Berndes SignoCast Classic 13-Inch Cast Aluminum Wok

Watch out, Le Creuset's cast iron utensils!
This pan fills a void in my kitchen equipment that I didn't know I had, until I bought it. I use it in a variety of ways.
* On the stovetop, as a wok.
* On the stovetop, to prepare large batches of meat (2-3 lbs) for freezing and/or assembly of easy cook meals to use during the week.
* In the oven, as a surface for roasted vegetables. (Use it without the lid for this purpose.)
* As a large casserole for stews. (It will hold 4 qts if filled to about an inch below the top; I usually stop at 3+ quarts.)

While the 13 inch size of this utensil is a bit awkward to wash in my smallish kitchen sink, at 3 lbs its light weight makes it doable. I especially like the rivetless interior. In my opinion, this is on par with Le Creuset, which for a comparable item is roughly triple the weight. They are both well made, but filled with food, the larger Le Creuset items can be a challenge.

OVERALL, these are the good points:
+ only three pounds empty
+ excellent quality...

a perfect wok for arthritis sufferers
If you have wrists or shoulders affected with arthritis, as I do, this is the perfect kitchen companion. As the first reviewer notes, it is versatile and can be used for casseroles, braising and as a traditional wok. It has a lifetime warranty, and can even go inside the oven. For me, though, its outstanding feature is its weight. It's so light, even I can carry it without inwardly going "ouch!"

I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Good Wok But Poor Design On The Handles
I like Berdnes cookware. This wok is good except the design of the handles is very poor. Both handles of this wok are made of cast aluminum; NOT the phenolic handles as described (Phenolic is a strong plastic resin resistant to heat). It's too hot to touch the handles while we are cooking. That means we can't move or lift the wok when cooking because it will burn your hands. I guess Berdnes is aware of this problem, and the new Tradition series is using the wooden handles instead.

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