DASH DRG214AQ Electric Wok: Full Review

The DASH DRG214AQ is an 8.5-quart electric wok designed for quick and easy cooking in your home kitchen. This versatile appliance features a nonstick cooking surface and adjustable temperature control so you can easily prepare stir-fries, fajitas, curries, and other one-pot meals. The spherical cooking bowl mimics the rounded bottom of traditional woks while the electric heating element eliminates the need for a stovetop burner. With 1400 watts of power, the DASH electric wok heats up quickly and can sear and stir-fry ingredients to perfection. The integrated steam vents allow excess moisture to easily escape during cooking. The wok comes with a tempered glass lid to trap in heat, moisture and flavors. The cool-touch handle and knobs add safety while cooking. The nonstick surface provides effortless food release without the need for extra oil or cooking spray. The depth of the wok makes it easy to cook larger batches of food for the whole family. Overall, this versatile electric wok aims to bring restaurant-quality stir-frying into your home kitchen.

Design

The DASH DRG214AQ Electric Wok has a sleek and modern design perfect for any kitchen aesthetic. It is made from durable die cast aluminum that evenly distributes heat and prevents hot spots while cooking.

This electric wok has a 14 inch diameter cooking surface, providing ample room to stir fry veggies, meats, or other ingredients. The wok shaped design with sloping curved sides allows for easy tossing and continuous movement of food for fast, even cooking.

Despite the large cooking surface, the unit itself maintains a compact footprint of just 18 x 13 x 8 inches. It weighs in at a manageable 7.25 pounds, so it can be easily moved around the countertop or stored away in a cabinet when not in use. The lightweight aluminum construction paired with the ergonomic stay-cool handle on the side make this wok easy to lift and maneuver.

Overall, the sleek curved shape, durable aluminum build, and spacious but compact profile give this electric wok a great modern design that looks and functions wonderfully in any kitchen.

Cooking Surface

The Dash DRG214AQ electric wok has a 12 inch cooking surface coated in durable ceramic nonstick material. This generous diameter provides ample room to stir-fry, saute, deep fry, and prepare meals for multiple people.

The nonstick coating allows you to cook with little or no oil, making it easy to create healthier meals. It also prevents food from sticking and makes cleanup effortless. Users report the nonstick holds up well over time with proper care.

One downside is you cannot use metal utensils, as they can scratch the coating. But most customers find the convenience of the nonstick outweighs this small inconvenience.

Overall, the size and nonstick surface make this electric wok highly functional for preparing a variety of dishes. The ample cooking area can handle ingredients for the whole family.

Temperature Control

The DASH Electric Wok offers precise temperature control with its adjustable thermostat. The temperature can be set from 200°F to 400°F in 25°F increments, providing a wide range of cooking flexibility. This allows you to cook everything from delicate foods like eggs that require lower temperatures, all the way up to searing meats at the highest settings.

The thermostat knob makes it easy to adjust the temperature as needed during cooking. It provides greater control compared to single temperature electric woks. You can fine-tune the heat to suit the recipe at hand. The temperature regulation helps prevent burning or undercooking food.

Overall, the adjustable thermostat gives you precision heating power. No matter what you're cooking, you can dial in the ideal temperature for optimal results. This level of temperature customization helps take the guesswork out of electric wok cooking.

Power and Performance

One of the most important aspects of any electric cooking appliance is its power and performance capabilities. This determines how quickly and efficiently it can heat up, how high a temperature it can reach, and ultimately how well it can cook foods.

The DASH DRG214AQ electric wok is powered by a 1500W heating element. This high wattage allows it to heat up very rapidly, reaching its maximum 392°F temperature in just minutes. Once heated, it has no problem maintaining temperatures evenly across the large 12" cooking surface. The powerful 1500W heating element ensures efficient, speedy cooking without hot or cold spots.

The temperature range of 175-392°F gives flexibility to cook a wide variety of ingredients. From simmering delicate foods at lower temps to searing meats at max heat, this electric wok can handle it all. The adjustable thermostat knob makes it easy to precisely control the temperature as needed for different recipes.

With its 1500W heating power and 392°F maximum temperature, the DASH electric wok delivers excellent cooking performance. It can brown, sear, fry, boil and sauté foods quickly and evenly across its entire nonstick surface. This makes it a versatile countertop cooking appliance.

