The wok and the skillet are two popular, versatile cooking utensils that can be found in almost any home kitchen. They are both designed to cook food using a large circular motion over a burner or stove, but they have different uses for different cooks. The skillet is a more general-purpose tool that can be used for almost any food, while the wok is a more specialized tool for cooking Asian-style cuisine.
What is a Wok?
A wok is a rounded, bowl-shaped cooking vessel designed for use with gas or electric stoves. The wok is used primarily for Asian-style cooking, in particular for stir-frying. The main advantage of the wok is that it can cook food quickly using very little oil or fat. Woks are made of different materials, but stainless steel,carbon steel , aluminum and cast iron are the most common.
What is a Skillet?
A skillet is a broad, flat-bottomed cooking vessel with slightly raised sides. These dishes are useful for sautéing, stir-frying, searing and browning dishes. Skillets are typically made of metals such as aluminum or stainless steel. Most small household cookware sets include a skillet, and the size of the pan varies depending on the manufacturer. A typical skillet is about 9 inches in diameter.
Differences between a Wok and a Skillet
Design
A wok is a rounded, bowl-shaped cooking vessel designed for use with gas or electric stoves. A skillet is a broad, flat-bottomed cooking vessel with slightly raised sides.
Materials
Woks are made of different materials, but stainless steel,carbon steel , aluminum and cast iron are the most common. Skillets are typically made of metals such as aluminum or stainless steel.
Versatility
Woks are primarily used for Asian-style cooking, in particular for stir-frying. The main advantage of the wok is that it can cook food quickly using very little oil or fat. Woks are also used to cook a variety of other foods, including desserts and other stuffings.
Capacity
Woks hold more food than a skillet because the flat bottom allows bigger amounts of food to be placed evenly on the surface. The traditional wok has a diameter that is about 5 inches wider than the skillet.
Heat Resistance
Woks are usually made of carbon-steel or cast-iron and can withstand high temperatures without warping. You can also leave a wok on an open flame for long periods of time without damaging the pan. Skillets, by contrast, may deform and melt if used on high heat or left on an open flame for long periods of time.
Cooking Style
The best cooking technique to use with the wok includes the use of a round spatula, since it is designed for Asian-style cooking. A skillet is best used with a long-handled spoon or spatula and a variety of cooking techniques, including sautéing and frying.
Pros of a Wok
Economical – A wok is more economical than a skillet because it requires less cooking space and, as such, less oil or fat.
Effortless Cooking – A round design allows food to be quickly swirling over the surface of the pan, avoiding the risk of burning food and scorching it.
Easy Preheating – The smooth round shape and flat bottom of a wok make it easy to preheat before you cook your food.
Naturally non-stick – The rounded design of the wok allows food to be cooked in it without having to add non-stick cooking spray, which will not work in all pans of the same size
Can handle very high heat – Carbon steel woks are able to tolerate high heat without warping.
Great heat retention – The round shape of the wok transfers heat to the food, with little loss of heat by conduction.
Easy cleanup – A large, flat bottom ensures that you will not burn your fingers on the hot surface.
Versatility – You can use a wok for almost any cooking style or food type, including Asian-style stir-frying and traditional Western-style frying.
Cons of a Wok
Prone to rusting – Woks are made of steel, which can rust if it is not responsibly treated. This means that your pan should always be dried thoroughly after cleaning or washed with warm, soapy water or placed in the dishwasher.
Harsh cleaning – The long period of time you must let the pan soak can lead to a buildup of food residue and soap scum.
Difficult to store – Woks come with rounded bottoms and flat tops, which make them awkward to stack with your other kitchen cups and pans.
Can overcook food – Food cooked in a wok can easily burn if there are no vents to release excess heat.
Might react to acidic foods
Pros of a Skillet
Increadibly Durable –
Wider cooking space – A standard skillet (about 9 inches) has a wider cooking surface than a typical wok (5 inches).
Easy to handle – A long handle on the skillet allows you to safely flip over food without the worry of getting burned by touching the boiling contents of your dish.
Easy cleanup – Nonstick coatings make cleaning your skillet (and most other skillets) quick and simple.
Excellent heat retention – A wide surface area will transfer heat quickly to the food, so foods cooked in a skillet will not dry out.
Versatility – A skillet is used for almost any cooking style or food type, including Asian-style stir-frying and traditional Western-style frying.
Abrupt response to heat change
Oven Safe
Cons of a Skillet
- Slower Cooking
- Has to be scrubbed during cleaning
- Prone to sticking
- Needs to be seasoned
- Oven-safe only
Can a wok and a skillet be used interchangeably?
No. A small skillet or frying pan can be used as a substitute for a wok, but the shape is very different, so the cooking process is actually quite different. The large surface area of a wok allows it to retain heat, so food cooked in a wok will not dry out as it is cooked over a high flame. A skillet, on the other hand, does not retain heat as well as a wok and thus cannot be used for stir-frying. However, a skillet is perfect for the type of frying that is done in woks, such as deep-frying or sautéing.
So which is the most suitable between a Wok and Skillet?
The best type of pan to use is the one that works best with your cooking style. For instance, if you are a beginner in the kitchen, you will likely start out using a wok because it is easy to use and the materials are more affordable. If you are more experienced, however, you can safely switch to a size skillet. It’s advisable for a customer to consider individual needs, experience and space. Either is great.