Meet the Hybrid HexClad Wok, the Ultimate Cooking Companion for One-Pan Meals
Updated: Nov. 25, 2023
The HexClad wok combines the best elements of cast iron, stainless steel and nonstick into a dynamo of a pan.
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Over the past few years, the cookware market has incorporated new materials, innovative designs and upgraded manufacturing technology to revolutionize home cooking. One brand at the forefront is HexClad, which has created a full line of cookware that combines the best elements of cast iron, stainless steel and nonstick pans. I’d long been ride-or-die with my trusty cast-iron skillet, but when I tested the HexClad skillet, I was thrilled with the results. But I must admit I only use it sporadically. Its small size doesn’t make it ideal for cooking large meals for myself and my two teenage sons. The HexClad wok, however, offers plenty of room to work with. Here’s how the HexClad wok fared in my home kitchen.
What is the HexClad wok?
HexClad cookware has been dubbed “the Rolls Royce of pans” by none other than Gordon Ramsay, and a countless number of Michelin-starred chefs have sang its praises. Its patented design combines all the best elements of cast iron, stainless steel and nonstick pans to create a “super pan” of sorts. Like cast iron, it’s sturdy, resilient and retains heat in ways other pans can only dream of. Two layers of non-reactive stainless steel with an aluminum core distribute heat evenly across the surface of the pan.
What sets the HexClad wok apart is its size. There are three available sizes (10 inches, 12 inches and 14 inches), so there’s plenty of room to make all sorts of dishes—not just stir-fries and Asian food! Use this pan as you would a large sauté pan to cook one-pan meals, pasta, fried foods, eggs or whatever else you’re able to imagine. This versatile pan offers endless possibilities, and the superlative construction makes it the perfect everyday pan.
VIA MERCHANT
We Tried It
HexClad Wok
The HexClad wok is ideal for high-volume cooking, so you can prepare a whole meal in one pan.
HexClad Wox Features
There are five elements to HexClad’s patented technology that make its pans unlike anything else on the market. Like many other brands of high-quality cookware, it all begins with an aluminum core, which rapidly conducts heat and gets your pan lightning-hot in less than a minute. Beneath it is a nearly indestructible stainless steel base that retains that heat, and because it’s magnetic, it can be used on induction cooktops in addition to electric and gas stoves. There’s a layer of stainless steel on top, too, which distributes heat evenly across the surface while helping the pan maintain a consistent temperature. The stainless steel and nonstick hybrid design makes HexClad products, including their Dutch oven, stand out.
Now comes the ingenious part! The top stainless steel layer is coated with a layer of a high-grade, non-toxic, nonstick material infused with diamond dust. Then, a laser is used to etch a hexagonal design through the coating, exposing some of the stainless steel below. This not only helps distribute heat evenly across the pan, but also helps create a gorgeous sear on meat, fish or whatever else you’re cooking. And unlike many other nonstick pans, it’s safe to use metal utensils while cooking with the HexClad wok.
In addition to being a powerhouse on the stovetop, the HexClad wok is also safe to use in the oven up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, with a stay-cool ergonomic handle that makes it easy to maneuver. As for cleanup, it’s dishwasher safe, or it can be quickly hand washed with warm, soapy water. Don’t worry about scratching the surface in the event of stains; the HexClad wok is durable enough to stand up to abrasive sponges and steel wool.
How We Tested It
Much like every other piece of HexClad cookware I’ve ever come across, the HexClad wok impressed me straight out of the box with its heft and ergonomic design. While it may weigh a bit more than some of the other pans I’ve tested (like the Hero Pan from Drew Barrymore), I didn’t mind one bit. A heavy pan is a durable pan, and considering the HexClad wok comes with a lifetime guarantee, I do expect it to last a lifetime. Besides, if a pan is made with multiple layers of high-quality metals, it should be heavy! And despite the weight, the handle and overall design of the wok make it surprisingly easy to handle.
