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How to Clean a Wok After Cooking to maintain its Lustre?

Cleaning a wok after cooking while following the dos and don’ts carefully is crucial to keep your wok safe from rusting and give it a long durable life.

Also, if you effectively clean a wok after use on a regular basis, this will help you to maintain its luster for years to come.

As woks come in different types of material, their cleaning procedures differ highly. In this article, we are going to bust the common myth that to clean a wok after cooking is difficult and requires a lot of effort.

It isn’t really when you are aware of the simplest and easy ways to do so. What is more important to know is the cleaning technique that the different materials require.  Here we have discussed the cleaning procedure of every type of wok.

deep cleaning process of a wok after cooking

Table of Content:

  • How to clean a carbon steel wok after use?
  • How to clean a carbon steel wok with burnt food?
  • Storing tips of a carbon steel wok

  • How to clean a cast iron wok after cooking?
  • How to clean a cast iron wok with burnt food?
  • Storing tips of a cast iron wok

  • How to clean a stainless steel wok after use?
  • How to clean a burnt stainless steel wok after cooking?
  • Storing tips of a stainless steel wok

  • How to clean a non-stick wok after use?
  • How to clean a burnt non-stick wok after cooking?
  • Storing tips of a non-stick wok

  • Additional Cleaning Tips for a Wok

Carbon Stee Wok

Carbon Steel Wok Cleaning and Maintenance

How to clean a carbon steel wok after use?  

Here are the easiest ways to clean a wok after cooking:  

  • Step 1: Rinse the carbon steel wok using some warm water.  
  • Step 2: Use a gentle scrubber to scrub the food particles off.  
  • Step 3: Rinse with warm water. Repeat the process until the shine of the wok is back. 
  • Step 4: Tap it dry using a paper towel.

How to clean a carbon steel wok with burnt food?  

  • Step 1: Keep the wok soaked in some warm water. 
  • Step 2: Take a non-metallic gentle scrubber. Scrub the food particles off the wok.  
  • Step 3: Rinse the wok in warm water.  

Repeat the process until the shine of the wok is back and all the burnt food is clean. Once done, tap the wok dry using a towel.  

The next procedure is to season the wok. This is important to retain the luster and increase the longevity of the wok. The steps are: 

  • Step 1: Brush a thin layer of vegetable oil on both sides of the wok.  
  • Step 2: Place the wok on top of the oven. Turn the temperature to 450 degrees.  
  • Step 3: Turn the wok upside down. Let it be there for an hour.  

Once done, keep it away.  

What are some storing tips for a carbon steel wok?  

Here are some storing tips and tricks that can prevent the carbon steel wok from rusting.  

  • Do not scrub the wok extensively with an abrasive scrubber.  
  • Tap the wok completely dry before storing it.  
  • Oil it and season it well after use.  
  • Avoid putting the carbon steel wok in a dishwasher.  
  • Do not use detergent to clean a wok after cooking.  

Cast Iron Wok

Cast iron wok cleaning methods

How to clean a cast iron wok after cooking?  

  • Step 1: Keep the cast iron wok soaked in warm water for a while.  
  • Step 2: Take any regular dish wash soap and a soft non-abrasive scrubber. Gently scrub the wok. 
  • Step 3: Once done, wash the wok.  
  • Step 4: Using a paper towel, tap the cast iron wok dry.  

Read: How to clean and reuse a rusty wok?

How to clean a cast iron wok with burnt food?  

Here are some of the easiest steps to clean a cast iron wok with burnt food:  

  • Step 1: Turn the oven on in medium-high flame. Put the wok on it and let it heat for some time.  
  • Step 2: Once hot, add some oil in the wok.  
  • Step 3: Take a paper towel. Wipe the wok clean.  
  • Step 4: Keep the cast iron wok away for some time.  
  • Step 5: Once the temperature of the wok drops, add some baking soda.  
  • Step 6: Take a gentle scrubber. Scrub the burnt food particles off the wok.  
  • Step 7: Add some water on the wok and boil it.  
  • Step 8: Once you ensure that the wok is clean, and dry store it.

What are the storing tips for a cast iron wok?  

