The very first step in wok care is how to season a new wok. Not having proper seasoning of a wok can make even the best woks merely good woks or even bad woks! Even if you don't have a gas stove yourself for wok cooking, in order to season your wok for the first time, we recommend the stovetop salt seasoning method for seasoning a new wok. We think it is the best way how to season a wok - and we have tried seasoning a wok using many techniques. If you have access to a gas stove of a friend, bring your new wok over and use the salt method for seasoning a wok.
The instructions here are for seasoning new steel or iron woks or re-seasoning steel or iron woks that have rusted or been disused for a long time. You can also clean and re-season a wok at any time, if it needs it. If you have a non-stick or electric wok, then DO NOT use these methods!