Top 5 Best Cast Iron Woks for Camping

The 5 Best Cast Iron Woks

The best cast iron wok can elevate your cooking to the next leve, no matter where you are. The search for the best cast iron wok can be complicated, but it is very worthwhile. A quality wok is a multi-purpose tool both in the kitchen and on the camping trail. Because of the unique versatility a wok provides, it can serve as a one-stop pot for searing, frying and boiling or be part of a more streamlined operation that also includes a traditional boiler. Read our cast iron wok reviews & ratings to find the best camping wok today.

The 5 Top Cast Iron Woks

The best cast iron wok will provide a consistent cooking temperature based on the unique shape of the wok. Heat retention is a premium feature, and look for a wok that is either pre-seasoned or unseasoned based on your preferences. We have identified five of the best cast iron wok options to help streamline the decision-making process.

* Ratings are determined using our specialized rating system.

AmazonBasics Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Wok Pan

The Amazon Basics Pre-seasoned Cast Iron Wok Pan is a bargain option that provides a lot of bang for the buck. With 14 inches of cooking surface, it is easy to use the pan for whipping up a stir-fry lunch at home or to create all sorts of culinary wonders at a campsite. The size is suited for family-sized entree preparation or creating a full meal for a couple.

The pan is heavy-duty cast iron to provide maximum heat retention for meal preparation and serving. Even heating means you can expect similar temperatures at the different levels of the wok.

For more sophisticated campers or cabin users, the wok is oven-safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit and can be used on any sort of cooking surface. This includes cooking over a camping grill at a state park, over a campfire or under a broiler. The restriction to hand wash only cleaning should not be a limitation on the trail and is a consistent cast iron cookware best practice.

Loop handles are on either side of this cast iron wok, which makes it perfect for more traditional cooking methods but can present a challenge in the kitchen. At 8.51 pounds, it is a bit heavy but a good compromise between too heavy for easy transport and too lightweight for easy use.

Southwest Disk 24 Inch Rio Grande Cast Iron Wok

The Southwest Disk Rio Grande Wok is a massive 24-inch investment wok with the potential to feed large crews on the road. The cooking surface is in an oval shape and provides a semi-flat bottom with up to 10 inches across the base for cooking at higher temperatures. The beveling of the wok provides up to 27 inches of cooking space as you slide veggies from one side of the surface to another while searing meats.

The Rio Grande’s impressive surface area carries with it an equally impressive weight of nearly 25 pounds. This means you need to be covering trails with some added horsepower behind you to conveniently navigate with the wok.

For pre-seasoning fans, this wok comes with a deep seasoning and firing and is prepped and clean. All you need is an open flame and a desire to engage in conversation about your awesome cookware. The Rio Grande is definitely the best cast iron wok for putting on a cooking show for a crowd of friends.

Jim Beam 12 Inch Pre Seasoned Cast Iron Grilling Wok

The Jim Beam 12” Preseasoned Heavy-Duty Construction Cast Iron Grilling Wok is a bargain-basement option perfect for both camping parties and solo feasts on the trail. For a family, you can easily prepare a starter course while using a camping pot for other options. Solo campers or couples may find the 12” wok is suitable for a full meal.

Traditional loop handles are offered on the Jim Beam, but the company notes they are ergonomically designed. While this may mean easier handling on the hands, safety precautions, such as wearing insulated gloves, must be considered before grabbing the cast-iron handles.

A sturdy base makes it possible to use the Jim Beam on a propane camping stove, camping grill grate or in a camping oven without worrying about spills and tipping over. It is pre-seasoned, albeit lightly, so it will get better as it absorbs more seasoning as you use it. For new explorers of cast-iron cookware or new wok users, it provides an easy access point for starting out.

Crucible Cookware 14 Inch Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Wok Set

The Crucible Cookware 14 Inch Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Wok Set provides a tidy wok accessory package at an affordable price point. The 14-inch wok’s flat bottom features a 6.3-inch diameter, perfect for searing enough meat for a family stir-fry or frying foods.

It also includes a couple of items sure to make life easier for new and old wok users alike. A glass lid with vent hole and two silicone handle holders ship with the wok. The holders make it possible to safely transport the wok from the stove using the traditional loop handles. Additional assistance may be required if cooking over a campfire flame. The included lid will help with heat retention, but it is not a perfect lock for the wok edges.

Crucible Cookware’s cast iron wok can stay in the oven for temperatures up to 540 degrees Fahrenheit if baking or roasting is required. It can also be used safely on a grill top while visiting a campsite or over a fire. The wok ships pre-seasoned, but cast iron regulars and aficionados will want to add additional layers of seasoning before regular use.

