While you can always rig an outdoor deep fryer to also work as a boiler and steamer, it’s not exactly the safest route when cooking large amounts of food. If you like cooking using those methods more than deep frying, this King Kooker 5012 Portable Propane Outdoor Boiling and Steaming Cooker review is for you.
Specifically made to serve as a boiling and steaming cooker, this product can be a good pick if you’re thinking of making your favorite Low Country Boil recipe your specialty.
So, what about the King Kooker 5012? Here’s everything you need to know about this item, starting from its features:
King Kooker 5012 Portable Turkey Fryer review – 5 Major Features
1. Outdoor Cooker Set
The King Kooker 5012 is a burner and pot set that will let you get started on your recipe right away. You’ll only need to get a propane turkey fryer and your ingredients to start cooking with this equipment.
2. 12” Bolt-Together 54,000 BTU Outdoor Cooker
The key component of this product is its burner. Made with a bolt-together design, the burner sits about 12 inches off the ground to let you cook comfortably while outside. It will place the lip of the pot at a very accessible height to you whether you’re sitting down or standing up.
The burner is also quite powerful. It reaches 54,000 BTUs that promises to generate a lot of heat in a short amount of time. It just doesn’t have a temperature control so it’s not ideal for deep frying.
In terms of stability, its 15” diameter top ring can ensure that the pot will sit nicely balanced on top of the burner. It won’t easily tip over but make sure to still keep an eye on the cooker while it’s in operation.
3. 50-qt Aluminum Ridge Pot with Steaming Basket
Another vital part of this cooking set is its 50-qt pot. Made of aluminum and can fit in a large amount of food, this pot can whip up food for about 15 to 20 diners in a single batch. However, it’s only recommended for boiling and steaming, not for deep frying.
Its cooking basket is actually designed for steaming so it might not really do a good job for deep frying. The basket is a lot shorter than the pot’s height, so it won’t be able to fully submerge your ingredients if you want to deep fry with it. This can be rather wasteful and ineffective, so it’s better to just use it for its intended purpose.
4. LP Hose and Type 1 Regulator
Saving you from the hassle of finding ways how to hook up your burner to a propane tank is the LP hose and type 1 regulator that comes with the package. This will let you complete your setup instantly.
5. Accessories Included
The King Kooker 5012 also comes with a few accessories like a lid and a meat thermometer. These complete everything you need in an outdoor cooker set.
Where Is King Kooker Made?
While some users do not bother where a product is made, as long as it serves the purpose the product was purchased for, other users like to know the origin of any appliance before they purchase it. So, if you’re one of the people that prefers to know where King Kooker turkey fryer is made, here is an answer for you. King Kooker fryers are made in China.
Outdoor Steam Cooking Kits:
King Kooker has some models of outdoor steam cooking kits that can be used to cook outdoors. These appliances are quite easy to use. If you’re an outdoors person that love to have fun in the great outdoors, King Kooker has several models of cookers, fryers, and steamers for you.
King Kooker Propane Burner:
One of the outdoor steaming/boiling kits is the propane burner. King Kooker has 15,000 BTU, 24,000 BTU, and 54,000 BTU cast burners for outdoor use. These burners are safe to use and easy to understand.
However, propane burners are not meant to fry turkey. They have been designed to boil or steam veggies and seafoods like crabs and shrimps. Like all other products, they are resistant to rust and corrosion.
King Kooker Steam Pot:
King Kooker steam pot is a great addition to your culinary utensils. Your outdoor cooking will not happen without it. King Kooker offers spacious steam pots with adequate space of multi-layer of food. Like the burner, the pot is also resistant to rust and corrosion. When you check the reviews of King Kooker steam pot, you’ll be convinced of its quality and high performance. Although there are several brands of steam pots, King Kooker is one of the best.
King Kooker Assembly:
We were able to assemble the outdoor cooking kits and we believe that you should be able to assemble it easily to. Here are the steps involved.
