16 inch Traditional Cast Iron Wok (incl. ring) $18.95 At Amazon on 10-10-2008.

Product Reviews I was disappointed when I hold this item in my hand. This cast iron wok is not the same as those Lodge cast iron wok you have seen. It's much thinner, and if you hold the two handles (which are really small) and push towards the middle, you can bend the wok (try bend a Lodge skillet instead). Thinner wok does have its advantage you might say, as it encourages faster heat distribution. However, the thinness of this wok has gotten to a point that it makes me uncomfortable using it (I actually think I can break this wok but knocking my spatula on the side of the wok - a habit that doesn't bother any other wok I have. Why I do that? Have you ever knocked your tong on the rim of a pan? Not to mention I can even bend this wok. Remember, this is NOT a carbon steel wok). This is just not the same wok I used to use in China. The one that I used in China for 10 years is also a cast iron wok. Its shape is similar to the above item, but the cast iron material is different. The old wok I had is heavier (but not as heavy as Lodge's) and not flexible. The old wok is built with the same material as Lodge's but not as thick as Lodge's. Therefore, it holds heat better than the one above, and still doesn't require extensive preheating time as Lodge's. I bought this item with expectation that this item will be the same as the old wok but it's not. I might accept the claim that this wok is 'authentic' wok that is popular in the countryside of China (where wok sits on a big brick oven and gets fueled by the fire below, like a chimney). But, do you have this setup at home? The label of this item does read "traditional" Chinese wok, I guess I should have red it more carefully. The wok is not cheap either. $30 total if you don't live in CA, and the shop will charge you a 15% restocking fee if you return it (that's after you pay another $8 to ship it back). If you bought it, you bought it. I guess if you want a cast iron wok as light as a carbon steel one, then you might consider this wok. But the price doesn't seem to justify its advantage. And I personally will feel much comfortable knocking the wok with my spatula in a carbon steel one. Finally, I will say this wok is suitable for those who have high BTU burner at home and have a nostalgia feeling about countryside wok as well. If you are not one of them, there are better choices. Ah, the wok ring. It is too big to fit in my stove top grate slot. My stove is a standard 4 burners (with one "power burner", one "simmer burner" and two "all purpose burner") stand alone stove. I bet you will have the same problem if you have a standard stove top. But you can use the wok ring even it doesn't fit into the slot well(it will wobble). One thing I noticed is that the wok ring prevents the air flow, therefore, the flame is somehow "flowing and dancing" outside of the wok ring and next to the side of the wok. The flame looks light, fluffy, and not substantial. If I remove the wok ring, the flame goes back to normal - straightforward and strong. I don't think I will use this wok ring. Instead, I will go with a wok ring that is made with stainless wire that I saw in Chinatown. The wired version (made entirely by wire) should not have problem with the air flow. Like others, I did receive a complimentary wok spatula and two pairs of chopsticks within the package. Back To Top 16 inch Traditional Cast Iron Wok (incl. ring) Available from Amazon Price: $18.95 Updated on 10-10-2008.

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