Ever wonder how the Maine Lobster Festival serves up more than 20,000 pounds of lobster in just five days?
The answer? A legendary piece of culinary engineering: The World’s Largest Lobster Cooker—right here in Rockland, Maine, the Lobster Capital of the World.
Since its debut in 2008, this custom-built powerhouse has become a signature part of the Festival, drawing crowds not only for its size but for its impressive performance. Featuring eight industrial steel-mesh cooking units, the cooker can handle a staggering 1,600 pounds of lobster in just 15 minutes.
To put that in perspective, it would take 112 standard backyard lobster cookers to do the same job.
Built by Lobstermen, Fueled by Innovation
Crafted through a collaboration of local ingenuity and engineering know-how, the cooker runs on clean-burning propane. It’s packed with modern safety features like electronic controls, temperature sensors, and automatic shut-offs—and it’s 50% more efficient than its predecessor, which once filled the air with black smoke and relied on fuel oil.
Look closely, and you’ll see engraved bricks around the cooker structure—each one purchased by supporters to help fund its construction. A true community effort.
From Sea to Table—Fast
Lobsters are cooked in 100-pound batches, then transported directly to the Main Eating Tent, piping hot and ready to enjoy. The result? Faster service, shorter lines, and more happy festival goers.
At its peak, this cooker has helped volunteers serve over 26,000 pounds of lobster during the five-day celebration.
See It In Action
Don’t miss your chance to witness this mechanical marvel in person at the Maine Lobster Festival. It’s more than a cooker—it’s a symbol of Maine’s hardworking lobster industry and the spirit of this incredible community.
