OSRS Cooking Calculator
Welcome to the ultimate Old School RuneScape Cooking calculator and guide! Whether you're aiming for that coveted 99 Cooking cape, looking to make some profit, or simply need to train for a quest, this tool and accompanying article will provide you with all the information you need.
Why Train Cooking in OSRS?
Cooking is one of the most popular and easiest skills to train in Old School RuneScape. It offers a variety of benefits that make it worthwhile for almost any player:
- Health Restoration: Cooked food is essential for combat, providing health regeneration. High-level foods like Anglerfish and Sharks are staples for PvM (Player vs. Monster) and PvP (Player vs. Player).
- Quest Requirements: Many quests, such as "Cook's Assistant" (obviously!), "Recipe for Disaster," and "Dragon Slayer II," require specific Cooking levels.
- Achievement Diaries: Various Achievement Diaries have Cooking requirements, rewarding useful perks upon completion.
- Money Making: While not all cooking methods are profitable, some high-level foods, especially those from untradeable raw ingredients (like Karambwans or Anglerfish), can generate significant income.
- Ease of Training: Cooking is a relatively AFK (Away From Keyboard) skill, making it a favorite for players looking for a relaxed training experience.
Understanding Cooking Mechanics
Before diving into specific methods, it's crucial to understand how cooking works in OSRS.
Burn Rates
The most significant mechanic in Cooking is the chance of burning food. When your Cooking level is below a certain threshold for a specific food item, there's a chance you'll burn it, resulting in a "burnt" version that cannot be eaten. This means wasted ingredients and no XP gain.
The burn rate decreases as your Cooking level increases. Crucially, certain items and locations can drastically reduce or eliminate burn rates:
- Cooking Gauntlets: Obtained from the "Family Crest" quest, these gauntlets significantly lower the level at which you stop burning most fish. For example, with gauntlets, you stop burning Lobsters at level 40 instead of 68.
- Hosidius Kitchen: Located in the Hosidius House in Zeah, this kitchen provides a 5% reduced chance of burning food. This stacks with Cooking Gauntlets.
- Portable Range: A D&D reward, the portable range gives a 10% XP boost and a 5% reduced burn chance. This also stacks with other bonuses.
- Chef's Hat: While iconic, the Chef's Hat offers no direct benefits to burn rates or XP for regular cooking.
XP Rates
Each food item provides a base amount of XP when successfully cooked. This XP can be boosted by:
- Portable Range: As mentioned, a 10% XP boost.
- Bonus XP Weekends/Events: Occasionally, Jagex may run events that provide temporary XP boosts.
- Experience Lamps/Tombs of Amascut: Lamps can be used to gain XP in any skill.
Cooking Training Methods by Level
Here’s a breakdown of common and efficient cooking methods across different level ranges:
Levels 1-15: Shrimp & Sardines
- Shrimp (Lvl 1): 30 XP per item. Stops burning at Lvl 34 (Lvl 1 with gauntlets). Very cheap and easy to start.
- Sardine (Lvl 1): 40 XP per item. Stops burning at Lvl 38 (Lvl 1 with gauntlets). Slightly better XP than shrimp.
- Method: Buy raw shrimp/sardines from the Grand Exchange (GE) or fish them yourself. Cook at any range.
Levels 15-30: Herring & Trout
- Herring (Lvl 5): 50 XP per item. Stops burning at Lvl 41 (Lvl 5 with gauntlets).
- Trout (Lvl 15): 70 XP per item. Stops burning at Lvl 50 (Lvl 15 with gauntlets).
- Method: Continue cooking at any range. These are still very fast and cheap.
Levels 30-40: Salmon
- Salmon (Lvl 25): 90 XP per item. Stops burning at Lvl 58 (Lvl 25 with gauntlets).
- Method: A popular choice for its balance of cost and XP.
