Rusty Wok Restoration - Better than Nonstick

In this video I restore an old USA made spun metal wok. It is made out of carbon steel and is a very fun style of pan to use for cooking. I got it at a local flea market for cheap and the condition definitely reflected on the price. The seasoning was all messed up and the pan was rusty.
Timestamps:
0:00 Start
0:19 Disassembly
0:24 Into the lye tank
0:34 Out of the lye bath
0:59 Rinsing off grime
1:07 Out of electrolysis tank (the video of me putting it in became corrupt)
1:19 Rinsing and scrubbing off rust
1:59 Turning a new handle on the lathe
4:41 Polishing and finishing the back handle
5:15 Making the front handle
7:42 Removing the old wooden handle
8:03 Seasoning the pan
9:29 Attaching the front handle to the pan
10:14 Finish sanding the handles
11:15 Cooking in the wok
14:24 Finished product
Seasoning a wok: • How to properly season...
Simple egg fried rice: • 5 Minutes EASY Egg Fri...

[@DoctorMeatDic]

I recently brought our wok of 12 years back to life. Sanded the metal right back, put on a gas flame until blue all over and seasoned with oil. It was so rewarding and I am cooking with it every Saturday since. It's a joy to cook with it. Nothing sticks and the food is delicious, better than a takeaway. I have cooked sweet and sour chicken, teriyaki chicken and Kung Pao chicken so far.

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Sweet! Thanks for watching

[@dougidoug]

Really good job on that. I like that you have a 50 gallon tank of lye to hand.

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thank you! I restore a lot of cast iron pans so I invested in a big tank of Lye and a big electrolysis Tank

[@shannonreaves4722]

Helps to get rid of the bodies 😂

[@duratoke]

Always handy way to clean up the bodies! LOL Arrgh!

[@gbunag3]

That is a great find! I love my carbon steel wok.

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thanks for watching

[@ChitoLimson]

What I learned from my Chinese pals who are savvy with woks is NOT to use dishwashing liquid or any detergent on a seasoned wok. I just scrub it with coarse salt to remove crud and the scent of the dishes cooked on it. I make an exception for fried fish in which case, I use detergent then re-season the wok.

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Yep that's the way to do it;

[@RESTORATIONOFSCRAPMETAL]

Great job. Excellent recovery 👍

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thanks for watching! I'm glad you enjoyed the video

[@mattearly1133]

I reconditioned a 30+ year old carbon steel wok. Wire wheel, steel wool and sand paper. Seasoned on a high output burner until steel turned blue. Better than new.

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

They are nice pans!

[@mkivy]

I have a wok! Love it! As a matter of fact I have a lot of cast iron cookery. Makes the best food!

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thanks for watching! Woks are great for cooking

[@tengugod]

great work on restoring the wok especialy those new handles!

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thank you! It was a fun project to do

[@furballami5842]

Instead of bathing it for a week, people, if you buy pots or pans with crusted oil on it, turn on the BBQ grill to high, you can lightly re-oil the pan, turn it upside down, and it will burn off turning the gunk to ash. Usually takes an hour or so. That is what i do and it works great.

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thanks for watching. I do not recommend that method because it can hear damage the metal if it gets too hot and can keep the metal from seasoning properly

[@artgaignard8817]

That's better for cast iron cleaning than a wok. Elbow grease is the best for such thin metal

[@bbay1977]

Came to watch how great a wok can be restored and now I'm thinking I need to go cook me some fried rice 😆. Great job job and the rice looked mouth watering.

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thank you! It tasted really good. Just need to use the right ratio of ingredients

[@trickyfocus]

@@TheRussianWoodworker SMG ?

[@mattson6996]

Nice work and nice dinner!

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it

[@KevinVenturePhilippines]

I'm surprised you didn't dig a mine by hand, then forge your own steel on top of the mountain in the mighty forge of Agloroth, then hand-hammer the flat sheet into a pan. Lol, for real though, that video was awesome! 😁

[@mariaeugenialafontcabeza3304]

Gracias Sencillamente Espectacular!! 🙋🏻‍♀️🙋🏻‍♀️🙋🏻‍♀️

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thanks for watching!

