A wok is one of the most versatile cooking pan. You can stir fry vegetables, pan fry meat, boil rice or prepare soup in it.
A work is deeper and wider than a frying pan. The traditional style has a rounded bottom that concentrates heat at the base of the wok, which is great for stir-fried recipes.
But if you have an induction hob, you have to buy a flat-bottomed work to ensure the base is in complete contact with the hob.
You’ll also have to consider the material of the wok more carefully. Induction hobs don’t work with just any pan material.
Here are more tips on what to look for when shopping for the right wok for your induction hob and, further below, reviews of our top picks.
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Wok for Induction Hob
a. Material
Traditional woks are made from cast iron or carbon steel, with the latter being the most preferred by chefs.
For something that will work with an induction hob, your choices are more limited.
The best induction-ready woks are made from stainless steel. They are very durable.
Slightly cheaper woks consist of aluminium on the sides and a stainless steel base. This combo design allows the wok to work with an induction hob while also taking advantage of the lightweight nature of aluminium.
b. Size and Shape
One disadvantage of woks for induction hobs is their smaller size. They are still bigger than a frying pan, but smaller than traditional woks, most of which have a diameter of 30-36cm.
In contrast, most woks for induction hobs are 28cm wide. Only few go over the 30cm diameter.
The smaller size is by necessity. If the wok is too big, it will not fit on an induction hob.
Also check the shape of the wok, especially the sides.
Some woks have almost vertical sides. Others feature sharp angled sides while others have sides that curve upwards gently.
These designs feel a bit different when you are cooking.
With a gently curving wok, you’ll find it easier to push food up to the sides. This is ideal when you are cooking large amounts of food.
A wok with almost vertical sides is ideal for stir-frying and preparing things like soups.
c. Handle
Unlike traditional woks that can have either a single handle on the side or two loop handles, induction-ready hobs almost always have just one handle, similar to a frying pan.
But large woks may have two loop handles to make it easier to lift the pan.
We recommend stainless steel handles that are securely riveted to the wok. This ensures the handle won’t come loose with time.
d. Lid
Unlike saucepans, woks don’t automatically come with lids. Most manufacturers offer it as an added option.
It’s up to you if you want one without a lid or a bundled option that includes the wok and a matching lid.
The lids for modern induction hob woks are usually tempered glass, which allows you to monitor whatever is cooking without having to lift the lid and disrupt the cooking process.
e. Oven Safe
An oven safe wok allows you to transfer food from the induction hob straight to the oven to continue cooking.
Be sure to check the maximum oven temperature the wok is rated for. For most, the max temperature is 240-260C.
f. Dishwasher Safe
You don’t have to worry about this one – virtually all woks are dishwasher safe. But check if there are some parts such as a removable handle that need to be hand-washed.
Reviews of the Best Woks for Induction Hob [UK Market]
1. Tefal Ingenio Non-stick Induction Expertise Wok Review
Tefal already makes some high quality induction-ready pan sets. This 28cm wok is part of their Ingenio range.
The price is a bit on the higher side compared to other 28cm woks but the quality is excellent and you are assured of durability.
The wok is mostly aluminium with a steel base to ensure it works with induction hobs.
The use of aluminium keeps it light so that it’s not too cumbersome to handle, especially if you need to shake the pan when cooking.
One feature we really love is the thermo-spot, also present in Tefal’s frying pans. It lights up red when the pan reaches the ideal cooking temperature.
It is useful for foods like meats where the right temperature is essential for good results.
For easy cooking and cleaning, the Tefal wok has a non-stick coating that’s designed to last a long time without scratching or peeling.
The manufacturer says it’s safe to use metal utensils with the wok apart from knives and whisks.
If your recipe involves some oven time, you can take the wok straight to the oven from the hob. It is oven-safe up to 260C.
After-meal cleaning is easy thanks to the non-stick interior and the enamel-coated exterior. You can hand-wash it or put it in the dishwasher.
For easy storage after cleaning, you can remove the detachable handle and the stack other pans on top of it.
Note: This particular version doesn’t come with a lid but there’s a pricier bundled option that includes a glass lid.
What we like about it:
- High quality construction.
- Detachable handle allows easy storage.
- Oven and dishwasher safe.
- Durable non-stick interior.
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2. ProCook Elite Forged Non-Stick Induction Wok with Lid Review
This is a good choice if you are looking for a lidded wok. It’s a stainless steel lid, not the usual glass lid you get with most woks and pans.
It’s still good though you have to lift it to check on your food.
Like most other woks, the ProCook induction-ready wok is mostly aluminium with a steel base.
Though lightweight, it’s very durable thanks to the extra-thick quarter inch aluminium sheet it’s made from. It even comes with a 25-year guarantee from the manufacturer.
