When you’re cooking for a crowd or want to roast a whole bird, spit cooking is the way to go.

What is Spit Cooking?

Also called rotisserie cooking, this method uses a long stick or metal rod to hold meat above the fire while it’s rotated. Perfect for:

  • Whole chickens
  • Pork roasts
  • Rib roasts
  • Game birds

Build Your Own Spit Setup

Spit Rod:

  • Use a wooden dowel or metal rod
  • Drill holes to wire food in place

Supports:

  • Bricks or cinder blocks with holes for elevation
  • Flat rocks stacked for height control
  • 2×2 boards with nails every two inches
  • Welded metal pipes with adjustable rungs

Cooking Instructions

  • Cook 8–10 inches above coals
  • Rotate every 3–5 minutes
  • Baste with marinade as it cooks
  • Add tomato-based sauces at the end to prevent burning

Meat Choices

  • Beef: Rib roast, sirloin tip
  • Pork: Ham, pork shoulder
  • Poultry: Whole chicken, Cornish hen

With patience and rotation, you’ll have meat that’s juicy, evenly roasted, and packed with smoky flavor.