|
SpitJack Electric Rotisserie
Can I cook a turkey on
the SpitJack?
Only a very small one, unfortunately. The SpitJack is rated at only 10 lbs. per
spit (9 lbs. on the clockwork model) so you are limited to the smallest of
commercially available turkey (we will be selling more powerful models in the
future). Make sure the bird is well trussed and and keep a close watch while
cooking. We recommend not stuffing the bird and to use extra care when removing
and transporting the finished roast.
Will any cooking juices
or fat be spattered into my living room?
Under normal cooking operations, no. The spit turns at a very slow rate so any
rendered fat or juices simply stay on the food or fall directly down into the
drip pan. There may be some small spillage of drippings onto the hearth while
cooking or transporting the food after cooking. These can be easily removed with
a mild detergent or specialty cleaner (depending on the material of your
hearth).
Will cooking this way this cause a
buildup of grease in my chimney?
No. The SpitJack operates in front of the fire and any fat that is rendered
either stays on the turning food or drips off directly below into a drip pan. We
do however, recommend that you get your chimney professionally inspected and/or
cleaned yearly.
What about odors?
Just as the smoke, sparks and most of the odors from your fire get sucked up the
chimney, so will the odors from your roasting food. If your chimney does not
draw well, contact a local chimney sweep for
an inspection.
Will the SpitJack fit in
my fireplace?
The SpitJack doesn't actually get inserted into the fireplace at all, it sits on
the hearth in front of the fire. So as long as your fireplace is large enough
(at least 24" wide) the SpitJack can extend past the opening as much as is
needed.
How will I be able to add
more wood once the rotisserie is set up?
Easy. Since the hottest part of the fire is close to the bottom, the SpitJack is
designed to sit low. There is plenty of room in an average-sized fireplace to
place more wood on top (and also move existing logs around) when needed.
Remember, this is the way food was cooked for hundreds of years!
Why do I need a drip pan?
A drip pan is necessary to catch the fat and other liquids that may be produced
in the cooking process. Since the SpitJack does not cook over the fire but in
front of it, something is needed to catch the drippings. This serves two
purposes- to protect the hearth from becoming soiled and to save these fats and
juices for use in the cooking. In addition it can serve as a convenient
transport vehicle for the roasted products to be taken to the kitchen for
finishing or carving. The handles and feet of these pans are hand forged to give
a rustic look and feel.
Will I need any special
utensils or additional equipment?
A drip pan (either the models we sell on this web site or one that you provide) is
the only accessory you will need to do most spit roasting recipes. If you use
the clockwork model, you will need an oven pad or glove to act as a heat shield
while rewinding during cooking. A quick-read meat thermometer may also be useful
in determining the doneness of the food, but that is optional. Otherwise no
special forks or fireplace tools are needed for the cooking.
Does food taste better
when cooked with a SpitJack?
Since the food is not cooked over the fire you won't get
the same charred or smoky flavor as you would from a grill or smoker. It will taste about like
the rotisserie chicken you buy in restaurants and food stores. However, you
might think it tastes better, especially if you follow our recipes ;)
How long does food take
to cook?
Relatively about the same amount of time (or a little longer) than if you used a
moderate oven. This varies depending on the heat of your fire, the distance of
the SpitJack to the heat source and the placement of the food (height) on the
spit. Other factors such as temperature of the food before cooking, size of the
food, etc. also will affect cooking times. You may also refer to our
recipes page to get an idea of cooking times for specific dishes.
What are the cooking load
limits?
For the electric model, you can put up to 12 pounds on each spit (although it
may be difficult to fit). The clockwork model, because the mechanical motor has
to drive both spits, can only handle a total load of 18 pounds. We suggest
staying well below those specifications however. Up to 12 pounds total load is
all we recommend. Note that in
order for the food to cook evenly you need a sufficiently large enough and hot
enough, or long burning enough fire.
Is the SpitJack safe for indoor household use?
The SpitJack was designed for indoor fireplaces. Although this is a newly
introduced product in the North American market, it has been manufactured and
used successfully in Europe for decades. As with any product used around a fire
there are safety concerns and prudent practices to observe. Of course when
cooking with items that generate rendered fat around an open flame, precautions
need to be taken. In addition, the electric model has a cord that needs to be
protected from direct flame. All of these issues are explained thoroughly in our
user manuals and recipes.
Can I use the SpitJack with a gas fireplace, wood burning heater,
fireplace insert or pellet stove?
The SpitJack is designed to be used in front of an open-flame wood fire. The
most popular items cooked with the SpitJack required a constant temperature of
200-250 degrees (F) 6-12 inches in front of the flames. If your fire source can
provide this, it should work fine. Most gas fireplaces do not provide this level
of heat. Wood burning heaters, fireplace inserts and pellet stoves, while
creating high enough temperatures inside the firebox are usually shielded by a
glass pane which cuts the direct radiant heat dramatically.
How about service and replacement parts? Warranty?
All SpitJack models and accessories come with a 1 year limited warranty. If
there is a problem due to manufacturing defects within the warranty period, we
will repair or replace the parts or unit free of charge. If you lose or damage a
part or the unit itself is damaged or service is needed past the warranty
period, we will either provide replacement parts or repair the unit ourselves
according to the current labor rates. Note: the manual model, because of the
clockwork mechanism, is usually more expensive to repair.
How do I clean the SpitJack and what maintenance is involved?
The SpitJack has a durable painted finish that is easily restored by wiping with
a damp cloth. Occasionally you might need to use a mild detergent to remove
heavier deposits. The spits are made of carbon steel and are subject to rust or
discoloration if left untreated. Simply wipe with a lightly oiled cloth or paper
towel after cleaning and it will stay ready until the next use. Always clean the
spits before using. The SpitJack is designed for moderately heavy use and should
not need special maintenance for quite some time. General maintenance is
described in the user manuals.
Is the SpitJack safe for children?
We do not recommend that children operate the SpitJack without adult
supervision. Since it is very close to an open fire it will get very hot, the
spits are sharp at the exposed end and winding the crank (for the manual model)
can be a bit tricky. Children (and adults) should observe the same cautions as
you would around any cooking appliance.
Is the SpitJack hard to
assemble?
The SpitJack comes fully assembled. You only need to put the food on the spit,
secure it with the included spit forks, and attach the spit to the Spitjack.
What are the origins of
this cooking method and why the name SpitJack?
A "jack" referred to a mechanism that caused an object (usually a piece
of meat) to rotate in front of a fire. There were different kinds of jacks- the
bottle jack was housed in a canister and suspended from the mantel. It would
spin the food vertically from a suspended string. Other jacks would use the
horizontal method described below. There are stories of spits being turned by a
special breed of dogs trained to run on a treadmill but most jacks were powered
by a clockwork mechanism.
"Also known as a clockjack. Used in combination with a specialized pair of
andirons and a spit, this would slowly rotate a large piece of meat in front of
the [colonial] fireplace."
http://www.ballandball-us.com/spitjack.html (picture of an antique
reproduction spitjack).
|
