in answer to your first question,yes the plate lifts off for the spit,i put spuds inside in tinfoil and a tin of veg on the hot plate near the flue,a chicken(duck, rabbit) on the spit,and the kettle on top of the flue,dinner served!!!!second question.two of the bolts have collets on what happens is i put the tube on the lower bolts (against the base plate)first to press all the water from the paper.then lift press and turn the tube to the higher collets(second pair of bolts)to push the paper brick out of the bottom of the tube.hope this helps.thanx,workingdog