Seasoning a carbon steel wok is absolutely vital. Proper seasoning of carbon steel woks (and seasoning cast iron woks) gives the surface a slick smoothness which makes food seem to glide and slip over it. If you don't season a carbon steel wok, food will stick to it and end up burning easily. The best method we have found how to season a carbon steel wok is the 'seasoning a wok with salt' method where one heats the wok on a gas burner on high while pushing, rubbing and pressing salt around in the wok.