Aroma Housewares ASP-137 Electric Wok: Full Review

The Aroma Housewares ASP-137 3-Quart Electric Wok is a versatile cooking appliance that allows you to stir-fry, steam, simmer, braise and deep fry a variety of ingredients quickly and easily. This 10-inch electric wok features a full range temperature control so you can fine-tune heat levels for precision cooking. The generous 3-quart capacity provides enough room to cook a meal for 2-3 people.

This electric wok has a sleek domed tempered glass lid and non-stick coated aluminum cooking pot. The cool-touch base and handles allow for safe and comfortable use. Overall, the Aroma Housewares ASP-137 offers an efficient and convenient cooking option for small households and couples who enjoy Asian-style cuisine.

Design

The Aroma Housewares 3-Quart Electric Wok has a sleek and modern design perfect for any kitchen. It features a 10-inch bowl with a depth of 4 inches, providing ample cooking space while still being compact enough for easy storage.

Despite its generous capacity, the wok itself is lightweight at just under 5 pounds. The exterior housing is made from brushed stainless steel for durability and easy cleaning.

The non-stick cooking surface is crafted from aluminum with a black titanium coating. This ensures even heating and allows food to easily release after cooking.

The brushed stainless steel lid fits tightly to lock in heat, moisture and flavors. Durable cast iron heating elements line both the base and sides of the wok bowl. This unique U-shaped heating allows for fast, even cooking.

With an elegant silhouette and combination of lightweight materials, the Aroma Electric Wok blends performance and style.

Similarly, the OVENTE SK11112CO offers excellent functionality with a unique design that enhances any culinary experience. Its high-quality construction ensures longevity and optimal heat distribution, promoting even cooking. With a convenient capacity and user-friendly controls, the OVENTE model makes stir-frying, steaming, and sautéing enjoyable and effortless. Its stylish presence on the countertop adds a touch of elegance while being practical for daily cooking tasks.

Temperature Control

The Aroma Housewares ASP-137 electric wok has an adjustable thermostat that allows you to select the ideal cooking temperature. The temperature ranges from Warm all the way up to 425°F, giving you a wide range of options for stir-frying, simmering, deep-frying and more.

The adjustable thermostat knob makes it easy to dial in the exact temperature needed for a recipe. Turn it towards the Warm setting for gentle simmering or low-temperature cooking. Crank it towards 425°F when you need intense heat for searing or stir-frying. The thermostat gives you precision control over the wok's temperature.

No matter what temperature you need, the electric heating element quickly heats up the aluminum wok pan. Once it reaches the set temperature, the thermostat maintains a consistent heat level to cook foods properly without burning or undercooking. This reliable temperature control ensures your ingredients are cooked to perfection.

In addition, the Hamilton Beach 38531 is another excellent option for those seeking versatility in cooking. With its convenient design and easy-to-use settings, it allows for both high-heat and low-heat cooking. Ideal for making family-sized meals, it features a spacious cooking surface that lets you prepare generous portions while ensuring even heat distribution. Its durable non-stick coating makes cleanup a breeze, making it a practical choice for any kitchen.

Cooking Performance

The Aroma Housewares Electric Wok delivers excellent cooking performance. The 1500W heating element and aluminum body allow the wok to heat up quickly and evenly distribute heat across the entire cooking surface.

Food cooks fast thanks to the powerful heating element that brings the wok up to temperature rapidly. The thick, aluminum body also retains heat well to maintain a consistent cooking temperature. This allows ingredients to cook through without burning or overcooking on the exterior.

The large, circular cooking area can accommodate stir frying as well as deep frying. The shape and size make it easy to stir and toss ingredients with long cooking chopsticks. The sloped sides are effective for deep frying as oils and batter run down the sides neatly back into the wok.

The versatile cooking surface enables preparing various dishes beyond Asian cuisine. The Electric Wok can be used to cook pasta, soups, sauces, boiled foods, and more. The ample 12" cooking surface provides enough room for cooking family-sized portions.

