How to Season a Wok at Home

Seasoning a wok is an essential step to ensure that your stir-fries turn out delicious every time. While many store-bought woks come pre-seasoned, it’s always a good idea to season your wok at home to ensure that it is properly seasoned to your liking. In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps on how to season a wok at home.

Materials You’ll Need

• A new wok with no coating
• Vegetable oil or another high smoke point oil
• Paper towels
• Stove

Step 1: Wash the Wok

Before seasoning your wok, make sure to wash it thoroughly with warm, soapy water to remove any factory residue or dust. Use a scouring pad to scrub the surface and rinse it well.

Step 2: Dry the Wok

Once the wok is clean, dry it thoroughly with a clean towel or paper towels. Make sure that there is no moisture left on the wok before proceeding to the next step.

Step 3: Heat the Wok

Place the wok on the stove over medium-high heat and let it heat up until it is hot. This helps open up the pores of the metal, allowing the oil to penetrate and create a non-stick surface.

Step 4: Add Oil

Once the wok is hot, add a tablespoon of vegetable oil and swirl it around to coat the entire surface, including the sides. Use a pair of tongs and a paper towel to spread the oil evenly.

Step 5: Wipe Off Excess Oil

After coating the wok with oil, use a clean paper towel to wipe off any excess oil. You want a thin, even layer of oil on the wok to prevent it from becoming sticky.

Step 6: Heat the Wok Again

Place the wok back on the stove over medium-high heat and let it heat up again until it starts to smoke. This helps the oil polymerize, creating a durable, non-stick coating on the wok.

Step 7: Cool and Repeat

Once the wok starts smoking, turn off the heat and let it cool down. Repeat the oil coating and heating process 2-3 more times to build up a solid seasoning layer on the wok.

Step 8: Maintenance

After seasoning your wok, make sure to clean it properly after each use. Avoid using soap to clean the wok to preserve the seasoning. Instead, use hot water and a scrubbing pad to remove any food residue.

Regularly re-season your wok every few months to maintain its non-stick properties. Simply repeat the oil coating and heating process to refresh the seasoning on your wok.

By following these steps, you can season your wok at home and enjoy delicious stir-fries that slide right off the pan! With proper maintenance, your seasoned wok will become an essential tool in your kitchen for years to come.