topic Re: Wok Cooking? Do you? Reevaluating my cookware…What To Keep, What To Toss… in Kitchen

Wok Cooking? Do you? Reevaluating my cookware…What To Keep, What To Toss…

amyb — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 13:50:25 GMT

Foodies~Taking votes as I reevaluate what to keep of my cookware...

I have a small wok my mom bought me years ago, I've only used a handful of times. I've only ever made a stir fry in it, and I can do this in my large saute' pan that I do use all the time. Actually, I get a much more successful stir fry in the regular pan.

Am I just not getting the most bang for the buck because I don't know how useful a wok can be to cook....what? How?

Or pass it on. It takes up awkward space in my small condo cabinet.

Any of you use woks? If so, what do you love to make in it?

Or like me...feeling like maybe it's time to donate this?

Tks in advance...

Re: Wok Cooking? Do you? Reevaluating my cookware…What To Keep, What To Toss…

kittyloo — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 13:57:05 GMT

@amyb like you,, we rarely used ours. also, used a large skillet instead. donated after we moved last time. it was nice. don't miss it.

Re: Wok Cooking? Do you? Reevaluating my cookware…What To Keep, What To Toss…

mspatmac — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 13:57:32 GMT

@amyb

I donated mine a few years ago because of non use and used to much storage space.

Re: Wok Cooking? Do you? Reevaluating my cookware…What To Keep, What To Toss…

LindaSal — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 14:00:40 GMT

I would donate it for sure. When I make stir fry's I use my 4.5 quart Curtis Stone pan and it works beautifully! I donated a few pans recently that I no longer used after my adult kids took what they wanted. It seems I always go back to my favorites which again is Curtis Stone, they just work great for me and easy cleanup!

And dinner is what time?? LOL

Re: Wok Cooking? Do you? Reevaluating my cookware…What To Keep, What To Toss…

justashopper — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 14:24:27 GMT

Hi @amyb

I donated my wok a few years ago. For all the reasons you said-- takes up valuable space, don't use very often, I reach for other pans to do stir fry.

If you are looking for a great all around pan that does a lot etc, Check the Always Pan by Our Place. It's pricey but I love it. It's replaced a lot of my other pans and I do reach for it often.

Re: Wok Cooking? Do you? Reevaluating my cookware…What To Keep, What To Toss…

Harpa — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 14:24:39 GMT

I use my wok occasionally, mostly for stir fry, fried rice & egg rolls. You can do all kinds of things in wok cooking, like steaming, deep frying, boiling, tempura, really any of your basic stovetop cooking.

I admit I've cheated already using my skillet for stir fry.

Up to you if you want to keep it or not.

Re: Wok Cooking? Do you? Reevaluating my cookware…What To Keep, What To Toss…

brandiwine — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 14:40:01 GMT

If you don't use it, I'd donate it. I use mine for many things beside stir fry. Shrimp scampi is so easy to prepare in this. I cook the shrimp, shallots, and garlic together in a mix of butter & olive oil. Toss in the angel hair pasta and parsley and it's so easy to toss everything. It's a great pan to make spaghetti sauce or chili. You have room to stir and the sauce cooks down so quickly. I do have a lid that fits it.

Re: Wok Cooking? Do you? Reevaluating my cookware…What To Keep, What To Toss…

amyb — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 14:54:53 GMT

Well...you all have helped me...didn't take long. It's already in the donate pile! I guess I just needed a nudge.

The proof is in the pudding (or stir fry) for me...In the 15 years or so that I've had it, I have used it a small handful of times.

Most of all the things you all suggest, (other then the "tempura", egg roll making person here, which I'll never make, but eat out if I want it. I commend you for making this type asian cooking at home...not my forte'!), I do in my large, Cooks Essentials sauté pan with a lid.

The one who said (sorry, didn't look at all the names before typing) she does shrimp scampi, tossing in pasta and all, I'd do in my large saute' pan, successfully.

This particular wok is small, without a lid. I smile to myself...everything mom bought she bought with "small condo" in mind.

Anyhoo...I can just see me still opting to use my large saute' pan. In fact, it may be time for a new one of those...it's the pan I've used the most in 20 years.

Thank you for the input!

Re: Wok Cooking? Do you? Reevaluating my cookware…What To Keep, What To Toss…

Harpa — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 17:15:15 GMT

@amyb You are probably making the right choice! A lid is important, I think. But especially if you are clamoring for room, or if you just do not need it.

