West Bend SKWB12GY13 Electric Wok: Full Review

The West Bend SKWB12GY13 is a large, electric wok designed to provide a versatile cooking experience directly on your countertop. As a 12-inch electric wok with a 13-quart capacity, this model aims to deliver fast and even heating in a user-friendly non-stick package.

West Bend positions this wok as a handy all-in-one appliance that can handle everything from stir-frying meats and veggies to deep-frying appetizers to steaming seafood. The non-stick coating and tempered glass lid make cooking and clean-up easy. With its spacious interior, this wok can accommodate family-sized portions for meal prepping or batch cooking. The electric heating element allows you to precisely control the temperature during cooking right on your countertop.

Overall, the West Bend SKWB12GY13 offers an electric alternative to traditional stove-top woks, providing consistent and convenient cooking capabilities in a large-capacity design. This review will take a closer look at the key features, performance, pros and cons of this electric wok option.

Design

The West Bend SKWB12GY13 electric wok has an attractive and ergonomic design made from durable materials.

The wok itself is made from heavy-gauge aluminum which allows for even and efficient heating. The wok has a traditional round bottom shape with gently sloping sides that are 12 inches in diameter, providing ample cooking surface for family-sized meals.

A domed glass lid with handle fits securely over the wok during cooking. The lid has vent holes to allow steam to escape. The wok's loop handles on either side stay cool and provide a secure grip.

The wok sits in a square nonstick coated base. Rubber feet on the base help keep it stable on countertops. Overall the materials and design are high quality and optimized for ease of use.

Heating Element

The West Bend electric wok features a powerful 1500-watt heating element that allows you to sear and stir fry ingredients at high heat. The adjustable thermostat ranges from warm up to 425°F, giving you precise control over cooking temperature.

The curved base is designed to distribute heat evenly, so food cooks thoroughly without hot or cold spots. This is ideal for stir frying as you want the high heat to reach all ingredients in the pan. The heavy-gauge aluminum also promotes heat conductivity.

Whether you are cooking a quick weekday meal or preparing an elaborate feast, the versatile heating element provides the right amount of heat for excellent results. Sear meats to seal in juices or cook veggies crisply without oil. The West Bend electric wok truly excels at high-heat cooking techniques.

Non-Stick Coating

The West Bend Electric Wok features a premium non-stick coating on the interior cooking surface. This PFOA-free non-stick coating is designed to be safe, scratch resistant, and durable enough for everyday use.

Unlike some cheaper non-stick coatings that can wear off over time, exposing the bare metal underneath, the coating in the West Bend Electric Wok is rigorously tested to ensure it will last. The non-stick surface makes cooking and cleaning much easier, as food will not stick to the wok while cooking. Even after heavy use, the non-stick holds up well and prevents scratching or peeling.

Overall, the high quality non-stick interior is a major advantage of this electric wok, allowing you to cook with less oil and make cleanup a breeze after meals. The durability ensures the non-stick performance will continue for years of cooking.

Ease of Use

The West Bend SKWB12GY13 Electric Wok has several features that make it easy and convenient to use.

• The controls are simple and intuitive. There is an adjustable thermostat that allows you to select different temperature settings to suit whatever you are cooking. The highest temperature is 450° F. There is also an indicator light that lets you know when the wok is preheated and ready for cooking.

• Cleanup after cooking is straightforward. The non-stick coating prevents food from getting stuck on and makes wiping down the wok quick and simple. The body and lid can be safely washed by hand with warm soapy water. Users mention how it takes minimal effort to clean this wok after use.

• The glass lid allows you to monitor food cooking without having to lift the lid and release heat. The large loop handle stays cool while cooking so you can lift the lid safely.

• At just over 12 pounds, the wok is lightweight enough to move around and lift comfortably. The handles on either side distribute the weight nicely.

Safety Features

The West Bend Electric Wok has a few useful safety features that make it easy and safe to use.

• The electric wok has auto shutoff that kicks in after a certain period of inactivity. This helps prevent overcooking or burning if you accidently leave the wok on. It will automatically power down after being idle for a while.

• The handles on the side stay cool while cooking. This allows you to move or adjust the wok without worrying about burning your hands on hot metal. The plastic handles don't absorb and retain heat, so you can safely grip them even during extended cooking times. This is an important safety feature, especially when cooking with kids.

• The base has non-slip feet that keep the wok stable on countertops. This prevents sliding or movement during cooking which could otherwise lead to spilling and burns. The rubberized feet grip securely to surfaces.

• There are vent holes in the glass lid to allow steam to escape. This prevents a dangerous pressurized build up inside the wok if you cook with the lid on.

So in summary, the cool touch handles, auto shutoff, vented lid, and non-slip base all contribute to a safer user experience when cooking with the electric wok. These design choices by West Bend help prevent common accidents and make their wok safer for home use.

Performance

The West Bend Electric Wok performs very well for a variety of cooking tasks. The curved sides and domed lid are designed to circulate heat and steam evenly throughout the wok, allowing you to braise, steam, sear, saute, deep fry, and stir fry with ease.

The non-stick coating prevents food from sticking while promoting caramelization and browning. You can prepare crispy fried rice, velvety curries, juicy stir fries, and more without things sticking to the bottom. The heating element brings the wok up to temperature quickly and recovers rapidly when ingredients are added.

The wok makes it easy to toss and flip ingredients for even exposure to heat. The domed lid helps retain heat and moisture when braising or steaming. Overall, the wok allows for excellent searing, frying, steaming and all-around even heating when preparing a variety of dishes.

Capacity

The West Bend Electric Wok has an impressive 12 quart capacity, making it ideal for cooking large family meals. The extra-large nonstick cooking surface provides enough room to stir fry vegetables, proteins, and noodles for 4-6 people simultaneously. With its spacious interior, you can cook up to 10 chicken breasts or 8 pork chops at once. The wok is engineered to feed bigger families and groups without needing multiple batches. When cooking a full meal with meat, veggies, rice etc - there's ample room for each component. You'll be able to create restaurant-sized portions to satisfy big appetites. One of the main advantages of this electric wok is the ability to cook complete dishes for gatherings and parties without running out of space. Overall, the generous 12 quart capacity makes this an excellent choice for preparing family-sized meals.

Pros

Even Heating - The West Bend electric wok makes use of die-cast aluminum walls to evenly disperse the heat. This allows you to cook everything thoroughly without hot or cold spots.

User-Friendly Controls - There is a variable temperature dial that goes up to 400°F and a see-through tempered glass lid. The controls are very intuitive and easy to use even for beginners.

Large Capacity - With its 4-quart capacity, this wok can cook food for up to 6 people at a time. The non-stick coating also ensures all the food slides off the surface easily.

Cool Touch Handles - The handles stay cool even during cooking so you can maneuver the wok safely. The lid knob is also made of stay-cool plastic for added protection.

Cons

• The non-stick coating may deteriorate over time with heavy use. Cooking with metal utensils can accelerate wear.

• Temperature regulation can be tricky. There's no thermostat or adjustable heat settings. You have to monitor temperature closely yourself.

• Capacity is on the smaller side for a family-sized electric wok. It may not be large enough for cooking big batches or meals.

• The base is not totally flat which can lead to some rocking on the countertop during cooking. You have to be careful when tossing food.