Yamada Kogyosho is the only manufacturer of iron pans applying the hammering method in Japan.
"Woks” are one of their representative products. They are individually made by craftsmen and the quality is highly evaluated by professional chefs. A sheet of iron plate is cut by molding and hammered to shape. None of these processes can be achieved without the skilled craftsmen.
Today we are going to tell you about how Yamada woks are made.
How are woks made?
Woks are made of a sheet of iron plate. The plate is cut out depending on the size of woks and hammered as many as 5000 times to shape.
While gently hammered again and again, the iron gets lighter but tougher with higher density. In this way, light and durable woks are produced.
The surface of hammered woks is uneven, which allows oil to spread well and prevents food burning.
While density of iron increases, the air inside the iron is pushed out. This makes the wok resistant to corrosion or rust.
This unique manufacturing method is the key to advantage of Yamada woks. Yamada woks have intensity, efficient heat conductivity, heat retention, durability, corrosion-resistance and functionality which mass-produced, pressed woks can never have.
These established skills and experience with over 60 years history as well as the quality of Yamada woks are highly evaluated among professional chefs all over the world.
The Most Distinctive Feature of Yamada Woks
The most distinctive feature of Yamada woks is that the thickness of iron varies depending on the part. The bottom is about 1 mm thick, the rim is about 1.2 mm, and the part in between is about 0.5 mm thick. This leads to efficient heat conductivity and makes excessive water evaporate so that the flavor is more condensed and savory.
This mechanism to ensure good outcomes is the reason why Yamada woks are highly evaluated by professional chefs.
Scratches on Yamada Woks
As mentioned above, Yamada woks are made by hammering process. They may get scratches during manufacturing, but they are not defective. Please be ensured that there is no issue in use.
Scratches may also be seen at rims, which could have been made during manufacturing. They are not due to defects either. In addition to these scratches, traces of scraping welding parts or abrasions of black leather may have seen, but again there is no issue in use.
