Which Souped Up Recipes Wok Size Is Right for Your Kitchen?
As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases. This means we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you if you click through and make a purchase.
Souped Up Recipes is the cookware line from a popular YouTube cooking channel that teaches Chinese home cooking, and its carbon steel woks are designed to go with those recipes. Each wok comes pre-seasoned, has a flat bottom so it sits steady on modern stoves, and includes a link to hundreds of video recipes in the box. That makes these woks a friendly starting point for anyone who has never cooked with a wok before, and a thoughtful gift for a home cook who loves takeout-style dishes.
The three woks below share the same carbon steel, flat-bottom design and stove compatibility, and the real difference between them is size, 10, 12.5 or 13.4 inches, along with what comes in the box: the two larger sets include a wooden lid and a stainless steel spatula, while the 10-inch set includes a glass lid and no spatula.
Souped Up Recipes Carbon Steel Woks Compared
Souped Up Recipes
Souped Up Recipes 13.4 Inch Carbon Steel Wok For Electric, Induction and Gas Stoves (Lid, Spatula and User Guide Video Included)
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
Souped Up Recipes 13.4 Inch Carbon
Best for: Big families and batch stir-fries
Pros
- Largest 13.4-inch pan
- Stainless steel handle
- Wooden lid and spatula included
Cons
- Hand wash only
- Takes more stovetop and storage space
Best for: Singles, dorms, RVs and tiny kitchens
Pros
- Compact 10-inch size
- Glass lid lets you watch food
- Works on electric, induction and gas
Cons
- Only 1-2 servings
- No spatula in the set
Best for: Couples and small families cooking nightly
Pros
- Mid-size 12.5-inch pan
- Wooden lid and steel spatula included
- Flat bottom for induction and gas
- Pre-seasoned
Cons
- Needs drying and oiling to avoid rust
- Weight not listed
| Model | Diameter | Lid | Spatula Included | Stove Types |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Souped Up Recipes 12.5 Inch Carbon | 12.5 inches | Wooden | Yes, stainless steel | Electric, induction, gas |
| Souped Up Recipes 10 Inch Carbon | 10 inches | Glass | No | Electric, induction, gas |
| Souped Up Recipes 13.4 Inch Carbon | 13.4 inches | Wooden | Yes, stainless steel | Electric, induction, gas |
Souped Up Recipes 12.5 Inch Carbon Steel Wok for Everyday Family Cooking
The Souped Up Recipes 12.5 Inch Carbon steel wok is the brand’s original flat-bottom wok and the middle size of this lineup. Carbon steel is a thin, strong iron-based metal that heats fast and handles very high temperatures, which is exactly what stir-frying needs. The listing says it has no Teflon coating, can take super high heat without damage, and is safe to use with metal utensils without worrying about scratches.
It comes pre-seasoned, meaning a first protective layer of cooked-on oil is already there, so you can start cooking right away. The listing names a wide range of uses: stir-frying, deep-frying, pan-searing, steaming, braising, boiling, and even soups and stews. The set includes the 12.5-inch wok, a stainless steel spatula, a wooden lid and a user guide, plus video and written care instructions meant to help you avoid rust. It works on electric stoves, induction stoves and gas ranges. The listing does not specify its weight or handle material.
This size suits couples and small families who cook a few nights a week and want a complete starter set. It is also a safe gift choice if you are not sure of the recipient’s household size. If you cook for one or have a tiny kitchen, the 10-inch model gives way to it; if you regularly feed a crowd, the 13.4-inch version gives you more room.
Souped Up Recipes 10 Inch Carbon Steel Wok for Singles and Small Spaces
The Souped Up Recipes 10 Inch Carbon steel wok is the compact option. The listing is refreshingly direct: it is a small, personal-sized wok for 1 to 2 servings, great for singles, couples, dorms, RVs and small kitchens, and not intended for large family cooking or batch meal prep.
It shares the same pre-seasoned carbon steel, no-Teflon construction, flat bottom and compatibility with electric, induction and gas stoves as the larger woks. The biggest difference is the set: it includes a glass lid instead of a wooden one, which lets you see your food as it steams or simmers, but it does not include a spatula. The listing marks it as hand wash only and recommends it for stir-frying and deep-frying. Video and written care instructions are included here too, along with the link to video recipes.
