Fish Cookers

I need some help! I know I can get some opinions here!!

I'm looking to buy a new fish cooker. I want one of these with the baskets that the heat is distributed from the middle of the oil, not in the V bottom where the meal collects. Here's the problem. I have found there to be 2 brands. The first one I found was the Bayou Cooker. Comes in 2.5 gal up to 9 gal. 4 gal model that I'm looking at comes with extention legs, no cart. The other model is the Cajun Cooker. Comes in 2.5 gal up to like 17 gal. Again, I'm looking at the 4 gal model. This comes with the cart.

Does anyone have either of these cookers and what is your opinion of the one you have? By the way, the Bayou cooker will be stainless and the Cajun Cooker is not.

Let's hear what you all have to say!!!

Kent, I got my 4 gallon cajun cooker for my birthday in May. I don't really have anything to compare it to other than the "ole" usual cast iron pot. I LOVE MINE!! It doesn't have a thermostat, but holds heat excellent and temp control is not a problem at all. It will keep you busy as you want. I have cooked on mine about 10 times with straining the oil once so far and the peanut oil is still good (book says if you strain ever 5 cookings you can get 20-25 cookings before replacing oil). I have even deep fried some tenderized deer steak and ummmm ummmm. THe only thing I can tell you other than that, if you want to deep fry a turkey in it, you will have to get the next size up. The 4 gallon will not deep fry turkeys.

The way it lets the "batter" fall below the heat is amazing. It will not burn. I can't imagine any thing better other than something with a thermostat

I Have the four gallon cajun cooker and it works really well. just remember to buy the cart it sets on as it does not usually come with the fryer.

Don't have either but I want the Cajun!

I have the 6 gallon cajun cooker. Cant say anything bad about it. I bumped up to the 6 instead of the 4 because it is also large enough to fry turkeys. My buddy has a 4 gallon that I have cooked on several times and its great also but I would spend a little extra and get the 6 if I were u. Its a once in a lifetime buy if u take care of it.

I have a 4 gallon Cajun cooker and it works well and is relatively easy to transport. I have had it for a few years now with no complaints. The larger size is not that much more expensive if you decide to go that route. As you can see, I've managed to borrow enough fish to keep mine well used.

Yall are making me hungry! I have to slip off to eat fried fish! Buddy has 4 gal. Cajun and it is a dandy!

I have the 4 gal with the thermostat and its awesome. I cooked lots of fish and fries with it at the crappie camp this past spring even. Wish I could fry a turkey in it but that's my only complaint with it. It's the bomb. Love it!

I kinda figured this would be one sided towards the Cajun Cooker, but not one person with the Bayou Cooker?

I found the Cajun Cooker for $439 delivered to my door and that is with the cart. The stainless Bayou Cooker was $314 delivered to my door and it has the extendable legs.

I appreciate the thoughts about the 6 gallon model cooking the turkey, but I'm not crazy about deep fried turkey, and the wife and I normally grill our crappie. I'm buying the fish fryer to use mainly on fund raisers to help some folks in my area raise money for St. Jude's. I think the wife and I have fried fish at the house only once this year and that was because her dad wanted it.

The Cajun Cooker is definetly in the lead on this one. Anyone got a Bayou Cooker?

And thanks for all the responses so far!! That's a big help!!

If you are going to do a lot of cooking I would spend the extra money and get the all stainless commercial restaurant cooker. They have a thermostat and you cannot go wrong. They have them for sale in Branson at a supply house for $850.

Cajun cooker here with 4 gallon model and thermostat, best money can buy!!!

Kent... Pm me ur recipe for baked... Im tryn different to quit eatn so much fried... Had some grilled last night.... But i still gotta get my fried every now and then :)

Randy, it's in your inbox

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Originally Posted by arkcrappie

Randy, it's in your inbox

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Thank you sir!!!

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Originally Posted by Midsouth Man

Cajun cooker here with 4 gallon model and thermostat, best money can buy!!!

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Does it have a thermostat or just a thermometer?

