Beer can chicken

chilidog · 01-22-2013, 10:19 AM

I have a OTS 22" kettle and after reading all the reviews thought I would try beer can chicken but without the beer can. Found a rack that would hold the chicken upright but it wont clear the lid. I had a pretty small chicken (2.3 lbs) and I did get it to clear the lid by pushing the chicken down as far as I could on the holder. The chicken was great but I was wondering if anybody has the same problem and what to do about it in the future?
I used the side pockets for the charcoal and cooked at between 375 and 425 degrees. Can I take the top rack out and put the chicken holder on the charcoal rack? Will this do the job?
Kevin

NeoTrout · 01-22-2013, 11:06 AM

I have the weber rotisserie ring. When I do beer can chikin I would just put the ring on and have plenty of room. I think I actually did a beer can turkey that way once.

chilidog · 01-22-2013, 11:25 AM

Do the holes for the rotisserie cause a problem allowing too much air in?

djoseph74 · 01-22-2013, 11:36 AM

I did a beer can chicken on my kettle. I had to move it more to the middle. Here's a picture. It turned out great. I blackened it, which is what you're seeing in the picture, not burnt:

NeoTrout · 01-22-2013, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chilidog

Do the holes for the rotisserie cause a problem allowing too much air in?

No. You could block the holes with foil.

tb80 · 01-22-2013, 01:26 PM

Try doing a spatchcock chicken. Essentially the same thing as what you did, but more efficient and with more even cooking.

mn_big_dog · 01-22-2013, 03:51 PM

I second tb80....SPATCHCOCK

Cut the backbone out and lay it flat....works like a charm.

smokinjerseyguy · 01-22-2013, 05:57 PM

I swear by the spatchcock cooking method and usually throw a brick or weight on top for part of the time. I have not tried doing a beer can chicken but its high on my list of things to give a try.

chilidog · 01-24-2013, 10:51 AM

Would it work as well to split the chicken in half?

fingerlickin' · 01-24-2013, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chilidog

Would it work as well to split the chicken in half?

If you mean would it work as well as spatchcocking a bird, I would say yes, not much difference there.

Enkidu · 01-24-2013, 02:16 PM

I'll third spatchcocking instead of beer can. A good-sized spatchcocked chicken will be done in about 45 minutes. That said, for space reasons, or to impress guests, I will sometimes still do beer can chickens. I've never had an issue fitting one on the 22.5" OTG. If it is a problem for you, bank coals on either side and put the chicken in the middle of the grill where the dome has the highest clearance.

chilidog · 01-24-2013, 10:13 PM

I noticed the skin was crunchy on the beer can chicken. Cooked it between 375 and 400 degrees. Wife really liked it. Can I get the skin that crunchy if I split it and lay it flat on the grill?

fingerlickin' · 01-25-2013, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chilidog

I noticed the skin was crunchy on the beer can chicken. Cooked it between 375 and 400 degrees. Wife really liked it. Can I get the skin that crunchy if I split it and lay it flat on the grill?

Yep. If you cook at that temp again I would say for sure. Now quit skitzin and go spatch a chicken. If it doesn't work out you have earned the right to call us idiots. Worse case you still have chicken for dinner. My money's on you scrapping that whole beer can thing. :thumbup:

Boudreaux · 01-25-2013, 12:41 AM

Hi Chilidog, I don't know the height of your cover, but this holder I have is just under 8 inches. The narrow upper neck allows passage through the upper neck of the chicken and the whole chicken sits below the top of the holder... I love it.....

Amazon.com: Fox Run Non-Stick Vertical Poultry Roaster: Kitchen & Dining

chilidog · 01-25-2013, 10:17 AM

I think my problem is my holder is too big around and cant get the chicken to slide down far enough to clear the lid. If I push it down as far as I can the ends of the drumsticks are barely touching the bottom vertically. Some of the pictures I have seen the chicken goes down far enough that the drumsticks are almost horizonal with the grill.

