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If you cook on an electric, glass-top, or induction range and want a real carbon steel wok instead of a nonstick imitation, the Craft Wok flat bottom wok is one of the most popular picks on Amazon. This 12-inch model is hand-hammered from thick 15-gauge steel, and it can do things a regular skillet can't.
The catch? It asks for a little work up front and a little care after every meal. In this Craft Wok flat bottom wok review, we'll cover exactly what you get, where it falls short, and who should buy it.
Quick Verdict
- Summary: The Craft Wok flat bottom wok is a heavy, honest, traditional wok that works on flat stovetops. Buy it if you stir-fry often and don't mind seasoning and oiling carbon steel. Skip it if you want a pan you can use straight out of the box or toss in the dishwasher.
- Best for: Home cooks with electric coil, glass-top, or induction stoves who want restaurant-style stir-fries.
- Not for: Anyone who wants zero maintenance or a lightweight pan.
A quick note on how we wrote this: we haven't run our own kitchen tests on this wok. This review is built from Craft Wok's published specs and care instructions, retailer listings, and the patterns that show up across owner reviews.
What Is the Craft Wok Flat Bottom Wok?
Craft Wok is a brand that focuses almost entirely on traditional Chinese woks. The company says this flat bottom design has been part of its lineup since 2014, and it sells it alongside round-bottom, pre-seasoned, and much larger models.
This version (model 731W316-12in) is the 12-inch flat bottom carbon steel wok with a long wooden handle and a short steel "helper" handle on the opposite side. It comes bare. There's no nonstick coating, just raw steel with a factory oil layer to keep it from rusting in the box.
That makes it very different from the coated woks you see at big-box stores. You're buying the same basic tool restaurant cooks use, adapted with a flat base so it sits on a modern stove.
Build Quality: Thick, Hand-Hammered Carbon Steel
The biggest selling point is the steel itself. At 15 gauge, or about 1.8mm thick, the Craft Wok flat bottom wok is heavier than most budget woks. It weighs 3.5 pounds on its own.
Thicker steel matters on home stoves. Most home burners put out far less heat than a restaurant wok burner, so a wok that stores heat helps it stay hot when you drop in cold meat or vegetables. Owners regularly point to the thickness as the reason they chose this brand. One Walmart reviewer called it the best of four woks they own for holding heat.
Each wok is hand-hammered, which leaves the familiar dimpled pattern across the surface. Because it's handmade, small cosmetic differences from wok to wok are normal.
Will It Work on Your Stove? Electric, Glass-Top, and Induction
Yes, and that's the whole point of this model. Traditional round-bottom woks need a gas burner and usually a wok ring. The flat base on the Craft Wok flat bottom wok lets it sit directly on a coil burner, a smooth glass-top, or an induction cooktop.
Carbon steel is magnetic, so it works with induction. Craft Wok also says this wok can go over an open fire, and it works on gas too, though gas cooks with a burner that fits a round wok may prefer the round-bottom version.
A Note on the "Flat Bubble"
Here's a detail many buyers miss. Craft Wok states that the bottom is not 100% flat. There's a slight raised spot in the middle that the company says settles once the wok has been heated and used.
On a glass-top or induction stove, that can mean a little rocking or uneven contact at first. If a perfectly flat base on day one matters to you, keep this in mind.
An Important Induction Tip
Craft Wok specifically warns induction users to heat this wok gradually on medium and avoid blasting it on high from cold. Sudden high heat on induction can warp the bottom. If you cook on induction, build that habit from the start.
Handles and Handling
The main handle on the Craft Wok flat bottom wok is wood, which stays cooler than bare steel and gives a grippy, non-slip hold. The steel helper handle on the opposite side is a big help when the wok is full of oil or food and you need two hands to move it. It also lets you hang the wok on a hook for storage.
There's one known quirk. The wooden handle can work loose, and Craft Wok explains that this tends to happen when the air at home is much drier than where the wok was made. The company offers simple fixes: leave a damp towel on the wood overnight, pack small pieces of folded paper into the screw holes, or reseat the handle firmly and tighten the wood screws.
It's not a dealbreaker, but it's worth knowing before you see a wobble and assume the wok is defective.
How to Season the Craft Wok (Plan Ahead)
The Craft Wok flat bottom wok is not pre-seasoned. Before you cook anything, you need to remove the factory protective oil and build the first layer of seasoning. Craft Wok includes printed instructions, and the process looks like this:
- Scrub the wok in hot, soapy water with a steel scrubber until the protective oil is completely gone.
- Rinse and dry it right away with paper towels so it doesn't start to rust.
- Open a window, turn on the vent, and heat the empty wok on high.
- Tilt and turn it until the entire surface changes to a bluish-yellow color.
