Craft Wok 14-Inch Round Bottom Best Overall
- Gauge
- 15 gauge (1.8mm)
- Bottom
- Round
- Weight
- 4.6 lb
- Diameter
- 14 inches
A 14-inch round-bottom wok is the Goldilocks size for most home gas burners, and the Craft Wok 731W88 gets the classic pow wok proportions right. The 15-gauge (1.8mm) carbon steel body is hand-hammered, heavy enough to hold heat when a cold batch of vegetables hits the pan, and shaped with the deep curve that keeps food moving toward the center. We like the long wooden handle for control and the steel helper handle on the far side when the wok is full; that second grip is the detail that makes a heavy pan feel less awkward.
At 4.6 pounds, the Craft Wok has enough mass to stay steady on the burner and hold heat through a stir-fry, and the helper handle makes lifting it with two hands comfortable. Seasoning is the other part of ownership: the pan arrives uncoated, so the first few rounds of oil and heat are necessary before the surface turns slick. We found the payoff worth it—the surface darkens and releases food better as you cook—but the pan needs to be dried promptly after washing.
The 16-inch Craft Wok is the better choice for a family-size batch of fried rice, while the 14-inch size is easier to manage on a normal range. What we keep coming back to is the helper handle: it turns a heavy pan into one we can lift without bracing the opposite wrist.
What We Like
- Hand-hammered 15-gauge carbon steel
- Steel helper handle aids lifting
- 14-inch round bottom suits gas burners
Worth Noting
- Heavy for one-handed tossing
For gas cooks who want a classic hand-hammered wok that holds heat and improves with seasoning, the 14-inch Craft Wok is our default—provided you can handle its 4.6-pound heft.
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