Wok-Hei is a unique flavour created when food is cooked at a very high temperature in a wok. It is often described as being smoky, roasted, and slightly sweet. Wok-Hei is a signature flavour of Chinese cuisine, and it can be challenging to achieve at home on a standard gas burner.
To achieve this indescribable flavour-defining quality of great wok cooking- Wok Hei- at home, many have experimented with different wok accessories, even going as far as recommending blowtorch as a last resort. No hard feeling Kenji, I even bought the idea and did some cooking on a wok and then transferred my meal onto a baking sheet and blowtorches the shit out of it. Just kidding, I did it as you recommended and gave it a “pass with the torch.”
The WokMon, however, is the perfect fit for any home gas range, concentrating heat on the centre button section of the wok.
"The WokMon device can help turn your average gas burner into a fire breathing stir frying machine." Glen Lee, from WokMon
So, what is WokMon?
WokMon is a device that helps you achieve Wok Hei, the almost indescribable flavour-defining quality of great wok cooking. Wok Hei is created when the food is cooked at a very high heat, and WokMon helps to create that high heat by increasing the BTU output of your gas burner.
How does WokMon work?
WokMon is a stainless steel device that attaches to your gas burner with magnets. It has a series of vents that allow air to flow through, which helps to create a more powerful flame. This increased heat allows you to cook food at a much higher temperature, which is essential for creating Wok Hei.
Benefits of using WokMon
There are many benefits to using WokMon, including:
Improved flavor: Wok Hei is unique and cannot be created with other cooking methods. It is often described as being smoky, roasted, and slightly sweet.
Increased cooking speed: WokMon helps you cook food at a much higher temperature, reducing cooking time. This is great for busy cooks who want to get dinner on the table quickly.
More even cooking: WokMon creates a more powerful flame, which helps to cook food more evenly. This is important for dishes like stir-fry, where you want the ingredients to be cooked without burning.
Easy to use: WokMon is very easy to use. Simply attach it to your gas burner and turn it on. There are no settings or adjustments to make.
WokMon set
The WokMon set includes the WokMon device, a wok stand, and a carbon steel wok. The WokMon device is made of stainless steel and has a magnetic base attached to the wok stand. The wok stand is made of aluminium and has a non-stick surface. The carbon steel wok is lightweight and durable.
Cooking aid
The Cooking aid page lists all the WokMon products that can help you cook better food at home. These products include the WokMon device, the wok stand, the carbon steel wok, and various WokHei seasonings.
Where to buy WokMon
WokMon is available for purchase on the WokMon website. It is also available at select retailers.
According to the designer of the product, “WokMon production is almost completed.” That means more of WokMon will be available in the market.
WokMon is a great way to improve the flavour, cooking speed, and evenness of your wok cooking. It is easy to use and available online. If you want to take your wok cooking to the next level, WokMon is an excellent option.
"With the WokMon and its concentrated flame … I managed to get the bottom of my wok up well beyond the 700°F mark, in some cases almost above 800°F!" Kenji López-Alt
López-Alt goes on to say that the WokMon insert is not only easy to use but also produces a better flavour than other methods, such as using a wok insert.
Kenji was also the first to suggest going all out with a blowtorch while tossing in one hand. "The blowtorch method is the easiest and most foolproof way to get wok hei at home. It's also the most versatile since you can use it with any type of pan, not just a wok," he argues.
Personally, I believe that the WokMon Focus Ring is the best way to achieve wok hei at home. It is a safe, easy, and versatile method that produces a delicious smoky flavour that is very similar to the flavour achieved with a traditional wok.
Wokmon is made of stainless steel and is available in three sizes to fit different gas burners. It's also dishwasher safe, which makes it easy to clean.
If you're serious about stir-frying, then Wokmon is an excellent investment. It's a surefire way to get the smoky, roasted wok hei flavour at home.
Here are some tips that may help you achieve wok hei at home:
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Use a carbon steel wok. Carbon steel woks are known for their ability to conduct heat evenly, essential for attaining wok hei.
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Heat your wok over high heat. The ideal temperature for wok hei is around 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Once your wok is hot, add a small amount of oil. The oil should be smoking hot before you add your food. The WokMon accessory for the gas range top would be very handy for concentrating the heat from the gas range dispenser.
Cook your food quickly. The less time your food spends in the wok, the less likely it is to burn and the more likely it is to develop wok hei.
Add aromatics. Aromatics, such as garlic or ginger, can help enhance the food's flavour and contribute to the overall wok hei experience.
Practice makes perfect. The more you practice stir-frying, the better you'll get at it. And the better you get at stir-frying, the more likely you will achieve wok hei.
Before delving into the whole world of tossing and stir-frying, please remember not to get discouraged if you don't get wok hei at home "right away". Just keep practising and experimenting; you'll eventually find the hot spot, eliminating all the disadvantages.
A new book from Palateverse, Wok-hei-Infused Keto Recipes, will be avilable on Amazon Kindle with more such Wok-hei-infused, Asian-inspired and keto-friendly recipes.
“Wok-hei-infused Recipes” Quick and Flavourful Keto Recipes