Backcountry Iron’s Pre-Seasoned 14 Inch Cast Iron Wok

Backcountry Iron’s Pre-Seasoned 14 Inch Cast Iron Wok checks a lot of boxes for an average price point. The 14-inch wok features a slightly steeper incline to the base, providing for even more cooking options over an open flame. From its base to the upper edges, the wok rises approximately 4.5 inches.

The wok is a bit of a mid-range in terms of weight. At 11.2 pounds, it isn’t massive but manages to pack a lot of heft over the lighter weight options. It can be a burden if camping utensils, such as spatulas for cast iron, cannot be stored in a vehicle or at a campsite until they are needed.

Backcountry’s wok is pre-seasoned with a company-specific blend. Among best cast iron wok contenders, it makes the most of its seasoning claims. If you prefer using your own seasoning process, prepare for additional work on this wok. More casual cast iron users will appreciate that the product provides a high-quality nonstick surface straight out of the gate. The company promotes use of virgin ore to create their products and states they will last for generations.

Important Cast Iron Wok Features to Consider

The unique beveled shape of the best cast iron wok contenders make them ideal prep pieces for full meal preparation. With a flat base that tapers up to the top rim of the pan, several unique cooking zones are present to let a chef or camp cook explore various cooking techniques.

With the base sitting squarely on a flame, meats can be seared and various foods browned. These food items can then be moved up to a higher level in the wok for continued cooking at lower temperatures or to retain their heat while the remainder of the meal is prepared in the base. Extra oil can also be added to the wok to achieve frying.

Consider your cooking needs and how you will most use the wok. If you plan to prepare a lot of meat or do a lot of frying, a larger base area provides more surface area at the highest temperatures.

Pre-seasoning is also a consideration. Established cooks and cast iron fans typically prefer to season their own skillets or to at least customize the seasoning in the pan as time goes by. Adding seasoning to a cast iron wok is a naturally occurring process, but devoted cast iron users will consider less seasoned options as the best to allow for easier customization of the seasoning immediately after purchase.

Benefits of Using a Camping Wok

The best cast iron wok manages to balance quality construction with the needs of the consumer. Some buyers need larger woks for show cooking or large parties. Others want a highly portable option to streamline a small kitchen setup or make life easy on the road. Campers need a portable wok to help minimize packing needs for a specific camping trip, such as a lightweight option for hiking or a larger wok for a night at a lodge.

A cast iron wok, like any cast iron product, provides a consistent temperature for cooking. Cast iron heats evenly. However, in relation to a wok, there will still be temperature variations based on its construction, but you can expect an even graduation of the temperature.

Cast iron woks are also a lifetime investment when you buy quality products. Cast iron cookware is a gift that easily moves down through families, making paying more for superior construction pay off over the long run.

The wok itself is a great way to streamline the cooking process and prepare a “one-pan” meal. For families embarking on an outdoor adventure, this minimizes the time spent setting up your camping kitchen and lets the focus stay on making memories. It can also lead to extremely tasty cuisine.

Precautions for Using a Camping Wok

Cooking with a wok can be a lot of fun, but it is also a unique experience. If most of your cooking adventures were on the stovetop or with camping skillets, cast iron pots, cast iron griddles, cast iron grill pans, or cast iron baking pans, invest a bit of time in testing out the wok experience before taking it on the road. Much like getting to use a cast iron teapot or cast iron melting pot, you may find this unique piece of dishware a fun addition to your collection!

Over an open flame on a gas stove or a campfire, the flame spreads across the base of the wok and, to an extent, up the sides. Always exercise caution when adjusting temperatures. Note: Show wok cooking may also use a flame in the pan to promote further searing, but it does not need to be a feature of your cooking.

While some woks feature long handles, many feature traditional loop handles on either side of the pan. With the open flame and the nature of cast iron, burns are always a possibility. Use handle grabbers, a pot holder, insulated gloves, tongs or other tools to safely remove the wok from a campfire or open grill. When cooking on the stovetop, turn off the flame before removing the wok while still using safety equipment to transport it to a serving or staging area.

To learn more about different cast iron woks on the market, check out our Lodge cast iron reviews, Tramontina cast iron reviews, and Finex cast iron reviews to see what these great cast iron brands have to offer.

Conclusion

The Amazon Basics Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Wok Pan is the best cast iron work option to invest in for those totally new to wok cooking or individuals looking for a streamlined option for the camp stove. It is a bargain while still providing a large enough surface for feeding a family, a couple or a solo adventurer. It is a sturdy weight for easy cooking while not presenting a major encumbrance on the trail.

In the cast-iron category, it combines quality craftsmanship with pre-seasoning for convenient use. This makes it perfect for beginners in cast-iron cooking and for those just starting to explore the possibilities of cooking in a wok.

The responses below are not provided, commissioned, reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any financial entity or advertiser. It is not the advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.