[@deburgh65]

You are multi-talented, good.

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thank you!

[@alanmcwilliams4264]

Now this was different 1st time that you used something other than Evaporust, well done

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thanks for watching. And yes I have the e-tank I just don't use it for really small parts. Evaporust cleans that stuff better

[@sashaboyko6343]

Wow, you are multi-talented! Looking forward to maybe more cooking videos!

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thank you! Maybe in the future

[@paulandlesson]

What you want me to say? This is one of the was the best video I've seen. OK, this is one of the coolest videos I've seen. Great job!

[@Victormac1]

More videos please....😅.... Ole ole👏👏👏👏💃💃...🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸....me encanta tu canal...muy bueno👍

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

There will be a new one coming next Friday! Thanks for being patient

[@Victormac1]

Ole ole💃💃💃...thank you so much....😍😍😍...great channel👏👏👏👏...I learn a lot from you.

[@iftygakki8486]

Huge respect

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thank you! I appreciate it bro

[@Jerry-xs1eg]

Expertly done job!

[@newlibertarian139]

That guy with the orange polo shirt will cry tears for your fried rice. But Uncle Roger will love your wok!!

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thanks for watching

[@duratoke]

I might try the front handle trick on a Craft Wok I own. I think it can work even though it never had a wooden handle.

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Good luck!

[@GT_Racer347]

Sweet 👍🏻 👍🏻

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Tha j you; I'm glad you enjoyed it

[@tonyamosig5775]

Omg, seriously, all that and you messed up the seasoning

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thanks for watching

[@abdulklhaliq4799]

@@TheRussianWoodworker amazingkk Dai

[@friedapplepie1872]

So was this a carbon steel wok? I bought one on amazon but the inner center part where food is cooked has turned color. it is like the black coating has come off. Is it salvageable?

[@jonathanniccolls1592]

A great job cleaning that wok, with a lot of love on that abused and neglected wok! The handles are impressive. Most impressive! What kind of wood did you use and what did you use as a varnish? Well done.

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thank you! I used Bradford pear for the handles and I finished it using Howard’s feed-n-wax

[@ukguitaryogi2888]

@@TheRussianWoodworker is that food safe ?

[@user-qw4nd5po6x]

Ну на конец Антоха порадовал новым видосиком!!))))))

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Спасибо!

[@samindaperamuna6392]

Nice Lee Nielsen you got there buddy

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thank you! It's a 4 1/2

[@rectify2003]

Bravo Subscribed

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thanks for watching!

[@vladimirstrazhnikov3271]

Nice job! What's for dinner?

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thanks for watching! It was fried rice

[@Nate_47]

fried rice u carrot

[@twinwankel]

Fried rice looks great. I would put the oil on the sides of the wok. Otherwise, you will have more eggs sticking there and a harder time to clean it off. But very nice work. I like that long handle but the short handle looks bulky and lacked the styling of the longer one. Why didn't you round it on a lathe too?

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

I prefer having a larger front handle because it helps me maneuver it better and it helps more with the heat dispersion.

[@PathinAZ]

If you can find a copy..I have a chinese cookbook. "Joyce Chen Cook Book", copyright 1962 by J.B.Lippincott Company (Philadelphia and New York) It was given to my mother in '69 and to me on '03. Best tasting chinese food you could imagine. Cheers

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

That's awesome! I'll have to try to find one

[@PathinAZ]

@@TheRussianWoodworker Good luck!

[@mclovin8739]

How do normal people restore woks? Most people do not have access to lye baths and electrolysis.

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

There is a method using easy off oven cleaner and a garbage bag to clean off the old seasoning. I will be making a video on it in the future. And then lots of scrubbing for the rust.

[@Luisppk2812]

I really wanna know why not using a sander?

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Because that keeps it from seasoning properly

[@Arsenic71]

Did you add any monosodium glutamate to the rice? Makes a world of difference!

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

No I haven't found a spot to buy it

[@robertovillalobos4798]

Excelente trabajo 👍 listo para un arroz chino.

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

gracias, sí, estoy emocionado de cocinar en él.

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

gracias, sí, estoy emocionado de cocinar en él.

