Thanks!Welp you pulled it off, Jeff! I love the color on the hog!
The opening to my Lang is just a little over 44 inches so the rack was 42 inches. I think if you go with a smaller pig you should be able to get it into your Spicebox. You may even be able to go as large by putting it on an angle across the rack...
As for the seasoning, no injections, I did put a heavy coat of Mike Mill's 'Magic Dust' on the inside of the cavity. I also rubbed down the skin with EVOO a couple of times. In fact, I think that may be why she got so dark.
. I also rubbed down the skin with EVOO a couple of times. In fact, I think that may be why she got so dark.
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It might just fit... It depends on how you lay it out. That's one of the reasons I did the rack with chicken wire. If you look close, you can see where I tied her legs to the rack to keep her in a 'presentation position'I'll bet if I got a pig without the head that an 80 pounder would fit about right.
We had a few that wouldn't go near it... Not that they didn't eat it, they just had some one else get the meat for them. Most of the kids thought that the head was 'COOL!!!!'The wife and MIL would never stand for seeing one with the head still on anyways.:roll:
I'm not a huge fan of the 'Flying Squirrel' position. With it all splayed out like that, you may have a problem fitting it in your cooker... Also, remember that the heat comes off of the plate in my Lang... I had no problems with burning or being over cooked... I think because I had the skin side up, it was able to trap most if not all of the steam created while it cooked and run that back through the meat. The juice literally was bubbling out of the holes made for the probe.I was thinking of doing it butterflied where they cut the ribs off right at the spine so it lays flat and do it skin side down to protect the meat since my heat is down below.
I think you would have to poke a lot of holes... I got close to 1.5 gallons of grease from this pig. Also, I think that the holes would 'cook closed' and you would have to re-open them or make new ones...One thing I have always wondered is, if you do it skin side down, will it get greasy since the grease has no way of dripping off, unless you poke holes in the skin for drainage.
What kind of wood did you use?
Did you use any cherry?
Nope... But since it never got above 260* it wasn't a concern (the break down temp is around 600*)HOLY CRAP. looks awesome. Is chicken wire and rebar stainless?
Do you use a rub on the pig or would that be way to much rub to use?
I like it and someday hope to do one. I thought the color was good. I also like the Idea of the fatties but for effect next time try shaping them like little suckling piglets and place them around like they are nursing off old mom for the last time.
Dave
I was talked out of the cherries for the eyes... There were enough people bothered with the head there that if I had done the eye's the local priest would have been called... As for the apple, I tried but I couldn't pry open the mouth enough before she went on... Next year I'll ask them to do that when it's butchered...Awesome oinker Jeff! Didja remember the cherry eyes and apple?
Seriously, wish we were there, looks awesome!