Levels 40-60: Tuna & Lobsters
- Tuna (Lvl 30): 100 XP per item. Stops burning at Lvl 63 (Lvl 30 with gauntlets).
- Lobster (Lvl 40): 120 XP per item. Stops burning at Lvl 74 (Lvl 40 with gauntlets).
- Method: Lobsters become very efficient once you stop burning them. A common choice for AFK training.
Levels 60-75: Swordfish & Monkfish
- Swordfish (Lvl 45): 140 XP per item. Stops burning at Lvl 86 (Lvl 45 with gauntlets).
- Monkfish (Lvl 62): 150 XP per item. Stops burning at Lvl 90 (Lvl 62 with gauntlets).
- Method: Monkfish are a fantastic option. They provide good XP and can often be cooked for a profit, especially with Hosidius Kitchen and Portable Range bonuses.
Levels 75-99: Sharks, Karambwans, Anglerfish, Dark Crabs
These are the endgame foods, offering the highest XP and potential for profit.
- Shark (Lvl 80): 210 XP per item. Stops burning at Lvl 94 (Lvl 80 with gauntlets).
- Karambwan (Lvl 65): 190 XP per item. Stops burning at Lvl 95 (Lvl 65 with gauntlets). Highly recommended for fast XP and potential profit due to their quick cooking animation.
- Anglerfish (Lvl 82): 230 XP per item. Stops burning at Lvl 98 (Lvl 82 with gauntlets). Good XP and often profitable.
- Dark Crab (Lvl 90): 210 XP per item. Stops burning at Lvl 99 (Lvl 90 with gauntlets). Found in the Wilderness, can be risky but profitable.
For these high-level foods, always prioritize using the Hosidius Kitchen and a Portable Range if possible, for maximum XP and minimal burns.
Maximizing Your Cooking Efficiency
- Cooking Gauntlets: Complete "Family Crest" as early as possible. These are a game-changer for burn rates.
- Hosidius Kitchen: Always cook in the Hosidius Kitchen if you have 100% Hosidius favour. The 5% burn reduction is invaluable.
- Portable Ranges: If you can afford them or have them available from D&D rewards, use them! The 10% XP boost and 5% burn reduction stack with other bonuses.
- Bank Standing: Choose a cooking location close to a bank (e.g., Rogues' Den, Hosidius Kitchen, or using a Portable Range near any bank) to quickly resupply raw food. This minimizes travel time and maximizes cooking speed.
- One-Tick Cooking: For advanced players, one-tick cooking Karambwans can offer extremely high XP rates, but it is very click-intensive.
Profit vs. XP: Finding the Balance
Some cooking methods are "XP waste" if you're trying to make money, and some "money makers" are XP waste if you're trying to max quickly. It's important to understand the trade-offs:
- Loss Methods (Fast XP): Cooking items like Salmon or Swordfish without specific burn reduction bonuses can be a quick way to gain XP, but you'll likely lose money.
- Break-Even/Profit Methods (Good XP): Monkfish, Karambwans, and Anglerfish often offer a sweet spot where you can gain excellent XP while breaking even or even making a profit. Always check current Grand Exchange prices for raw and cooked versions before committing.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not Using Cooking Gauntlets: This is the biggest mistake. Without them, you'll burn food for much longer.
- Ignoring Hosidius Kitchen/Portable Ranges: These provide free bonuses that significantly improve your training.
- Buying Raw Food at Inflated Prices: Always check the Grand Exchange prices. Sometimes, certain raw foods spike in price, making them unprofitable or too expensive for training.
- Trying to Cook High-Level Food Too Early: Don't try to cook Sharks at level 40 without gauntlets; you'll burn almost everything!
Conclusion
Cooking is a straightforward and rewarding skill in OSRS. By using this calculator to plan your training and following the tips in this guide, you'll be well on your way to achieving your Cooking goals, whether it's for efficiency, profit, or simply to enjoy a relaxing skill.
Happy cooking, adventurer!