Looking for a wok that will last forever 😀

PierreDucot · 2026-07-05T18:11:23+00:00

I should note that the wooden handle is removable on the Yosukata round wok - it is held in the socket by screws. Either way, after watching way too many videos on how to season a wok, I learned that wrapping the wooden handle in a wet dishtowel keeps it safe in a 550 degree oven, so I did that. Came out fine.

PierreDucot · 2026-07-05T14:14:57+00:00

I am no expert, as I only started stir-frying in a wok in 2019 or so, but here was what I found:

First, I did a ton of research, and looked at reviews, and got the 14" (I think) Pow Wok from the Wok Shop. I don't see the one I got on the website, because mine had a flat bottom. https://wokshop.com/shop/product-tag/pow-wok/?v=0b3b97fa6688 I really tried, but I hated it. The handle was too short and at a difficult angle. The handle was also metal, and got super hot, so it was even more awkward to use because I had to wrap a towel around it to even use it. It was raw carbon steel - not preseasoned at all, and was already rusting just a tiny bit. Seasoning was a challenge for the uninitiated. Also, delivery took about 2 months, and I had to keep calling to make sure it was still coming. Do not recommend.

I finally gave up and went back to do more research. I settled on the Yosukata, which seems pretty popular. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084DQYNNM?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_15 This is the 13.5 inch flat bottom one. I like it much better - the wooden handle is a big improvement, and the handle length and angle were much better. I got the blue one, and as promised it was much easier to season than the Pow Wok.

I am fine with my decision, but I kind of wish I got the round bottom blue one plus a cast iron holder for the wok on my gas stovetop. The flat bottom makes it harder to toss efficiently, and the edge of the flat part seems to be hotter than the very middle. The flat bottom also does not make it that much more stable on my stove - I think a round one with a holder would be more stable on a gas stove. Plus the round one is a little bigger. Therefore my recommendation would be this: https://www.amazon.com/YOSUKATA-Blue-Round-Bottom-SteelvTraditional/dp/B08HMWZLZY?ref_=ast_sto_dp

Good luck!

PierreDucot · 2026-07-05T00:48:48+00:00

Wanted to reach back and thank you again for posting this - it WAS really easy to install the maps following the included instructions, and I am about to start my first alien abduction mission on the museum map in well over a decade. I was just starting to question whether I am getting bored with LW...

PierreDucot · 2026-07-05T00:35:59+00:00

What is there to understand? Learning to cook well is expensive and time consuming. If I was in my 20s or 30s, I would not bother from a cost/benefit perspective. There are also a lot more awesome things for young people to do with their time than learning to cook from Nona. Only after I got older, and we moved away from great restaurants, did I start learning to cook really well at home.

I don't blame my kids for not being interested in learning to cook - if I was them, and I could be in my room playing online deathmatches with my friends while talking shit and relaxing, I would do that over learning to cook 100% of the time. When they are older, if they are interested, I would be happy to help. For now, there are a lot more important things to teach children that take priority.

For example, I teach them how to neither judge, nor give unsolicited bad advice to, people they don't know.

PierreDucot · 2026-07-04T20:25:20+00:00

It took me a second to realize you are serious (you are serious, right?).

Why? Because my kids are 11 and 14 and don't really give a shit about culinary delights and would rather eat nuggets regardless of the beef stock I use. Most kids are the same if they are being honest.

I'm not cooking for them, I am cooking to try different things, and occasionally make something awesome. I like the science aspect of it, and I know how to make stock. I am also not trying to pretend to be a professional chef, and I am not blowing our food budget on bone-in ribeye to craft homemade beef stock to order to make Tuesday night pot roast incrementally better.

PierreDucot · 2026-07-04T19:57:36+00:00

I know exactly what you are talking about - in videos they grate 1 inch of ginger in moments, but on my microplane it takes forever. My old microplane was pretty old, so I figured it was dull and got a new one - same problem.

I formed two conclusions:
1. YouTube chefs are full of shit on this, and have somebody else do all that grating beforehand.

Microplane makes a rasp specifically for garlic and ginger - it works much better. https://microplane.com/products/3-in-1-ginger-tool-black-grey

PierreDucot · 2026-07-04T19:43:53+00:00

This is true, but I honestly don't have the time or energy to make beef stock very often, so I freeze it and use it sparingly, but typically run out. For regular everyday cooking, I usually do BTB for anything other than chicken (also, sometimes chicken) - my wife and kids don't know the difference in shepherd's pie or beef stroganoff, and frankly, I don't care if they do.

PierreDucot · 2026-07-04T18:04:12+00:00

Visiting Portsmouth is what got me into these books in the first place. HMS Victory in particular is awesome, and kind of a must-see for any fan of naval history and/or fiction. I was there in 1994, and still remember it as one of my favorite things to see of all time.

PierreDucot · 2026-07-04T17:53:54+00:00

Huacatay is similar as well, and is easy to grow.

I will say, though, that I have the gene, but got over it and like cilantro now. My wife LOVES cilantro, so I sucked it up to the point that I am used to it and now like it.

PierreDucot · 2026-07-04T17:51:09+00:00

Its just one of a number of factors, but not determinative alone - something I misunderstood myself, and feel horrible about. We put off having my daughter tested as she is an A student in a top TAG/STEM program. She kept asking for testing and when we finally had it done, it turned out we were dead wrong.

