family-size recipe.
Professional weight 2.0 mm heavy gauge carbon steel
Constructed with Professional weight 2.0 mm heavy gauge carbon steel, the carbon steel wok from Joyce Chen offers all the advantages of steel and then some.
Quick and even heating
The carbon steel wok heats quickly and evenly to produce quality and tasty food each time.
Stay-cool Phenolic Handles
Designed for safety and a better grip, the stay-cool 2mm thick phenolic handles make the wok easier to handle.
Washing Instructions
Do not use the dishwasher. Hand washing is recommended with the carbon steel wok.
Product details / Does it include warranty?
The 14 inch carbon steel wok from Joyce Chen weighs 5 lb and comes with a standard one year warranty.
Ok, so this works but this isn’t the only brand out there – how does it compare
The consumer reviews on this carbon steel wok from Joyce Chen are such that they can be misleading. To clarify, some rave about how wonderful food turns out while others do not. It is important to bear in mind that one needs to understand how carbon steel works prior to using the carbon steel wok. Following the instructions in the booklet helps a lot. Overall, for the performance and convenience that this carbon steel wok offers at an average price of around $40, it is a great value for the money spent on it.
Any Complaints?
Those consumers who are unaware of the seasoning issues with the carbon steel wok have been disappointed. There have been complaints of blackened food and of rust. Making sure to follow the instructions will go a long way with this carbon steel wok.
What others are saying?
The Carbon steel wok from Joyce Chen has earned terrific reviews on the net. Here are a few sample comments from customers
- “Very Good Stir-Fry Pan,”
- “Still going strong after 3+ years,”
- “Very Pleased with this item.,”
- “off to good start,”
- “A lot of work, but worth it!,”
How much should you expect to pay?
The carbon steel wok from Joyce Chen is available online at $57 and upwards. The cheapest we have seen it is on Amazon who consistently sell this carbon steel wok from Joyce Chen for under $40.
Where can you expect to buy the carbon steel wok from Joyce Chen?
You can buy this carbon steel wok from Joyce Chen from Amazon. At the moment they include free shipping and from what I can tell when comparing prices with other online merchants, Amazon do currently have the best deal especially with the free shipping option and you do not have to pay sales tax. Click Here to view on Amazon.
Where can you read more reviews for the carbon steel wok from Joyce Chen?
The best place for reviews from people who actually use the carbon steel wok from Joyce Chen is Amazon. Click Here to read more.
