Last Updated on May 19, 2023 by River Tree Farms
You may have heard the term “pre-seasoned wok” do you wonder what it is?
It’s a wok that comes already seasoned. Why would I buy this? The advantage of buying pre-seasoned wok is that you don’t need to season it yourself, which can be quite long. You can cook your favorite dish in the brand new pre-seasoned wok from the first day!
A pre-seasoned wok is called a “Qing Hua Ping.” Qing means clean or smooth, and Hua means coating. A clean coating is nearly impossible, especially if you are not a professional.
If you want to get all the information you need about a pre-seasoned wok, take a few minutes to read this article.
What is a Pre-seasoned Wok?
A pre-seasoned wok is a wok that has already been treated by the manufacturer before sale by the application of vegetable oil or coating of wax through a process called seasoning.
Why Should Beginners Consider Owning a Pre-seasoned Wok?
If you’re a beginner, when looking at your cookware options and deciding what kind of work to buy, you should consider a pre-seasoned wok because they’re easier to use, are more durable, and are easier to maintain. The pre-seasoned wok will come ready to use, and then after that, you can perfectly learn the seasoning process. If your wok is not appropriately seasoned the first time, you might have a rusted wok the next time you are getting it out from the storeroom for use.
How is the Seasoning Process Done?
Having said that, a pre-seasoned wok undergoes the process of seasoning before its use. We need to understand the process of seasoning as explained below:
- Clean the wok
Using a soft scrub sponge, wash the wok with some soapy water to remove any dust or foreign particles. Rinse with clean water.
- Dry the wok
Dry your wok using either a paper towel or a regular cloth towel. You can put your work on the gas stove to ensure it is well-dried.
- Cover the handles
Use heavy-duty aluminum foil to wrap the handle to prevent them from burning.
- Preheat the wok
Put the wok on the Indoor Wok Burner and set it to the highest heat to burn off any impurities that might be present. The wok will start changing color and smoking, and tilt the wok for even heating. Once the wok is clean, please turn off the burner so that it can cool.
- Apply the vegetable oil
Before it cools completely, add a tablespoon of vegetable oil into the wok. Apply a thin layer uniformly using a paper towel.
- Heat the wok at a high temperature.
Continue heating the wok until just smoking before you turn off the heat.
- Clean the surface
When the wok cools, rewash it using water only. Dry your wok before storage.
- Repeat the procedure
For better results, you can repeat the process 2-3 times.
What are the features of a pre-seasoned wok?
- Non-coated-It becomes non-stick through seasoning; therefore, it doesn’t require coating.
- Mottled-Might have blackened areas.
- Invincible and has a super slippery surface.
Pros and Cons of Pre-seasoned Wok
Pros:
- Perfectly Seasoned
Due to the competitive markets, it is evident that a professional will have pre-seasoned wok in the market. This assures you of a properly seasoned wok.
- Ready to use
You go directly to your kitchen from the market, clean your wok, and prepare your food. You do not have to undergo the long process of seasoning.
- It is less prone to rust.
You will be sure of getting your cookware from your storeroom rust-free with no effort rather than storing it dry.
- Durable
A pre-seasoned wok is non-coated, so it will remain in its original look for a long since no wearing out is experienced. Again, it will be rust-free!
Cons:
- No Dishwashing
If washed in a dishwasher, it could lose its non-stick capacity. It destroys the seasoning making it prone to rust.
- Requires Seasoning
It undergoes this long and time-consuming process to make it non-stick.
Types of Pre-seasoned Wok
There are three types of pre-seasoned woks:
1. Pre-seasoned carbon steel wok
This is a seasoned wok that is made of carbon steel. It is smooth and has a non-stick surface. It is the most popular type among the wok users.
2. Pre-seasoned cast iron wok
It is a type of wok made of cast iron metal known to be highly porous. This makes this metal very prone to rust due to its ability to have water deposits. Seasoning prevents it from rusting.
There has been a debate about whether the pre-seasoned cast iron wok is toxic. The answer is NO! Cast iron could leach iron into food, but it is entirely non-toxic and very safe to use.
3. Pre-seasoned iron wok
This is a seasoned wok made with a heavy-duty iron. Iron is prone to rusting, so seasoning helps it big time.
How do I know if my wok is seasoned?
It undoubtedly would be seasoned if you bought your wok from a reliable and trusted market. A seasoned wok will look mottled (marked with spots or a different shade of color), so you could even think you have ruined the pan.
A seasoned wok will be non-stick, meaning you will not have burnt food when preparing your meals. The wok will heat even if it is properly seasoned because it undergoes a uniform treatment.
Your wok will be rust-free during storage.
Conclusion
With such a big gap between using a newly bought wok and a seasoned one, why wouldn’t you want to buy one?
The difference between good food and great food is the cookware. You can get a fantastic-tasting home-cooked meal without burning or overcooking the meal with excellent quality cookware. You can give your food the perfect taste and cook it to perfection with premium-quality work.
I am glad that those are the exact qualities of a pre-seasoned wok you have learned in this article.