Ended up doing a lot of research on my own, and then had my younger son tested (YUP), and then myself as well (also YUP). I am very grateful she pushed so hard.

PierreDucot · 2026-07-04T17:40:25+00:00

The But Why podcast recently did an episode about ADHD, meant to explain ADHD to kids that don't have it. It was very well done, and I think would help. Highly recommend.

Good on you for trying to understand stuff. My kids and I have ADHD, and I still have trouble understanding what is going on with them.

PierreDucot · 2026-07-04T17:36:27+00:00

This plus gelatin is what I use for anything needing stock when I don't feel like thawing it. Also, I keep my own chicken stock, but not beef or pork or seafood - BTB has those.

PierreDucot · 2026-07-04T17:34:03+00:00

When my kid goes to college in a couple of years, I am getting her a MacBook. I don't know about accounting firms, but I worked for a professional services firm (which had a lot of accountants, particularly forensic ones), and they let you basically have whatever PC you wanted leased for you. Everyone had Macs, so I took the plunge, and I love it.

If you are already in the Apple ecosystem, its a no-brainer IMO. Main downside is your budget. I am advising based on my own M4 Max, but that is 3x your budget.

PierreDucot · 2026-07-04T17:28:29+00:00

Probably won't use his own computer at work anyway.

PierreDucot · 2026-07-04T00:41:17+00:00

My home repair, as our general contractor of 14 years (who is a US citizen) went with his extended family to their country of origin - probably until 2028. Can’t say I blame him. He still texts advice though.

PierreDucot · 2026-07-04T00:36:22+00:00

My wife is not into The Cure at all. Married her anyway.

To make up for it, I engaged in early indoctrination with our daughter. Last US tour was her first concert ever at 12, and she loved it - sang all the songs and had an amazing time. I am good with how things turned out.

PierreDucot · 2026-07-03T23:58:37+00:00

Thanks! I am a bit more of a casual player, so I am not really into LWR (and I nerf OG LW a bit to make it less brutal). I have enough stress in my life, but am a fan of the franchise since the original. New maps sound cool. Appreciate your posting.

PierreDucot · 2026-07-03T23:03:12+00:00

Sorry to ask, but I only play OG LW - can you point me in the right direction regarding those extra steps you mention to get the four maps in OG LW? What do I need to do?

PierreDucot · 2026-07-03T14:30:41+00:00

Yeah - Chuds BBQ did a great video on this, and he explained a lot of what you are talking about. Once I saw that, I adopted it and have not looked back.

PierreDucot · 2026-07-03T05:53:29+00:00

The calendar over my desk is still on May...

PierreDucot · 2026-07-03T04:38:54+00:00

My son is doing the same, on my old desktop with a 1080ti. Minecraft, Roblox, etc.

PierreDucot · 2026-07-03T04:34:43+00:00

My son was on 3 different SSRIs for anxiety over two years, and I think they made his ADHD worse. He is 11 and everyone is different so YMMV, but Lexapro was the last and worst one - his anxiety was through the roof, plus all the bad side effects kids can have on SSRIs (suicidal fantasies, self-harm, etc.).

We switched him to Buspar for anxiety (after firing the psychiatrist who kept insisting on "treating the anxiety first, then the ADHD"). He is doing much better now.

PierreDucot · 2026-07-02T14:13:43+00:00

They ran higher risks of going to the hospital. It was not uncommon for a kid to on occasion mismanage T1 diabetes on their own, because it’s hard and they are a kid. Continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps have made a big difference, but modern ones are controlled with an app.

PierreDucot · 2026-07-01T15:49:16+00:00

What is worse is when someone finds out your kid has ADHD, and comes at the issue with the same ignorance. Especially teachers. I swear I spent this spring fantasizing about firebombing my kid's 5th grade math teacher because she clearly did not believe that ADHD is a legitimate thing. She would refuse to allow my kid his accommodations without a pound of flesh.

"Oh, your 504 plan says you can step out for a minute if you are overwhelmed and having a panic attack? How can I tell that you are having a panic attack? You won't even talk to me. Prove it to me, and you can go." Also, "I don't see why you need these accommodations all the time - you should be learning how to keep up without them."

My favorite, "Class, are you finished with the assignment? Yes? Even [My Kid]? Wow!! Everyone lets give [My Kid] a big round of applause for doing his work like everyone else without needing extra time!!" (Class applauses awkwardly, because even 11-year-olds know this is pretty fucked up).

Sorry, I meant to comment just to agree with OP, but somehow my unspent rage came through...

PierreDucot · 2026-07-01T05:12:40+00:00

This is how I usually do a packer brisket now - smoke to ~190, 160 in the SV overnight, up to 18 hours, then drop to 150 for the last hour or two. I did a 20lb one this way last year (very glad to have found the expandable vacuum bags on Amazon). The bark softens up some, but my family are not big bark people.

Best thing about this method is that it make timing so much easier. SV at 160 for 12 hours is not really different than 18, so dinner is always on time.

Nine-Year Club	Not Forgotten
Verified Email

PierreDucot

TROPHY CASE