In this article, we are going to look at the best wok burner for outdoors use.

As someone who has spent a fair bit of time in Asia especially Thailand I have seen wok burners in action many times.

The road-side chefs who cook up delicious and healthy fast food in seconds were an inspiration for me to take a look at my buying options back in the West.

While I love good old American BBQ [You can’t beat a good steak!] I do like experimenting with different styles of cooking outdoors and cooking Asian Stir-fry on high heat in a wok is great fun.

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Our Recommended Wok Burner

It’s pretty tough to recommend just one outdoor wok burner, all the burners on our list below have features that will appeal to different people. We are going to choose the King Kooker as our number one Outdoor Wok Burner.

While it is not the most powerful of our recommenced wok burners it does have some great features, it comes with everything you need to get started, is extremely affordable and we like its portability. Its ideal for wok cooking in the backyard. Its not perfect but for cooking some great Asian food for friends or family this would be just right.

We’d suggest checking out some of our other outdoor wok burner recommendations but if you are short of time here goes;

Wok Burners Compared

As mentioned above we have put in the research to find the best outdoor work burners and we discuss all the features and what we like and don’t like about them in the article but if you are in a hurry here are all our picks below that are available to check out at Amazon

What are the Benefits of an Outdoor Wok Burner?

If you love Chinese cuisine or if you love cooking outdoors, then the chances are that you have been thinking about getting a wok burner for yourself. A wok burner is a propane burner that is used to heat a wok. Wok burners are almost similar to traditional burners.

The only things that differentiate them are British thermal units (BTU) and size. The primary function of a wok burner is to produce tons of heat for quick and even cooking. While a typical stove can get hot, their heat intensity is not close to that of a dedicated propane wok. That is why people love them.

An outdoor work burner can produce high temperatures in a matter of minutes and maintain it for as long as you want. Their outdoor location means that you don’t have to worry about the unit splattering oil all over your kitchen or smoking up your house. In this article, we are going to review the top  outdoor wok burners on the market.

Cooking in your wok outdoors is great fun and you can replicate your favorite Asian recipes or use its versatility to steam or fry fish or seafood as well.

The Best Outdoor Wok Burners

So let’s take a look at some of the options that you can purchase online

 

King Kooker Propane Cooker with Wok Review – [Budget Friendly]

 

This is probably the most popular and lowest priced outdoor wok burner available online.

You get a 54,000 BTU propane burner, an 18-inch carbon steel wok and two wooden cooking utensils and a deep fry thermometer.

We liked the added feature of the Recessed top ring that makes sure that the wok stays in place and is secure on the burner.

Some reviewers described the wok as being light weight but  it is thin gauge by design as this helps with heat transfer.

One reviewer mentioned that if you wanted to add a griddle to this work burner that the Char-Broil 7186193 Big Easy Smoker Roaster Grill Cast Iron Griddle is a perfect fit.

The King Kooker  should easily be able to cater up to 8 persons.

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Eastman Outdoors  Carbon Steel Wok Kit – Best for Big Parties & Cookouts

If you are looking for a more powerful outdoor wok burner the Eastman 37212 boast a 65,000 BTU burner. It also comes with an extra large 22 inch wok so you can cater for larger groups of people.

While the Eastman is higher priced than our previous two recommendations as well as being more powerful and having a larger cooking area it does have some other benefits as well. For instance, there were comments from customers regarding other products being fairly low to the ground so that if you were tall you had to stoop. The Eastman has adjustable legs and a special flip over surface that can either hold a large pot for boiling or the wok.

Not a deal breaker but it also comes with a stainless steel wok spoon, spatula and thermometer.

The Eastman 37212 is currently being sold at a premium price of the previously mentioned wok sets but it is more powerful, bigger and more stable. If you are planning on going big for your cookouts this could be for you.

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Eastman Outdoors Portable Kahuna Burner with XL Pot and Wok Brackets Review

If you are happy to buy a separate wok the portable Kahuna burner comes highly recommended for its versatility.

It can it be packed up an stored away very easily or folded down to be transported to camping trips or tailgating events.