Ground Meat
The first thing I tested in the HexClad wok was plain ground meat. (chorizo, to be specific.) This would give me a good idea of how the pan heated up at various points across its surface. When a recipe tells you to begin by browning meat, it’s not just to cook it through—it’s to develop flavor. When cooked in less-than-stellar pans, meat often browns unevenly, meaning you’ll have spots where it becomes richly colored and flavorful and other areas where the meat becomes bland and gray before it ends up simmering and steaming in its own juices.
A good pan will coax the maximum amount of flavor out of the meat, and the HexClad wok definitely comes through in this department. Every bit of chorizo from the center to the edge came out beautifully, and the high sides made it easy to stir and smash without the errant piece of meat jumping ship. The high sides also helped contain the grease, which helped reduce spattering when compared to a typical skillet.
Stir-Fry
Because it is a wok, I obviously had to try out a few quick-and-easy stir-fries in my new HexClad pan, and it should come as absolutely no surprise that it worked spectacularly. The high sides and curved shape made it easy to flip and toss my ingredients without anything flying out of the pan. One of the major keys to successful stir-fry cooking is to work with a lightning-hot pan, and on my electric stove, the entire cooking surface of my HexClad wok gets scorching hot in under two minutes. Because it cooks so well so quickly, it truly is possible to get dinner on the table in less than 10 minutes!
Pros
- Truly nonstick
- Non-toxic cooking surface
- Heats evenly
- Oven- and dishwasher-safe
- Available in three sizes
- Safe for use with metal utensils
- Induction-compatible
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Pricey
- Doesn’t come with lid
FAQ
Is HexClad cookware dishwasher safe?
Yes! Just like other pots and pans in their line of cookware, the HexClad wok is dishwasher safe. The scratch-resistant surface is safe for use with abrasive cleaners, scouring pads and steel wool, too.
Is HexClad cookware heavy?
The HexClad wok isn’t as heavy as the average cast-iron pan, but it’s definitely heavier than most average pans. (That’s what happens when you use high-grade metal!) But despite its heft, the ergonomic handle helps to make it easy to lift and maneuver.
What Other Reviewers Had to Say
I’m not the only one praising the HexClad wok. Here’s what other real-life home cooks are saying:
“I love, love, love this pan as well as the others I recently purchased,” says Gail G., a verified HexClad customer. “It makes cooking a snap. Everyone in the house feels the same and they say what a joy it is to cook in it and how easy it is to clean.”
Five-star Amazon reviewer, NB, writes, “This has now become the best wok I own! I have used it for about three months now and I’m very impressed with how it has held up. Stuff cooks faster in it with minimal heat. The handle is very ergonomic. Highly recommended!”
“I leave this pan on top of [the] stove and use it for cooking everything from a fried egg to stir-fry to sauté and deep-fry. It is easy to clean. I love this pan,” shares Anita Ford, another five-star reviewer.
Product Comparison
Just like Caraway cookware, the Our Place Always Pan and Green Pan, HexClad’s pans have built up plenty of buzz on social media and the internet at large. The HexClad wok stands out for its functionality, versatility and durability. This pan is virtually indestructible, making it just as good for beginners as it is for seasoned pros. Plus, its outstanding heat conduction takes a lot of the guesswork out of cooking, as it’s easy to regulate temperature and cook to perfection. Its surface can stand up to metal utensils, so there’s no need to replace all your cooking tools with nonstick-friendly ones.
Final Verdict
The HexClad wok is a stellar pan that can handle just about anything you care to throw at it, and it’s easy to clean, to boot. Though it’s pricey, it’s also backed by a lifetime warranty. There’s a good possibility this might be the last wok you’ll ever need to buy.
Where to Buy the HexClad Wok
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We Tried It
HexClad Wok
The HexClad Wok is 12 inches across and 3 inches deep. When you’re cooking for a crowd or want to make sure there are leftovers, this is your go-to pan.
Pick up the HexClad wok on the brand’s website, Amazon or Walmart. It retails for $179, but HexClad frequently runs sales, so if you keep your eyes peeled, you might be able to nab one at a substantial discount.