On the inside, the wok has a durable triple-layer non-stick coating that doesn’t scratch easily. On the exterior, it has a protective coating that’s heat resistant and dishwasher safe.
The wok can also withstand oven temperatures up to 260C.
Note that the handle gets very hot when it has been in the oven. But during normal cooking on an induction hob, it stays fairly cool.
What we like about it:
- Very durable.
- Includes lid.
- Dishwasher and oven safe.
- High quality non-stick coating.
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3. Circulon Infinite Hard Anodised Covered Stirfry Wok Review
This is, by far, the biggest wok among our picks. With a 36cm diameter, it’s a great choice for those looking for an extra-wide wok.
We especially recommend it for large families and those who entertain a lot, meaning they often need to prepare large amounts of food in the wok.
Considering its size, it’s no wonder that it’s the most expensive wok in our list.
The Circulon wok is made from aluminium and stainless steel. It combines the strength and durability of steel with the fast heating and even heat distribution of aluminium.
The lid and handle are stainless steel.
One area where the Circulon wok (and their induction-ready pans as well) differ from others is the hi-low design at the bottom.
It has raised ridges and sunken grooves. This makes the bottom more resistant to scratches from utensils, greatly extending its lifespan.
It also improves the non-stick ability of the wok, supplementing the already-present non-stick coating.
You can cook your food without adding any oil and it won’t stick to the bottom or burn.
The Circulon wok is safe for use in the oven up to 240C. It’s also compatible with other types of hobs including gas and electric.
For cleaning, you can hand-wash it or clean it in the dishwasher.
What we like about it:
- High quality and durable steel and aluminium construction.
- Extra-wide – perfect for large families.
- Durable non-stick coating.
- Oven and dishwasher safe.
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4. Thomas 1404908 Cook & Pour Teflon Wok Review
This one comes with a tempered glass lid instead of the usual solid steel lid. It’s great if you don’t want to keep lifting the lid to check on the cooking progress.
The lid has a straining function that’s great for foods like pasta.
The wok has a standard 28cm diameter, making it just the right size for most families. It’s big enough for most dishes but doesn’t overwhelm your cooktop.
The pan is stainless steel so you can expect it to last for years while still in good shape.
The inside has a non-stick Teflon coating and the outside has a protective coating to prevent scratches and scuffs.
Feel free to use the wok in the oven. It’s safe. The manufacturer doesn’t specify whether the lid is also oven safe, but it’s most likely not.
If you need to cover food while it’s in the oven, foil works great.
What we like about it:
- Dishwasher and oven safe.
- Includes a glass lid that you can use for straining.
- Non-stick coating.
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5. Salter BW05753S Megastone Collection Non-Stick Forged Wok Review
If you are on a budget, this wok by Salter is a pocket-friendly choice.
There are complaints about durability so you have to handle it delicately. Specifically, don’t turn up the heat too high and don’t put it in the dishwasher.
The manufacturer says it is dishwasher safe but most users recommend hand washing it. The non-stick coating tends to peel off and the handle can start wobbling if you put it in the dishwasher.
But for the money, we love the overall quality. It’s made from aluminium (obviously, with a steel base for use with an induction hob) and spots a unique rough textured finish.
The handle has a heat resistant material that stays cool and is comfortably to grip. The wok also comes with a glass lid that’s vented to release excess steam while cooking.
It has a PFOA-free non-stick coating that the manufacturer says is suitable for use with metal utensils though I’d be careful with sharp utensils like a knife, whisk or fork.
Note that the Salter Megastone wok is not oven-safe, the only wok in our list to lack that capability. Do not use it in the oven.
What we like about it:
- Affordable.
- Strong aluminium construction.
- Cool handle.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which woks work on an induction hob?
Only woks with an induction-ready bottom work on an induction hob. The bottom can either be carbon steel, magnetic grade stainless steel or cast iron.
The sides of the wok may be another non-induction material such as aluminium, but as long as the base is made from one of the above materials, the wok is induction-ready.
If you are not sure, check the product description. Most sellers and manufacturers will specify whether a wok is compatible with induction hobs. If you have the wok at home, see if a magnet sticks to the bottom. If it does, you can use it on an induction cooker.
2. Are cast iron woks good?
Cast iron woks are great. They are slow to heat, but hold their heat very well. They also distribute heat evenly and last a lifetime.
The best part is that you can use a cast iron wok on different kinds of hobs, including induction. Just make sure you get one with a flat bottom for efficient cooking on an induction hob.
3. Are induction hob woks safe for the oven?
Most aluminium, steel and cast iron woks designed for induction cooking are also oven-safe, usually to either 240 or 260 degrees Celsius.
They are great for recipes that start on the stovetop and finish in the oven.
