Presto non-25970 Electric Wok: Full Review

The Presto Stainless Steel Electric Wok is an electric wok designed for quick and easy stir frying, steaming, simmering, deep frying and more. This versatile kitchen appliance features a domed interior that allows you to cook larger amounts of food quickly and evenly.

The wok has a polished stainless steel exterior and non-stick black interior coating for easy cleanup. With its curved cooking surface, the Presto electric wok replicates traditional round-bottomed woks to facilitate tossing and stirring food.

This review will take an in-depth look at the key features, performance, and pros and cons of the Presto Stainless Steel Electric Wok to help you decide if it's the right electric wok for your kitchen. Topics covered include the wok's design, temperature controls, safety features, durability, accessories and overall cooking experience.

Sleek and Durable Design Built to Last

The Presto Stainless Steel Electric Wok has an attractive, brushed stainless steel exterior that will look great in any modern kitchen. It features a traditional round-bottomed wok design with curved, sloping sides that are perfect for tossing and stirring food.

The wok itself is made from heavy-duty stainless steel, ensuring durability and even heating. With a diameter of 12 inches and a depth of 3 inches, it provides ample cooking surface for family-sized meals while still being compact enough for easy storage.

The sturdy steel loop handle stays cool while cooking, allowing for safe maneuvering. A tempered glass lid with stainless steel rim and handle locks in heat and moisture. The wok sits securely on a heavy stainless steel base, and the cord wraps neatly underneath for tidy storage.

Overall, the wok's smart design combines classic wok cooking benefits with modern convenience and quality materials built to last.

For those looking for an equally impressive alternative, the Nuwave 30801FA1VC is a remarkable choice. This electric wok offers advanced features such as digital temperature control and a non-stick coating for easy cleaning. With a spacious 14-inch diameter, it’s great for larger meals. The Nuwave 30801FA1VC also boasts a detachable base for versatile countertop cooking and effortless storage.

Temperature Control

The Presto 04211 stainless steel electric wok has adjustable temperature controls that allow you to fine-tune the cooking temperature. The adjustable thermostat lets you dial in a temperature range from 200 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This gives you a wide range of heat settings to choose from when stir-frying, steaming, simmering, or deep frying.

Whether you need a high sear to get a good wok hei or just want to keep a simmer going, the wok's thermostat lets you precisely control the temperature. The aluminum clad base heats up rapidly and evenly to quickly bring the wok up to your desired cooking temperature. Once it reaches the set temperature, the thermostat maintains a consistent heat so you don't have to worry about temperature fluctuations as you cook. This level of temperature control gives you the versatility to cook all kinds of Asian stir-fry dishes that require different types of heat.

If you're looking for another high-quality electric wok, the Breville BEW600XL is an excellent choice. This wok also features precise temperature controls and a quick-release removable base for easy cleaning. The butterfly heating element ensures even heat distribution, and the non-stick surface makes for effortless cooking and cleanup. With its high-performance capabilities, it's a great addition to any kitchen for those who love making stir-fries or other wok-based recipes.

Ease of Use

The Presto Stainless Steel Electric Wok is designed for convenience and ease of use.

Setup is straightforward - the wok sits on a sturdy base which houses the heating element. There are no complicated parts to assemble. Controls consist of a simple dial to adjust temperature.

The controls are very intuitive. The temperature dial allows selecting heat settings from warm all the way up to 400°F. There are no complex buttons or digital displays. The wok heats up rapidly and maintains the set temperature.

Cleaning the wok is simple since the interior is made of polished stainless steel without any non-stick coating. The exterior base can just be wiped down. The stainless steel and aluminum lid can be washed by hand or in the dishwasher.

Safety Features

The Presto stainless steel electric wok has several useful safety features that make cooking safer and prevent accidents. One important feature is the automatic shut-off, which turns the wok off automatically if it's left on unattended. This prevents overheating and potential fires if you forget to turn off the wok.

Another key safety feature is the cool-touch handle, which remains cool even during prolonged cooking. Unlike metal handles which can get extremely hot on the stove, the Presto's handle stays comfortable to grip. This reduces the risk of getting burned when moving the wok after cooking. Even when stir-frying vigorously, the handle won't excessively heat up.

