Gas Hob advice

paddypaws101

Hi, does anyone have any advice regarding new gas hobs.
In particular, is it worth getting a high power wok burner ring? I do stir fry a lot, but find that using full power on my old 3kw burner can actually warp/burn pans.
Any views on side v front controls ( no kids in house )
Also, can steel hobs be easily cleaned...can you use a green scourer without scratching
thanks

Gimlet

Yes to the high powered burner if you do a lot of stir frying - but you need to get a decent wok;)

I prefer side controls - they are well out of the way and less likely to be knocked whilst cooking.

No you can't use anything abrasive like a scourer on a steel hob without causing scratches. As long as you don't leave dirt/grease to build up and harden they are easy to clean with a damp microfibre cloth.

paddypaws101

Hmm, I dont think I have ever been really successful at finding and working with a real wok, tend to use a big saute pan. I presume the wok burner is just a higher power, bigger diameter burner so I can use any pan on it. ??

Gimlet

paddypaws101 wrote: »

Hmm, I dont think I have ever been really successful at finding and working with a real wok, tend to use a big saute pan. I presume the wok burner is just a higher power, bigger diameter burner so I can use any pan on it. ??

There is no point in having a wok burner if you intend to use normal pans really. They are designed to work with the shape of a wok to generate the extreme heat across as much of the surface area of the wok as possible.

As you stated in your original post you can damage pans if they are unsuitable for this kind of cooking, so just stick with a normal hob - the high powered burner will be sufficient.

paddypaws101

Ah Gimlet you give such wise advice! However after weeks of dithering I finally ordered the hob...with wok burner! So now I just have to buy a super new wok...