GreenPan CC005092-001 Electric Wok: Full Review

The GreenPan Essential Electric Stir-Fry is an electric wok designed for stir-frying and Asian cooking. This 120V 1300W electric wok has a 4.5 quart capacity, providing enough space to cook for 2-4 people.

Key features of this electric wok include an aluminum body construction, Thermolon healthy ceramic non-stick coating, stainless steel heating plate, adjustable temperature control from 200°F to 400°F, cool-touch handle, tempered glass lid, and dishwasher safe parts.

With 1300 watts of power, the GreenPan Electric Stir-Fry can quickly reach high searing temperatures to get that perfect wok hei (breath of a wok). The adjustable thermostat and stainless steel heating element allow you to fine tune the temperature as needed for different ingredients and cooking techniques.

Overall, the GreenPan Electric Stir-Fry aims to bring versatile, healthy and easy stir-frying into your kitchen. Keep reading to learn more about the design, features and performance of this electric wok.

Design

The GreenPan Essential Electric Wok has a simple yet stylish design with a round bowl shape and cool-touch handle. The wok itself is made from hard anodized aluminum, giving it excellent durability while still allowing for fast and even heat distribution.

The wok has sloped sides that allow you to push ingredients up to the top when stir-frying. This helps ensure thorough cooking. The hard anodized aluminum construction also makes the wok lightweight yet strong. Even with frequent use, it maintains its shape and performance over time.

The wok's interior has GreenPan's Thermolon healthy ceramic non-stick coating. This coating is PFOA-free and provides excellent non-stick performance. Food releases easily, and the wok cleans up with little effort.

The wok's overall design allows you to stir-fry, sauté, sear and more. Its versatile shape lets you cook a wide range of ingredients quickly and efficiently.

Heating Element

The GreenPan Electric Wok features an advanced 1200 watt heating element designed for fast, even heating. This sturdy heating element is made from durable stainless steel and wraps around the bottom and sides of the wok for optimal heat distribution.

The wok can reach temperatures between 176°F to 410°F, allowing you to stir fry at high heat or simmer sauces at lower temperatures. The adjustable thermostat gives you precise control over temperature so you can get the perfect sear on meats or avoid burning more delicate ingredients. With its wide range and adjustable heat, this wok is versatile enough for steaming, poaching, braising, and other cooking methods beyond stir frying.

For those looking for another convenient electric wok option, the Elite Gourmet EG6203 is an excellent choice. This model features a non-stick cooking surface, making it easy to clean, and it allows for fast, even cooking similar to the GreenPan. The adjustable temperature controls ensure that you achieve the perfect results for a variety of dishes.

Temperature Control

The GreenPan electric wok has adjustable temperature controls that allow you to finely tune the cooking temperature. There are a range of heat settings to choose from, allowing you to cook at low simmer all the way up to very high heat for searing.

The adjustable thermostat gives you a good degree of control over your cooking. You can set it to a specific temperature for things like deep frying or steaming where temperature is critical. The highest setting brings the wok up to about 400 degrees Fahrenheit, hot enough for stir frying and making crispy fried rice. For slow braises, soups, or poaching, you can turn it down lower.

Having precise temperature adjustments is useful when cooking ingredients that need carefully controlled heat. You can avoid over or undercooking the food. The GreenPan electric wok makes it easy to maintain the ideal temperature for whatever you are cooking.

Another great option is the BELLA 14607, which features a non-stick surface for easy cooking and cleaning. Its generous size allows you to prepare meals for the whole family, while the adjustable temperature dial gives the flexibility to sear, fry, and steam with precision. The BELLA 14607 heats up quickly, ensuring that your food is cooked evenly, making it an excellent companion in the kitchen for a variety of dishes.

Non-Stick Surface

The GreenPan Electric Wok features the company's signature Thermolon healthy ceramic non-stick coating. This patented coating is free of PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium. It's also scratch-resistant and metal-utensil safe.

The non-stick surface allows you to cook with little to no oil, making it easy to create healthier meals. It provides an excellent non-stick performance, allowing food to gently release from the surface when finished cooking. The coating is designed to be long-lasting and durable.

Many users mention how the non-stick holds up well over time with no flaking or chipping issues. The surface makes cleaning easy by preventing food from sticking and buildup from forming. Overall, the high quality Thermolon non-stick surface is a major highlight of this electric wok.

Ease of Use

The GreenPan Electric Wok is designed for easy use and cleanup. Its 12.6 inch size is an ideal size for stir frying and sauteing ingredients for 1-3 people. The wok has a generous 4.2 quart capacity, so you can cook a good amount of food at once. Yet it's still a compact size that doesn't take up too much storage space.