The stainless steel body also remains relatively cool compared to other materials like cast iron. While the cooking surface gets hot, the sides stay cooler to the touch. This makes maneuvering and handling the wok easier during and after cooking.

Overall, the thoughtful safety features allow you to cook with confidence and peace of mind using the Presto electric wok. The auto shut-off and cool-touch handle greatly improve safety and usability.

Cooking Performance

The Presto Electric Wok provides excellent cooking performance for a wide range of cooking tasks. The 1500 watt heating element generates fast, even heat across the entire interior cooking surface. This allows you to quickly bring ingredients up to a simmer or rolling boil when making soups, stews, or boiling noodles. The rapid heating also makes stir-frying a breeze - ingredients brown and sear quickly at high heat while maintaining their crisp texture.

The wok is also capable of low, steady heat for tasks like simmering sauces. The heat is very consistent and does not fluctuate like gas burners can. The large cooking surface gives you plenty of space to cook for multiple people or prepare larger batches of food. Steaming is another great application - the domed lid locks in heat and moisture for perfectly steamed vegetables, fish, or dumplings. Overall the wok excels at high heat searing as well as maintaining lower temperatures for simmering or steaming. The aluminum construction delivers fast, even heat distribution no matter what cooking technique you use.

Durability

The Presto Electric Wok is built to last thanks to its durable stainless steel construction. The wok pan itself is made from heavy-gauge stainless steel that allows it to withstand high cooking temperatures without warping.

Many customers have noted the wok's longevity in reviews. They mention using the Presto Electric Wok for years without any issues with warping, scratching, or other damage. The non-stick surface provides good resistance against scratches and abrasions during cooking and cleaning.

Some users comment on the durability of the heat base unit. It seems sturdy and well-made, able to withstand regular use without any problems. The components fit together securely. Overall the materials and construction allow this electric wok to provide great durability and longevity with regular use.

Accessories

The Presto Electric Wok comes with the following accessories included:

• Tempered glass cover to retain heat and moisture while cooking
• Spatula for stirring and serving food
• Rack to keep ingredients lifted out of cooking oils and juices

Additional accessories can be purchased separately:

• Presto Wok Brush for easy cleanup of the wok after cooking
• Presto Wok Spatula with longer handle for convenient stirring
• Presto Wok Lid Lifter for safely removing the hot glass lid
• Additional tempered glass lids for quickly covering different dishes
• Steaming tray insert to stack and steam ingredients
• Presto Recipe Book with wok cooking guides and recipe ideas

The wok is compatible with most universal wok accessories like steamer inserts and infuser baskets. The unique radial design allows ample space for cooking and frying ingredients.

Pros & Cons

The Presto Stainless Steel Electric Wok has several notable pros and cons to consider:

Pros:

• Large cooking surface with sloped sides makes it easy to stir-fry and flip food
• Features a tempered glass cover to retain heat and moisture
• Made of high quality stainless steel for durability and easy cleaning
• 1500 watt heating element distributes heat evenly and quickly
• Variable temperature control for adjusting heat as needed
• Cool-touch handle stays cool while cooking for safety
• Deep bowl shape and nonstick surface allow for easy food release

Cons:

• Only has one fixed heat setting, lacks more precise temperature control
• Base is narrower than some other electric woks which reduces stability
• Tempered glass lid can be heavy and awkward to remove during cooking
• Stainless steel can discolor over time with high heat exposure
• Shape and narrow base make it tricky for beginners to toss food properly
• No steam vent on lid so condensation can drip back into food

Conclusion

The Presto Electric Wok is a solid option for those looking for an electric wok that performs well and offers convenient features like a tempered glass lid and heat-resistant handles. The aluminum body heats up quickly and evenly, allowing you to stir-fry and sear with ease. The base is heavy enough to avoid tipping, though some may prefer a little more weight for stability.

The variable temperature dial gives you a good range of temps, though it lacks precise control compared to single-degree digital interfaces. The nonstick surface held up reasonably well in testing, requiring just a quick wipe for cleaning. The wok is easy to use right out of the box.

Overall, home cooks seeking an electric wok with versatile performance and handy extras like the tempered glass lid should be quite satisfied with this Presto model. The price is very reasonable for the quality and features offered. Those wanting more advanced temperature precision may prefer spending a little more for a digital electric wok. But for most home cooking needs, the Presto Electric Wok gets the job done admirably.