I have the 4 gallon bayou classic and love it. Does not come with a cart but you can order one or build one. There is a place in Pine Bluff that has it for $250. PM me if you want info.

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Originally Posted by Iron Man

Does it have a thermostat or just a thermometer?

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Yeah.. I wasnt aware they came with a thermostat..... Mine has thermometer but no thermostat

Sorry it it is a thermometer!!!

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Originally Posted by Midsouth Man

Sorry it it is a thermometer!!!

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I have a friend that sells them and I knew I had never seen one with a thermostat but did not know for sure. I cook a lot for large groups so not having to monitor the heat and readjusting a lot helps me get everything cooked more uniform. That is why I chose to spend a little more.

Looks like this is already decided, but I have the 8.5 Cajun with 3 baskets. Can't go wrong. Will hold temp real close. Used it at fall camp at Nimrod,2011. Spring camp at Lake Village,Fall camp at Nimrod and Spring camp at Dardanelle.

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Originally Posted by Dustin Harris

I have the 4 gal with the thermostat and its awesome. I cooked lots of fish and fries with it at the crappie camp this past spring even. Wish I could fry a turkey in it but that's my only complaint with it. It's the bomb. Love it!

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I've fried several turkeys in mine. You just have to find a 10lber. It does a great job. The first time, I drained the grease, put the turkey in and filled it with water to the right depth, then removed the turkey and made a mark on the side of the cooker to know excactly how much oil to put in. Now that it is marked, I just fill to the same spot everytime for a turkey.

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Originally Posted by steve48

Looks like this is already decided, but I have the 8.5 Cajun with 3 baskets. Can't go wrong. Will hold temp real close. Used it at fall camp at Nimrod,2011. Spring camp at Lake Village,Fall camp at Nimrod and Spring camp at Dardanelle.

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I saw your cooker! That thing was puttin out some fish in a hurry.

I got on YouTube and did a little research last night. What I found there matches all your responses, there's tons more information about the Cajun Cooker than the Bayou Cooker. I can't even find what guage material the Bayou Cooker is built with. Advertising along with satisfied customers sells products!!

IronMan, if I cooked for groups larger than 20 on any regularity, I would go with a bigger model, but most of what I do is for groups that range from 5-15. Once in the past 5 years have I had to single handidly cook for a group larger than 25. I think that 4 gallon will do the trick!!

I appreciate all the responses! That some good information you guys put out. I said something about deep frying turkeys as Handi and a couple others suggested to the wife last night and she told me she would rather me debone the breast, wrap it in Wright's bacon and grill it! :cheers2 That pretty well decided the 4 gallon model!

Just let me know when the first fish fry is!! :biggrin

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Originally Posted by arkcrappie

I got on YouTube and did a little research last night. What I found there matches all your responses, there's tons more information about the Cajun Cooker than the Bayou Cooker. I can't even find what guage material the Bayou Cooker is built with. Advertising along with satisfied customers sells products!!

IronMan, if I cooked for groups larger than 20 on any regularity, I would go with a bigger model, but most of what I do is for groups that range from 5-15. Once in the past 5 years have I had to single handidly cook for a group larger than 25. I think that 4 gallon will do the trick!!

I appreciate all the responses! That some good information you guys put out. I said something about deep frying turkeys as Handi and a couple others suggested to the wife last night and she told me she would rather me debone the breast, wrap it in Wright's bacon and grill it! :cheers2 That pretty well decided the 4 gallon model!

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Been following the post, I have been tire kicking an new fryer as well. This post pretty much sealed the deal....I'm buying a Cajun Cooker ;-)

Isn't the Bayou Cooker the one made in China. That would explain the lower price.

Kent, for what its worth now i have a 4 gal. Cajan Cooker. I do cook for 25-30 people every month and it keeps up fine. Its a good choice.

This is what I'm looking at. King Kooker V booton at Amazon for about $250.00

Amazon.com : King Kooker 2292 "V" Bottom Deluxe Multi-Purpose Portable Propane Outdoor Cooker Package : Outdoor Fry Pots : Patio, Lawn & Garden

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Originally Posted by ATM

Isn't the Bayou Cooker the one made in China. That would explain the lower price.

