Knowing how to clean a wok with a bamboo brush can save you a lot of time, hassle, and money by not having to buy a new wok. Nothing cleans a wok better than a bamboo brush because it is specifically designed for the task. To get the best result you have to know how to use it.
Table of Contents
Is A Bamboo Brush The Best Way To Clean A Wok?
Yes, bamboo brushes are the best way to clean woks. Different types of brushes or equipment can be used to clean a wok but bamboo brushes are the best. They are gentle but firm enough to get the work done. Steel wool, for example, can be used to remove stuck-on or burnt food from woks easily but they are abrasive. The risk of damaging the wok and stripping it of its protective layer is high.
Bristle brushes, kitchen sponges, and scrubbing pads may be less aggressive than steel wools but they won’t be as comfortable and easy to use as bamboo brushes.
The only challenge with using bamboo brushes to clean your wok is finding the right wok brush. Because bamboo wok brushes come in different lengths and sizes and are made by different manufacturers, they don’t feel the same.
Some may be too soft and won’t clean well, while others may be too coarse and will damage the wok. But when you find the right one, it’s worth it.
How To Clean A Wok With A Bamboo Brush
Cleaning a wok with a bamboo brush isn’t as simple as running some hot water and scrubbing. Following the steps below will ensure you clean your wok effectively when using a bamboo brush.
- After getting the food that was prepared out of your wok, pour some hot water inside. Hot water dislodges stuck on food and grease faster and makes it easy for you to clean. Use your bamboo wok brush to lightly scrub the wok to get the debris dislodged faster.
- Pour the dirty water out and put some hot water into the wok again.
- Put some drops of dish soap into the water. Just enough to make it foam
- Use the wok brush to scrub the wok, paying attention to the bottom and sides of the wok. These are the areas with more food particles since they bear the brunt of cooking.
- Rinse the wok with warm water and dry it off with a towel.
- If you don’t use the wok often, you should lubricate it so it doesn’t rust in storage. Put some vegetable oil on a paper towel and use it to wipe the inside of the wok. If you use your work every day, or very often you don’t need to do this.
- Clean your wok brush. It helps it last longer. Put your wok brush under a tap of hot water until the debris and food particles get out. Hang it to dry.
Benefits of using a bamboo brush on a wok
Using a bamboo brush on a wok has many benefits some of which are outlined below.
- Protection – Woks are best cleaned with hot water and using a sponge or other types of cleaning tools will expose your hands to potentially being scalded. Wok brushes ensure you can clean your wok without making contact with the hot water.
- Keeps wok intact – A bamboo brush protects the wok. Woks can be easily damaged with abrasive cleaners or coarse brushes. Its protective layer can be easily stripped, and it will lose its non-stick feature. A bamboo wok brush prevents this. It is specifically designed to clean woks without damaging them and ensures the durability of your wok.
- Fast cleaning – Using a bamboo brush to clean your wok helps you clean faster. Bamboo wok brushes are designed to dislodge debris and stuck-on food from wok even without the aid of soap. Some prefer to clean their woks without the aid of soap or any cleaner and it works well for them. With a sponge, you will work longer, and it will require a lot of elbow grease before the wok is properly cleaned.
- Durable – Bamboo wok brushes are durable. They can withstand the hot water used in cleaning wok, unlike other cleaning tools that may get damaged. It will not melt or shrink. You can use one for several years. Your mind will be at rest because you know you have a perfect tool that can help protect your wok for years to come. This is also cost-effective because you don’t have to spend on brushes frequently.
- Comfortable – A bamboo brush is comfortable to use when cleaning a wok. Bamboo brushes are good for cleaning your wok because they come in different sizes. You can always find the right wok brush with a comfortable grip for you.
Will A Bamboo Brush Remove Burnt Food From Wok?
Yes, a bamboo brush will remove burnt food from a wok. Bamboo brushes are effective at removing burnt food from woks if used properly. The burnt food needs to be removed without damaging the wok so you can’t scrape it or scrub it too hard.
Removing Burnt Food From Wok With Bamboo Brush
Removing burnt food from a wok with a bamboo brush makes life much easier for cooks. Burnt food can be difficult to get off with standard cleaning products. Bamboo brushes will remove burnt food without doing scraping your wok. Follow the steps below to effectively remove burnt food from your wok with a bamboo brush.
- Pour some water into the wok. It should be about half full so it can cover the burnt food well.
- Put 1 tablespoon of white vinegar into the water. White vinegar is a natural cleaner and won’t damage your wok. It is non-abrasive and breaks down burnt food easily.
- Put the wok on a stove and boil the water for about 15 minutes on medium heat. The burnt food will start coming off itself.
- Turn off the heat and bring down the wok. Use your bamboo brush to scrub the wok gently, dislodging food particles that didn’t come off during boiling.
- Leave the hot water in the wok until it cools down. Then pour the dirty water down the drain.
- Put some warm water in the wok and some drops of dish soap, and clean it with a bamboo brush as you usually do.
- Rinse the wok, dry it, and oil it if necessary. Don’t forget to clean your wok brush too.
Is A Bamboo Brush For a wok expensive?
No, a bamboo brush for a wok is not expensive. Bamboo wok brushes aren’t cheap, but they are affordable. The price of a wok brush depends on a lot of factors like size, store, and manufacturer. The size of a bamboo brush ranges from 7″ to 12.5″ and finding the right size is necessary for effective cleaning and comfort.
For home use, between 7″- 9″ is fine because the woks used at home aren’t big. And these wok brushes cost between $3-$6 depending on where you bought it and who made them. It may even cost more in some online stores.
For restaurants that use bigger woks, you will need a brush that is at least 10″ long depending on the size of your work. And this can cost $10 or more.
These prices aren’t standard because there are different manufacturers. You may even get an 11″ wok brush for $5 or less. But the durability isn’t guaranteed.
