stir fry stove

Tips For Using Wok on a Gas Stove

December 3, 2014 By Eleanor Hoh 8 Comments

You want SIZZLE not FIZZLE! I think I coined a new phrase.

A gas stove is ESSENTIAL for wok cooking because you need HIGH HEAT!
Electric stoves do NOT generate enough heat and because the round bottom cast iron wok shape only gets a small contact area, it won’t work!
However, now there’s an induction wok stove for those who are not able to use gas in their building!

Wok Stars, it’s a no brainer to use your wok on a gas stove, right? Well, I’ve got 3 tips below to help you succeed even more if you’ve got a residential gas stove and not my Iwatani portable butane gas stove which fits PERFECTLY with my 15″ cast iron wok.

Wok Stars, if you’re frustrated with your gas heat output, please take 2 photos like the ones below so I can help you figure it out!
1) take a photo from the front with your wok sitting on the gas burner you currently use
2) take a photo of your whole gas stove from above without wok so I can see the sizes of your burners and what kind of grid you have.

So, I asked two Wok Stars, Mary and Carla to take photos of their gas burners to illustrate their specific problems with their heat output and grid situation and below are my findings! Oh, notice how their cast iron woks have beautiful patina!

Mary's GE gas stove's grate allows her to set wok directly on the grate so heat is closer which is great! However, the bigger burner's flames are again wide apart and the smaller burner doesn't give out enough BTU and she's experiencing some soupiness in the bottom of her wok! So, Mary and many others end up buying my Iwatani portable butane gas stove. — Mary’s GE gas stove’s grate allows her to set wok directly on the grate so heat is closer which is great! However, the smaller burner doesn’t give out enough BTU and she’s experiencing some soupiness in the bottom of her wok!

This higher btu burner is wider so heat is not focused at base of Mary's wok where she needs it! — This higher btu burner is wider so heat is not focused at base of Mary’s wok where she needs it!

Viking Gas Stove with horizontal grate. Notice the middle burner is biggest with left burners at 12,000 btu and right burners at — Here’s Carla’s Viking Gas Stove with horizontal grate. Notice the middle burner is biggest with left front burner at 12,000 btu and right front burner at 6.000 btu.

This wok ring is too deep so Carla's wok is further away from the heat. To remedy this, I've suggested getting a shallower ring or a Viking wok attachment. — This wok ring is too deep so Carla’s wok is further away from the heat. To remedy this, I’ve suggested getting a shallower ring or a Viking wok attachment.

Lightweight, thin walled, round bottom cast iron wok sits on wok ring on top of Viking gas stove with horizontal iron grate. — Here’s Carla’s wok which sits on a wok ring on top of Viking gas stove with horizontal iron grate. We tried it without the grate but then the ring is not deep enough to balance the wok!

Viking manual with BTU output for burners. Carla was using the middle biggest burner which everyone automatically assumes bigger is better. However, the flames are leaping up sides of the wok and not focused at base where it's needed most! So, I always suggest using a smaller burner! However, Carla's right front is only 6,000 till Carla sent me manual and I see left front is 12,000! Twice as powerful than the left front burner, so that's what Carla should use! — Viking manual with BTU output for burners. Carla was using the middle biggest burner which everyone automatically assumes bigger is better. However, the flames are leaping up sides of the wok and not focused at base where it’s needed most! So, I suggest using a smaller burner! However, Carla’s right front burner is only 6,000 and I see left front is 12,000! Twice as powerful than the left front burner, so that’s what Carla should use!

COOKING TIPS FOR GAS STOVE OWNERS:
Residential gas stoves are typically 7,000 to 10,000 btu which is still a bit low for wok cooking.
If you have an electric flat glass cooktop or coil, you won’t be successful. I’ve laid out all the reasons why here.
1) USE SMALLER BURNER
You may get better results using a smaller (lower btu) burner on your stove because the higher btu burners have the gas jets spaced wider apart so the heat is on the sides of the wok and not focused at the bottom where you need the heat most.
2) SET WOK DIRECTLY ON GRID
You can set your wok directly on the metal grid of your gas stove. Depending on the type of grid, the wok may wobble a bit. That’s OK because when you stir fry you should be using your left hand in the wok mitt to steady the wok (lefties reverse it).
If the wobble bothers you, check with your stove manufacturer for a “wok attachment” especially designed to handle the wok.
Another alternative is to buy an inexpensive wok ring from your Asian market but it makes your wok further away from the flame. Best is to flip the ring so the wider diameter is at the top and the smaller at the bottom, this allows your wok to sit closer to the heat.
3) HIGH HEAT FOR OPTIMUM RESULTS
Remember, high heat is ESSENTIAL so the closer you are to the heat, the more success you will have with stir frying.

This Iwatani, 12,000 BTU portable gas burner is PERFECT for the 15 1/2 " cast iron wok. The heat is focused at the base where it's needed most. I leave it sitting on top of my electric coil burner all the time so it's convenient so I end up using it for cooking most everything. This helps to build patina faster. — This Iwatani, 12,000 BTU portable gas burner is PERFECT for the 15 1/2 ” cast iron wok. The heat is focused at the base where it’s needed most. I leave it sitting on top of my electric coil burner all the time so it’s convenient and I end up using it for cooking most everything. This helps to build patina faster.

