JOYCE CHEN Classic Series 14-Inch Carbon Steel Wok with Birch Handles

Bought this one after several decades of using a thrift shop, second-hand round bottom wok . . . on an electric stove. Who knew this didn't work? It actually produced good dinners for us, but when I read more on using a wok, I realized that a flat bottom, carbon-steel wok would likely work better for most uses. So, I ordered this one. I followed instructions for cleaning (stainless steel scouring pad and dishwashing soap) and seasoning (stir fry scallions and ginger in peanut oil for 15 minutes, allow to cool, then wash with water -- no soap! -- and warm on stovetop to dry; and then just used as normal for cooking) and it works great. Initial seasoning went fine, and it continues to season up just like the old one did. No big deal, so long as you follow the basic procedure, which starts with a good wash and scour (which is never repeated unless you want to begin the process all over again). And don't treat this like your non-stick aluminum fancy cookware. Respect it like a good iron pan, and it'll treat you well. Toss it in the dishwasher and you'll have earned your punishment. (Please. Just. Don't.) I'm quite happy with this one. Love the wood handles. Cooked a great Kung Pao chicken tonight on it. The flat bottom does help with getting a higher temperature from a flat-top electric stove. Treat it nice and it'll treat you nice.

Well made, heavy, and beautiful! Make sure you take the time to season it correctly and you will not be disappointed!

This wok was good for its price – I like the size and it's very functional with handles on both sides.Some things to note, though. The handles are not fastened tightly and have a slight wobble. While the bottom is flat compared to the round bottom wok, it is still slightly rounded, and the weight of the long handle tilts the wok more towards the handle side. Because of this, there is uneven heating on an electric stovetop.I followed The Woks of Life instructions on seasoning a new wok, and overall it went well. However, I was unable to remove/burn the industrial oil coating near both the handles using an electric stove top. Also, the handles are not removable and get singed a little while seasoning.Overall, this wok is not perfect, but it does the job for its price point.

This was a registry item so I eagerly followed all the printed instructions to a T, but the problems began before I could even wok up a single meal. Like many of the other reviewers, the product came bent & warped but I tried shrugging it off, figuring it wouldn't affect cooking too much. Well the ominous signs started stacking up pretty quick, when right out of the cardboard packing, I noticed a white stain in the shape of a ring on both the inside and outside of the wok and figured it'd go away with scrubbing. Boy was I wrong. Even after furious washing it stayed on. What's worse is that the next day, I came back to it and discovered horrible rust stains all over the product!Nonetheless, having been misguided by another review I read online, I tried giving it another change and exchanged it for a new one. SAME STORY! Except this time the plot thickened when the product started smoking over medium-heat, because the "lacquer" that was supposed to come off with hot water and soap (and mind you, I washed it three times just to be safe), was smeared on so thick that it filled me entire kitchen with a burnt plastic smell.With God knows what chemicals are lathered on, and the clear lack of quality control, I won't even bother wasting my time trying to season this piece of junk.It's such a shame that all the high reviews are from over six years ago, misleading people into thinking this is still a decent product.TRUST the recent reviews and AVOID!

I recently purchased the JOYCE CHEN Classic Series 14-Inch Carbon Steel Wok with Birch Handles, and I must say, it has exceeded my expectations! The wok is beautifully crafted with high-quality carbon steel that heats up quickly and distributes heat evenly. This makes it perfect for stir-frying, sautéing, and even deep-frying. The 14-inch size provides ample cooking space, allowing me to prepare meals for my family and friends with ease. The birch handles are not only sturdy but also stay cool to the touch during cooking, which is a great safety feature. I also appreciate how lightweight the wok is, making it easy to maneuver around the stove. The wok has a seasoned coating that improves with each use, enhancing its non-stick properties over time. Cleanup is straightforward, as I simply wipe it clean with a paper towel after each use. Overall, I'm incredibly happy with this wok. It's well-designed, functional, and has become an essential tool in my kitchen for creating delicious Asian-inspired dishes. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a quality wok for their culinary adventures!

I wanted a light weight wok, so tried this one. Looks nice, but the steel is very thin, and I found that the oil scorched and the surface turned black very easily when going through the arduous seasoning process. Ending up throwing the wok away, then buying a good quality pre-seasoned one for about twice the price. The new one still needed to be seasoned a bit, but that process was easy and didn't take long. The new one (a Yosukata) is not too heavy for my starting-to-get-older arms and wrists, and I would say that a good standard-thickness wok is necessary for even heat distribution. I tried the Joyce Chen one to begin with because I thought that a light weight wok would be easier to cook with. Wrong. Super easy to scorch with.