Introducing the wok! Preheat it empty and season it with oil to make it your lifelong companion.

Introduction: What to do first after buying a wok

The more you use a wok, the more flavor it gains, and it's fun to develop it into a cooking tool that will last a lifetime. However, when it's new, it can't perform to its full potential. This is because the anti-rust coating applied during manufacturing remains. Also, if an iron wok isn't properly prepared at the beginning, it can easily burn or rust. That's why it's important to "heat it empty" and "season it with oil ." By doing this process properly, the surface of the wok will absorb the oil, making it less likely for food to stick, and the more you use it, the better its texture will become.

In this article, we will explain in detail what you should do first after purchasing a new wok, divided into three steps .

Step 1: Bake out the anti-rust coating

A new wok is coated with a coating to prevent rust during manufacturing. To remove this coating, it is baked empty . By baking empty, the surface of the wok becomes bare iron, which makes it easier for oil to penetrate.

procedure

1. Place the wok on the stove over high heat and heat the wok evenly.

2. As it heats up, the color of the surface of the pot will gradually change to silver .

3. Once the color has changed evenly, turn off the heat and allow to cool.

4. Once the pot has cooled, wash it thoroughly with a sponge and detergent, then heat it again and drain.

*As this is a job that involves using fire, please ensure good ventilation and pay careful attention to safety.

Step 2: Season the pot with oil and prepare it for cooking

When a pan has just finished pre-heating, the oil has not yet saturated it and food tends to stick to it. This is where the "oil seasoning" step comes in, creating a layer of oil on the surface of the pan.

procedure

1. Place a pot over low heat and add 4 to 5 tablespoons of cooking oil (such as salad oil or lard).

2. Use a paper towel to spread the oil evenly over the entire pan, making sure to spread it thinly and evenly on both the inside and outside of the pan.

3. Continue heating until it starts to smoke and allow the oil to fully coat.

4. Wipe off any excess oil, let the pan cool and it's done.

This process creates a natural coating on the surface of the wok , making it less likely to burn.

Step 3: Try frying some vegetable scraps to finish.

Finally, to remove the iron smell from the wok, vegetable scraps are fried.

procedure

1. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of oil to a pan and fry some vegetable scraps, such as the green parts of the green onions and ginger peel.

2. Stir fry thoroughly over high heat, until the oil coats the surface of the pan.

3. Once stir-frying is finished, remove any vegetable scraps, lightly rinse the pot, heat it and drain it.

Now your wok is ready to use! By using it more and more from now on, the wok will continue to improve and become easier to use.

Summary: Cultivate your wok and make it your lifelong companion

The more you use a wok, the more it absorbs oil, making it less likely to burn, and resulting in surprisingly delicious stir-fried dishes. It is important to first "heat it empty " to remove the anti-rust coating, and then "season it with oil" to prepare the wok for its life. It takes time, but if you follow these steps properly, it will last a lifetime and be a tool that you can use for a long time. Why not give it a try and develop your very own wok!

There is a video with a more detailed explanation. Please take a look at this too.