Spit Roasting - The results!

[jonnno]

So we finally got around to trying spit roasting with, as expected, mixed results

We spatchcocked 2 and kept one whole and didn't pre-cook any of them. After some considerable monkeying around we realised that we didn't have the time to come up with a suitable system to cook the spatchcocked ones in such a way that we could reliably turn them so we bunged them on a grill instead. The one on the spit was actually fine - again we had issues securing it so it would turn properly. We also didn't build the fire enough before we started because it was getting dark meaning that it ultimately burned too low making things properly complicated. However luckily we had someone on hand with asbestos fingers and it worked out well in the end. The spatchcocked ones cooked fine as did the spit - it just took ages.

All things considered it was a blinding experience and as with most things, having a pop at it meant that we learned plenty and next time I think we'll not have half the issues.

 

[Melonfish]

hmmm looks so damn delicious i could eat my monitor!

 

[MartinK9]

Nice one.

 

[Andy2112]

hmmm looks so damn delicious i could eat my monitor!

Lol, i just kicked my monitor.

 

[Celt_Ginger]

That's a Monster fire place Johnnno. Food looks great.

 

[jonnno]

I think the angle of the photo makes it look bigger than it actually was but the plan had been for a long fire so we could rake coals out to cook on. That idea went a bit south though as we didn't get it quite right. Live'n'learn though!

That's a Monster fire place Johnnno. Food looks great.

 

[Toddy]

Glad it worked for you Cooked not tanned even

As a guideline, how long did the spit roasted bird take to cook compared to the spatchcocked ones ?

cheers,
Toddy

 

[jonnno]

To be honest, one was on the grill, the other on the spit so I think a comparison wouldn't mean much. Bloody ages would be the best answer

Glad it worked for you Cooked not tanned even

As a guideline, how long did the spit roasted bird take to cook compared to the spatchcocked ones ?

cheers,
Toddy

 

[Toddy]

Maybe a better question might be, "Which way would you do it next time ? "

cheers,
Toddy

 

[jonnno]

Spatchcocking and cooking on a grill seems a mighty fine and efficient way to do a chicken if you want to cook the whole thing. Spit roasting is just fully awesome and every fire should have meat of some sort roatating over it at all times

I suppose it's about time. If I had time then spit roasting is loads of fun but you wont be eating for a while and you have to keep turning the bugger. Spatchcocking is faster but will still take quite a while. One thing of note was that the spatched chicken was a git to work with - very slimey and you end up covered in raw bird. With the whole chicken we just rammed a spit where the sun don't shine while the bird was still in a bag meaning minimum contamination with raw meat.

The bottom line is it's more about getting the cooking method right - plenty of time, a decent fire that will last as long as required and plenty of thought on how best to suspend the chicken for the period required (harder than it seems). After that it's just a matter of rotation and patience.

Next up - full leg of lamb!

Maybe a better question might be, "Which way would you do it next time ? "

cheers,
Toddy

 

[Melonfish]

Didn't some of the guys spit roast a lamb shank at the middlewood meet? just sort of a stick hung over the fire and turned occasionally. smelled amazing.

 

[Toddy]

The name for the wee laddie who had the job of turning the spit in the old castle kitchens was a Turnbrochie

Can we not invent a wind up one for camping ?

cheers,
Toddy

 

[bashabuddy]

The name for the wee laddie who had the job of turning the spit in the old castle kitchens was a Turnbrochie

Can we not invent a wind up one for camping ?

cheers,
Toddy

Kinda like this toddy??

Spit roasty thingy!

 

[Tengu]

or a turnspit doggie?

 

[Melonfish]

how about this for a contraption. fill a bucket like device with water, tie a rope round it then fling over a tree limb. tie off a lump of wood of the same weight as the water and hoist up so its up by the top of the limb.
now, wrap some cord round your spit (away from the fire) then tie to bucket device.
pierce the bucket device so it dripps a bit of water out.
as it rises it should pull on the wrapped cord turning the spit.
re-fill as needed at intervals


alternatively find some mug willing to look after it.

 

[Gill]

mmmm i can nearly smell that :Wow:

 

[kimbo]

I had a hogroast as part of my wedding day. Is it wrong of me to have enjoyed that part the most???? hahahaha

 

[Melonfish]

I had a hogroast as part of my wedding day. Is it wrong of me to have enjoyed that part the most???? hahahaha

Not if you don't tell the wife