Best Propane Wok Burner Review – The Top 5 for 2023

If you love your Asian food, then the best propane wok burner can completely transform your outdoor cooking experience.

Turn your patio area into an Asian restaurant and bring a propane wok burner outdoors, or enjoy camping trips with restaurant-quality food cooked right there in front of you. Propane wok burners are also the perfect way to minimize mess caused by high-heat cooking, which tends to spew a lot of smoke and oil around. 

Best Propane Wok Burner Top 5

1. King Kooker 24WC Portable Propane Wok Burner. 54,000 BTUs from a single CSA-certified cast iron burner, protective wind guard, and deep-fry thermometer built-in.
2. GasOne Portable Propane 200,000-BTU Wok Burner. Not a specific wok burner but plenty of heat at 200000 BTU. Sturdy frame and durable steel-braided hosing. 
3. Eastman Outdoors 37212 Gourmet Wok Burner Kit. Includes everything you need to get started. Adjustable legs and reversible top so you can use a wok or standard pot. 
4. Bayou Classic SP10 Propane Cooker. Easy to assemble wok burner, steam, boil, fry, or homebrew. Plenty of grunt at 57000 BTU with 14″ cooking surface. 
5. Eastman Outdoors Portable Kahuna Burner. This propane wok burner has adjustable and removable legs for storage. Suitable for woks to 18″ and pots to 36 quarts. 

How to Choose the Best Propane Wok Burner

A wok burner isn’t unlike a regular propane burner, except for the fact that dedicated wok burners tend to have a rounded or recessed top ring that stops your wok toppling over.

They’re fueled by propane which delivers a great deal of heat over the large surface area of your wok. Here are a few things to consider before you hit that buy button. 

Heat Potential 

The BTU, or British Thermal Unit, rating of your propane wok burner will tell you how much heat potential it has.

The majority of woks function best at around the 55,000 mark, which is why you’ll notice that dedicated wok burners – including those on this list – tend to operate around that range. While you may need the heat higher or lower for certain dishes, this is a rough guide. 

The difference tends to be in other burners that haven’t been specifically designed for woks, such as the GasOne Portable 200,000 BTU Stove and Bayou Classic SP10. This GasOne model made third place on our list of the best 300,000 BTU propane burners, as it’s a great all-round burner for use with other large pots.

Jessica, owner and head chef of The Forked Spoon, says:

Outdoor woks are a great way to enjoy cooking outdoors without heating the house and dealing with a messy indoor wok clean up. When shopping for an outdoor wok, look for at least 40,000 to 50,000 BTUs, and look for reviews that show that the product has a proven long life span to maximize your return on investment – not all outdoor woks are engineered equally!

Safety is another thing to keep in mind with an outdoor wok. A well-engineered wok stand should be extremely sturdy and wide-set so that there is less chance of it getting knocked over.

However, bear in mind that if you’re using an all-purpose burner, it’s likely to lack the specific design that helps to hold your wok in place – don’t drop your wok while cooking! 

Wok Burner Safety and Tips

Anna Rider, Food Writer and Recipe Developer at GarlicDelight.com, recommends these things regarding cooking on your wok burner

• Make sure there is good ventilation. This should not be a problem when cooking outdoors.
• Have all of your ingredients prepared and organized. This is called a mise en place. Because you’re cooking at the highest heat setting, you don’t want to fuss around with the ingredients when the burner is on. The food should be chopped and ready to add to the hot wok immediately.
• Avoid putting anything wet in the hot oil. This means dry off your vegetables if you rinsed them in water before adding to the hot wok. This avoids hot oil splattering on your clothes and face.

Material 

Most wok burners are crafted from stainless steel, which is a highly-resistant metal, even under extreme heat. You’ll also usually find cast iron, especially in the design of your wok.

Woks are generally pre-treated with a coating that needs to be burned away, and the pan seasoned, before you start cooking. I’ve found a handy YouTube guide to seasoning cast iron, which should help you to understand what seasoning is and why it’s important for cast iron pots and pans: 

 

Size of the Best Propane Wok Burner

When I say size, I’m not just talking about the size of pot or wok that it can support; I’m also talking about the height, as a short propane burner can make cooking less enjoyable if you can’t reach the wok.

You want a minimum of around 12-inches for safe operating height from the ground, but some units extend up to 18 or 26-inches. 

In terms of cooking space, you want to look at the minimum size of pan or wok that your propane burner can support. In most cases, the dedicated propane wok burners come with a wok supplied, but if you’ve other woks or pots you’d like to use, make sure they’ll fit. 

