Rotationary cooking :-)

[Henrik]

So, I have never had or used a rotisserie. But a little bit of MCS never hurt anyone, and if it means getting me to cook more outside then I’m all ears.

Bought this at a local electronics and gadget store for a measly 35 buckaroos. It looks ok, and works, so it’ll be fun testing it out. Any pro tips when it comes to spinning birds?

[hoovarmin]

Chickens on a rotisserie are next level. You are going to love it.

[hoovarmin]

I have no idea why they are so good. I scoffed at the rotisserie - until I tried it. Seriously, something either scientifically explainable, or supernatural happens to a bird on a spinner, but it definitely happens. And it is glorious.

[Huskee]

hoovarmin Similar to chicken on a PBC I suppose.

[hoovarmin]

Huskee exactly

[Smoker_Boy]

Try not to puncture the skin, or you'll lose valuable juices.
A roll of aluminum electric fence wire is great for securing the legs to the prongs.

You want the chicken to be as secure as possible.
As it cooks, it may have a tendency to start flopping around.

Let us know how it goes!!

[Henrik]

Great input, I'll try and tie that bird up properly.

[RonB]

I do have several tips that you would probably figure out on your own, but just in case...


Try to get the bird as balanced as possible. Not doing so will put more strain on the gears when it spins the heavy side upwards. A counter balance helps. I stripped the gears in the motor of the first one I bought spinning an unbalanced turkey.

Pay attention to the weight limit. Trying to spin something too heavy might not work. (See above)

Make sure to get the set screws tight because a spinning bird can move the forks over time if they are not tight. That will unbalance your product.

Have fun with it.

[Henrik]

Great points RonB, thanks! Will make sure to balance it and tie/truss the legs so it won't be floppin' around.

[Jim White]

In the northern hemisphere, rotate clockwise and counter-clockwise in the southern hemisphere.

Wait, I might be confusing that with something else...

[Smoker_Boy]

Wax on, wax off.

[RiverJeff]

Traveling the wrong way will uncook the bird it never will get done silly!

[hoovarmin]

Is this like when Superman flew around the earth super fast to turn back time so Lois Lane would not be buried in an earthquake?

[Smoker_Boy]

Here's a modification I made to my set-up.

The one on the left goes around the breast. This way I don't puncture any skin and lose the fat.
The one on the right goes in the tail cavity. This keeps things centered.

[Smoker_Boy]

Thank you!
yakima

[yakima]

Apparently, cup sizes go up to
G or H. Not sure how many forks u will need.

[Smoker_Boy]

LMAO

[Greygoose]

Heat source on both sided and a drip pan in the middle,,

[Henrik]

Great advice, that was one of my questions. And a drip pan of course. Probably wouldn’t have forgotten, but you never know…

[yakima]

A wireless probe, like Combustion, Inc., is handy.
As is a drip pan under center of spit.
Have a wrench/socket handy to tighten/loosen spit screws.
Have heat resistant gloves to handle what are effectively
branding irons.

Staying out of toilet bowl rotation, north vs south. Reminiscent of our Civil War.

[Henrik]

Good advice, thanks!

[RonB]

One thing I forgot earlier.

I like to use charcoal baskets for the charcoal. That way I can adjust the position depending on how quickly the skin is browning.

[Henrik]

Smart man, I’ll remember that 👍

[Huskee]

Be sure to check for doneness by pressing on the chicken and seeing if it feels like the heel of your hand, and make sure those juices don't run pink or you'll get trigonometry. [runs away]....

Have fun!

[Dewesq55]

I never could get trigonometry. I must be immune. 😂

[Smoker_Boy]

Math is hard...

[Henrik]

LoL!

[LA Pork Butt]

Have fun!

[Purc]

+1 on spinning a chicken. I have spun chickens, boneless leg of lamb, rack of lamb, rack of pork, pork butt, beef prime rib, a small turkey and my next roti cook will be a picanha. I like to put a pan of veggies underneath to catch all those great drippings. On my kettle, I get enough heat from a full SnS. I have used a Weber charcoal basket on each side of the rotating meat but for me, that was too much heat. I wish I had a wireless meat probe for the rotisserie, but I have gone this long without one. Butcher's twine is a must for me. Enjoy your new toy. I love mine.

[PGH_RAM]

I just got a rotisserie kit a couple of months ago, and I love it. Even my wife noticed the difference between the spun bird and a regular roasting. Have fun!

[Henrik]

Cool, looking forward to my first cook!

[Smoker_Boy]

I just got a rotisserie kit a couple of months ago, and I love it. Even my wife noticed the difference between the spun bird and a regular roasting. Have fun!

It is amazing how much better chicken tastes.

[bbqLuv]

That will put a spin on your cooking.