How to rescue a RUSTED CARBON STEEL WOK and make it like new again

[@mawmawvee]

I really like you, Tak! You have such a kind way about you.🥰

[@theearthisfallingtheskyisl4801]

Thanks,You are a real Wok Star 🌟 🤩

[@BruhLuuhTheArtist]

😅

[@VuULF]

My personal preference is to use the same scrub brushes that you use, but I will either wipe on a generous helping of CLR using a paper towel or coat the rust areas with spray on CLR. Leave the CLR on for 5 minutes or so, and then use the scrub pad until the rust is completely removed. I will thoroughly rinse the pan then follow your spot seasoning. Just a note, this not only works on carbon steel, but cast iron as well.

[@wokwithtak]

Great idea! I also use the same technique to clean my cast iron wok, which I love to cook in it and enjoy the ringing sound made by my stainless steel wok spatula. I don't use my cast iron wok often, however, because I am having a hard time moving it around, particularly when it is hot.

[@blkimble]

What is CLR ?

[@hotjanuary]

@@blkimble it’s a commercial brand name heavy duty cleaner. It stands for “C” calcium , “L” lime, “R” rust.

[@indigofremont]

After he says it looks pretty good and it only took 5-7 minutes of scrubbing, NGL it still looks really really rusty

[@typerightseesight]

Before I bought my Carbon steel wok I had a teflon coated one and I had noticed one day my stir fry looked coated in pepper but I hadn't added any. It was the coating. I read somewhere online you can scrub it all off and use it as a stainless steel wok. But, I didn't waste my time considering how affordable a new one was. That I had found on marketplace and purchased less than 5 miles away from my home. 😁 This gives me hope if I ever forget to season my carbon steel wok and it winds up rusting. I won't ever have to go back to stainless steel. There is no comparison.

[@wokwithtak]

I am always torn between a stainless steel wok and a carbon steel wok. I agree with you that carbon steel woks heat up faster and are easier to season. However, I like my stainless steel woks, because they are easier to clean and they do not rust. I can use my stainless steel wok in many cooking tasks in addition to stir-frying without worrying about them losing the protective seasoning on the surface of the wok. However, as I have shown in this video, cleaning up rust in a carbon steel wok is simple and straightforward, and the rusting does not happen often. Therefore, at the end, I use both woks depending on my mood. I feel very lucky to own both these types of woks and enjoy cooking in them. Sometimes, these small things in life make me happy. Thank you for your comments.

[@kenstar1862]

I've watched how Chinese restaurants in China season their cast iron woks,,,,,they heat up the cast iron to a very high temperature, the color of the wok changes into a lighter blueish color,they wash the wok once it's dry, next they heat the wok again to a high temperature and pour in a good amount of oil making sure the oil is distributed throughout the wok,the oil is removed and stir frying commences thereby a strong effective seasoning is accomplished, do you ever used that seasoning method on your cast iron pots coz most if not all restaurants in China prefer this method

[@wokwithtak]

My spot seasoning method is essentially the same method, but I use less cooking oil and I avoid overheating the oil. I adopted my method for home cooking, and I find the method works well for all types of wok with natural surfaces, including carbon steel, cast iron, light cast iron, and stainless steel. My goal is first and foremost not to set off the smoke alarm! Thank you for your comments.

[@kiplittle]

Thanks Tak.

[@CrayZJo3Davola]

Why is my wok still sticking? I followed all steps.

[@Movingonup75]

F it I’m going to use fine sand paper and Brillo

[@PhflyDan1]

😂

[@SherrisPlace]

Tak, where did you go????? Please make more videos!

[@elmiguel0101]

Hello, with very few oil, will the wok stick? Or will seasoning give it the same characteristics as a non-stick pan? Thanks

[@XxU786xX]

I've tried this with sunflower oil but didn't have much luck, is there a reason why you use canola oil specifically?

[@wokwithtak]

Sunflower oil should work as well, because my cousin uses sunflower oil with my spot seasoning method. I use canola oil because it is inexpensive and has good nutritional value. I use different kinds of oil from time to time. I started out many years ago with peanut oil, but then it got too expensive. I recently also have tried refined olive oil, but I gravitate back to canola. I don't think too much about the oil that I use in my stir-fry, as long as they have a reasonably high smoking point.

[@MonsieurTarzan-g3m]

Canola has a higher smoke point than sunflower.

[@georgeedwards3284]

Confused? Even after cleaning this wok in video is very rusty and would wonder if that rust is getting into the food while cooking. Is this all normal?

[@Stevemaloy]

thank you! Wok on!

[@Rob_430]

I have 2 carbon steel woks. They seem to be seasoned well. I don’t use the woks much in the summer, and I noticed they are a brownish black. Is this the correct coloring, as rust might be a lighter red and more on the surface as seen in the video?

[@wokwithtak]

I don't think they are rust, which is usually more of a reddish brown color. I probably would not worry about it. If you have concerns, you could use a scrub sponge to remove them.

[@Rob_430]

@@wokwithtak thank you for the quick reply!

[@mikemcgregor5315]

so you heat up a bit of oil for a couple of minutes take it off the heat and scrub it with some cardboard paper easy no water

[@TomBTerrific]

That’s all well and good but what if it sticks?

[@spider.monkey.ninja.assassin]

Citric acid in hot water 👌

[@mikemcgregor5315]

have you tried putting some fat in it warm it up then scrub it without using water

[@raymondwagner6958]

Your method is good but, it needs one prep first. Pour Vinegar and hot water and LET sit over night. Then contenu with your method. You will be amased.

[@mawmawvee]

Can you use an SOS pad with the soap that comes in it?

[@ioanep11]

🤙🤙🤙

[@francescadcruz8305]

You are talking more about scrub sponge instead of the main aspect of the cleaning of the work Please change the title of your video to advertisement for use of scrub sponge

[@Movingonup75]

Shrimp overdone

[@josedesilencio8851]

Thanks a lot for a 12 minute instruction when 5 will do.

[@wokwithtak]

I know often I get wordy and long-winded. My wife often said that I often use 10 words when 5 words could do. Thank you for your comment, and I will keep that in mind in the future.

[@josedesilencio8851]

@@wokwithtak but honestly, l learn a lot from you, and l thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@daniellemoonstar6947]

You’re wasting food