Following certain general and easy storing can not only help to prevent the cast iron wok from rusting but also increase its lifetime. Below are some of the tips: 

  • Do not leave any water droplets on the cast iron wok. Dry it keeping in an oven before storing it.  
  • Put a coating of vegetable oil on the wok with the help of a paper towel.  
  • Use a gentle scrubber.  
  • Do not forget to season the cast iron wok regularly.  
  • Try to avoid excessively boil water on the cast iron wok.

Stainless Steel Wok

Stainless steel wok cleaning methods

How to clean a stainless steel wok after use?  

Below is the simplest way to clean a wok after cooking:  

  • Step 1: Take warm water and regular dish wash soap.  
  • Step 2: Scrub the wok gently with a non-abrasive scrubber. 
  • Step 3: Once done, wash the wok and tap it dry. 

How to clean a burnt stainless steel wok?  

Stainless steel has a high tendency to be burnt if not properly looked after while cooking. Hence, knowing the easiest ways to get rid of the burnt stains remains a must. Here are some of the steps to do so:  

  • Step 1: Put the wok in the oven.  
  • Step 2: Add water and vinegar to it.  
  • Step 3: Turn the oven on and let the mixture boil.  
  • Step 4: Switch off the oven. 
  • Step 5: Add baking soda. The mixture would fizz.  
  • Step 6: With the help of a normal scrubber scrub the burnt particles off.  
  • Step 7: Wash with water.  
  • Step 8: Tap dry with a paper towel.  

What are some storing tips for a stainless steel wok?  

Here are certain tips to store the stainless steel wok: 

  • Do not wash the stainless steel wok in a dishwasher. 
  • Avoid using soap and detergent to clean a wok after cooking.   
  • Heat the wok only at the high flame that your range of wok permits.  
  • Season the wok regularly.  
  • Make sure there are no water droplets on the wok while storing.  

Non-stick Coated Wok

How to clean a nonstick wok after use?  

Here is an easy way to clean a wok after cooking which is nonstick: 

  • Step 1: Add a mixture of water and vinegar on the wok. 
  • Step 2: Boil the mixture.  
  • Step 3: Remove any oil layer that may have been stuck to the wok while cooking. Dispose of the mixture.  
  • Step 4: Take some warm water and a soft scrubber. Scrub the nonstick wok.  
  • Step 5: Wash the wok and tap it dry clean with a paper towel.  

How to clean a burnt nonstick wok after cooking?  

Here are the easiest steps to clean a burnt nonstick wok:  

  • Step 1: Make a mixture of water and baking soda.  
  • Step 2: Soak the wok in the mixture overnight.  
  • Step 3: Wash using normal water and a soft scrubber.  
  • Step 4: Rinse and tap the wok dry properly before storing it.  

What are some storing tips for a nonstick wok?  

Below are certain tricks to prevent the nonstick pan from rusting and increasing the longevity of it: 

  • Do not use metals in the nonstick wok.  
  • Avoid using cooking sprays.  
  • Do not use an abrasive scrubber to wash the wok.  
  • Do not put the wok in a dishwasher.  
  • Season the nonstick wok regularly.  

What are some additional cleaning tips for a wok?  

In addition to the above-mentioned ways to clean a wok after cooking, there are several other tricks to clean a wok as well. The best part is these tips include cleaning the wok with readily available ingredients. These are: 

  • Baking Soda: The baking soda is non-abrasive. Along with that, it works wonders in cleaning stubborn food particles that remain stuck on the wok. Hands down, it is most available and one of the best cleansing agents.  
  • Vinegar: Vinegar has been used as a cleansing agent for generations now. Along with that, the steps to clean a wok using vinegar id also simple and doable. However, if you are using a cast iron wok or a carbon steel wok it is better not to use vinegar for cleaning it.   
  • Wine: Not just in taste, but wine can come handy when you are looking for home ingredients to make that wok shine again. It contains cleansing properties that can give a tough competition to many dishwashing soaps.  
  • Cream of Tartar: It is one of the most used ingredients that even professional chefs look for. This magic ingredient contains tartaric acid and potassium hydroxide which are great cleansing agents.  

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