Ken Hom Carbon Steel Wok Set, 31cm, Classic, Non-Induction/Wooden Handle/Flat Base Pan, Includes Wok Pan with Lid, Wooden Wok Utensils and Recipe Book, KH331051

Product Information

Stainless steel pans are designed to last a lifetime, and won’t react with any food types. They’re also dishwasher safe. Stainless steel on its own is liable to hot spots, so copper or aluminium is usually incorporated into the base. Pans must have a magnetic material in the base, such as cast iron or stainless steel, to work on induction hobs. Pure aluminium or copper pans won't work. All pans are suitable for gas hobs. Remember to regulate the flame to prevent it from extending beyond the base of the pan, as this can damage the handle and waste gas.

Before you buy, you need to establish what type of cookware will be suitable for your hob. Many manufacturers put symbols on the bottom of their cookware to show which heat source it will work with.

The verdict: Woks 

Traditional cast-iron pans can be used, but be careful not to drag them across the hob as they may cause damage. This material heats up slowly but retains warmth well, so it’s good for slow, even cooking at a low heat, and achieves the perfect sear on meat. Remember, though, that your food will continue to cook for some time after the heat has been turned off. The original Always Pan combined 10 pieces of cookware in to one, saving us money and cupboard space, and scoring a pretty impressive 84/100 in our tests. So, we were excited to hear that Our Place was releasing a shiny, revamped version and couldn’t wait to see how it fared in testing. The results are in... We've teamed up with TV chef Nadiya Hussain to bring you our multi-use, space-saving all in one pan.

Copper has excellent heat conductivity. Good copper pans are very expensive but should last a lifetime. As this metal can react with acidic foods, fish and meat, these pans are normally lined with tin or stainless steel to act as a barrier.

How we tested

The majority of the pan sets we’ve tested include three different sized saucepans. Some sets also come with a frying pan and milk pan, whilst others also come have sauté pans. Consider what you need and what you already have – you don't want to buy a set with a frying pan if you already have a much-loved one in your kitchen. An indicator light on the hob will start flashing if it’s not the correct type of pan, or it will simply not heat up. verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ You can also get hard-anodised or cast aluminium – which looks like cast iron but has the weight and good heat conductivity of aluminium. Hob suitability: choose a set that’s suitable for your hob. Ideally choose one suitable for all hob types, so there’s no risk of the set becoming redundant if you move from gas or electric to induction.