[@antonholland3233]

Any particular reason you did not season by putting the wok in an oven?

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Because I did it the way most Asian restaurants do it

[@paulapiechnik3909]

First!! I love your work!!

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thank you! Feel free to share it with your friends!

[@paulapiechnik3909]

@@TheRussianWoodworker I have!

[@Blinknone]

Awesome result but not very practical for most people. I'm not sure I know anyone that has lye baths, electrolysis setups, etc.. Fantastic result though.

[@lindalove7193]

Need some green onion in that fabulous wok!

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thanks for watching! Some green onion definitely would've been better

[@kenbo111]

Great job on the restoration but, Uncle Rodger might have a few things to say about that egg fried rice! Lol

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thanks for watching

[@Xilius84]

Dan chao fan, delicious.

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thanks for watching!

[@silverhand7748]

I would recommend changing the text colour to yellow because it will be easier to read. the white text gets lost against the background.

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Not a bad idea I will try that with the next video

[@TheMultisportGeek]

Nice job on the wok. You need to work on the sequencing of your fried rice technique though. 👍👍👍

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thanks for watching. Yes I need to improve the fried rice recipe

[@sashakraus671]

extra-fine steel wool cleans metal down to the original shiny metal

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

It's doesn't clean the rust off

[@alexxbaudwhyn7572]

Pretty sure ET phoned home with that dish

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Haha I think so!

[@jinxjones5497]

_Uncle Roger would not approve NO EEM ESS GEE!_

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thanks for watching

[@ghanus2009]

Suposed to blue the wok before you oil it. that's why its all splotchy. and first thing you cook in it is onions, not eggs. Otherwise its a nice restore.

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thanks for the tips! Glad you enjoyed the video

[@Hari-Photo-Videos]

In India there are several vessel washing liquids are there. On a single gentle wash it will be removed as new as it was bought. As li television ad shows. But practically nothing is doing so.

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thanks for watching

[@IanTheWoodchuck]

"Where's the KABOOM? There was supposed to be an Earth-shattering KABOOM!".... 7:01

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thanks for watching!

[@kali4421]

That lye bath looks scary asf😳

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thanks for watching. It's really effective

[@presidenteperez]

What means "lye bath" in the first step of restoration. Do you use any product inside the water? Thanks

[@ADILKHAN-gh4xg]

🙏

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thank you!

[@DanKoenigJr]

Why didn’t he blue the wok first?

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thanks for watching

[@michaelbradley7529]

Wok game out great, the egg fried rice not so much.

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thanks for watching. Maybe the camera showed it poorly but the rice was really good. Pretty much the same as benihana

[@michaelbradley7529]

@@TheRussianWoodworker The camera definitely did it no favors.

[@ebanu8theimmortalemperor781]

Wonder if Uncle Roger should react to this?

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Who is uncle roger

[@ebanu8theimmortalemperor781]

@@TheRussianWoodworker The persona of a very famous youtuber known for his reaction videos to different people making egg fried rice. Check him out by the name mrnigelng. He's comedy gold.

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

@@ebanu8theimmortalemperor781 oh got it! My rice didn't look too good but it tasted great!

[@ebanu8theimmortalemperor781]

@@TheRussianWoodworker Taste matters most in good food, my friend. :)

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

@@ebanu8theimmortalemperor781 that's true! That's why I like to cook in the wok. I may not be a professional but not does food taste good after you use it

[@Yatab_]

Видео о том как я помыл сковородку

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Спасибо за просмотр

[@travelchannel304]

Electrolysis??!! Lye..who has that lying around? LOL

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

It’s not a DIY just me showing myself doing it. Watch the video and enjoy stop complaining.

[@raihanfarrelofficial]

You made an Indonesian fried rice (Nasi Goreng/Nasgor)

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thanks for watching

[@cgonzalez1445]

✋🏼Raise your hand if you have an electrolysis tank hangin’ around!

[@gelanghaarteweile3048]

Car battery, 2 cables, saltwater in a container and you are pretty much done. BUT: don't do it inside! You are making chlorine gas! You know: the stuff which they used to kill all the soldiers in WW1...

