beer can chicken

[Cookingmama]

i have made a lot of chicken parts and even whole chickens, but never a beer can chicken.  was talking about it with my sister and i am wanting to try it out.  BUTT (ha, i knew you all would just love that!!!) i dont have a can holder. 

can i really just stick the chicken on a can and set it on the grill?

also, what is a good size to use.  i have a larger family so usually do larger chickens, but i could look for two smaller sized ones if they need to run small to stay on there.

[Troy]

don't bother, putting a can of beer up the chickens ass doesn't do anything for flavor or moisture - it's just presentation

[Duke]

That's a fact! You will be much happier butterflying them. You can also split them in half.

Here's a write up on beer can chickens.
www.nakedwhiz.com/beercanchicken.htm

Here's a write up on spatchcocking. (butterflying)
www.nakedwhiz.com/spatch.htm

[Troy]

i'm a big fan of spatchcocking!

[Cookingmama]

well i'll be!  glad i asked because i was already worrying about the whole thing tipping over and stuff.  i like spatchcocking... plus i like saying it!

[Duke]

i like spatchcocking... plus i like saying it!

So does Larry!

[zavod44]

Weather it works or not I have made some pretty fabulous Beer can chickens...It's just really indirect whole chickens....


Brian

[Larry Wolfe]

Troy is 100% correct, BCC is nothing other than a gimmick.  If you want to buy a BCC chicken stand and never use the can, that is the perfect way to go.  I do love saying and spatchcocking chicken, IMO it's the best way to cook a whole chicken.  And it sounds HAWT! 

AmazingRibs.com did a fantastic article on BCC chicken, it's a long read but worth it. 

Spatchcock, spatchcock, spatchcock......

[DoppelBock]

Yah but Famous Dave is doing bcc now, it's even on a billboard, so it must be good...right

[Jaronimo]

Spatchcocking is the way to go.  I have done BCC and spatchcocking, both turn out great.  But spatchcocking cooks faster.

[Heyjude]

BCC is  a gimmick...I have done it.. Huge PITA and a waste of a good BEER.
Save the hassle and cook it whole or butterfly it. AKA  Spatchcock.

The next whole chicken I cook is going on a rotisserie.. I just like hearing the motor run.