If you've got the JOYCE CHEN Professional Series 14-Inch Carbon Steel Wok, you'll see it comes with a protective factory coating. This coating prevents rust during shipping, but it's not meant for cooking. You'll need to remove it before you season your wok.
Here’s how to do it, according to our research. Trust me, it's worth the effort for a perfectly seasoned wok ready for all your stir-frying adventures. Let’s dive in.
Don’t be surprised if it takes a bit of effort until the surface doesn’t feel slippery anymore. According to our research, persistence pays off.
Heat the wok until it changes color (it'll go through gray, blue, and even rainbow hues). This usually takes around 15-20 minutes.
Once the factory coating is gone, it's time to season your wok:
Drying and Heating: Put the clean wok on the stove over medium heat until it's completely dry. Once dry, keep it on medium heat to start the seasoning process.
First Oiling: Add a thin layer of high-smoke-point oil (grapeseed oil, vegetable oil, or flaxseed oil works well) and use a paper towel (held with tongs to avoid burns) to spread it around the interior.
Heat the wok until the oil starts to smoke, then remove it from the heat and let it cool.
For a final seasoning touch, you can use aromatic ingredients like ginger, garlic, and scallions. Stir-fry these in a bit of oil until they're charred.
Discard the aromatics, wipe down your wok, and it's ready for cooking.
To keep the seasoning intact, avoid using soap for regular cleaning. Just use hot water and a scrub brush, then make sure to dry and lightly oil your wok before storing it.
This way, it will keep improving with use, making your cooking even better.
Following these steps should leave you with a well-seasoned wok, ready for all your kitchen creations. A properly seasoned wok is your ticket to flavorful, non-stick cooking, and it just gets better with each use.
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Yeah, the JOYCE CHEN Professional Series 14-Inch Carbon Steel Wok is great for high heat cooking, but there's a bit of prep work involved. The wok comes with a protective coating to prevent rusting, and you'll need to remove that first. Here are a few ways to do it:
Boiling Water: Fill the wok with water, bring it to a boil, and let it go for about 5-10 minutes. This loosens the coating. Dump the water, scrub the wok with a stainless steel scrubber and soap, and you should see progress. Might need a couple of tries, but it's a start.
Oven: If your wok doesn't have plastic handles, place it upside down in an oven at 450°F (232°C) for 30-40 minutes. The heat helps break down the coating. Once it cools, scrub it again with soap and a scrubbing pad. Might take a few rounds.
Scrubbing: Steel wool or a metal scrubber with soap and water works too. It's a bit of a workout, but it's effective. For really stubborn spots, try an abrasive cleaner like Bar Keepers Friend.
Combo Method: Some folks combine these methods. Start with boiling water, scrub, then use the oven for the tough spots, and finish with more scrubbing if needed.
Once the coating is gone, you'll need to season the wok to make it non-stick and ready for high heat:
Heat It Up: Put the wok on medium-high heat until it starts to smoke. Rotate it to heat all surfaces evenly.
Oil It: Dab a bit of high-smoke-point oil (like canola or peanut oil) on a paper towel and spread it around the wok with tongs. Keep heating and spreading the oil until the wok turns darker.
Cook Aromatics: Some people like to cook aromatics like onions, ginger, or scallions to add flavor. Cook them until they're charred, then toss them out.
Repeat: Keep repeating the oil and heating process until the wok has a glossy, black finish.
After these steps, your JOYCE CHEN wok should be all set for high-heat cooking. It's perfect for stir-fries and other quick, high-temp dishes. With the right care, it'll be a trusty tool in your kitchen for a long time.
It sounds like that gray, sticky film you're dealing with on your JOYCE CHEN Professional Series 14-Inch Carbon Steel Wok is actually a protective factory coating.
It's there to keep the wok from rusting during shipment. You'll need to get rid of this coating and season your wok before you start cooking with it. Here’s how you can do it:
Make sure to cover all surfaces, including the interior and edges, until the oil smokes and darkens the metal. You'll need to repeat this until the wok has a dark, non-stick surface.
According to our research, getting rid of the factory coating can be a bit tricky.
But users have had success with these steps. It seems patience and persistence with heating and scrubbing are key. Once you’ve prepared and seasoned your JOYCE CHEN wok, it should provide excellent cooking performance and non-stick abilities for a long time.
The JOYCE CHEN Professional Series 14-Inch Carbon Steel Wok needs to be seasoned before you use it.
Don't worry, here's a simple guide to walk you through it based on the manufacturer's description and our research. It might take a bit of effort, but creating a great non-stick surface is totally worth it. Let's dive in step by step.
1. Removing the Factory Coating:
First, you need to get rid of the factory coating that keeps the wok from rusting before it gets to you. This can be a bit of a process.
Scrub: Use steel wool and some dish soap to thoroughly scrub the wok. It might take some effort and you might need to scrub it a few times.
Rinse and Repeat: After scrubbing, rinse the wok with hot water. If there's still some coating left, scrub it again.
Boil Water: Fill the wok with water and bring it to a boil. This helps to loosen any residual coating.
Oven Treatment: Some folks suggest putting the wok in the oven at around 400°F for an hour to make sure all the coating is burnt off.
2. Seasoning the Wok:
Once the wok is clean, it's time to season it.
Dry the Wok: Make sure your wok is completely dry. Heat it over low heat to evaporate any leftover moisture.
Oil Application: Use a paper towel to apply a thin layer of high smoke-point oil (like flaxseed oil or vegetable oil) to the entire interior surface of the wok. Make sure it's evenly spread.
Heating: Place the wok over medium-high heat. You'll notice it will start to change color, usually a dark brown or black. This is a good sign! Keep heating until the color change is consistent across the wok's surface.
Repeat the Process: For the best results, repeat the oiling and heating process 2-3 more times. Each layer adds to making a durable, non-stick surface.
3. Regular Maintenance:
To keep the seasoning intact, avoid using soap when you clean your wok. Just use hot water and a soft sponge. If food starts to stick, you can always re-season it.
Hope that helps you get the most out of your JOYCE CHEN wok. Happy cooking!
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