Why does food stick to the bottom of the wok?

Answer 1

(1) Hot wok cold oil;
heat wok until slightly smoking and then drizzle oil around the edges

(2) seasoning;
Baking method - wipe pan inside and out with a THIN layer of peanut or other vegetable oil with paper towel. Stick it in 350-450 degree oven and bake for 20 minutes. Let cool, wash out (no soap), and repeat process two or three more times.

Flame stove method - Put pan over high heat and heat all parts until it starts to smoke. Put in oil and swirl around covering sides until the oil begins to smoke. Wipe out excess oil. Repeat process until there is a brownish black coating.

Salt method - add a cup of salt into the pan and heat on high flame. Continously stir the salt until the pan changes color. Take out salt and coat pan with thin layer of oil.

Deep fry method - Deep fry any food item in pan to revitalize it by filling the oil up high.

(3) Stir while cooking
(4) Use more oil

Answer 2

It all comes down to the oil. Heat the wok first, turning the heat up as high as possible. After about thirty seconds, add the oil, pouring so that it circles around the sides of the top before reaching the bottom. After about another thirty seconds the oil should be hot enough to add the food. If you follow this procedure carefully, you shouldn't have any more problems with food sticking.

Answer 3

The wok may not be properly seasoned. I use peanut oil and cover the whole interior. Heat till it smokes. Cool. Wipe out excess oil. Then do it twice more. Once seasoned, be sure to use around a tablespoon of oil. Drizzle around the pan and let drain to center, use your spatula to spread it around and let it get hot enough so that you see ripples in it or just faint smoke. Toss in the food and keep it moving! Don't add too much food all at once, you shouldn't see water in the bottom of the pan.

Answer 4

I have worked in a couple of chinese restaurants, generally home stoves dont get hot enough to heat a wok properly. I dont know what your heat source is, but next time your in a chinese joint, take a look at what they are cooking over. Looks like a small jet engine.

Answer 5

A wok? Isn't that where a Wabbit sits when he wants to West?

Answer 6

your wok is not hot enough, make sure it is smoking before you put food into it and then stir immediately

Answer 7

This problem happens in home cooking mostly because oil is not enough. And then second probably has to do with the heat.

Answer 8

Not enough oil and/or not hot enough. You want lots of oil. Enough oil to make a good puddle in the bottom. Hot enough to fry.

Answer 9

Sounds like a combination of not enough heat, not enough oil, and not enough stirring.