Tom Douglas by Pinzon 14-Inch Carbon Steel Unseasoned Chef Wok
by Tom Douglas
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List Price: Category: Kitchen See more product details |
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Tom Douglas by Pinzon 14-Inch Carbon Steel Unseasoned Chef Wok
Customer Review: Excellent price, works well (with wok rink), awkward handle...
Summary: 4 Stars
This wok is an excellent price, and easy to care for (no leaving it standing in water, a light greasing after each use). I've cooked with it 3 times now and no problems at all. It's not getting the even, black patina I see in images online of "wok seasoning" but it is non-stick and cooks well! You do need to get a wok ring for it if you have an electric stove. I didn't realize that when I bought it (didn't read all the reviews, I guess!) but I found one for $1.50 at my local Vietnamese grocery store and with it the pan is fairly stable. I find the handle a bit long and awkward, but it's not a problem. In general, an excellent choice.Customer Review: Unbalanced
Summary: 1 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
The first thing you will notice with this wok is it is unbalanced. The bottom is perfectly curved, but the long handle throws the balance off and the wok will not sit upright on the stove. It would have been far better to have two short handles on either side of the wok.
The handle becomes really hot, even on medium heat, so you will need to watch out and use towels or other heat protection gear while tossing items, moving the wok off heat, serving, etc.
Initial preparation and seasoning of this wok is a pain, but it is traditional and something you really cannot skip. The first time you heat up the wok you are to spread oil all over the interior, then sponge off the inside 'protective wrap,' which appears to just be a thin layer of plastic and chemicals. The smell is horrible, probably carcinogenic and after you wipe the wok you will have a layer of black/grey residue. It is critical to remove this layer with heat. Soap/water and a normal cleaning will not remove this layer and ingesting it would be a very bad idea.
I really wanted to love this wok or at least like it, but the balance issue is too much. The price is fine, the quality is good, but seeing a lopsided wok on your stove is just annoying. If you are a fan of stir fry or Chinese cooking you are far better off buying a more traditional design with the two smaller handles on either side of the wok. It's easier to carry with two hands on either side and it remains balanced.
Right now I would steer clear of this product.
Customer Review: Not what I expected...
Summary: 1 Stars
I received this item as a Christmas gift. When I received it and took it out of the packaging it was so oily/greasy you couldn't hardly hold onto it. It is so unevenly balanced that when the item is sitting flat on a surface it leans back towards handle. I washed it and it left rusty spots all over the surface, it also had a faint smell to it, almost like kerosene or something it didn't smell pleasant at all. I thought once I washed it that the smell would disappear, but it didn't. It wasn't as strong as before I washed it but it was still there, I didn't want to cook anything in it as I was afraid the food would taste like it smelled. Plus like I mentioned earlier it had rusty spots on it after I washed it. So, I boxed it back up and am shipping it back to Amazon. I don't know if I received a defective wok or if they are all like this. Either way I am not purchasing another one to find out. I will look for another one and try a different brand name, and see if I have any better luck....