OSRS 99 Cooking Guide Fastest and Profitable Methods
Cooking in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is one of the easiest and most rewarding skills to train to level 99. It’s beginner-friendly, can be done semi-AFK, and offers profitable methods to fund other skills. Whether you’re aiming for the Cooking skillcape or just want to cook your own food for combat, this guide covers the fastest, cheapest, and most profitable paths to 99 Cooking. From quest rewards to 1-tick Karambwans, we’ll break down everything you need to know to master this skill efficiently.
Cooking is a versatile skill that benefits all account types—main accounts, Ironmen, and even free-to-play (F2P) players. It’s fast to level, requires minimal investment, and lets you prepare food to restore hitpoints, essential for combat and bossing. Plus, with the right methods, you can make millions of GP while training. For Ironmen, Cooking ensures self-sufficiency by providing food without relying on the Grand Exchange. Let’s dive into the best strategies to hit 99.
Key Benefits of Maxing Cooking
- Self-Sufficiency: Cook high-healing foods like sharks and anglerfish for PvM.
- Profit Potential: Certain methods, like cooking sharks or dark crabs, yield consistent profits.
- Quest Requirements: High Cooking levels unlock quests like Recipe for Disaster.
- Fast 99: Cooking is one of the quickest skills to max, achievable in under 20 hours with optimal methods.
Best Quests for Early Cooking XP
Starting with quests is a smart way to skip the tedious low levels and gain early Cooking experience. These quests are quick, have low requirements, and provide enough XP to jumpstart your journey.
Recommended Quests
| Quest | Cooking XP | Level Reached | Other Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cook’s Assistant | 300 | 1 → 4 | None |
| Gertrude’s Cat | 1,525 | 4 → 12 | None |
| Recipe for Disaster (Goblin Generals) | 1,000 | 12 → 16 | 20 Cooking |
| Family Crest | 0 (Unlocks Cooking Gauntlets) | N/A | 40 Smithing, 40 Mining, 59 Magic |
Complete these quests early to bypass slow training from levels 1–16. Cooking Gauntlets from Family Crest are a must-have, reducing burn rates for lobsters, swordfish, monkfish, sharks, and anglerfish, saving you time and money.
Optimal Cooking Locations
Where you cook matters. Proximity to a bank and burn rate reductions are key to maximizing XP per hour. Here are the best spots for training Cooking.
Rogues’ Den (Burthorpe)
Why Use It? The permanent fire is right next to a bank, making it ideal for AFK training. No requirements are needed, so it’s perfect for new players.
XP Rates: Up to 300k–500k XP/hour depending on the method.
Hosidius Kitchen
Why Use It? Requires 100% Hosidius favor but offers a 5% reduced burn rate, stacking with Cooking Gauntlets. The range is close to a bank chest.
XP Rates: Slightly higher than Rogues’ Den due to fewer burns (300k–600k XP/hour).
Myths’ Guild Range
Why Use It? Unlocked after Dragon Slayer II, this range offers better success rates than fires, reducing burns. It’s a good late-game option for levels 80+.
XP Rates: Comparable to Hosidius, around 300k–550k XP/hour.
Fastest Methods to 99 Cooking
For players prioritizing speed, these methods offer the highest XP rates. Note that the fastest methods often cost more and may require intense focus, especially for 1-tick Karambwans.
Levels 1–30: Early Fish (Sardines, Trout)
Start by cooking sardines (level 1, 40 XP each) until level 20, requiring about 112 successful cooks. Switch to trout (level 15, 70 XP each) until level 30, needing around 200 trout. Use Rogues’ Den for convenience. Expect 30k–55k XP/hour.
Levels 30–99: 1-Tick Karambwans
Requirements: Completion of Tai Bwo Wannai Trio, 30 Cooking.
Method: Cook raw Karambwans using 1-tick manipulation (hold spacebar and rapidly use Karambwans on a range). This is click-intensive but yields insane XP.
XP Rates: Up to 950k XP/hour at level 99.
Cost: Expect losses since raw Karambwans burn often at lower levels. Burn rates decrease as you level, improving efficiency.