The non-stick ceramic coating makes cooking and cleanup a breeze. Food slides right off the surface, so you won't have to scrub at stuck on residue. The wok and lid are also dishwasher safe for quick cleanup. The stainless steel handles stay cool while cooking.

The wok has cord storage underneath so you can neatly tuck away the power cord after use. The tempered glass lid also allows you to monitor food while cooking. Overall, the GreenPan Electric Wok aims to deliver easy, no-fuss cooking and cleanup. Just cook, serve and pop it in the dishwasher after enjoying your meal.

Safety Features

The GreenPan Electric Wok has a few key safety features that help make it a great choice for home cooking.

• The wok has a built-in magnetic thermostat that will automatically shut off the heating element if temperatures exceed safe levels. This helps prevent overheating and potential burns or fire hazards.

• The stainless steel body remains cool to the touch on the outside even when cooking at high temperatures. This protects against accidental burns from touching the sides.

• Non-slip rubber feet on the bottom keep the wok stable and prevent sliding on countertops during use. The wok stays firmly planted even when tossing ingredients at high heat.

• A long handle provides a secure grip, allowing the user to keep hands safely away from the heat and steam. The handle has an ergonomic design for comfortable holding.

• The wok is certified by various safety organizations for electrical and fire safety. This provides assurance it meets modern safety standards.

• A tempered glass lid with steam vent allows monitoring cooking while also releasing excess heat and moisture. This enhances safety by reducing messy splatters.

• The wok has a family-friendly design without sharp edges or pinch points. This makes it safer to use around kids.

Overall, the thoughtful safety features allow the GreenPan Electric Wok to bring restaurant-style stir frying into the home kitchen with confidence. Users can cook with high heat while minimizing risks.

Performance

The GreenPan electric wok performs admirably when cooking a variety of ingredients. The non-stick coating allows food to brown nicely without sticking. Meats like chicken or beef can be stir fried or sautéed to perfection. Vegetables also cook up with a delicious caramelized flavor.

The heating element and aluminum body work together to distribute heat evenly across the entire pan surface. This ensures food cooks uniformly, with no hot or cold spots. Stir frying is easy, as ingredients heat through at the same rate. The wok makes steaming and deep frying foods like dumplings or tempura simple too.

One area to take extra care is ensuring liquid or thin sauces don't pool too much in the wok, which can lead to uneven cooking. Keeping ingredients moving will help prevent this. Adding small amounts of liquid at a time can also help maintain even heating. Overall, the wok delivers excellent cooking performance across a wide range of ingredients and dishes.

Pros & Cons

The GreenPan Electric Wok offers several advantages but also has some downsides to consider:

Pros

• Even, rapid heating - The built-in 1500W heating element heats up quickly and evenly across the entire wok surface. This allows for fast, efficient cooking.

• Versatile cooking - The wok shape and large 5qt capacity enable stir-frying, steaming, deep-frying, braising, and more. Makes cooking for 1-6 people easy.

• User-friendly controls - Simple knob adjustments for temperature range from 200°F - 425°F. Easy to set and maintain desired heat level.

• Non-stick coating - The Thermolon Minerals Pro healthy ceramic non-stick coating allows for low-fat cooking and easy food release.

• Cool-touch handle - The handle stays cool while cooking for safe handling.

Cons

• Price - At around $80, it's more expensive than basic stovetop woks. Significant investment for a single-use appliance.

• Bulky - Weighs about 10 pounds so not highly portable. Takes up substantial counter space.

• Non-dishwasher safe - The electrical components cannot go in the dishwasher. The wok itself can, but hand washing is recommended.

• Short cord - The power cord is only 2 feet long, limiting placement options unless you use an extension cord.

• No tempered glass lid - It doesn't include a glass lid, so you need to buy one separately if desired.

Conclusion

The GreenPan Essential Electric Stir-Fry Wok is a good option for those looking for a versatile and easy-to-use electric wok. It has several nice features like the Thermolon non-stick coating, adjustable temperature control, and cool-touch handle. The non-stick surface makes cooking and cleaning a breeze. It heats up quickly and evenly for stir-frying, steaming, simmering, and more.

Overall, this wok performs well for basic stir-frying and cooking tasks. The size is decent for 1-2 people. It's not as large or high-powered as some other electric woks, but for the average home cook this should suffice. The non-stick coating held up well in testing without any major scratches or wearing down.

If you want an electric wok for basic everyday cooking, the GreenPan Essential Electric Stir-Fry Wok is a solid choice. The mid-range price tag makes it accessible for most budgets. Just keep in mind the smaller size if cooking for more than 2 people. But for easy weeknight stir-fries for 1-2, this GreenPan wok will serve you well.