Best Propane Wok Burners Reviewed

 

King Kooker 24WC Portable Propane Wok Burner Review

The King Kooker 24WC burner was one of the few that I saw pop up on practically every best wok burner list; it has also been reviewed really well on Amazon (nearly 400 ratings at 4.2/5), even considering the few flaws that have been mentioned.

And I agree with those couple of drawbacks: as a tall guy, I would’ve preferred the frame to be taller. What’s more, it doesn’t have the same kind of weight that other wok burners have, which means it can wobble about a bit when you’re tossing the pan’s contents. 

However, that lightweight frame is what makes this such a portable propane wok burner. It’s not the lightest around, but you’ll definitely be able to lug it with you on camping trips.

It’s also reasonably cheap, typically coming in at under $100. And most importantly, it has that recessed top ring that secures your wok in place and stops you eating dinner off of the floor. 

Out of the box, there’s a 24-inch frame that bolts together, though the instructions could be a little clearer. You’ll get an output of 54,000 BTU from the single CSA-certified cast iron burner, and there’s a protective wind guard and deep-fry thermometer built in to make your life a little easier. 

Pros of the King Kooker Wok Burner

• One of the best budget options; 
• Highly portable and lightweight, perfect for camping trips; 
• A recessed top ring secures your wok in place while cooking. 

Cons of the King Kooker Wok Burner

• I would’ve liked a taller frame; 
• Stand is a little flimsy and moves around; 
• Some customers have said the assembly instructions are poor. 

GasOne Portable Propane 200,000-BTU Propane Wok Burner Review

You’ll likely want your pot to be at least 12-inches in diameter; anything less, and you’ll get much less efficiency out of your fuel and burner. Also, watch out for the loose threading when attaching the hose to the burner. One customer found that it remains partially visible once completely screwed in.

The only other niggle to speak of is that pesky paint problem that affected one of my top models; no paint can withstand 200000 BTUs, so you’ll have to live with bubbling paint on your first use. 

This is one of two much-loved burners from GasOne, this one being a single burner and the other a double burner.

With an output of up to 200000 BTU, the burner is mounted on a frame that’s one of the sturdiest I’ve used, and it’s completed by equally durable steel braided hosing. While it’s not built specifically for woks, it is versatile and can be used for a wide range of pots. 

For this propane wok burner, you’re going to want to use a huge wok; ideally, it needs to be a minimum of 12-inches in diameter. Using smaller woks won’t give you the same stability when you’re cooking.

Assembly should be reasonably straightforward, though some customers have commented on the quality of instructions.

The only other drawback worth mentioning is that you’ll want to fire the wok up with a coat of oil the first time around; this will help to both burn away the excess paint from the frame, and to season your wok ready for cooking (see video above)

Pros of the GasOne Propane Burner

• Frame is robust and study, supporting the largest pots and pans; 
• An adjustable regulator is built into the propane hose;  
• The propane hose is crafted from tough braided steel, which won’t fray.  

Cons of the GasOne Propane Burner

• Doesn’t work well with small pots and pans; 
• Craftsmanship on this model is a little worse than the GasOne double burner unit; 
• I question why the manufacturer painted this model, as it flakes and peels on first-time use.  

Eastman Outdoors 37212 Gourmet Wok Burner Kit Review

This Eastman wok kit is very similar to another burner that they produce, which made number 5 on this best propane wok burner list.

One of the great things about this model is that you don’t need anything else – it truly is a whole kit. There’s a 22-inch wok included in the box, plus two utensils for cooking with.

However, you’re going to want to use some heavy-duty chemicals, a blowtorch, or a pan scrubbing brush to remove the protective coating from your wok before you get cooking. 

At more than 6-feet tall, this wok burner was actually the perfect height for me. The legs are adjustable, something that’s not common with these smaller, portable burners, so I was able to adjust it to an ideal height that saved my back a lot of grief.

You can also reverse the cooking grill on top of the burner, which is useful for subbing out the wok for a stock pot, for example. 

My main complaints are around the materials used and the model’s weight. I like to have the option of taking my outdoor stoves with me when I go camping, but while it’s still light enough to be portable, it’s the heaviest burner included on the list.

In terms of craftsmanship, the frame is built out of sheet metal, which just doesn’t have a great deal of durability. It’s also around double the price of some of the budget best propane wok burners I’ve found. 

