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How did you get a hot enough flame for Chinese stir fry in the US?

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shaun:
I bought a wok propane burner at a local Korean grocery store.  I use it in the laundry room next to the kitchen as it gets quite hot when cooking.  I can run it outside into the back yard if need be from there.

Elevation about 136 ft above sea level.

Smaug:
We live in a small apartment now with a natural gas stove; don't really want to mess around with a separate propane burner just for this.

I read the reviews on Amazon on the Presto stainless electric wok; folks seem to think it is a lot better than a wok on an electric burner. One reviewer even commented on something I'd noticed before: namely that teflon-coated woks seem to heat up OK the first time, but then after food is added, they never really get back to that searing hot temperature that is needed. They ARE thermostat-controlled, but everyone seems to think the temperature is hot enough. We'll see, it is due here Friday. (along with a Presto rice cooker)

No matter, because Ivy destroyed our teflon wok on the first time by using the stainless steel turner, instead of a wooden one or the big rubber spatula we have.

I looked on ebay for high BTU wok burners and found a cast iron one and some others, but they are all "for outdoor use only." No good to us.

Our apartment doesn't have a range hood, but it has a window next to the stove, so we'll use a window fan for exhaust. I need to find a better one than this little one that we have now.

Arnold:
Qing has no problem with our new Gas stove, which has a front "Turbo" burner (extra large) and it does great. Of course I had to install a high powered exhaust fan, that meant removing the Micro that had come with the house.

Pineau:
Arnold....AWESOME looking stove. I want one.

Smaug.  If your in an apartment the maybe you should settle for a single burner induction electric unit. They are not very big and will fit just about anywhere on the kitchen counter. Near a window with a dual exhaust fan!  Jing burned up about three of these but they are cheap.  http://www.amazon.com/Holmes-HAWF2021-Dual-Blade-Window/dp/B00008XET9/ref=sr_1_2/180-6546076-1186845?ie=UTF8&qid=1400712730&sr=8-2&keywords=window+fan


It took some shopping, so we came to buy this Kenmore (Qing dislikes LG) and I/We do have all our appliances from Kenmore. Ps: I'd stay away from all GE stuff.... crap!

JustJim:
I have been very impressed by the quality of the appliances in China.  I know we say that their stuff here in the US is not good, but who's fault is that?  The importers are buying crappy stuff. 

Their cook stoves are designed for their style of cooking.  Two burners, both high output and far enough apart that you can easily accommodate a wok.

And the exhaust fans are really good.  They are are at a slant and I think that makes them more effective.  But the most amazing thing I saw was when Mei was cleaning her exhaust fan.  After cleaning the outside surface ( I actually did that part... ;D) she took this clear container, filled it with hot water and attached it to the bottom of the fan and then turned on the fan.  The water was sucked up into the fan and then it drained back down into a separate compartment - you could see the grease in the water.  She did that two more times and the water was clear.  Such intelligent design.

I would like to have one of those cook tops here in the US, and one of the exhaust fans also.  We were talking about her bringing some of her other cooking appliances - her rice cooker, her electric cook top.  I know the voltage of these are 240 - I am an electrician so there's no problem there.

Anyways, I am just thinking about ways to make her feel comfortable here in the US.  And I guess I like their highly efficient and simplified way of cooking.

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