It can hold an 18 inch work and accommodate pots for boiling up to 36 quarts.

This is another high powered burner with 65,000 BTU.

You can check out a video here and see the power of the burner in action

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Kitma Gas Wok Range – Heavy Duty Option

If you are looking for a quality, durable, and heavy-duty wok burner, then this wok range might be the right choice for you. It’s is equipped with an 18 tip jet burner that produces 95,000 BTU cooking power. So, whether you are deep-frying, stir-frying, or boiling, you can be sure that this incredible wok burner will provide the energy you need to cook fast and conveniently. The jet burner measures 13 inches in diameter, a feature that allows it to accommodate different size woks.

The rolled front enables a comfortable grip when using the unit. On the other hand, the extra-wide wok helps to prevent oil from spattering on your arms and hands when cooking. Additionally, this commercial liquid proper cooking equipment is equipped with four adjustable and stable feet. You can level this unit on any surface. Its outer body and legs are made of high quality and durable stainless steel. The stainless steel material is also easy to clean. Its continuous pilot feature enables it to ignite instantly.

Overall, the Kitma 13 inch wok range is a quality and efficient commercial liquid propane cooking equipment. It produces tons of heat, easy to load, and is made of superior stainless steel material that is reliable and long-lasting.

Features

• Powerful 95000 BTU burner
• Instant ignition
• 18 tip jet burner that measures 13 inches in diameter to accommodate all your cooking needs
• Stainless steel construction with superior corrosion abilities
• Gradual slope design helps to prevent overflow

Pros

• Easily portable
• Very sturdy base
• Powerful cooking power
• Comes with one year labor and parts warranty
• East to clean after service
• Made of high quality and durable materials

Cons

• The protective paint coating needs to be burned off before use

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DuraSteel jet burner

If you are looking for a high heat output jet burner, then the DuraSteel jet burner is certainly worth checking out. This jet burner boasts of heavy-duty construction that can withstand high heat output of up to 160,000 BTU. It also work well on low pressure.

DuraSteel jet burner is made of cast iron that is strong and durable. The tip of the burner is made of brass that enables it to withstand high heat. It also comes with 32 nozzles that are of high quality and extremely durable. They can be used both indoors and outdoors, thanks to their durable and sturdy materials that they are made off. So whether you want to host a BBQ party in your backyard or prepare a delicious meal for your family indoors, you can be sure that this 32 tip jet burner will not let you down.

The 32-tip cast iron jet burner runs on natural gas. It only weighs 3kg, meaning that you can easily move it around. The 32 nozzles not only withstand high heat, but they also distribute heat evenly throughout the pot for even cooking.

Features

• 160,000 BTU
• ¾ inch gas pipe inlet
• 32 round-shaped brass nozzle

Pros

• Made of quality cast iron material that is exceptionally durable
• 32 tip jet burner for fast and even cooking
• Sturdy and durable
• Stable for indoor and outdoor use
• High heat output
• Affordable

Cons

• Burns off the paint the first time you use it

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PowerFlamer Outdoor Long Leg Wok Burner

Although the PowerFlame wok burner looks more traditional, it is equipped with amazing features that make it stand out. This wok burner weight about 31lb and is equipped with three long detachable legs. This means that you take it with you on the go and store it easily when it is not in use. Its long legs and inbuilt burner plate helps to enhance the cooking experience.

The units comes with an AME type 1 QCC connector, high-pressure regulator, and hose with extended braided stainless steel cover. The long legs are detachable, meaning that the unit can be used as a ground stove by attaching the long legs or as a table stove by detaching them.

The PowerFlame wok burner boasts of 160,000 cooking power for fast cooking. The burner can be adjusted gradually, from 0 to 160KBTU/hr. The stove uses high-pressure propane that enables it to achieve high heat for fast cooking. The temperature from the unit can be adjusted smoothly and continuously.

The stainless steel braided hose that this stove is equipped with is far superior to traditional hoses. It is also highly resistant to UV damage and can easily handle excess heat from the unit. The included regulator is adjustable and fits on the 20 pounds propane tank.

