OSRS Making Money with Cooking Ultimate Guide
Old School RuneScape (OSRS) offers plenty of ways to stack gold, and cooking is one of the most accessible skills for turning raw ingredients into profit. Whether you’re a free-to-play (F2P) player or a member, cooking can be a low-effort, profitable venture if you know the right methods. This guide dives into the best ways to make money with cooking in OSRS, covering everything from fish to pizzas, with tips for maximizing gold per hour (GP/hr). Let’s fire up the range and get cooking!
Cooking in OSRS transforms raw food into edible items that heal hitpoints, making it a staple for combat and skilling. The skill’s low entry barriers and consistent demand for cooked food on the Grand Exchange (GE) make it a solid choice for players looking to earn gold without heavy investment. Here’s why cooking shines:
- Low Requirements: You can start cooking with minimal levels and gear.
- AFK Potential: Many methods allow semi-AFK play, perfect for multitasking.
- Scalable Profits: Higher cooking levels unlock better GP/hr.
- F2P and P2P Options: Both account types can profit.
Key Considerations Before Starting
Before you dive in, keep these in mind:
- Burn Rates: Lower cooking levels mean more burnt food, cutting into profits. Aim to reduce burns with cooking gauntlets or the Hosidius Kitchen.
- Market Prices: GE prices fluctuate, so check raw and cooked food prices before buying in bulk.
- Location: Cooking near a bank (like Rogues’ Den or Hosidius Kitchen) boosts efficiency.
Top Cooking Money-Making Methods for P2P
Members have access to high-profit cooking methods thanks to exclusive foods and locations. Below are the best P2P options, ranked by profitability and accessibility.
Cooking Karambwans
Karambwans are the king of cooking profits in OSRS, offering high GP/hr and decent XP. They require 30 Cooking (95+ recommended to avoid burning) and are tradeable after completing Tai Bwo Wannai Trio.
- Profit: ~200-300K GP/hr (AFK) or up to 600K GP/hr (1-tick method).
- XP: 200K-800K/hr depending on method.
- Requirements: 95+ Cooking, cooking cape (optional), Hosidius Kitchen (5-10% burn reduction).
- Method: Buy raw karambwans, cook at Hosidius or Rogues’ Den, sell cooked karambwans on GE.
Tip: 1-tick cooking maximizes XP and profit but is click-intensive. For AFK, stick to regular cooking.
Cooking Raw Moonlight Antelope
Introduced with newer updates, moonlight antelope offers top-tier profits for high-level cooks.
- Profit: ~600K GP/hr.
- XP: ~286K/hr.
- Requirements: 90+ Cooking, access to Fortis Colosseum.
- Method: Purchase raw moonlight antelope, cook at a bank-adjacent range, sell on GE.
Tip: Prices can be volatile due to newer content, so monitor GE trends.
Making Pineapple Pizzas
Pineapple pizzas combine ingredients for steady profits and are less click-intensive than fish.
- Profit: ~500K GP/hr.
- XP: ~112K/hr.
- Requirements: 65 Cooking, pizza base, cheese, tomato, pineapple rings.
- Method: Assemble pizzas at a bank, cook, and sell. No burning risk!
Tip: Use a bank preset to speed up ingredient withdrawal.
Cooking Sharks
Sharks are a classic choice for AFK cooking with decent profits.
- Profit: ~200-240K GP/hr.
- XP: ~250K/hr.
- Requirements: 89 Cooking (84 with Elite Kourend Diary), cooking gauntlets.
- Method: Cook raw sharks at Hosidius Kitchen, sell on GE.
Tip: Cooking gauntlets and Hosidius favor reduce burn rates significantly.
F2P Cooking Money-Making Methods
Free-to-play players have fewer options, but cooking can still turn a profit. Here’s how to make gold without a membership.
Cooking Plain Pizzas
Plain pizzas are the most profitable F2P cooking method, combining low requirements with solid returns.