This is the pick for a college student, a first apartment, a camper van or anyone cooking for one. Remember that a small wok crowds quickly, and crowded food steams instead of searing. If you often cook for three or more, the 12.5-inch model is a better everyday size.
Souped Up Recipes 13.4 Inch Carbon Steel Wok for Big Batches
The Souped Up Recipes 13.4 Inch Carbon steel wok is the largest here. It keeps the same pre-seasoned carbon steel, high-heat tolerance, metal-utensil-friendly surface and flat bottom that works on electric, induction and gas stoves.
The set includes the 13.4-inch wok, a stainless steel spatula, a wooden lid and a user guide. This listing specifically asks you to read the guide before use for best performance and to avoid rusting. It lists a stainless steel handle and hand wash only care. The specs list “Number of Items: 3,” which likely counts the pieces in the set rather than three woks; the included components clearly describe one wok. The listing does not specify its weight.
This suits larger families, people who meal-prep, and cooks who like to toss big portions of fried rice or noodles. The extra width gives ingredients room to spread out and touch hot metal, which helps them brown rather than stew. Because it is bigger, make sure your burner and storage space fit it. For most two- to four-person homes, the 12.5-inch wok is easier to handle and lift.
How to Choose the Right Souped Up Recipes Carbon Steel Wok
Pick size by household. The 10-inch wok serves 1 to 2 people, according to its own listing. The 12.5-inch wok is a comfortable middle ground for couples and small families. The 13.4-inch wok is best for bigger households and batch cooking. When in doubt, the middle size is the most flexible, because it can handle a quick dinner for two and still stretch to a small family meal.
Match it to your stove. All three are flat-bottom woks, which is what makes them a good wok for induction stove tops and flat electric burners, since a round-bottom wok would rock and lose contact. They also work on gas ranges. Wok cooking at high heat can create smoke, so it is worth making sure your kitchen has working alarms, like a plug-in smoke and carbon monoxide detector.
Decide on the lid and tools. If you want a carbon steel wok with lid and spatula ready to go, the 12.5-inch and 13.4-inch sets include both. The 10-inch set has a glass lid so you can watch food cook, but you will need your own spatula.
Learn how to season carbon steel wok surfaces. All three come pre-seasoned, but seasoning builds up with use. In simple steps: wash the wok with warm water, dry it completely on low heat, wipe a very thin layer of high-smoke-point cooking oil over the inside, and heat it until the oil just starts to smoke. Let it cool, then wipe out any excess. After each meal, rinse, dry on the stove and add a light coat of oil. Over time the wok darkens and becomes more nonstick. Always follow the included user guide, since it is written for these woks.
Plan for care. Carbon steel is not a set-and-forget pan like nonstick cookware. It rewards a small routine of drying and oiling, and it will slowly change color as it seasons, which is normal and not a sign of damage. If the person you are buying for prefers dishwasher-safe pans, a wok may not be the right gift.
Think about the gift. A wok pairs nicely with other kitchen gifts for someone who loves cooking from scratch. If your recipient also bakes bread or dumpling dough, a stand dough mixer can round out the kitchen.
FAQ
Are Souped Up Recipes woks pre-seasoned?
Yes. All three listings say the woks are pre-seasoned for immediate use. You will still build up seasoning over time by cooking and oiling the wok after washing.
Can I use a Souped Up Recipes wok on an induction stove?
Yes. Each listing says the flat-bottom wok works on electric stoves, induction stoves and gas ranges.
Why is my carbon steel wok rusting?
Carbon steel rusts if it stays wet or loses its oil layer. The listings include video and written care instructions to prevent rust. Dry the wok fully after washing and wipe on a thin layer of oil.
Can I use metal utensils on these woks?
Yes. The listings say there is no Teflon coating, so metal utensils are fine and scratches are not a concern.
Which wok size should I buy for a family of four?
The 12.5-inch wok is a comfortable choice for most families of four. If you often cook extra for leftovers or guests, the 13.4-inch wok gives more room.
Are these woks dishwasher safe?
The 10-inch and 13.4-inch listings say hand wash only. The 12.5-inch listing does not specify, but hand washing is the standard care for carbon steel.