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If this is the case, I'll buy the American made product. I'll try to verify where each of the cookers are made.

Thanks for pointing that out!!

I emailed Bayou Cookers. All of their products are made in China.

nuf said!!

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Originally Posted by arkcrappie

I emailed Bayou Cookers. All of their products are made in China.

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I have looked and compared both the cajun and the bayou. In my opinion I would go with the Cajun before the Bayou. Even though the Bayou is stainless it is made out of alot thinner metal. It had a cheaper feel to it. The Cajun was solid and having the rolling cart is a plus. Just my opinion but I believe that the Cajun Cooker is a more solid cooker.

Still cooking on a standard fish fryer in a cast iron pot, but when I buy, I'm going with the Cajun 4 gallon, two basket with the thermometer. Hard to beat that for all-round fish cooking!

I got a tip on where I could find a Cajun Cooker in Jonesboro so I wouldn't need to have it shipped to me (Thanks RCC!). I called and they have a brand new Cajun Cooker, 4 gallon model sittin in the back with my name on it! I'll be headed that way on Friday!!

I knew I had to have a Cajun Cooker when ATM said the other was made in China!

Hey HawgDog, the fish fry is Saturday!! Bring me some of them fine 'sippi Crappie and I'll fry them up!! :Rofl

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Originally Posted by arkcrappie

I got a tip on where I could find a Cajun Cooker in Jonesboro so I wouldn't need to have it shipped to me (Thanks RCC!). I called and they have a brand new Cajun Cooker, 4 gallon model sittin in the back with my name on it! I'll be headed that way on Friday!!

I knew I had to have a Cajun Cooker when ATM said the other was made in China!

Hey HawgDog, the fish fry is Saturday!! Bring me some of them fine 'sippi Crappie and I'll fry them up!! :Rofl

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I'll just pick it up for you and test it to make sure the gas/oil/cooking features are all safe to use. Please send 25lbs of fillets for testing purposes. You can thank me later:Rofl

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Originally Posted by arkcrappie

I got a tip on where I could find a Cajun Cooker in Jonesboro so I wouldn't need to have it shipped to me (Thanks RCC!). I called and they have a brand new Cajun Cooker, 4 gallon model sittin in the back with my name on it! I'll be headed that way on Friday!!

I knew I had to have a Cajun Cooker when ATM said the other was made in China!

Hey HawgDog, the fish fry is Saturday!! Bring me some of them fine 'sippi Crappie and I'll fry them up!! :Rofl

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Dang it! Im heading to deer camp to do a lil farming.... But i sho gots some :)

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Originally Posted by hawgdog

Dang it! Im heading to deer camp to do a lil farming.... But i sho gots some :)

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Ha, I'm doin the same thing!

I have a 4 gallon Cajun Cooker. It works great. If you are cooking for a large (15) + bunch, you might want a larger model. I would stay away from the SS model.

Just my 2 cents.

I don't really have either, but I have one that I built myself, and I love it! It's a 6 gallon model. I hate spending money on something I can build myself, and I like the challenge of making something I've never tried before. The biggest challenge was getting the welds liquid tight. I've welded most of my life and built lots of trailers, deer stands, and such, and although I might be getting a bit rusty, it was hard to keep the little pinholes out. I would weld it up and find tiny leaks when I filled it with water. Time to grind it down and weld some more. I'm very pleased with the outcome. I'll answer a couple of questions before they're asked---The total amount of materials is about $200. The answer to question #2---sorry, but I'm not interested in building any more. I've built 3. One of the things I really like about these is cooking fries. On most fryers, when you drop the fries in, the temp drops quickly. Not with this! It takes about 4 minutes to cook a basket of fish, and not much more than that to cook a basket of fries. I didn't have any daylight pictures, but I ran out and took one in the dark:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...pscc508c9a.jpg