Brentwood SK65 Electric Wok: Full Review

Electric woks and skillets have become increasingly popular kitchen appliances for modern home cooks. Unlike traditional stove-top woks, electric models provide consistent heat that doesn't dissipate as you cook, allowing for excellent searing and simmering. Electric woks offer impressive versatility - they can stir-fry, deep fry, pan fry, simmer soup, and more. Their unique round-bottom bowl shape is ideal for tossing and flipping ingredients. Many models reach very high temperatures, replicating the fast and hot cooking of round-bottom woks.

Electric woks and skillets free up valuable stovetop space and make cooking large batches fast and easy. They're a great option for cooks that want wok cooking convenience without the need for a specialized burner. In this review, we'll take an in-depth look at the Brentwood SK65 electric wok to see how it performs for home cooking needs.

Overview of the Brentwood SK65 Electric Wok

The Brentwood SK65 Electric Wok is a 13 inch, open fry pan style electric skillet, designed to mimic the quick heating and versatile cooking capabilities of traditional round-bottomed woks. This model features a generous 6.5 quart capacity, with a non-stick coated aluminum interior that is PFOA and PTFE free.

The wok pan shape allows for stir-frying, steaming, braising, pan-frying and more. It can reach temperatures up to 400°F, with an adjustable thermostat knob and indicator light to select the desired cooking temperature. The wok itself measures 16.25 inches x 13 inches x 4.75 inches.

Design and Build Quality

The Brentwood SK65 electric wok features a sleek and modern brushed stainless steel exterior that looks great in any kitchen. The wok pan itself is made from heavy-duty aluminum, ensuring even and efficient heat conduction while remaining lightweight for easy handling.

The handles are made from heat-resistant plastic for comfort and safety. They remain cool to the touch even during extended cooking times. The pan sits securely in the base, with no wobbling thanks to the tight tolerance fit.

Overall, the materials and construction quality give the impression of a durable, high-end appliance built to last. The pan feels sturdy in hand, without being overly heavy. The brushed stainless steel base has a premium look and feel.

While mainly plastic, the control knobs have a solid build quality with no looseness. The wok pan lifts out easily for serving and cleaning. Brentwood designed this electric wok for stability and ease of use, evident in the thoughtful design touches throughout.

Heating Element and Temperature Control

The Brentwood SK65 electric wok features a powerful 1500W heating element that allows the wok to reach high temperatures quickly and recover temperature fast when ingredients are added. The high wattage translates to efficient and fast cooking.

The temperature can be precisely adjusted from warm to 450°F by turning the thermostat knob on the base. The thermostat provides a wide range of temperatures for cooking different foods that require low, medium or high heat. Whether you are cooking a stir fry, deep frying, making soup or keeping food warm, the SK65 allows you to easily dial in the ideal temperature.

The heating element is embedded in the base of the wok pan. This allows for even heat distribution across the entire pan surface. The aluminum pan also promotes quick and even heating. Temperature regulation is very accurate with the thermostat knob. Once set, the pan maintains a steady temperature. There is no guesswork involved in temperature control.

Ease of Use and Cleaning

The Brentwood SK65 electric wok is designed for convenient cooking and easy cleanup. The control panel has an adjustable thermostat dial that allows you to precisely control the cooking temperature from warm all the way up to 425°F. There are no complicated buttons or digital controls to deal with.

The wok itself has a premium nonstick coating on the interior that prevents food from sticking. This nonstick surface also makes cleanup a breeze - foods release easily, and the wok can be wiped clean with a paper towel after cooking. The nonstick coating is PFOA-free and designed to be long-lasting and durable.

Another advantage is that the electric wok is fully immersible and dishwasher safe. The base can be detached from the wok, allowing you to completely submerge the wok in water. Being able to put the entire thing in the dishwasher makes cleanup quick and simple after meals. You don't have to worry about scrubbing out any stuck-on foods by hand.

Overall, the thoughtful design choices of the SK65 electric wok from Brentwood emphasize usability and convenience for the home cook. The ease of use, nonstick surface, and dishwasher-safe design come together to deliver a cooking experience that is simple, straightforward and stress-free.

Safety Features

The Brentwood SK65 electric wok has several useful safety features that make it easy and safe to use.

• Auto Shutoff: The wok has an automatic shutoff feature that turns the heating element off after 2 hours of continuous operation. This prevents overheating and gives peace of mind if you forget to turn it off.

