When it’s time to toss your pan on the stove and rustle up a meal, the choice of kitchen tools can make or break the game. Whether you are a skilled chef or just a novice in cooking, you might be thinking of upgrading your pan as each tool adds value.
A wok is a western-style pan with a rounded steel plate to hold the food item and helps well in frying. While a saute pan is a straight-sided pan that works well when cooking a meat-like dish such as pork chops.
You must wonder which of these pans is more suitable and when we should choose to use a saute pan or a wok. Both of these pans have their uses and a few differences too. For some people, wok proves to be the best pan, while for others, saute pan is enough to meet their desires.
We will describe the benefits of using each of them and the differences between these two. Let’s get into details to know more about these fantastic pieces of equipment.
Saute Pan vs. Wok
These two pans differ based on their size, shape, conductance capability of heat, material, and the dish you are making. Let’s discuss each difference in detail.
| Categories | Wok | Saute Pan |
| Size | Larger than saute pan | Smaller than a wok |
| Shape | Bowled shape | Hollow cylindrical shape |
| Material | Iron | Steel |
| Heat distribution | Spreads heat evenly | Does not spread heat evenly |
Let’s discuss the differences in detail.
1. Size and Shape
One of the significant differences lies in the shapes of the wok and the saute pan. A saute pan seems like a hollow cylinder, a spherical shape with unbent borders.
At the same time, a wok comes with a bowled-like structure. The wok has small handles that are attached with edges.
The shapes differ, but still, they can be used to cook numerous dishes. The wok’s shape also helps heat the food inside it more uniformly as it comes with a ferrous material, so heat conductance is fair enough. It resultantly helps in cooking up the food at a higher speed. Not only that, but size also matters.
The size of the wok is a bit larger than the saute pan, thus helping in cooking up a considerable amount of meals. You do not need to distribute food in two parts to cook them one by one.
The small size of the saute pan not only affects cooking but also occupies less space to either place it in a kitchen cupboard or on the stove.
In contrast, the larger size of wok does not cause overcrowding of ingredients into the pan.
2. Material & Texture
Material is a significant factor that differs between these two pans.
The wok was made initially in China and is fashioned in pure iron. Iron is the best material, it takes less time to cook food, so you get the best results.
If we talk about saute pan, this pan comes in steel material that is less costly but is not as good as iron.
The point to notice is, when you cook in a suitable material pan, the heat conductance is better, and the food gets ready quickly.
3. Conductance of Heat
The conductance of heat plays a significant part in finding differences between the wok and saute pans.
Every nook of the wok gets an equal amount of heat due to the structure of the wok. This ensures that the food is cooked from all sides and gets tender uniformly.
For example, if you want to cook a dish that includes meat, then put the meat first into the wok with oil.
The structure of the wok and its conductivity helps tender the meat best. After that, you can add well-chopped vegetables to it.
Some vegetables require less heat so that you can place them at the sides of the pan; just toss the pan in, and you will get everything well mixed.
Using a wok guarantees you to enjoy a fully cooked meal. While for the saute pan, the heat is more focused on the lower side of the pan, which is why the meat pieces are cooked quickly.
You can say that a saute pan does not spread heat all over the pan, but it heats the lower side very appropriately.
It does not mean, saute pan is not helpful. We will discuss what a saute pan can cook amazingly later.
4. The Meal, You’re Cooking
You need to understand that the significant difference between these two is the cooking speed.
The wok takes less time in cooking, which is why people prefer it. That does not mean that saute pan provides less value, and it depends on the food you are planning to cook.
If you don’t want the vegetables to get more oil, you can just put the ingredients on the sides of the wok. This is not possible with a saute pan as it has a flat body.
For example, a hot wok can cook the noodles faster than a saute pan. If you have a big family and you have to cook a considerable amount of food, then wok is preferable because of its big size. It will help you get rid of cooking in multiple portions.
In the same way, if you want to enjoy the meal in a matter of minutes, then you can go for a wok pan.
What Can We Cook in a Saute Pan?
Saute pans have small space for cooking, but they can best cook these dishes below. The dishes are not limited to these as you can cook food of your choice.
Let’s look at a few of the dishes that you can cook very well using a saute pan.
