Wipe up any excess, then let the wok cool. It is now ready to use. After cooking in your wok, clean it gently — López-Alt says it’s fine to use a little soap, but don’t scrub it.

“The wok is the most used and versatile pan in my kitchen,” says J. Kenji López-Alt, whose new cookbook, “The Wok,” is fully focused on how to make the most of the pan.