• Cool Touch Handles: The handle on either side of the wok stays relatively cool while cooking. You can move or lift the wok without the need for pot holders.

• Lid Fit: The tempered glass lid fits tightly and securely on the wok. This contains splatters, steam and heat when cooking. The handle on the lid also stays cool.

These well-designed safety features make the Brentwood electric wok safe for unattended cooking and give users confidence when frying or stir-frying ingredients. The auto shutoff prevents potential fire hazards, while the cool touch handles reduce the risk of burns. Overall, these make the wok convenient and safe to use.

Cooking Performance

The Brentwood SK65 electric wok performs very well for stir frying, searing, and other high-heat cooking tasks. The aluminum pan heats up quickly and evenly, with no hot or cold spots. This allows you to sear meat and vegetables properly without burning.

The pan recovers temperature quickly after adding ingredients, letting you maintain a constant high heat for proper stir frying technique. The wide flat bottom provides ample surface area for tossing ingredients in the pan without spilling. The wok stays hot enough to create a nice sear and caramelization on meat and veggies.

The shape and size of the wok also enables easy stirring and flipping of ingredients. The sloped sides make it easy to toss and flip food during cooking. And the generous 14" diameter cooking surface gives you enough room to cook for larger gatherings without overcrowding.

Overall, the cooking performance of this electric wok is impressive. It mimics the fast, high-heat action of cooking over a restaurant range. The quick heat-up, evenness, and temperature recovery allow you to achieve proper searing, browning, and charring that is difficult to replicate in a regular skillet. This makes the Brentwood SK65 a great choice for stir fries and other Asian recipes requiring intense heat.

Accessories

The Brentwood SK65 Electric Wok comes with a great bundle of useful accessories that enhance the cooking experience. The most valuable is the tempered glass lid that allows you to trap heat and moisture when steaming or braising foods. The included bamboo spatula is ideal for stir fry as it's lightweight and won't scratch the non-stick surface.

You also get a stainless steel steaming tray that fits perfectly in the wok and elevates food out of the cooking liquid. This is great for steaming vegetables, seafood, or dumplings. The steam vents in the lid allow steam to circulate while retaining heat.

For recipe inspiration, Brentwood provides a 36 page recipe book tailored to this wok. It includes a nice mix of traditional Asian stir fry recipes along with some classic American dishes adapted for wok cooking. The book helps you get the most versatility from the electric wok.

Overall the accessories included with the SK65 are very useful and turn this into a complete cooking system, not just an electric skillet. The tempered glass lid and bamboo spatula are especially valuable inclusions that make meal prep easier.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Large 14 inch capacity provides plenty of cooking surface for family meals
• Even heating and good temperature control up to 400°F
• Durable stainless steel body and tempered glass lid
• Cool touch base and handles stay cool while cooking
• Flat bottom works on all stovetops including induction
• Dishwasher safe pan and lid for easy cleanup

Cons

• Heavy, weighs over 10 lbs which makes storage and handling cumbersome
• Shape can make tossing food difficult compared to round wok
• Nonstick coating quality not as good as higher end models
• Insert can scratch easily if not cared for properly
• Short power cord may require extension cord for countertop use

Overall, the Brentwood SK65 electric wok provides very good performance and value for an entry level model. The large capacity, versatile flat bottom design, and thorough cooking from its powerful element make it a worthwhile investment for many home cooks. While not perfect, it does deliver quality and features comparable to more expensive woks.

Conclusion

The Brentwood SK65 electric wok is a solid mid-range option for an electric wok. It provides plenty of cooking surface area, ample power from its 1500W heating element, and useful temperature controls up to 425°F. The non-stick surface allows for easy cooking and cleaning.

Overall, the Brentwood SK65 performs very well for stir-frying, deep frying, steaming, and more at a reasonable price point. It's a good choice for home cooks looking for an electric wok with decent versatility.

For a comparable alternative at a similar price point, the Aroma Housewares AEW-306 electric wok provides 5.5 quarts of capacity and a glass lid. Another option is the Breville BEW600XL hot wok with a 15" non-stick surface and stir fry spatula included. However, the Brentwood SK65 remains a quality mid-priced electric wok with solid performance.

In conclusion, the Brentwood SK65 electric wok is recommended for those seeking an electric wok under $50. It provides good cooking versatility along with ease of use and cleaning. For an electric wok under $100, it remains a strong option to consider.