Ease of Use

The DASH DRG214AQ electric wok is designed for easy and convenient cooking thanks to features like its control knob and cool-touch handle.

The control knob allows you to adjust the temperature precisely with the turn of a dial. There are no complicated buttons or digital displays. Just turn the knob to your desired temperature setting and you're ready to cook. The temperature control ranges from 200°F to 400°F so you can fine-tune the heat based on what you're cooking.

The handle stays cool to the touch even when cooking at high temperatures. This protects your hands from burns while moving and stirring food in the wok. The handle has a comfortable and ergonomic grip that allows you to maneuver the wok easily. Even when filled with ingredients, you can confidently grasp the handle without worrying about it getting hot.

Together, the control knob and cool-touch handle make using this electric wok simple and safe. You don't have to fumble with complex controls or risk burning your hands just to stir-fry a meal. Just dial in the temperature you need, grab the handle, and you can start cooking right away.

Safety Features

The Dash DRG214AQ electric wok has several useful safety features.

Auto Shut-off

One of the most important safety features is the auto shut-off. If the wok is left on after a certain period of time without being used, it will automatically shut itself off. This prevents accidental overheating or fires if you forget to turn it off.

The auto shut-off usually activates after around 30 minutes to an hour of not being used. This gives you plenty of time to cook meals without having the wok turn itself off mid-cooking. But it also gives you peace of mind in case you get distracted and walk away while it's still turned on.

Non-Slip Feet

The bottom of the Dash electric wok has non-slip rubber feet. These keep the wok firmly planted in place on your countertop or table while cooking.

With many electric woks, they can slide around easily, especially if you're vigorously stirring and tossing ingredients. But the non-slip feet on this model grip your surface well and prevent any sliding.

This makes the wok much safer to use as there's no chance of it inadvertently sliding off the counter if bumped. The non-slip feet also provide stability when you're scooping and serving food out of the hot wok after cooking.

Overall, the auto shut-off and non-slip feet make this an especially safe electric wok to use in your kitchen. You don't have to worry about accidental fires or the wok sliding off surfaces when in use.

Cleaning

The Dash DRG214AQ electric wok features a nonstick cooking surface that makes cleaning very easy. After cooking, simply wipe out the interior with a damp cloth or sponge. The nonstick coating prevents food from sticking, so you won't have to scrub at all.

One of the best aspects of this electric wok is that the pan and lid are fully immersible and dishwasher safe. You can simply place them right in the dishwasher after cooking for effortless cleaning. No need to hand wash or deal with tough messes. The nonstick surface holds up well in the dishwasher without wearing down.

Overall, clean up with the Dash DRG214AQ is a breeze thanks to the durable nonstick coating and dishwasher safe components. You won't have to waste time scrubbing this pan by hand. Just a quick wipe down or tossing it in the dishwasher takes care of cleaning.

Price

The Dash DRG214AQ electric wok retails for around $59.99, which positions it as an affordably priced electric wok option. Given its 10.5 inch cooking surface, tempered glass lid, adjustable temperature control up to 400°F, and 1200W heating power, the DRG214AQ offers solid performance and features for an electric wok under $60.

While more expensive electric wok models with larger cooking surfaces and higher wattages exist, the Dash DRG214AQ hits a sweet spot of providing electric wok functionality and convenience at a budget-friendly price point. For shoppers looking for an introductory electric wok for basic stir-frying and skillet cooking, without breaking the bank, the DRG214AQ represents a solid value choice worth considering.

The price is comparable to other entry-level electric woks of a similar size and power rating. Overall, the Dash DRG214AQ offers good value for money as an electric wok priced under $60.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Large 12-inch cooking surface cooks more food efficiently
• Nonstick surface for easy cleaning
• Adjustable temperature control up to 400°F
• Cool touch handle stays cool while cooking
• 1500W of power for fast heating
• Glass lid to monitor cooking
• Detachable power cord for storage
• 1 year warranty

Cons

• Nonstick coating may deteriorate over time
• Lid does not have vent or steam release
• Short power cord may require extension cord
• No digital display or preset functions
• Only available in black color option

In summary, the Dash DRG214AQ electric wok provides a large cooking surface and adjustable heat for versatile cooking at an affordable price point. The nonstick surface helps with easy cleanup. Downsides are the lack of vented lid, short cord length, and no digital controls. For basic electric wok cooking, it's a suitable option but lacks some convenience features of higher end models.