How To Season a Wok

New woks – except non-stick, coated ones – need to be seasoned before use to prevent food sticking. Here’s how to prepare your wok for cooking.

New woks should be washed in warm, soapy water and dried thoroughly before starting this process.

Step 1: Heat the wok over high heat until it is smoking (don’t add any oil at this stage as the oil will burn before the wok is hot enough). Turn the heat off.

Step 2: Add a tablespoon of peanut oil to the wok and swirl it around. Add 2 teaspoons of coarse salt and rub the salt and oil into the surface of the wok with a paper towel. Set the wok aside to cool. Wipe the salt out with a clean paper towel and repeat steps 1 and 2 three more times. The wok is now seasoned.

Step 3: Never wash a seasoned wok in soapy water as the soap will remove the seasoning. After cooking, wash your wok in hot water and dry well. Rub peanut oil into the surface of the wok with a paper towel, then cover with brown paper until ready to use again.