My wife really surprised me with a Rotisserie Ring for the Kettle!! Now I can't wait for the weekend to have time to spin something. I think a chicken will be the first cook. To all you rotisserie aficionado's: Do you use the counter weight? This is the first one I've owned/used. It didn't come with a manual. And I have no experience.
Awesome gift. Yes, use the counter weight, although you can get along without it for chicken. Set the weight opposite the breast, adjust it in or out as needed to balance. You can get an idea of the balance just by holding the spit loosely in you hands. Put a full lit basket on each side, start spinning and start checking temps after about an hour. It will be good.
You don't have to wait for a weekend, though. Cook whatever for dinner, and start a chicken after that is done. Or fire two kettles. Just set a timer for an hour and a quarter or whatever to go check temps and take the chicken off. Then the chicken is ready for the next night's meal - chicken, chicken enchiladas, chicken tacos, chicken soup, chicken sandwiches, chicken and pasta...
@Jon is 100% with his statement. Chickens normally don't need the counter weight, but would hurt to get use to it. Normally it's for turkey or heavier cuts. Have a great time man. You're gonna love it! What a great gift!
I use my counter weight as well. I put the meat on the spit and put it in place without the motor so it will spin freely and the heavy side will be down. Then attach the counter weight so the heavy side is straight up. From there you can give it a test spin and adjust the weight in and out as needed until you are close to balanced.
Good luck. Your going to love the new roti. I did a pork roast on mine for Father's Day.
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Thanks guys, I can't wait to use it. Chicken Saturday and i haven't decided on a Prime Rib or a Porcetta (sp) on Sunday!
Will let you know how it goes. Maybe I'll remember to take pics!
I borrowed my buddies roto for Thanksgiving last year and my family said it was the best turkey we've ever had. I'm buying the roto for my birthday this year. You will love it.
how big a turkey can be done on the rotisserie?
I ordered a roti yesterday, should have it by Friday. Too bad I won't be able to use it right away. Then again, Friday might be a possibility itself. The wife found a deal on chickens so we will be ready to go. I'm actually pretty excited about this. I need to get the kettle I plan on using ready for that! I have some prep work to do.
I think I have read that a 20lb turkey is possible, but that a 15lb one is more manageable. I don't trust everything I read though. I hope it can handle the 12-14lbs of birds I plan on doing.
You'll love it!
It's really the only way to cook whole birds
Well, we have a small problem. If you aren't aware, the roti comes un-assembled. Last night I had some time to assemble and get ready for my first cook this weekend. I thought it looked 'funny' but didn't think anything of it. Got it all together, walk it outside to lay it on the Kettle and see how she looks. I get outside and instantly realize the 'funniness'. It's too small for me Kettle! I have a 22" but an 18" was purchased.
Since it was a gift, my wife is working on the exchange process. So looks like roasted chicken and ribs this weekend instead.
I'll let you know how it goes.
Quote from: EricD on June 23, 2016, 05:50:47 AM
Well, we have a small problem. If you aren't aware, the roti comes un-assembled. Last night I had some time to assemble and get ready for my first cook this weekend. I thought it looked 'funny' but didn't think anything of it. Got it all together, walk it outside to lay it on the Kettle and see how she looks. I get outside and instantly realize the 'funniness'. It's too small for me Kettle! I have a 22" but an 18" was purchased.
Since it was a gift, my wife is working on the exchange process. So looks like roasted chicken and ribs this weekend instead.
I'll let you know how it goes.
Wait, what? You don't have an 18" kettle hanging around? I can't feel my left arm.... :o
Problem solved! I just bought an 18" black kettle on CL for $25!! It's now a dedicated rotiserer!!
(I'm glad it's a slow day at work!)
Quote from: huntergreen on June 21, 2016, 03:48:59 PM
how big a turkey can be done on the rotisserie?
I believe you can go up to 20lbs but I did a 14lb bird on the roto and a 12lb bird in the oven. The roto bird was the winner.
Quote from: EricD on June 23, 2016, 07:39:51 AM
Problem solved! I just bought an 18" black kettle on CL for $25!! It's now a dedicated rotiserer!!
(I'm glad it's a slow day at work!)
That was a close one! Congrats on the new kettle/roti rig.
Lol. Thanks!
Quote from: EricD on June 23, 2016, 07:39:51 AM
Problem solved! I just bought an 18" black kettle on CL for $25!! It's now a dedicated rotiserer!!
(I'm glad it's a slow day at work!)
Nice work! I think that was the most logical solution to your problem.
That's a good way to solve a problem
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Chicken came out awesome!
I woke up Saturday morning and drove about 45 minutes to pick up the 18". I got there and see it's in pretty rough shape, more neglect than abuse though. No rust, no dents, vents work, I bring it home. I jump back in my truck and instantly am overpowered by wet stale basement smell. No biggie, it was a gorgeous morning, drove with windows open.
I get home and the cover went instantly in the trash, not worth trying to salvage. The grill got a bath and she surprisingly shined up well, looks barely used now!!!!!! Great deal so far!!!
So, I get the chicken all seasoned, tied up, spit through the bird. Let's fire up the new kettle....used 1 full chimney split between two baskets (one in front, one in back, chicken in middle)
Had a lot of white smoke for a bit but that soon went away. She's running a little hotter than I wanted (aiming for 300-350, I think it was more like 400-425)
Spun the bird for total hour and 15 minutes. Came out perfect! Very juicy, crispy skin. I'll never cook a chicken any other way again!!
Clean up was a breeze.....actually the Mrs. cleaned the spit and all while I was doing the yard work so I really can't say!
Highly recommend putting a rotisserie kit at the top of your wish list!!
I have a couple pics, but can't get them to load......working on it....
I think I got it!
[URL=http://s1253.photobucket.com/user/EricD420/media/chicken_zpsmyjrmk7o.jpg.html](http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh596/EricD420/chicken_zpsmyjrmk7o.jpg) (http://s1253.photobucket.com/user/EricD420/media/chicken3_zpsatsu5y45.jpg.html)(http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh596/EricD420/chicken2_zpsaxoswn1l.jpg) (http://s1253.photobucket.com/user/EricD420/media/chicken2_zpsaxoswn1l.jpg.html)
(http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh596/EricD420/chicken3_zpsatsu5y45.jpg) (http://s1253.photobucket.com/user/EricD420/media/chicken3_zpsatsu5y45.jpg.html)
Great job! Roto is the way to go for chickens! I've done beer can, whole in the basment (coal grate), spatchcock, and now roto is my go to chicken cooking style.
Looks good! If you can put that counter weight on the outside of the kettle it will save you a little cleanup.
Thanks Neil, I thought about putting it outside but for some reason I thought closer to the bird would be better. (I know it makes no sense, but whatever)
All future cooks it will be on the outside. On every rotation, the lid would move a bit....took about 45 minutes to figure out it was the counter weight lifting the lid a smidge! duh!