Step 1 – Place the burner in the right spot.
Step 2 – Connect burner to a propane source with a hose. This step is not necessary if you’re using a charcoal burner.
Step 3 – Turn on the propane supply and ignite the burner.
Step 4 – Place the steam pot on the lit burner.
Step 5 – Fill the pot with water and follow the cooking instructions.
How Long Should Charcoal Burn Before Cooking?
You need to distribute the pieces of charcoal evenly under the burner before lighting it. Sometimes the wind may prevent the coal from burning properly. So, you must place your charcoal burner on a spot where the wind will not hinder its performance.
In the alternative, you may build a wind guard. After lighting the charcoal, you should wait for 10 – 15 minutes for the coal to burn well before you start cooking on it. By then, most of the charcoals will be glowing with heat.
You don’t want to place your food on the burner only to find out that the fire has stopped burning. That’s why you need to wait for the fire to fester before you start cooking.
Why Should You Use King Kooker 5012 Propane Turkey Fryer?
If you still need a bit more coaxing to get you more interested in this product, the following points might do the trick.
These are a few of the best reasons why you should give this product a try as noted in various King Kooker 5012 Propane Turkey Fryer reviews:
1. It’s designed for steaming and boiling.
As mentioned above, this item might look like your regular outdoor deep fryer but it’s actually not recommended for that job. The manufacturer recommends that you only boil and steam with this cooker as it doesn’t have a temperature control.
The design of its cooking basket can explain this point nicely. As it’s shorter than the total height of the pot, it offers a way for you to put in just the right amount of water in the pot to keep the ingredients out of it without a fuss.
You won’t have to rig a way to lift the basket high enough to keep your ingredients from being submerged in the water with its basket’s design. This promises perfectly steamed seafood dishes.
2. It offers great value for your money.
Like other King Kooker products, the 5012 is also very affordable. It will still cost you a pretty penny but it’s still a fraction of the cost of other models. This makes it a solid pick for first-timers and practical homeowners.
3. You can use it for cooking and homebrewing.
Aside from steaming and boiling, this product is also used by some folks for homebrewing. This further extends its functionality and can let you get more out of purchase should you opt for this product.
4. The bolt-together design of the burner stand makes it portable.
While it’s still not that easy to lug around, you can at least easily take it apart for transport and then assemble it without too much fuss once you get to the beach or campsite. This makes it versatile and more useful.
5. It’s easy to work with.
It’s easy to light and control the flame of the burner, especially during ideal conditions, so practically anyone can work with this cooker.
Product Benefits
- Cooking basket is designed for steaming
- Boils water fast
- Very easy to operate
- Burner stand feels stable and sturdy
- You can take it anywhere with you
- Can be used for steaming, boiling, and homebrewing
- Comes with most of the basics you’ll need to start cooking large batches of food
- Portable burner base
- Excellent price
- Can cook for 15 persons or more in one batch
The Negative Things
- Not designed for deep frying
- Can get dented when dropped or bumped against something
- Assembly instructions can be improved
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can you use other pots to cook on the burner in this set?
A: Yes, it can generate a high amount of heat so it can be used with other pots as well.
Q: Is there a drain valve at the bottom of the pot?
A: No, you’ll need to pour out the contents of the pot to get rid of them.
Q: Can you use a camp size propane bottle with this cooker?
A: You might not be able to attach the regulator to a small bottle and it might not have enough gas to heat boil a large amount of water in the pot.
Q: Does it have a thermostat?
A: No, it doesn’t come with a temperature control.
Q: Will the burner’s base buckle under the pot’s weight?
A: No, it can handle the weight of the pot with food and water nicely.
Final Verdict
Hopefully, you’ve learned a lot in this King Kooker 5012 Portable Propane Turkey Fryer and Cooker review. This product is a solid choice for those who like to cook various kinds of food in huge batches, so it can prove to be a great pick for many.
