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Conference turris::cooks

Title:How to Make them Goodies
Notice:Please Don't Start New Notes for Old Topics! Check 5.*
Moderator:FUTURE::DDESMAISONSec.com::winalski
Created:Tue Feb 18 1986
Last Modified:Thu Jun 05 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:4127
Total number of notes:31160

2422.0. "Woks and Gas Ranges" by TLE::EIKENBERRY (Sharon Eikenberry) Mon May 21 1990 14:00

  My husband and I recently converted our kitchen to use natural gas for
cooking instead of electric.  When I was reading the directions that came
with our gas range, I came across a warning that said not to use woks that
have metal rings that go around the burner -- I believe it said that they
prevent air flow, which can cause the burner to malfunction and can 
actually damage it.

  Does anyone have any comments on this?  Our wok ring has holes, so I 
wouldn't have thought it would be a problem.

  It's a moot point for us anyway, because our range has square grates
over the burner, so our round wok ring won't fit around it!

  I guess we continue to use our Peking Pan!

--Sharon
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
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2422.1Can you put it directly on the burner?TLE::DANIELSBrad Daniels, VAX C RTL whipping boyMon May 21 1990 14:095
We used  to  just  put  our  wok on the square burners.  At least on the gas
range  we  had,  the  hole  in the middle of the burner was large enough and
shaped so it would keep the wok pretty stable.

- Brad
2422.2I take the square grill off and use the wok ringCADSYS::RICHARDSONMon May 21 1990 19:2115
    I take the square grill off my gas burner, and use the wok ring that I
    actually got to use on an electric stove, rather than the one I used on
    my old gas stove (with round burners) since it doesn't fit.  This one
    has tapered sides which are vented, and just fits in the space where
    the square grill belongs, and it holds the wok nice and steady just
    over the flame of the burner.  Works fine.
    
    I wouldn't have bought a gas stove with square grills if the wok
    wouldn't fit on it; we use the wok several times a week.  (I wouldn't
    have bought a new gas stove at all, but the company that made the old
    one has been out of business for years, so I couldn't get parts to fix
    it when it broke down!)
    
    
    /Charlotte
2422.3Another thing I'm doing wrong?STAR::DIPIRROTue May 22 1990 10:257
    I have a gas stove and use the wok ring with the holes in it and have
    never noticed a problem. The holes are large and don't restrict the air
    flow as far as I can tell. I also always use the stove fan when I cook
    in the wok (you'd know why if you had ever seen me cook). That may help
    the air flow situation. I think the "warning" is more of a precaution,
    but I wasn't aware of any potential problems until you brought it up.
    One more thing to worry about I guess...(I'm making a list).
2422.4exitNITMOI::PESENTIOnly messages can be draggedTue May 22 1990 11:1424
    There was a problem a few years back with a wok ring that did not let
    enough air in to keep the flame going.  
    
    I never used my ring on the electric stove, preferring to get the
    direct contact with the element.  There was enough of a dimple in the
    middle to balanc the wok.
    
    I started using the ring on my gas stove.  I found it helped to
    concentrate the heat in the bottom of the wok.  Since my ring had good
    sized holes, and the gas jets were not sealed on the bottom, the flame
    got lots of air.  The only problem I had was minor discoloration from
    the heat.  The white cooktop under the ring would get a yellow buildup
    on it.  A light rubbing with steel wool was enough to get the buildup
    off without noticeably scratching the finish.  
    
    So far, I have not yet used my wok on my new stove...I've been too busy
    using the grill (Jennair super yuppie model!).  I tried it on for size
    though, and it appears to fit ok.  We'll see.
    
    					-JP
    
    ps:  anyone interested in buying a used ROPER gas range?  30", white,
         self cleaning, LP/natural gas, 6 yrs old, price negociable, north 
         central Mass (Lunenburg).
2422.5not a problemPSW::WINALSKICareful with that VAX, EugeneTue May 22 1990 23:1612
All the wok rings that I've ever seen had several very large holes in them and
during the years that I cooked with a wok on a gas range, I never once had a
problem with restricted air flow or overheating due to the wok ring.

I've generally found that a round-bottomed wok fits pretty well on the regular
burner rings, anyway, so you don't need a separate wok ring.  I only ever used
mine on particularly cumbersome things that I wanted to be sure didn't tip
over, such as when you have a several-tier bamboo steamer over a wok of boiling
water.  For stir-frying, things are usually stable enough with the wok
directly on the burner.

--PSW