- Reducing Sauces
- Steaks
- Chicken Breast and Thigh
- Curries
Here’s our recommended saute pan:
- MIDNIGHT DIAMOND NONSTICK: The dynamic diamond-reinforced coating is metal utensil safe and works with the 3-layer stainless steel body to provide incredible performance
- INCREDIBLE HEAT TRANSFER: Our pans heat up super quickly and evenly to save you time and energy. Say goodbye to cold or hot spots with the incredible heat transfer of Blue Diamond
- TOXIN-FREE: This collection’s healthy ceramic nonstick coating is free of PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium
- STACKABLE HANDLES: The stackable stainless steel handles offer a sturdy, comfortable grip and make storing easier
- ENJOY THE VIEW: The tempered glass lids keep heat and moisture inside so you can watch all the action on the outside
What Can We Cook in a Wok?
The woks have a larger area for cooking, and they can prove the best for cooking all the dishes. The dishes are not limited to these as you can cook food of your choice.
Let’s look at a few of the dishes that you can cook very well using a wok.
- Stir-Fries
- Vegetables that are well chopped
- Meat that is cut into small pieces
- All the dishes that use water for cooking during the procedure
Here’s one of our recommended woks, and a great one to start with:
- PRE-SEASONED FOR IMMEDIATE USE - Sizzling stir frys, crispy deep frys, pan-searing to perfection.... while also able to make soups and stews!
- HANDLES HIGH HEAT AND SCRATCHES - Carbon steel wok has no tefflon coating and can sustain super high temperature without damage. You can use metal utensil and no need to worry about scratches. With the proper care, it will last you a life time.
- VIDEO AND WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS - Had problems with other carbon steel woks getting rusty? We have very simple care instructions, so you'll be cooking like a pro!
- THE ORIGINAL FLAT BOTTOM WOK - Works on electric stoves, induction stoves, gas ranges and other heat sources. Manufactured and imported by popular Youtuber, Souped Up Recipes.
- VIRAL TAKEOUT RECIPES - Over 1 Million subscribers trust her recipes... and we'll also include a link to over 200 video recipes in the box, many that can be made this wok.
Can We Stir Fry in a Saute Pan?
Luckily, you can try stir fry recipes in all the pans, and therefore, saute pan is no exception. The structure of a saute pan makes it the right equipment to get you the most delicious stir fry.
Saute pan is the best as it can handle high temperatures, but the small size makes it challenging to manage the various ingredients. Tossing the pan can cause spillage, and the food can spread everywhere due to overflowing.
If you still want to stir fry in your saute pan, we recommend you either cook it in small ingredients or cook it in small portions.
It will help cook the meal well from all sides, and crowding of ingredients is never a good idea when cooking.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I fry in a wok?
If you think frying in a wok is dangerous, then it’s the wrong idea. The structure of wok makes frying ideal as the round design needs less oil than other pans. You can make any dish using it as it has more space to accommodate numerous ingredients. Frying in a wok is always ideal.
Is sautéing healthier than frying?
There is much research that shows how unhealthy frying is. When you deep fry the food in oil, fat enters the food and causes harmful effects on the human body. We recommend you use a better kind of oil that can save you from any damage to your health.
What are the advantages of cooking with a wok?
The wok provides all the benefits that any other pan offers. The enormous size and shape make it stand out from the rest. You can toss the wok without causing your food to overspill and spread everywhere. The heat reaches every part of the dish unanimously, ensuring a well-cooked meal.
Are sauteed foods unhealthy?
Sauteed food or fried food are never recommended if you take them regularly. These kinds of food can cause high cholesterol levels and constrict veins and arteries. This can seriously impact your health.
Does frying destroy protein?
Yes, it can happen as frying food takes a lot of temperatures. When a portion of the food cooks at a high temperature, the protein gets destroyed. So, the more you fry a dish, the less protein is left in it.
Recommended further reading:
Final Words
Now you know about woks and saute pans. If you love eating stir-fries, noodles, and chopped veggies, then you should go for buying a wok pan. Otherwise, if you are a steak lover, then saute pan is the best.
The wok and the saute pans are very handy and easy to use. We would suggest you buy these two and check which one suits you, and that will help you decide between the two. We bet you will enjoy the best cooking experience using these pans.
We hope you’ve found this article helpful, and if you did, do share it with your friends and let them know about the risks of using a Yeti mug in the microwave.
Thank you for reading!