Overall, the Aroma Housewares Electric Wok delivers fast, even heating and versatile cooking capabilities perfect for stir fries, deep fries, and other one-pot meals. The thoughtful design enables quick cooking and easy handling during meal preparation.

Ease of Use

The Aroma Housewares Electric Wok is designed for convenience and ease of use. The control panel features an adjustable temperature dial that allows you to precisely control the heat. There are no complicated buttons or digital controls to deal with.

Cleaning the wok is straightforward thanks to the nonstick cooking surface and detachable probe. The nonstick surface prevents food from sticking and makes wiping away any residues quick and simple. The temperature probe can be removed, making it easy to hand wash or place in the dishwasher.

Storage is facilitated by the compact design. The handles fold down and the wok has a relatively small footprint, allowing it to be tucked away easily in a cabinet or pantry when not in use. The tempered glass lid also helps minimize the space required for storage.

Safety Features

The Aroma Housewares Electric Wok has a few important safety features. One is the cool-touch handle, which stays cool to the touch even during cooking. This prevents burns from accidental touching of the handle when the wok is hot.

The electric wok also has an auto shut-off feature. If left on, the wok will automatically shut off after a certain period of time as a safety precaution. This prevents overheating or fires if the wok is accidentally left on.

The combination of the cool-touch handle and auto shut-off gives users peace of mind when using this electric wok. Safety should always be a top concern, especially when dealing with electric cooking appliances. Aroma Housewares took steps to design their wok with safety in mind.

Accessories

The Aroma Housewares 3-Quart electric wok comes with several handy accessories that enhance the cooking experience.

It includes a bamboo spatula that is heat-resistant and ideal for tossing and stirring food. The long handle keeps your hands away from the heat. There is also a stainless steel steam tray that fits perfectly inside the wok. You can use it to steam vegetables, seafood, dumplings and more. The holes allow steam to circulate while the tray keeps the food above the boiling water.

For draining liquids, a tempered glass lid is included. It traps heat and moisture for faster cooking times. Once done, the lid has pour spouts on each side to drain off excess liquid easily. There is no need for a colander.

Lastly, the wok includes a recipe booklet. It provides 21 authentic Asian recipes to try out. From stir fries to noodles, there are many delicious meal ideas that are quick and easy to make in the electric wok.

Warranty

The Aroma Housewares electric wok comes with a 1 year limited warranty. This covers defects in materials and workmanship under normal household use.

The warranty covers the heating plate, bowl, lid, temperature control probe, and all other components against breakage or damage. It does not cover normal wear and tear, misuse, improper care, or negligence.

If there is an issue with materials or manufacturing within the first year of purchase, Aroma Housewares will repair or replace the defective parts at no cost. Customers simply need to provide proof of purchase date when making a claim.

The warranty provides peace of mind on the workmanship and construction quality. Customers can feel confident in the durability of the materials used. Just be sure to handle the wok with care according to the manual to prevent unnecessary damage.

Pros

• The streamlined, non-stick wok pan heats quickly and evenly for thorough and fast cooking. According to reviews, it allows you to stir-fry and cook rice dishes with excellent results.

• The temperature probe maintains precise control for searing or slow-cooking. You can adjust the heat in 10-degree increments up to 400°F. Testers found it could achieve high heat for properly searing meats.

• The lid fits tightly to seal in steam and heat. This helps retain moisture and nutrients when cooking rice or steaming vegetables. Users said the lid really locks in flavors.

• The electric wok includes helpful accessories like a steaming tray, tempura rack, and chopsticks. Reviewers appreciated these extras for expanding the cooking possibilities.

Cons

• The wok does have a somewhat limited maximum temperature of 400°F which is lower than some competing woks. This means it may struggle a bit to really get a good sear and that sought-after "wok-hei" flavor.

• While the interior coating does make cleaning easier, over time it can start to chip and flake off which reduces the non-stick performance.

• The shape of the wok, with its more rounded sides, makes it a bit tricky to flip and toss food properly compared to a traditional flat-bottomed wok. You have to be careful not to spill when tossing.

• The included steam tray is quite small and may not fit larger ingredients or big batches of food. If you want to steam frequently, you may need to purchase an additional steam tray.