How do I clean my Carbon Steel Wok?Updated 4 months ago

How do I clean my Carbon Steel Wok?

Here are some tips on how to clean your Carbon Steel Wok:

• Hand wash only — cleaning your wok in the dishwasher can cause it to rust. 
• If using soap, just a few drops will do. Excess soap can remove your pan’s seasoning.
• Use only non-metallic scrubbers and brushes — highly abrasive materials will strip off the seasoning.
• Dry thoroughly after washing, again to prevent the carbon steel from rusting.
• For stubborn, stuck-on food, gently scrub using a non-abrasive sponge or brush, and re-apply a layer of seasoning once the pan is dry.

For all cooking and cleaning tips for your Carbon Steel Wok, visit the Wok Use & Care Page.

Can I cook with acidic foods in my Carbon Steel Wok?

We recommend avoiding cooking with large amounts of acidic foods, such as tomato sauce, as these can cause the buildup of your seasoning to deteriorate. Deglazing with wine should be okay, but you will likely need to do a quick touch-up to your seasoning after cooking.

Small amounts of acidic ingredients are okay to use but can cause some seasoning to strip off during the first few uses. If this happens, don't worry! You can quickly rebuild the seasoning by following these steps:

1. Place your clean, dry Wok over medium heat for a few minutes to warm up.
2. Use a clean towel or paper towel to rub a few drops of a high-smoke point oil, such as canola, grapeseed, soybean, or vegetable oil, into the Wok interior.
3. Continue wiping away the excess oil while it's over the heat (your Wok surface should appear dry instead of oily or wet). It may smoke lightly, which is fine.
4. Remove your Wok from the heat and allow it to cool.

For all cooking and cleaning tips for your Carbon Steel Wok, visit the Wok Use & Care Page.

How do I maintain the seasoning on my Carbon Steel Wok?

Our Carbon Steel Wok does come pre-seasoned so it is ready to use right out of the box. But the more you cook with it, the stronger and more naturally nonstick it will become.

Here are the steps on how to build and maintain your Wok’s seasoning:

1. After cooking with your wok, wash it by hand, and then thoroughly towel dry, to prevent rusting.
2. Place the wok over medium heat on your stovetop.
3. Using the towel or paper towel, apply a thin layer of the seasoning wax all over the inside of the wok.
4. Continue rubbing it evenly all over the inside of the wok until you’ve soaked up the excess. There shouldn’t be any visible wax or oil remaining. The wok should appear dry—and not shiny, greasy, or wet.
5. Remove from the heat and allow to cool.

A properly seasoned wok should feel smooth to the touch. If you notice rough, uneven, or sticky patches, you may need to scrub those away with a sponge and apply a new layer of seasoning. For all cooking and cleaning tips for your Carbon Steel Wok, visit the Wok Use & Care Page.

What type of oil is used to pre-season the Wok?

Our factory uses a blended oil to create our wok’s pre-seasoning. It’s a combination of soybean, rapeseed, sunflower, peanut, rice, corn, sesame, and linseed oil.