Best Complete Set-Up: King Kooker 1265BBF3 Portable Propane Outdoor Deep Frying/Boiling Package

Let’s talk fish fries!

If you need to set up a fish fry from scratch, it is probably best to go for a package that includes the entire set up. We researched a half dozen brands that were recommended by our readers before picking this one: King Kooker’s 1265BBF3. 

This reader favorite has a large 29 quart pot—perfect for a large gathering. And yes, you can also fry a turkey in here for Thanksgiving. Here’s more:

What We Liked

• Perfect for crawfish boil.

• Complete set up with pot, lid, basket, lifting hook, rack, fry pan and more.

• Deep fry thermometer is included.

• Battery operated timer.

• Heavy duty construction impressed us.

What Needs Work

• Timer could be located in a more convenient spot.

• Strainer is rather small.

Best Budget Friendly: Fish Fryer 10 Qt/Cooker

If you are having a smaller gathering or already have some supplies, this simple 10-quart cooker offers good bang for the buck. We liked the quality here—it works well and includes a hose and regulator for a propane tank (not included, of course).

What We Liked

• Great for family-size events.

• Affordable.

• Good quality aluminum pod with lid and strainer.

What Needs Work

• Tank holder doesn’t fit all propane tanks.

Best for Windy Areas: Bayou Classic 700-701 4-gal Stainless Bayou Fryer

We like simple fish fryers for their easy set up . . . but they often have one disadvantage: the open flames can be blown out by wind. This fryer by Bayou Classic is a better bet for windy areas, as the burner is more protected.

Also nice: this fryer has a v-shaped bottom. Why is that important?

Debris from the batter will drop to the bottom of the v-shaped fryer, enabling it to be drained and removed. That’s important because if the fryer basket doesn’t have that v-shape, the debris will float to the top of the oil and burn. That requires you to skim the oil frequently, which is quite the hassle.

For the best fryer for fried chicken or fish, we think Bayou Classic 700-704 fryer is the best bet for folks who want to use it as a side hustle. It is excellent for church fish fryers, as it is easy to use and set up. Plus it holds the oil at a constant temperature, unlike others we tried.

What We Liked

• V-shaped design keeps stray flour or batter at the bottom.

• Oil drains from valve at the base.

• Sets up in about 15 minutes.

• Keeps oil at constant temperature.

• Includes covers for fryer basket.

What Needs Work

• Temperature gauge can fog up.

• Baskets are on the small side.

• Oil isn’t separated. This is true for most fryers. Since the oil isn’t separated, if you are frying fish on one side and french fries on the other, the fish taste will migrant to the other basket.

Best For Fish—And Turkey: King Kooker Propane Outdoor Fry Boil Package with 2 Pots

When talking with our readers about fish fries, we noticed that many folks wanted to purchase a set-up that also be repurposed at Thanksgiving to fry a turkey. Not all fish fryers are best adapted to this double purpose. 

The best bet we found this model by King Kooker. Here’s why:L

What We Liked

• Easy to use.

• Comes with everything you need: 33,000 BTU propane burner, turkey pot with lid and basket, timer, thermometer, and more.

• Works for fish fries, seafood boils—or with turkeys up to 20 pounds.

• Rack and lifting hook is easy to use.

• Portable.

• Affordable.

What Needs Work

• Timer shuts off the propane every 15 minutes. We realize this is a safety feature, but that means you have to babysit the unit and press the button every 15 minutes to keep the propane burning. It would be nice if there was a beep to warn you the 15 minutes is up.

• Boil basket could be bigger. 

• Packing could be better. The unit we tried was fine, but we see some reports that the pot arrived dented—perhaps better packaging for the unit could prevent dents.

• Works well on concrete, not so good on grass or dirt. We thought the base was stable, but we see some folks found it not as sturdy on grass or dirt.

About the Authors

Denise & Alan Fields are consumer advocates and best-selling authors. The Fields have authored 12 books with three million copies in print, including the best-selling guide to baby gear, Baby Bargains.

The Fields have been featured and quoted in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Los Angeles Times.

As consumer products experts, the Fields have been guests on the NBC Today Show, Good Morning America and ABC’s 20/20.

How We Pick Products To Recommend

We often turn to our readers (3 million strong!) to find products to recommend. We ask our parent readers for their favorites and consider their real-world experiences in our recommendations.

When we test a product, we always purchase it with our own monies. We do not take free samples, as we believe that compromises our independence.

We also fact check manufacturer information with our own measurements. If a maker claims a product weighs X pounds, we will weigh it to make sure. If the battery life is supposed to be six hours, we will see how it stands up in the real world.

In some cases, we will do interviews with experts in the field to get additional feedback on products.

To get hands-on time with products, we regularly meet one-on-one with gear companies and even tour manufacturing facilities. (When we do this, we pay our own travel expenses).

Why Trust Us

We’ve been rating and reviewing products for the home and families since 1994. We do extensive research, evaluating products with an eye toward quality, ease of use and affordability.

We make our living from affiliate commissions, but we always recommend what we think are the best bets for our readers (not the ones that are the most expensive). We are always looking for products that offer the best bang for the buck.

Our independence is a key reason why we have been doing this so long. As we mentioned above, when we purchase a product for hands-on testing, we do so with our own money.

Here’s another key point: we don’t take money from the brands we review. No free samples, no sponsors, no “partnerships.” Our work is 100% reader-supported!