[@cgonzalez1445]

@@gelanghaarteweile3048 Cool!😎 Thanks~

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

They're very useful and not too difficult to make

[@Makermook]

An angle grinder with a wire wheel would clean the wok in about 10 minutes without needing a lye soak or electrolysis.

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

No it would mess with the metals ability to take seasoning. Wire wheels are not the correct way to restore cookware

[@anthonygill5621]

If a wok eats well, then so do you.

[@anthonystrazhnikov2741]

Sweeeettt

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thanks for watching!

[@cerberus4645]

Uncle roger needs to see this

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Yes he does

[@joeblowjohnny2297]

That's a wok and NOT a frying pan ! Where your jet burner ? 🤣

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

I will gladly take donations for one.

[@joeblowjohnny2297]

@@TheRussianWoodworker how to wood wok burner. All over KZbin ! All you need is a empty propane tank and some tool ! Are you can modify your portable gas burner on youtube to produce a jet flame? That will work too ! This will be a lot easier ! Good luck

[@beauhatman4395]

Had a friend in high school named "Rusty Wach"....

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thanks for watching

[@yogertslinger84]

You stuck at making fried rice but good job on the wok

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thanks for watching

[@joyjoy5812]

Soy sauce and salt??? The wok looks awesome tho!

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thank you

[@MaximillianHel]

Wok restoration A++ Fried Rice?? well, I will submit it to Uncle Roger and he will review it :)

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thanks for watching!

[@Pascal.Drolet]

Tip: Don't use olive oil intense heat. It will burn. Go for vegetable, peanut or canola

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thank you for the tips! I did not know that. Not too used to high heat cooking.

[@shannonreaves4722]

I love all the professional rice cookers in the comments section 🙄

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

They all know what they're doing lol. Thanks for watching

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Second!

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thanks for watching!

[@JourneyNorthAK]

🤣

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

@@JourneyNorthAK got to get comments on the video somehow 😂

[@JourneyNorthAK]

@@TheRussianWoodworker the entire time we make videos we talk To our ourselves might as well comment too..lol

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

@@JourneyNorthAK haha that is true. I don't really talk in my videos though, so I guess I make up for it by commenting on them

[@kirbyaloha420]

Holy crap. Everyone talking about the botched seasoning( yes, it's bad). Nobody gonna talk about the glug of shoyu? Braddah seasoned the rice better than the wok, then drowned it in Kikkoman. SMH

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thanks for watching

[@adwicate1489]

This video is already running @2x 😂😂 i reckon... good job though...

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thanks for watching

[@nuzzynuzzfuts5824]

I like the fact that you showed us how to clean it but most of us don't have the resource as you have,So why are you showing this video

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

It is for entertainment

[@leelindsay5618]

While you took the long road to cleaning a wok and didn't temper it in t;e best fashion.....Fried rice should start with a high temp oil (coconut works) and diced onion. Egg should not be the first ingredient as it overcooks. Decent attempt, but that fried rice was too caucasian.

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thank you for the review. I am slowly learning how to cook it better

[@sashakraus671]

egg is the first ingredient but is removed as soon as it is cooked and than added near the end

[@MrErdner]

I couldn't hear the words.

[@diegomarianoostay9684]

En castellano así lo puedo comprender!

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thanks for watching

[@DanKoenigJr]

As an almost daily wok user. I can tell you this one wok should have been blued. Two the oil burn marks mean too much oil was used to season with. Three one needs to season both sides of the wok.

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thanks for watching

[@RandomCapeDude]

good restoration but the seasoning isnt the best and same goes for the cooking...

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thanks for watching was my first time using a wok

[@sergioontiveros4984]

You actually managed to make the easiest asian dish around look unappetizing. congrats that takes talent

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thanks for watching

[@GenX...MCMLXV]

a process any average person can do in their apartment.........

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Never said it was DIY

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

This is more for viewers pleasure

[@SuperBaggerboy]

A Dremel would have saved you hours lol

[@Nate_47]

no

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Don't know how, but ok

[@CarsRestored]

Me: No way he can restore this TRW: Hold my tools

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thanks for watching! This was definitely fun to do

[@helenthorpe8005]

Compared to other restoration sites I subscribe to, this is not really very skilled....You just washed it and made a handle. Cheaper to buy a new one really.

