Wok Rings

Wok Rings for Gas Stoves: What You Need to Know

Designed to keep a wok in place, wok rings ensure that your round-bottomed cookware can be used on electric and gas stoves. Woks are commonly used to stir-fry foods and can be found in many Asian restaurants. Because ranges are flat, a wok holder is a necessity if you plan on utilizing any type of cookware with a round bottom. Wok stands also help regulate heat by enabling the heat to gather at the bottom of the wok or other round-bottomed cookware. They can be constructed of various materials, including aluminum, steel, and stainless steel. In the section below, we'll answer commonly asked questions about wok rings.

Common Questions About Wok Rings

How do you use a wok ring?

Wok rings are made to be placed over a stove's burner, whether you're working with a gas or electric range. Wok rings for gas stoves are simply placed on top of the burner, making gas stoves the easiest type of stove to use a wok holder on. Wok rings for electric stoves, especially those with coils, also require the wok ring to be placed on top of the burner. However, if you're using a flat electric stove, be sure not to scratch the glass and be aware that the wok may not get hot enough for proper cooking. After cooking, you can also use your wok stand to support your wok for distributing the food to bowls or plates. Before purchasing a wok ring, you should also ensure that you're using the right size wok holder for proper stir-frying, steaming, and braising.

What size wok ring do I need?

A general rule for wok rings is that they should be 4 inches smaller than the actual wok. For example, if you have a 14-inch wok, you'll need to invest in a 10-inch wok holder. When shopping for your wok stand, make sure you are aware of the exact size of your wok. However, some styles of wok rings accommodate various sizes of woks, such as inverted woks. If you operate a restaurant that focuses on primarily using woks, then you will be most likely using a commercial-size wok, which is typically 18 inches or larger, so you'll be using a decently large wok ring.

Can you use a wok stand on every type of stove?

As mentioned above, the best type of stove for wok rings are gas stoves. However, they also work well with electric coil stoves. You can also use a wok stand on a flat stove surface; however, you should avoid using stoves with surfaces made of glass, porcelain, and ceramic. You should also avoid using wok holders with induction stoves.

What types of establishments need a wok holder?

You can commonly find wok stands in Asian establishments. Any restaurant that stir-fries its food should definitely invest in a wok ring. Woks can also be used to braise meat and steam vegetables, so restaurants that aren't specifically Asian restaurants can also find wok holders useful.