Review on 🍳 Helen's Asian Kitchen Carbon Steel Wok Set - 13.5-inch Flat Bottom Wok with Lid, Stir Fry Spatula, and Recipes Included - Silver/Gray/Natural by Samuel Hansen

This wok comes with a toxic coating which the manufacturer applies to the pan to prevent the pan from discoloring during transit. This toxic coating is extremely difficult to remove (and even hard to know if you've removed it completely). The instructions that came with the pan say to heat the pan and then scrub it a few times to remove the coating. However, heating the pan will result in any toxins in the coating being released into the air (so instead of eating the poison, inhale it now). My whole house stank because of it and even though I had all the windows/doors open I woke up the next morning with a sore throat. I'm afraid to use this pan because it's hard to tell if the coating is completely removed and if the toxins are getting into my food (especially when cooking on high heat in a wok). To the manufacturer: Instead of using a toxic coating that sticks to the pan, why not use a simple, removable plastic sheet to prevent air from getting into the pan if you're worried about discoloration or rusting - that would be a lot easier to remove . This coverage must at least be stated in the description and materials of this item or it will be completely misleading. Another thing I don't like about this pan is the branding. Helen Chen stands on the pen (which is not visible in the marketing images). Haven't used this yet so can't vouch for its usefulness, but it's similar to other flat bottomed carbon steel woks. If I had to make this purchase again, I would buy a wok without the toxic coating and save my family and the environment trouble.