Tip: Practice at Rogues’ Den or Mor Ul Rek for bank proximity.
Levels 68–99: Jugs of Wine
Requirements: 35 Cooking (but start at 68 to avoid bad wine).
Method: Combine jugs of water and grapes to make jugs of wine, which ferment after 12 seconds for 200 XP each. This is semi-AFK but requires attention to reset fermentation timers.
XP Rates: 400k–500k XP/hour.
Cost: Around 3.5M GP from 68–99, making it one of the cheapest 99s.
Alternative: Bake Pie Spell
Requirements: 65 Magic, Lunar Diplomacy completed.
Method: Use the Bake Pie spell (Lunar spellbook) to cook pies automatically without burning. Each inventory of 27 pies takes 48.6 seconds.
XP Rates: 100k–150k Cooking XP/hour, plus 113k Magic XP/hour.
Cost: Expensive due to low supply of uncooked pies (several million GP).
Tip: Use for passive Magic XP if you’re not in a rush.
Profitable Methods to 99 Cooking
If you want to make money while training, focus on cooking high-level fish. These methods are slower but can net millions in profit, ideal for funding other skills.
Levels 25–40: Salmon
Cook salmon (90 XP each) for modest profits. Expect 100k–150k XP/hour and small GP gains when selling cooked fish on the Grand Exchange.
Levels 40–65: Lobsters
Lobsters (120 XP each) are a classic mid-level choice. They’re profitable and provide 150k–200k XP/hour. Use Cooking Gauntlets to reduce burns.
Levels 65–83: Monkfish
Monkfish (150 XP each) offer good XP and profit. Expect 180k–220k XP/hour and steady GP when selling. Hosidius Kitchen shines here.
Levels 83–87: Sharks
Sharks (210 XP each) are highly profitable with Gauntlets, which prevent burning at level 94. Get 200k–250k XP/hour and significant profits.
Levels 87–99: Anglerfish
Anglerfish (230 XP each) are the best for profit at high levels. They yield 250k–315k XP/hour and substantial GP. Stop burning at 98 with Gauntlets and Hosidius range.
Levels 97–99: Dark Crabs
Requirements: 90 Cooking, Wilderness access.
Method: Cook dark crabs (215 XP each) for 280k–295k XP/hour and 300k–350k GP/hour profit. Risky due to Wilderness, but highly rewarding.
Tip: Use a Cooking cape at 99 to never burn food.
Profit Comparison Table
| Fish | Level | XP/Hour | Approx. Profit/Hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lobsters | 40 | 150k–200k | 50k–100k GP |
| Monkfish | 65 | 180k–220k | 100k–150k GP |
| Sharks | 83 | 200k–250k | 150k–200k GP |
| Anglerfish | 87 | 250k–315k | 200k–250k GP |
| Dark Crabs | 97 | 280k–295k | 300k–350k GP |
Tips for Efficient Cooking Training
Maximize your Cooking grind with these practical tips:
- Use Cooking Gauntlets: Essential for reducing burns, saving GP and boosting XP.
- Cook at Hosidius: The 5% burn reduction makes a big difference for high-level fish.
- Bank Efficiently: Withdraw 28 raw foods per inventory and use bank presets for speed.
- Combine Skills: Fish your own raw materials to train Fishing alongside Cooking.
- Check GE Prices: For profitable methods, monitor raw and cooked fish prices to maximize margins.
F2P Considerations
F2P players can still reach 99 Cooking efficiently. Use the Lumbridge Castle range (unlocked after Cook’s Assistant) to reduce burns. Focus on trout, salmon, and lobsters, which are profitable in F2P. Jugs of wine are also viable but costly. Expect 100k–200k XP/hour with fish or 400k with wine.
Ironman Tips
Ironmen should fish their own food to save time. Prioritize quests like Tai Bwo Wannai Trio for Karambwans, which are great for both training and PvM food. Hosidius favor is worth grinding early for the kitchen’s burn reduction.
With these methods, you can hit 99 Cooking in no time, whether you’re after speed, profit, or both. The Cooking skillcape is within reach—grab your gauntlets, head to Hosidius, and start cooking!