- Lower the heat, wipe a thin film of oil (about 1½ teaspoons) over the inside, and keep heating for a few minutes until no liquid oil remains.
- Repeat the oiling step a couple more times if you like.
It's smoky and it takes some time. Another owner of the 14-inch flat version said they had to season it twice because the first attempt wasn't thorough enough and rust appeared.
The lesson: don't rush step one. Leftover factory oil is the most common reason a first seasoning fails. (Serious Eats has a detailed guide to buying, seasoning, and caring for a wok.)
Care, Cleaning, and Rust: The Real Trade-Off
This is where a carbon steel wok separates committed cooks from casual ones. The Craft Wok flat bottom wok is hand wash only, and it will rust fast if you leave it wet.
Craft Wok's advice is to keep the wok lightly oiled at all times after washing. In practice, that means washing it, drying it right away (a quick blast of heat on the stove works well), and wiping on a thin coat of oil before putting it away.
If rust does show up, it's not the end of the wok. Scrub off the rust and season it again. Carbon steel is forgiving that way, which is one reason these woks can last for decades.
If that routine sounds like too much, a nonstick wok is probably a better fit for your kitchen (for everyday eggs, see our OXO Enhanced ceramic nonstick review). If you already own cast iron or carbon steel and like caring for it (like the OXO Obsidian carbon steel pan we reviewed), you'll feel right at home.
How It Cooks: Heat and Versatility
Once the Craft Wok flat bottom wok is seasoned, owners describe even heating and strong heat retention, and Walmart's review summary highlights the same two points. The seasoning also becomes slicker the more you cook with it, so eggs and fried rice stick less over time.
It's not just for stir-fries. Craft Wok lists deep frying, soups, steaming, and smoking as uses. The wide, sloped sides make deep frying more efficient than in a straight-sided pot, and with a lid and a rack, it doubles as a steamer.
One honest limit: at 12 inches, this is a mid-size wok. It's comfortable for weeknight meals, but it won't hold a big family batch as easily as the 14-inch model.
What Owners Say About This Hand Hammered Wok
Looking across retailer reviews, a few patterns stand out.
- Praise: The thick steel, solid build, and comfortable wooden handle come up again and again. Many owners say it feels like a professional wok.
- Praise: The helper handle gets regular thanks, especially from people who deep fry.
- Complaints: Most negative reviews involve rust, usually after an incomplete first seasoning or leaving the wok wet.
- Complaints: A smaller number mention a loose handle or flaking during early use, which can happen when seasoning hasn't bonded well.
12-Inch vs. 14-Inch Craft Wok: Which Size Should You Get?
The same Craft Wok flat bottom wok design comes in 14 inches (model 731W316). The bigger version weighs about 4.6 pounds, compared with 3.5 pounds for this one.
Choose the 12-inch if you cook for one to three people, have a smaller burner, or want something lighter to toss. Choose the 14-inch if you regularly cook for a family or want extra room to move food around, which helps keep vegetables searing instead of steaming.
Craft Wok Flat Bottom Wok Alternatives
- Craft Wok 14-Inch Flat Bottom (731W316): Same design and steel, more cooking space, more weight.
- Craft Wok Black13 Pre-Seasoned Flat Bottom (731W318): A 13-inch flat wok that comes pre-seasoned, so you can skip the smoky first step.
- Craft Wok 12-Inch Round Bottom (731W88-12in): The traditional shape for gas stoves. Not suitable for flat electric or induction cooktops.
- Craft Wok 12-Inch Flat Wok + Wooden Lid Set: The same wok bundled with a matching lid, handy for steaming and braising.
Who Should Buy the Craft Wok Flat Bottom Wok?
Buy It If…
- You cook on electric, glass-top, or induction and want a true carbon steel wok
- You stir-fry or deep fry at least once a week
- You already care for cast iron or don't mind a short cleanup routine
- You want a durable pan without a synthetic nonstick coating
Skip It If…
- You want to cook the day it arrives with no prep
- You rely on the dishwasher
- You need a perfectly flat base from the very first use
- You want a lightweight pan for limited wrist strength
Final Verdict: Is the Craft Wok Flat Bottom Wok Worth It?
For most people with a flat stovetop who want a real carbon steel wok, yes. The Craft Wok flat bottom wok is thick, sturdy, fairly priced, and built in a traditional way that owners consistently trust.
Just go in with clear expectations. You'll need to season it properly, keep it dry and oiled, give the bottom a little time to settle, and maybe tighten the handle once. Do that, and this is the kind of pan that can stay in your kitchen for years.
If you want convenience over tradition, look at a pre-seasoned or nonstick option instead, or browse all our kitchen and cookware reviews. If you want the real thing on an electric or induction stove, this 12-inch Craft Wok flat bottom wok is an easy one to recommend.
