Hi,

I'm just starting to learn to cook chinese food so please forgive me
if my questions seems ignorant.

I just bought a new wok from my local Chinese supermarket. I knew I
should buy a carbon steel wok but I assumed that they would all be
there since they supply local Chinese restaurants etc. They all looked
the same to me and I couldn't even identify the difference in quality
between them so I just chose the most expensive one.

Anyway, when I came to season my wok something did not appear right.
The wok did not turn blueish black when heating the oil with a paper
towels and wooden tongs. It just started go dark brown slowly but not
uniformly eventually turning black in parts. When it came to using the
wok for the first time I was very disappointed with the results. Food
seemed to burn easily and stick to the bottom.

I have cleaned the wok with a scouring pad and removed all the black
patches. I believe I have in fact purchased a stainless steel wok and
not a carbon steel one. When I look at photos of carbon steel woks
they look more darkish grey than bright stainless steel. I have taken
some photos of the wok I purchased. It isn't all shiny as it was when
I purchased. There are some markings in Chinese - I would be interesed
in what they say.

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/660...2008270at4.jpg
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/211...2008272ro3.jpg
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/211...2008272ro3.jpg
http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/3...2008275af0.jpg
http://img236.imageshack.us/img236/8...2008277pu8.jpg

Can anyone please confirm that I have in fact purchased a stainless
steel wok? I paid £22 for mine so its not the end of the world and I
am more interested in learning from my mistakes.

I am looking at purchasing a new one. One on Amazon which is 2.0mm
carbon steel but it has a flat base:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/34cm-Heavy-G.../dp/B000P5Q4BO

There is a round bottomed made by Hancock

http://www.hoohing.com/acatalog/Products__Wok_169.html
http://www.londonwok.com/acatalog/LO...VESSELS_2.html

Is there any difference between round and flat bottomed ones. Please
help me chose - these are the only two that I can find suitable.

Many thanks for your help!