- Profit: ~140K GP/hr.
- XP: ~77K/hr.
- Requirements: 35 Cooking, pizza base, cheese, tomato.
- Method: Make pizzas at Al Kharid or Edgeville range, sell on GE.
Tip: Cook on fires lit by other players in F2P worlds to save time.
Cooking Raw Tuna
Tuna is a beginner-friendly option for F2P players.
- Profit: ~45K GP/hr.
- XP: ~130K/hr.
- Requirements: 30 Cooking.
- Method: Buy raw tuna, cook at a range near a bank, sell cooked tuna.
Tip: Expect some burns at lower levels, so buy extra raw materials.
Optimizing Your Cooking Setup
To maximize profits, your setup matters as much as your method. Here’s how to cook smarter.
Best Cooking Locations
Proximity to a bank and a range or fire is key. Top spots include:
- Rogues’ Den (P2P): Permanent fire right next to a bank.
- Hosidius Kitchen (P2P): 5-10% burn reduction, close to a bank chest.
- Al Kharid Range (F2P): Close to a bank for quick cooking.
- Edgeville Range (F2P): Popular for fires lit by firemaking trainers.
Reducing Burn Rates
Burning food eats into profits. Use these to minimize losses:
- Cooking Gauntlets: From Family Crest quest, reduces burn rates for fish like sharks and monkfish.
- Hosidius Favor: 100% favor and Elite Kourend Diary lower burn chances.
- Cooking Cape: At 99 Cooking, guarantees no burns.
Inventory Management
Efficiency saves time and boosts GP/hr. Try these:
- Bank Presets: Set up quick withdrawals for raw food or pizza ingredients.
- Runelite Plugins: Use inventory tags to avoid eating food accidentally.
- Buy in Bulk: Purchase raw materials when prices dip to lock in profits.
Comparing Cooking Methods
Choosing the right method depends on your cooking level, membership status, and playstyle. Here’s a quick comparison:
| Method | Cooking Level | Profit (GP/hr) | XP/hr | P2P/F2P | AFK Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karambwans | 95+ | 200-600K | 200-800K | P2P | Low-High |
| Moonlight Antelope | 90+ | 600K | 286K | P2P | Medium |
| Pineapple Pizza | 65 | 500K | 112K | P2P | High |
| Sharks | 89 | 200-240K | 250K | P2P | High |
| Plain Pizza | 35 | 140K | 77K | F2P | Medium |
| Tuna | 30 | 45K | 130K | F2P | High |
Note: Profits vary with GE prices. Check OSRS Wiki or GE Tracker for real-time data.
Tips for Long-Term Cooking Profits
Cooking can be a steady income source if you play the long game. Here’s how to keep the gold flowing.
Monitor the Grand Exchange
Food prices shift daily. Use tools like GE Tracker to buy raw materials low and sell cooked food high. Avoid cooking during market slumps.
Combine with Other Skills
Boost profits by sourcing your own materials:
- Fishing: Catch sharks, karambwans, or tuna to cut costs.
- Farming: Grow pineapples for pizzas.
- Hunter: Hunt for ingredients like antelope for newer recipes.
Invest in Upgrades
Spend some gold to save more later:
- Complete Family Crest: Unlocks cooking gauntlets.
- Elite Kourend Diary: Reduces burn rates further.
- 99 Cooking: Cooking cape eliminates burns, maximizing profits.
Balance XP and Profit
Some methods (like karambwans) offer great XP alongside gold. If you’re aiming for 99 Cooking, prioritize these to level up while earning. For pure profit, stick to high-margin foods like pizzas or antelope.
Final Thoughts
Cooking in OSRS is a versatile, low-stress way to make money, whether you’re a newbie or a maxed player. From karambwans to plain pizzas, there’s a method for every level and playstyle. Optimize your setup, watch the market, and you’ll be banking millions in no time. Fire up that range and start cooking your way to riches!