01-22-2013, 10:19 AM	#1
chilidog Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 08-07-12 Location: Canyon, Tx Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Beer can chicken I have a OTS 22" kettle and after reading all the reviews thought I would try beer can chicken but without the beer can. Found a rack that would hold the chicken upright but it wont clear the lid. I had a pretty small chicken (2.3 lbs) and I did get it to clear the lid by pushing the chicken down as far as I could on the holder. The chicken was great but I was wondering if anybody has the same problem and what to do about it in the future? I used the side pockets for the charcoal and cooked at between 375 and 425 degrees. Can I take the top rack out and put the chicken holder on the charcoal rack? Will this do the job? Kevin

01-22-2013, 11:06 AM	#2
NeoTrout is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 11-26-08 Location: Elmhurst, Illinois Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I have the weber rotisserie ring. When I do beer can chikin I would just put the ring on and have plenty of room. I think I actually did a beer can turkey that way once. __________________ Steve "Le Grille? What the hell is that?" Klose 20x48 Deluxe Offset Pipe Smoker Weber 22.5, Weber 22.5 w/Rotisserie Weber Performer, Weber Ranch Kettle Weber Smokey Joe, Weber Homer Simpson Smokey Joe Bayou Classic Turkey Fryer Brinkmann Smoke'n Grill, UDS H-D FLHR

01-22-2013, 11:36 AM	#4
djoseph74 On the road to being a farker Join Date: 01-02-13 Location: Northville, MI Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I did a beer can chicken on my kettle. I had to move it more to the middle. Here's a picture. It turned out great. I blackened it, which is what you're seeing in the picture, not burnt: __________________ Dan - 22.5" Weber Smokey Mountain \| 22.5" Weber OTS \| Weber Smokey Joe

01-24-2013, 02:16 PM	#11
Enkidu Take a breath! Join Date: 06-12-12 Location: Los Angeles Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I'll third spatchcocking instead of beer can. A good-sized spatchcocked chicken will be done in about 45 minutes. That said, for space reasons, or to impress guests, I will sometimes still do beer can chickens. I've never had an issue fitting one on the 22.5" OTG. If it is a problem for you, bank coals on either side and put the chicken in the middle of the grill where the dome has the highest clearance. __________________ 22" OTG; 22" Performer; mini-WSM; Brinkmann gasser; UDS (on the way); Maverick ET-732

01-25-2013, 12:41 AM	#14
Boudreaux Got Wood. Join Date: 12-29-12 Location: Church Point, LA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Hi Chilidog, I don't know the height of your cover, but this holder I have is just under 8 inches. The narrow upper neck allows passage through the upper neck of the chicken and the whole chicken sits below the top of the holder... I love it..... Amazon.com: Fox Run Non-Stick Vertical Poultry Roaster: Kitchen & Dining Amazon.com: Fox Run Non-Stick Vertical Poultry Roaster: Kitchen & Dining __________________ Wilson Boudreaux

01-22-2013, 11:25 AM	#3
chilidog Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 08-07-12 Location: Canyon, Tx Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Do the holes for the rotisserie cause a problem allowing too much air in?

01-22-2013, 01:26 PM	#6
tb80 On the road to being a farker Join Date: 03-26-12 Location: San Antonio tx Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Try doing a spatchcock chicken. Essentially the same thing as what you did, but more efficient and with more even cooking.

01-22-2013, 03:51 PM	#7
mn_big_dog On the road to being a farker Join Date: 01-28-10 Location: Dodge Center,MN Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I second tb80....SPATCHCOCK Cut the backbone out and lay it flat....works like a charm.

01-22-2013, 05:57 PM	#8
smokinjerseyguy Found some matches. Join Date: 01-20-13 Location: Brookside, NJ Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I swear by the spatchcock cooking method and usually throw a brick or weight on top for part of the time. I have not tried doing a beer can chicken but its high on my list of things to give a try.

01-24-2013, 10:51 AM	#9
chilidog Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 08-07-12 Location: Canyon, Tx Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Would it work as well to split the chicken in half?

01-24-2013, 10:13 PM	#12
chilidog Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 08-07-12 Location: Canyon, Tx Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I noticed the skin was crunchy on the beer can chicken. Cooked it between 375 and 400 degrees. Wife really liked it. Can I get the skin that crunchy if I split it and lay it flat on the grill?

01-25-2013, 10:17 AM	#15
chilidog Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 08-07-12 Location: Canyon, Tx Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I think my problem is my holder is too big around and cant get the chicken to slide down far enough to clear the lid. If I push it down as far as I can the ends of the drumsticks are barely touching the bottom vertically. Some of the pictures I have seen the chicken goes down far enough that the drumsticks are almost horizonal with the grill.