custom made rotating spits ?

[abhi]

This is my first post in EG forums. I have discovered a new love for roasted meats. I am trying to get a rotating spit setup for my back yard but I am falling short of ideas.

What I have in mind is a rotating spit that can handle about 15 pounds of meat and a set up for varying the height (distance from the flame/coals). I will also like to get a dripping pan (cast iron probably??) I am not looking for a motorized set up. I am willing to go with a manual operation spit.

My research so far on the EG forum and google.....revealed sites like spitjack.com

I do not have a fireplace so I cannot do fireplace cooking.

Has any one ever got any thing made locally by some blacksmiths (??) or any other metal works businesses???

I trying to save some money and will like to avoid buying an expensive set up from any kind of shop.

Also, I think I am not really taking into account everything I may need to get my roasting routines up and running. So suggestions are welcome.

Thanks.

-abhi

[jayt90]

What is your current set up?

Why no electric spit? Do you really want to turn a roast for two or three hours in the mid-day sun?

There are spit accessories from some major BBQ grills, such as Weber, in the $100 range. I adapted one to a Brinkmann barrel with a drill and a few screws.

If you don't have a back yard grill, the Weber kettle and their spit accessory offer a lot of heat and smoke control in the $200 range.

[ray goud]

What is your current set up? 

Why no electric spit?  Do you really want to turn a roast for two or three hours in the mid-day sun?

There are spit accessories from some major BBQ grills, such as Weber, in the $100 range.  I adapted one to a Brinkmann barrel with a drill and a few screws.

If you don't have a back yard grill, the Weber kettle and their spit accessory offer a lot of heat and smoke control in the  $200 range.

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I agree completely. Plus, if you skewer the food through the exact center it almost doesn't matter how heavy the food is. The Weber aftermarket add-on even has counterweights for unbalanced loads.

Ray

[andiesenji]

Look at the listings on this site.

Rotis

Lowe's and Home Depot have barbecues with electric rotisseries.

and Spitjacks can be mounted over all types of barbecues, not just in fireplaces.

spits, elec and battery operated

[abhi]

Thanks all,

I said no motors because the ones I saw on the net did not have any height adjustment capabilities. But if I can get some thing that allows me to adjust height I can go for it.

I dont have anything similar right now. My current set up is just a kettle (24-30 inches diameter of the cooking surface).

I have some thing of a back yard. I can actually build a pit there. I was thinking of some setup to place there and operate as I have mentioned (dripping pan and adjustable height). If something electric is available then no problem.

I saw some rotisserie accessories in walmart but the package said gas grill. I was hoping I could get some thing similar for a kettle. Your responses suggest there are such things available.

I will explore the sites and suggestions mentioned by you and will be back with what I find.

Thanks again.

[jayt90]

After using a wide variety of charcoal BBQ's and grills, I've come to realize that nothing beats the basic Weber kettle. The firebox is deeper than most, and the amount of air coming in is fully adjustable, so that the coals burn hot or very cool. This adjustment procedure will replace the need to raise or lower the spit.

I've been able to use the kettle for slow controlled smoking (charcoal and wet wood chips can last several hours. I don't know if this is possible with the spit, as I don't have it, and I wonder if it breaks the air seal of the lid, but it is likely that they have considered that problem.)

If you are using a knock-off kettle, it is unlikely to be as effective for what you want.

[abhi]

I do not have a Weber kettle it is some cheap make I got from Walmart.

Based on the suggestions what I saw so far, I will have to spend around $100-$200.

I think I will go and visit the black smith shop in my area and see what can be done there. I have made arrangements for a fire pit of sorts. I will try to hunt some more before buying a Weber or some other accessory.