Re: Wok Cooking? Do you? Reevaluating my cookware…What To Keep, What To Toss…

BlueFinch — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 17:46:00 GMT

I had a really nice wok that I used often and really loved. When it was time to replace, or give it up, I chose not to get another one. It was big and took up a lot of cabinet space.

It's not necessary to have a wok to make stir fried dishes. In fact, I've seen some chef's on TV using typical skillets for stir fry. In year's past, they always drug out a wok.

You just need a skillet that can handle the heat needed. Some of the coated, nonstick skillets don't handle higher heat well. A good skillet with high smoke point oil, and you're good to go.

Re: Wok Cooking? Do you? Reevaluating my cookware…What To Keep, What To Toss…

RedTop — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 18:07:57 GMT

Never had one or thought I needed one.

Re: Wok Cooking? Do you? Reevaluating my cookware…What To Keep, What To Toss…

Sooner — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 18:28:19 GMT

@amyb We used ours three days ago, and we use it almost every week for a big stir fry before we go get groceries. We use up all the stuff that's still in the fridge. Greens, bell peppers, onion, mushrooms, etc.

We look forward to the event.

Re: Wok Cooking? Do you? Reevaluating my cookware…What To Keep, What To Toss…

faeriemoon — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 18:29:01 GMT

I have no use for a wok.

Re: Wok Cooking? Do you? Reevaluating my cookware…What To Keep, What To Toss…

amyb — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 18:48:43 GMT

@Sooner wrote:
@amyb We used ours three days ago, and we use it almost every week for a big stir fry before we go get groceries. We use up all the stuff that's still in the fridge. Greens, bell peppers, onion, mushrooms, etc.

We look forward to the event.

@Sooner I can relate. I do that as well, "kitchen sink" soups and stir frys, to use up the produce! I just do it in that bigger saute' pan. And this wok is small...not that practical or worth the space it takes up in my cabinet.

But if you have the space I can see throwing together large stir frys in a bigger one.

Truthfully, maybe it's the small size...I've never liked the way any meal I made in it came; comes much better, for whatever reason, for me...in that larger saute' pan.

Also...and I forgot to post this feature too...this one has a "hot handle"...I don't like handles I have to worry about using a mitt to handle it with...I'm much more likely to forget!

But I am interested to see everyone's "Pro/Con" answers here!

Re: Wok Cooking? Do you? Reevaluating my cookware…What To Keep, What To Toss…

Pezzie — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 19:42:16 GMT

We have two woks and use it all the time. It's great for all sort of cooking, not just stir fries. I use it to steam clams, fish etc. As for storage, it does take up a lot of space in the cabinet, so DH put two hooks on the side of storage cabinet ( on the outside) in the garage, so we can hang them up for storage. Prior to use, we give it a good rinse.

Re: Wok Cooking? Do you? Reevaluating my cookware…What To Keep, What To Toss…

JeanLouiseFinch — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 23:57:16 GMT

I don't use the wok - got rid of it long ago. As a matter of fact, my stovetop skillets/sauté pans get the most use out of any if my cookware, pretty near to daily use. Deeper pots are used on occasion, from time to time.

Re: Wok Cooking? Do you? Reevaluating my cookware…What To Keep, What To Toss…

AuntG — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 00:35:29 GMT

Good decision to donate @amyb . I'm sure someone will be happy to get it. My friend's granddaughter is a teen and loves to try ethnic recipes. I could see having fun cooking stir fry.

Re: Wok Cooking? Do you? Reevaluating my cookware…What To Keep, What To Toss…

shoptilyadropagain — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 01:49:40 GMT

I just purchased a nonstick one from Pampered Chef. I wanted it because it is large and is deep when frying up a large amount of hamburger. I have a large skillet but now I don't have food going over the side all the time. Oh, I don't use it for stir fry....I don't even care for that.

Re: Wok Cooking? Do you? Reevaluating my cookware…What To Keep, What To Toss…

ScrapHappy — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 11:27:16 GMT

Many years ago I took cooking class at Williams Sonoma for using a wok. I had planned on buying a wok and cooking up a storm. Never got one.

Re: Wok Cooking? Do you? Reevaluating my cookware…What To Keep, What To Toss…

wagirl — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 14:45:40 GMT

I tried wok cooking a few times and it was a mess! Now if I had a nice stove with a powerful exhaust hood and some knowledge about how to cook with it-- that would be different. Always ended up with a greasy mess everywhere---and mediocre food---threw the thing out!!! but I do love wok food!!!