We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post at no additional cost to you.
Best Wok for an Electric Stove Under $50
Woks are not the most common kitchen good to find in US homes, but they are useful for more than stir-frying. As with most kitchen goods, there’s a broad range of costs for Woks.
So, how do you know what wok is right for your home? That’s exactly what we’re going to talk about in this article. Read on to learn more about woks, how they can be used in any home, what makes a good wok, and our choices for what is the best wok under $50.
What is a wok used for?
Here is a little history of woks. Woks have been used in cooking for over 2000 years. It is believed to have been the Chinese who created, during the Han dynasty. They were originally made of cast iron and meant to last a very long period of time. The wok was designed to use the least amount of oil and cook a large variety of foods. The Asian culture has adopted the wok in many of its dishes throughout the years and is a staple in all Asian cuisine.
Today’s woks are mostly made of steel and many are coated in nonstick. You can still find cast iron, but they generally cost more and require additional care other than just cleaning and drying. Woks have a variety of uses such as stir-frying, pan-frying, deep-frying, boiling, searing, stewing, and some can be baked in the oven.
Can you use a wok on an electric stove?
Traditionally woks had rounded bottoms because they were created during a time when cooking was done over a fire. Many good woks today are still made with the rounded bottom and then to use them on a flat stove you would need to purchase a wok ring. This is a metal ring that the wok sits in. The bottom of the wok is able to touch the heating element and the ring stops it from tipping over. Today the majority of mass produced woks are flat bottomed. Depending on the wok you can get a larger or smaller flat area that sits on the stove. Either with a wok ring or buying a flat bottom wok, you should have one in your kitchen because they are so versatile and used in many Asian cuisine recipes.
Now that you know some wok basics, let’s get into our picks for the best wok under $50.
Top woks under $50, that work great on electric stoves too!
When you hear the brand name Calphalon you know it is going to be good quality. We found this wok on sale on Amazon for under $50. It is 10 inches, which is perfect for a couple or small meals. This wok is no stick and goes right into the dishwasher. It is always best to use non-scratching utensils in non stick pans. Calphalon has created this wok to heat evenly and sear to perfection. The only con to this wok is that it does not come with a lid. But for under $50 and from Calphalon, this is still an amazing deal.
Lodge is a great brand, it is actually designed and mostly manufactured in the US. Being that this is a cast iron wok it will need to be seasoned. This is not a big deal if you get the seasoning spray from Lodge, this makes life a lot easier. Cast iron is also great for when you need to transfer from stovetop to oven for specific recipes. This small wok is perfect for small meals, breakfast, side dishes, and couples. When cooking for just my husband and myself, we say if it doesn’t fit, we are making too much food. Great for portion control.
This is not the household name brand you have ever heard of, but it is quite affordable and really good quality. This 11-inch wok is small, making it perfect for everyday use. It is made from forged aluminum and quantanium making it strong and easy to clean. Aside from being easy to clean another reason this wok can be used every day is the fact that you do not have to season it. This wok heats evenly and is great for stirfry. A nice addition is the glass lid, many woks do not include this option under $50. Usually, you will need to purchase a lid separately.
This is a good looking wok from Korea. I am not sure why they call this an “Art Pan” maybe, because of the pretty design on the bottom. TeChef claims the design helps to evenly distribute the heat, which this wok does have great heat distribution. This wok also does not need to be seasoned and id dishwasher safe. I love being able to throw everything in the dishwasher. The non-stick is great! If you have ever made jiffy pop, you will know the joys of popping popcorn on a stove. The lid that comes with this wok has a hole for ventilation, it also makes it possible to pop popcorn and because the wok is a full 3 inches deep you can make quite a bit of popcorn. This is a really good looking wok and having the vented lid is great for many recipes.
This is the biggest wok on the list and it looks cool. Coming in at 14 inches this wok can handle larger meals and bigger families. This wok can go from the flat stove to the grill and then the oven. The silicone hot pads are perfect for transporting this wok and they fit perfectly. This is a heavy wok, being that it is cast iron. You will have to season this wok after use. The lid is vented and glass so you can still watch your food while it is cooking. I like the cast iron because you can use any utensils on it and not worry about scratching the inside. This is great for a small family.
Best woks for $50 or less that work on an electric stove
The woks in this article were the best we could find under the $50 price point. This is the perfect way to try a new cooking style while not breaking the bank. The Calphalon and Lodge names are well known, but the other 3 brands with the lids included add a little more bang for the buck. They all have flat bottoms and can be used on an electric or gas burner easily. The non-stick is easy to clean, but remember to not use metal utensils or they may scratch. The cast iron feels more authentic, but does require more “maintenance.”
Go buy a wok and cook up some tasty Cuisine! Check out some reviews on meal subscription services and put that new wok to good use.