If you’re like Mary and tried all the above and still getting soupy veggies and not enough sear with your meats, a simple solution is to purchase my Iwatani portable gas stove which is 12,000 btu! Yes, Mary is treating herself to one, once you get spoiled with this high heat, you cannot go back to using mediocre heat!
The stove comes in a handy briefcase so you’re completely mobile and can cook outdoors or take it camping, boating or visit friends to show off your wok skills! Click here for more details or to order your Iwatani Stove!

Tips & Common Mistakes when using Iwatani Stir Fry Gas Stove

April 27, 2011 By Eleanor Hoh 11 Comments

To all new Wok Stars who’ve purchased my Wok Star Kit with round bottom cast iron wok and ready to start your wok journey using an Iwatani Stir Fry Gas Stove, here are two 15 second videos and photo tutorials that will pivot you into Wok Stardom!
For those who don’t realize your electric stove is one the main reasons for ruining your stir fry resulting in soupy veggies and chewy meat, this little Stir Fry Gas Stove is the answer!!! It will transform your whole experience with wok cooking!
I must say however, that it’s also important to have the right wok, techniques and using good brands so you experience success. It’s not just one thing, that’s why I put this Wok Star Kit together.
If you have any questions about this Iwatani Stir Fry Stove, leave a comment and I’m happy to answer them.
I explain all the reasons why this is the perfect solution for wok cooking under A Note About Your Heat Source.
See how I use this setup on top of my electric stove and leave it out at ALL TIMES so it’s convenient, accessible and practical? If you keep putting it away and you don’t see it, you won’t use it. So, what’s the point of having it, right?

Here are some unusual places Wok Stars have used their Wok Star Kit and gas stove setup…hey, it’s a traveling kitchen. Good for tailgate parties, camping, yachting, patio & poolside, hurricanes, power outages, it’s perfect when I go on TV shows, food and wine festivals, store presentations, so use your imagination…

Stephanie cooking in the Sierra Nevada mountains!

Dr. Maritza loves to entertain by the patio or poolside!

3 EASY STEPS TO INSTALL YOUR STIR FRY GAS STOVE:

Left is ON & OFF lever. Right is IGNITION, FLAME adjuster.

1. Take the red cap off the cartridge. Open the flap on the right of stove. Align cartridge with BIG ARROW and notch to a flat steel sticking out on the stove. Push left lever down to ON. You’ll see the cartridge move forward into the rod.
2. Turn round switch firmly to the left all the way down hard till you hear a CLICK sound. This ignites and starts the flame. Close the flap when cooking.
3. Start heating your wok on high heat but you can adjust flame height with this switch. When done cooking, flip left lever to OFF to release the cartridge.
TIPS:
1. If you don’t hear your food sizzling in your wok, it means your gas is LOW.
Always buy a batch of refills so you’re never out in your Wok Star moment, ha!
2. Remove your portable gas stove if you set it on top of your electric stove when you use your broiler or oven to prevent the heat from ruining the bottom of your portable stove.

3. I noticed some of you set your stove on your counter which is fine, just make sure you don’t have it too close to any overhead cabinets or curtains! Here’s a 15 second video on some safety tips…

4. I prefer setting my portable stove on my electric stove because the overhead vent will still work right above your wok. Remember, leave your wok and stove setup OUT at all times so it’s convenient. If you keep putting away, it becomes an obstacle to cook.
5. Do NOT cover the hole in the right hand side flap of the stove where you insert the cartridge, it is for ventilation.
COMMON MISTAKES…
Please be patient. It’s VERY SIMPLE and a matter of practice and using it. I’ve had someone tell me 3 handy guys couldn’t get the stove to work but I took one look and could see the cartridge was not aligned. It came on like a charm.
1. If your stove is not igniting when you turn the dial…
Is your cartridge aligned with the steel rod sticking out?
If it’s not aligned properly and you flip the lever down, it won’t turn on because it’s a safety catch.
2. Are you turning the dial all the way down hard to the left till you hear a CLICK? If you don’t use it often, you may not remember how to turn it on, it happens.
3. Is there “gas” in your cartridge?
Shake it, if you cannot hear any swishing in the can, you may be low, so there’s not enough pressure to start the burner. Buy new cartridge and get a few so you have some backup.

4. If you’ve done all the above and still doesn’t work?
Simply press the ‘reset’ red button just ONCE on the LEFT side of the cartridge looking at it front on. Viola!
Please try these before you call me, not because I don’t want to talk to you but so you don’t feel pressure. I GUARANTEE if you follow those directions, this stove works like MAGIC!!!
WHERE TO PURCHASE GAS REFILLS?
Use my Amazon affiliate link to purchase your gas refills. Yes, I would get a tiny commission if you use my link.
I do not sell or ship gas refills because I would need a license to do that. However, I do provide one for those purchasing at my class so you can start having fun right away!
Asian markets also stock gas refills. They’re approximately $2 each, so purchase 3-4 so you don’t run out in your Wok Star moment. I’ve heard funny or sad stories where folks were entertaining and ran out of gas as they were finishing a dish!
NOTE: There’s always a first, so a new Wok Star sent me a photo of a butane gas refill which is NOT correct for this gas stove. The nozzle is plastic and soft and does NOT fit into this gas stove. The brand is Bernzomatic, plse do NOT purchase this. Here’s what it looks like.