Pros of the Eastman Outdoors Wok Burner Kit

• Utensils are provided along with a 22-inch wok; 
• Legs are extendable, which is a godsend for people of my height; 
• The grilling plate can be flipped over for pots of different shapes and sizes. 

Cons of the Eastman Outdoors Wok Burner Kit

• Double the price of some alternatives; 
• The sheet metal frame appears quite thin and flimsy; 
• This is the heaviest burner that I’ve included in the list. 

Bayou Classic SP10 Propane Burner

One feature of burners that I find particularly useful is a windshield. There’s nothing more annoying than trying to get your cook on, only to have the wind extinguish your plans.

It seems to be an oversight on most best propane wok burners, but the Bayou Classic SP10 does have one. Sure, it’s pretty small and still manages to let some wind through, but having a windshield is better than having none at all. 

Out of the box, it’s easy to assemble the SP10. The instructions – a failing point for many budget wok burners – are straightforward and easy to understand, so you can get straight to the cooking.

This burner can also boil stock, soups, stews, beer, or anything else you want to cook. The cooking space can fit either a wok or a pot up to around 62 quarts in capacity. 

My main gripe here is something I’ve mentioned a few times now, and it’s that the burner just isn’t tall enough for people like me. Standing at 6-foot 4-inches, I have to crane my back to access the wok properly; if you’re tall, I’d consider investing in a sturdy, flame-retardant stand to rest this on.

Some customers have also complained about the sensitivity of the temperature control. 

Pros of the Bayou Classic SP10

• Easy to assemble with useful instructions;
• Can be used with stock pots up to around 36 quarts;
• Burner features a windshield to protect the flame from being extinguished.

Cons of the Bayou Classic SP10

• Not compatible with tall cooks; 
• Some customers wanted to see a longer propane hose; 
• Numerous comments that temperature control could be better. 

Eastman Outdoors Portable Kahuna Wok Burner Review

The Kahuna Propane Wok Burner is great for cooks who plan on storing their burner indoors through the winter, or taking it along to the campground or beach.

You can completely detach the legs, which makes for simple storage or much more convenience when transporting the burner. They’re also adjustable, which is a lifesaver if you’re tall. 

The burner ring will support woks up to 18-inches in diameter, while also having space for medium sized pots up to 36 quarts. The 18-inch wok is included in the package, but as with any new wok of this type, you’ll need to burn away the plastic coating before you use it for the first time. 

The temperature is adjusted fairly easily, though I didn’t like where the gas regulator is positioned. As it’s mounted on the steel braided hose near the propane tank connection, you’ll have to leave your cooking station to fine tune your temperature.

I also would’ve liked a wind guard; this burner is particularly susceptible to strong gusts of wind. And finally, the construction quality was a sticking point for some customers, as the thin sheet metal could easily be dented and scratched. 

Pros of the Eastman Kahuna Propane Wok Burner

• Legs adjustable from 18-inches to 26-inches; 
• Supports woks up to 18-inches in diameter, and pots up to 36 quarts; 
• The legs can be completely removed for portability and storage. 

Cons of the Eastman Kahuna Propane Wok Burner

• It’s lacking a wind guard; 
• The gas regulator could be fitted in a more convenient place; 
• Construction quality could be better. 

Finding the Best Propane Wok Burner

To work out the best propane wok burner, I used the same approach I always use when working out which product to buy. I started by scouring the internet for as many ‘Best Of’ lists I could find. This gave me a good idea of the best propane wok burners that people were raving about. 

Next, I gathered all the information from these rankings and put it into a spreadsheet – that includes the product name, where it was scored (typically from 1 to 5 or 1 to 10), and how well it fared in customer reviews on sites like Amazon.

Finally, I used a basic formula to work out how many times each propane wok burner had been mentioned across each ranking, as well as the combined score that it achieved from all the rankings combined. 

What this gave me is a list of all the best propane wok burners. Then, it was simply a case of ordering the products by (a) those mentioned most frequently, and (b) those that scored the highest (meaning that they frequently featured at the top of their respective lists), as well as trying out as many models as I can. The outcome is this best propane wok burner review

Winner – Best Propane Wok Burner

While it wasn’t perfect, the King Kooker 24WC Portable Propane Wok Burner is affordable and the design has much to like, including the recessed burner ring for holding woks in place.

The 54,000 BTUs are more than enough for cooking with a wok, though there’s still space to use other pots if you have more than one dish on the menu or want to experiment with other ingredients. 

Which propane wok burner do you like the look of? And, if you already use one, please share your experiences in the comments below!

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