Beer Can Chicken Newbie

Unknown

Would like to try my first beer can chicken on Saturday and had some questions:[p]1. Do the chickens sit fine with just the beer can or is a vertical holder required?
2. Do you cook indirect over a drip pan?
3. What is the appropriate dome temp?
4. How long do you cook for?[p]Please help a newbie. Thanks

Clay Q

JohnnyDeal,
Your better off with with a vertical roaster that holds the can and keeps the bird from falling over. They are dirt cheep at the local hardware store. [p]You can cook direct or indirect, most prefer direct for a browner, more crisp skin. A small drip tray to prevent grease smoke can be used. Some like the grease smoke and direct cooking will brown better. It's up to you.[p]How long to cook? Use a meat probe to be sure. For a large bird, I cook 350 dome untill the meat reaches 140 degrees then open up the vents and get the dome up to 450 to finish the bird at 180 degrees internal. About an hour and a half. Smaller bird, less time.[p]I like a little pecan wood at the start of the cook.
Good luck!
ClayQ