The cast burner design of this unit is also impressive and directs heat smoothly for fast and even cooking. The unit comes with a 13-inch wok adapter ring. The spider mesh guard helps to protect the burner unit.

Features

• Powerful 160,000 BTU burner
• Manual ignition
• Detachable stainless braided hose
• Spider mesh guard for wind protection
• Smooth power adjustment, from 0 to 160 KBTU/hr

Pros

• Easy to assemble
• Superior cooking power
• Plenty of included extras
• Adjustable long legs
• Adjustable wok adapter

Cons

• Manual ignition

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GasOne 200,000 BTU Square Single Burner Outdoor Stove

If you are looking for an outdoor burner that is portable, versatile and incredibly powerful then this is it! This isn’t just a great burner for high heat stir frying cooking its also great for home brewing, camping,  emergency preparedness and much more!

This is a real beast of a burner and isn’t designed for regular cooking so be very careful, its fine with a heavy flat bottom wok or getting your liquids to boiling point in no time but it would be overkill for a lot of other uses

If you want restaurant quality results from your stir fry food, you are home-brewing or you want to heat up liquid quickly for crabs or seafood then this is perfect. For more refined delicate cooking you are best to look at other burners.

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Wok Burner Tips & Accessories

Rust and wear

One of the biggest issues with any steel product that is used outdoors is that it is likely to rust. To minimize this you need to treat your Wok and burner well. Keep them out of the elements and ideally cover the burner up when not in use. Make sure that you check it regularly when not in use for signs of rust.

Make sure that you season the wok not just when you first use it but regularly after each time you cook with it.

Safety

You are all grown ups and I really don’t need to tell anyone this but….

Cooking with oil, indoors or outdoors has its dangers. Do make sure that your burner is sturdy and on a flat surface.

We also recommend a good pair of heavy duty BBQ gloves for lifting and moving the wok while it is still hot.

Woks For Outdoor Use

Once you’ve decided on a Wok Burner that meets your requirements you will of course need a wok. Here are a few good picks for using outdoors.

King Kooker 17′ Steel Wok

This is a really big wok so would be great if you have a lot of people to feed. Make sure that you clean and season it before use. For the size this is worth the price, it also comes with wooden cooking utensils, which isn’t a deal breaker but makes a nice extra.

Town Food Service 18 Inch Steel Canontese Style Wok

This is probably the Best Buy out of all the wok’s we looked at online its cheaper and bigger than the King Kooker and gets good reviews. Once again make sure you clean and season it, to get the best use out of it.

Lodge 14 Inch Seasoned Cast Iron Wok

This is a smaller wok but it is one of the Best Selling online and gets great reviews. Made from Cast Iron and already seasoned this wok is high quality and made in the USA. This is a heavy duty wok that if looked after will last you decades. Lodge give you detailed instructions on how to look after it so there should be no excuses.

 

Steaming

Buy a wok cover for your wok, this is great for steaming.

Here is a nice 18″ Wok Cover

Winco WKCS-18 Stainless Steel Wok Cover

Recipes

If you are using recipes online or from books do take into account that you will need to reduce cooking times because they are usually for people cooking using a wok indoors.

One cookbook that we highly recommend is The Breath of the Wok by Grace Young. Learn the proper art of ‘Wok Hay’ and try some of the delicious recipes and tips she mentions in the book.

While we are on the subject of recipes this Thai chef always appeals to our childish sense of humor. Most Thai’s are given a nickname at birth and Poo [crab] is a common one. So this lady has her YouTube channel named after her and its ‘ Cooking with Poo’

This is Cooking with Poo and in this recipe she cooks the most famous Thai Dish of all the delicious Pad Thai…

 

Conclusion

If we had to choose our top pick it would be the Eastman Kahuna Burner for its competitive price, versatility, and high power burner. Cooking outdoor is always fun and experimenting with different cuisines even more so. If you love outdoor cooker then adding a wok burner to your set up is a fantastic addition.