Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site nmtvax.UUCP Path: utzoo!decvax!ucbvax!ucdavis!lll-crg!seismo!cmcl2!lanl!unm-la!unmvax!nmtvax!shipman From: shipman@nmtvax.UUCP Newsgroups: net.cooks Subject: Electric wok alternatives Message-ID: <833@nmtvax.UUCP> Date: Fri, 25-Oct-85 14:16:30 EDT Article-I.D.: nmtvax.833 Posted: Fri Oct 25 14:16:30 1985 Date-Received: Sun, 27-Oct-85 00:56:56 EDT Distribution: na Organization: Zoological Data Processing Lines: 38 Summary: flat-bottom wok or Williams-Sonoma's "Cassette Feu" (review) In response to Trevor Flory's posting asking about electric woks, I'd like to suggest two alternatives. (By the way, Trevor, electric woks are not too bad--you can swing the temperature pretty fast). Assuming that you have an electric stove, consider buying a flat-bottom wok. I have a Taylor & Ng model that works fine. If you let the burner get red hot, then put the wok on it, you will have plenty of heat. If you need to lower the heat fast, you can move it to a lower burner or just take it off for a minute. For camping, I got a "Cassette Feu" from Williams-Sonoma (mail-order for cooks; 415-652-9007 or write PO Box 7456, Sam Francisco, CA 94120-7456). This is a single-burner portable gas stove that uses canned propane fuel. It has a piezolectric igniter so you don't have to worry about lighting it. It's light and compact, about 12" x 9" x 4". I first saw an appliance like this after ordering Shabu Shabu at a Japanese restaurant: they brought out the broth (boiling) and the meat (raw) and let us cook it on on our table. The first dish I cooked on it was a Szechwan potato dish (read my review of "Mrs. Chiang's Szechwan Cookbook" if you don't believe there is such a dish). It had quite a bit of thermal mass--six large spuds and a pound of pork--but cooked in the regulation time. I can't speak yet for the economics of this system--fuel canisters are $10.50 for three but I don't know how long they last. I forget the price of the unit but it is moderate, around $50. Disclaimers: (1) I have no financial interest in any products mentioned. (2) "I will not only retract any statement anyone finds offensive, I will also deny under oath having said it." [Tom Lehrer] -- John Shipman/Zoological Data Processing/ucbvax!unmvax!nmtvax!shipman