This 16-inch wok is very comfortable for 2-4 servings and provides enough room for 8+ servings of stir fry dishes. Unlike traditional steel wok, this wok is very light, so stirring is a bit awkward at first. The hi-low grooves in this wok is not as deep as some other Circulon products, but the liquid and the ingredients don't "slide" in the wok in the same way as steel woks. The wok makes some funny sound when using bamboo or plastic utensils in the wok. So there are a few differences from steel woks to be noted almost immediately when using this wok, but none of them is shortcoming. Once I get used to, I prefer this wok over steel woks.I was a bit worried at first whether such an aluminum wok can provide strong heat necessary to cook stir fries. Aluminum is superior heat conductor than steel or stainless steel, so the heat is applied more evenly. On the other hand, steel or stainless steel can act as a mild "temperature regulator" or "heat reservoir." Well, I tried it anyway. The temperature can be very easily controlled by adjusting the gas flame. The response is faster than steel woks. This is particularly valuable for recipes that require different levels of heat at different stages. (Note: stir fried ingredients should be thrown in to a wok that is heated by strong flame to be so hot that oil in the wok makes slightly visible smoke. The ingredients should be cooked quickly from this heat held by the wok. Despite aluminum construction and non-stick coating, Circulon seems to take this level of heat reasonably well. It could be better if it were thicker.)
Cleaning a large wok takes a bit of work, but it is easy as long as there is enough space in the sink. One matter of preference is whether the wok should be non-stick coated or left as bare anodized aluminum. I personally prefer anodized aluminum, but knowing how durable the teflon coating used in Circulon products are, I have little to complain about this wok. (I have a few Circulon products purchased in 1996, and despite my heavy use, they are still in good shape.) This wok won't rust, unlike steel woks, which is another plus.
A large wok like this is useful for various things, not just stir fry dishes. Because the bottom is small and top is wide, this type of wok is ideal for boiling pasta or vegetables, particularly asparagus. With a steaming rack, this wok can be used to steam food as well, though the depth of the wok limits the size of items that can be steamed. Thanks to the two handles on this wok, a lot of food can be comfortably cooked in this wok, and the wok can be easily lifted to strain food or drain liquid.
So, what is wrong with this wok? Why is it so cheap? The particular product I received had two minor flaws. The size and capacity of the wok are inscribed at the bottom of the wok. However, the inscription said 12-inch, not 16-inch. This is clearly wrong, and this might be the reason why it's cheap. (The size printed on the box is correct.) The circular hi-low pattern is not quite concentric at the center of the wok. This slight eccentric pattern does not cause any inconvenience upon use -- I had to look very closely to figure it out. The fourty dollars price tag on a wok like this is still a bargain.
Finally, I should say that this is sold as an "open wok," coming without a lid. A serious cook should get a lid -- a 38cm or 15-inch stainless steel lid fits nicely on this wok. Unlike the case of pans, lid for a wok should be chosen slightly smaller than the maximum diameter of the wok.
A really good size of a wok, but sort of "light weight" as all Classic models are! I expected the light weight before I ordered, - so no surprise.It does have a flat bottom, but only of 5" diameter, which is not at all ideal for a regular small = 6" electric coil element. Because of the small bottom surface this wok is not stable on the stove. Just hold on tight to one of the handles when stir-frying! One * subtracted for wobbling.
[I also own the "Circulon 2 12-Inch Open Stir Fry," which is of much higher quality, but too small for some of my cooking. If size is not an issue then I recommend the "Circulon 2 12-Inch Open Stir Fry " over the 16."]
