Aroma Housewares AEW-307 Electric Wok: Full Review

The Aroma Housewares AEW-307 is an electric wok designed for quick and easy stir-frying, steaming, simmering, and deep frying. This versatile appliance offers a large cooking surface and powerful heating element to deliver fast and even results when cooking a variety of ingredients.

The AEW-307 features a sleek black exterior with curved edges and cool-touch handles for safe handling. The wok pan itself has a durable nonstick coating for easy food release. With adjustable temperature settings up to 425°F, this Aroma electric wok can achieve the high heat needed for properly searing meats and stir-frying veggies.

This wok provides a large cooking area to handle family-sized portions with its 5-quart capacity. The domed lid locks in heat and moisture when steaming or slow cooking. From weeknight dinners to meal prepping, the AEW-307 aims to be a convenient and useful tool in any home kitchen.

Design

The Aroma Housewares AEW-307 electric wok has a sleek and modern design perfect for any kitchen. It is made from durable stainless steel with a black exterior that is fingerprint resistant to help keep it looking cleaner longer.

The wok itself is 12 inches in diameter and 4 inches deep, providing a generous 5 quart capacity. The rounded bowl shape is optimized for stir frying and deep frying a variety of ingredients. It has a classic wok profile but is a bit lighter than traditional cast iron woks, weighing in at just 4.5 pounds. This makes it easier to lift and maneuver.

The AEW-307 is available in 3 different finishes: black, red, and stainless steel. The black and red models have the same fingerprint resistant coating. The stainless steel finish has a mirror polish look. All 3 color options will suit most kitchen decors.

If you are interested in a different model, consider the Aroma Housewares AEW-306. This model offers a similar high-quality cooking experience but with some variations in design and features to suit different preferences. It is also part of the trusted Aroma Housewares line, known for durability and efficiency in kitchen appliances. Explore the AEW-306 for another excellent option in electric woks.

Temperature Settings

The Aroma Housewares Electric Wok has adjustable temperature settings that allow you to cook at a wide range of heats, from a simmer up to sear or stir fry. The temperature can be adjusted in increments from 200°F up to 400°F by turning the thermostat knob on the base of the unit. This gives you a high level of control over your cooking so you can adjust the temperature as needed for different recipes and ingredients. Whether you want to simmer a sauce, deep fry appetizers, sear meat, or stir fry vegetables, this wok can handle the task. The adjustable thermostat and wide temperature range make it a versatile appliance for various cooking methods.

If you are looking for another excellent option, consider the Breville BEW600XL. This electric wok features a unique design with a powerful 1500-watt butterfly element that helps maintain high heat, perfect for achieving authentic stir-fry results. It comes with a PFOA-free non-stick surface, variable temperature controls, and a 6-quart capacity, making it suitable for a variety of cooking tasks.

Cooking Surface

The Aroma Housewares electric wok has a premium nonstick coating on the cooking surface that allows for easy food release and cleanup. The nonstick coating is PFOA-free, so it's safe and non-toxic.

Many reviewers mention how well the nonstick holds up over time with regular use. It doesn't easily scratch or peel. The coating has been designed for durability.

The shape of the wok, with its gentle slope and round bottom, allows for efficient stirring and tossing of ingredients. The sloped sides let oil pool at the base for excellent sear and saute performance. The nonstick surface coupled with the wok shape makes cooking a breeze.

Heating Element

The Aroma Housewares electric wok utilizes a 1500W heating element to quickly and evenly heat the entire cooking surface. With 1500 watts of power, this wok can heat up in just minutes and maintain a consistent temperature for stir frying, steaming, deep frying, and more.

The heating element is wrapped around the sides and bottom of the pan, allowing it to evenly distribute heat so there are no hot or cold spots. This helps prevent food from burning on the bottom while the sides remain undercooked. The aluminum construction also aids in even heating.

Once heated, the Aroma wok maintains the temperature steadily so you can cook at a consistent heat level. The powerful wattage enables fast cooking at high heats needed for proper stir frying and searing. It also provides flexibility to cook at lower simmers for dishes like hot pot. Overall, the fast, even heating makes this electric wok a versatile and efficient cooking tool.