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thanks for watching! Can't buy stuff made in the US anymore

[@Ando1428]

Fuiyoh.

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

What?

[@Ando1428]

@@TheRussianWoodworker look up uncle Roger on KZbin he is pretty popular. He is a great cook and he reviews those who cook fried rice and other Asian dishes. He has beef with Jaime Oliver. He says fuiyoh when something is good (like msg) and haiyah when they do something wrong (like using the wrong vegetables for a dish).

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

@@Ando1428 ah got it! Well then I will take that as a compliment thank you!

[@Ando1428]

@@TheRussianWoodworker no problem because it definitely is a complement.

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

@@Ando1428 thank you. I wasn't sure at first haha.

[@MadMax-yq9ix]

I'm sorry but you seasoned wrong, its sticking all over.

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

It works fine

[@davidrowlands8451]

fook there only 15quid to buy heheheheheh

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

You can't buy ones that aren't made in china anymore and if you find them they're 150+

[@oldschooldiy3240]

Nice job on the wok....not a very imaginative cook though!

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Well it tasted good. You can come over and cook something more imaginative if you'd like

[@hochbob]

Way too much work for such an underwhelming result.

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

That's for watching

[@mcdlb181]

That’s the only wok in the village

[@sublordlord7834]

That’s some white people fried rice 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂😂😂😇

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thanks for watching

[@user-ut2dc9sh4v]

ما زالت متسخة عمل غير جيد

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thanks for watching

[@brandonpowell6595]

Season the wok and then wash it with soap and a sponge?? Wtf!? No!!!!!

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thanks for watching

[@gloriacarruthers267]

A LYE bath???? Easier to buy a new wok 🙄🙄🙄🙄

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Not really. You can’t buy an old USA made one new. And this isn’t a how to. This is the correct way to restore one. I’ve restored over 100 pans using the same bath.

[@madamo1961]

the wok is well restored, but please avoid to coock in that way

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Thanks for watching. Why should I avoid cooking in it?

[@sashakraus671]

Who puts this much soy sauce in the fried rice? The wok looks exactly the same before and after LOL.

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Most people do. 2 table spoon fulls

[@sashakraus671]

@@TheRussianWoodworker the rice you made turned black from all the soy -- it should be light yellow

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

@@sashakraus671 how about you come here and cook me some? Everyone is a keyboard warrior nowadays.

[@1964csilva]

A wok without a high pressure flame is nothing, worseless .

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

I still think it cooked a nice bowl of fried rice. If you'd like to donate a high pressure flame to my shop feel free to email me to do so. If not sit back relax and just enjoy the video

[@1964csilva]

@@TheRussianWoodworker Wow, sorry was just a simple truly comment, if you don't like comments feel free to up your channel for not allowed people to comment.

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

@@1964csilva no it's fun to reply to KZbin trolls:) the wok cooks great on a regular gas burner

[@1964csilva]

@@TheRussianWoodworker Ok humble boy

[@tedserrano8296]

It will taste like shit hahaha salted rice

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

It was really good actually

[@oscarthesoldier7840]

Only the handles were restored🤦🏽‍♂️..pan was jus washed

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Did you not see it get stripped and re-seasoned?

[@Givulinovich]

Wow, I don’t know about you Oscar, but I never use electrolysis to clean my pans.

[@couttsw]

As soon as someone adds a subscribe and bell notification to the content, without us even seeing his work, it just means he is in it for the money. Hunting for subscribers not producing content for the sake of it. Not getting me that way, I see nothing in the first :17 that makes me think I need to subscribe, now if it was at the end maybe, but so early, not subscribing, not even staying for the show, this one is a wannabee content provider in it for the ad revenue.

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Lol someone had a bad day. I do it because people genuinely forget to do it sometimes.

[@Givulinovich]

Hunting for subscribers? 😆

[@danielhurtado7517]

I just would have cleaned it well, you've taken away the old-fashioned charm.

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

There was no old fashioned charm. It will develop it naturally over time