Ease of Use

The Aroma Housewares electric wok has several features that make it easy and convenient to use. The temperature is controlled by an adjustable thermostat that allows you to select low, medium or high heat settings. This gives you flexibility when cooking different foods that require varying levels of heat.

The non-stick cooking surface and domed shape of the wok make food easy to toss and flip without sticking. The non-stick material also makes cleaning the wok fast and simple - foods don't bake on and most residue can be wiped away with a sponge or cloth after cooking. The wok separates from the heating base which allows you to submerge the entire interior surface in water for cleaning.

Safety Features

The Aroma Housewares electric wok has several useful safety features. One is the auto shutoff function, which turns the wok off automatically after a certain period of inactive cooking time. This helps prevent overcooking or fires if you forget the wok is on.

Another nice safety aspect is the cool-touch handles on both sides of the wok. The handles stay cool to the touch even during cooking. This protects your hands from getting burned while moving the wok. The lid handle also remains cool. So you don't need bulky potholders to handle the wok safely.

The tempered glass lid is another good safety feature. It allows you to monitor cooking without lifting the lid and releasing a lot of heat or steam. The steam vent on the lid also helps prevent dangerous pressure buildup.

Overall, the safety features like auto shutoff, cool-touch handles, and vented glass lid make the Aroma electric wok a very user-friendly and safe appliance for the home kitchen. You get the versatility of wok cooking with some extra reassurance.

Performance

The Aroma Housewares electric wok performs very well for most cooking tasks. Its 1500-watt heating element generates plenty of heat to quickly stir-fry ingredients at high temps. The aluminum cooking surface heats up rapidly and distributes heat evenly, allowing you to sear and sauté with excellent results.

The wok is quite versatile - you can do everything from steaming dumplings to deep frying appetizers. It has enough capacity to make several servings of noodles, fried rice, or other dishes at once. The domed shape helps contain splatters and facilitates tossing and stirring food. Meats, vegetables, and other ingredients get evenly cooked.

The non-stick surface allows even delicate foods like eggs and fish to be prepared without sticking. The wok makes it easy to toss ingredients together quickly at high heat for fast, restaurant-quality results. With its solid performance across different cooking tasks and ingredients, the Aroma electric wok is an excellent addition to any home kitchen.

Pros & Cons

The Aroma Housewares AEW-307 electric wok has several advantages and a few potential drawbacks to consider:

Pros

• Large 14" diameter cooking surface can handle family-sized meals
• Full range temperature controls from warm to 450°F
• Carbon heating element distributes heat quickly and evenly
• Sloped sides make tossing and stirring food easy
• Cool-touch base and handles stay safe to touch
• Glass lid traps in heat and moisture
• Nonstick coating is easy to clean and maintain
• Lightweight and easy to store

Cons

• Nonstick coating may scratch over time
• Shape is optimized for stir fry, less ideal for deep frying
• Short power cord may require an extension cord
• Heat distribution can be uneven at lowest temperature settings
• Does not come with spatula or other accessories

The large cooking surface, variable temperature controls, and useful lid make the Aroma electric wok a versatile, easy to use appliance. The nonstick bowl cleans up nicely after cooking. The sloped sides mimic traditional round-bottom woks. While not perfect, it offers good value and performance for most households.

Conclusion

The Aroma Housewares AEW-307 electric wok offers an affordable and convenient option for making a variety of dishes like stir fry, fried rice, and soup. The curved cooking surface provides ample room to toss and flip ingredients. The aluminum body heats up quickly and distributes heat evenly across the wok for efficient cooking.

The variable temperature dial allows you to precisely control the heat based on what you're cooking. Safety features like the cool touch handles and lid knob ensure you don't burn yourself while cooking. While it doesn't have as many accessories and attachments as higher end models, it includes the essentials like a tempura rack and steamer.

Overall, the Aroma electric wok is a great choice for home cooks looking for an easy way to make quick stir fry dishes and other one-pot meals. It performs well for basic tasks like sautéing veggies and frying rice. The size is ideal for cooking for 2-4 people. Just keep in mind that it may struggle with larger portions or thick cuts of meat. For the very affordable price point though, it's hard to beat the value this wok provides.