Spatchcock Chicken

KJWILD

Should I cook this with the direct or indirect setup?

CeeGeeW

I cook it direct, raised at 400 until 160F breast and 180F thigh (about 50 mins)

tulocay

Raised direct at 400. Should take approx 50 min or so. Might start checking temp at 45 min.

JRWhitee

+3 on raised direct 400...

KJWILD

Can some please define raised? Do I remove the place setter and place the rack on the firebox extender.

Carolina Q

KJWILD said:

Should I cook this with the direct or indirect setup?

Either will work. This is mine (Raised direct) from last night...

http://eggheadforum.com/discussion/1166301/wow-chicken#latest

This is a post about an indirect cook (no pics) that I have yet to try. Judy makes a good case though.

http://www.greeneggers.com/index.php?option=com_simpleboard&func=view&id=1350550&catid=1

Carolina Q

KJWILD said:

Can some please define raised? Do I remove the place setter and place the rack on the firebox extender.

Raised is normally gasket level. Platesetter, legs up, then grid for indirect. Or no platesetter and some other way to raise the grid to gasket level (bricks, bolts, Woo, AR, etc. Lotsa ways.

JRWhitee

I put two bricks on the fire ring and put the grate on the bricks to cook at the felt line.

KJWILD

Chickens went on at 5:45pm at a temp of 375. Egg holding steady for the last 10 minutes at 360 according to the dome thermometer. One regret thus far, the thermometer said it was calibrated at the factory, wish I had not gotten in a rush and calibrated it personally before my first use. I can already see a dual probe thermometer being purchased before my next cook to monitor ambient temp. and food temp.

KJWILD

I forgot to mention I live in Fl.. So I don't think that would greatly affect the calibration of the thermometer.

lousubcap

@KJWILD-posted this on your other thread-applies here FWIW-

"Based on the above, should you be inclined to give the spatchcock chix a go, here's a link to the recipe: http://www.nakedwhiz.com/spatch.htm  BTW his main site is a wealth of ceramic cooking info-well worth the time to review."

Skiddymarker

KJWILD said:

Can some please define raised? Do I remove the place setter and place the rack on the firebox extender.

By extender, assume you mean the fire ring, donut shaped ceramic sitting on the fire box. Grid on the fire ring is considered direct. Raising the grid to the felt line with no heat deflector (stone or setter) is considered raised direct. You need something to raise it, empty beer cans, bolts and nuts or fire bricks. If you do not have a way to get the grid at the felt line with nothing between the grid and the burning lump go indirect with the setter in place on the fire ring, legs up and the grid on the setter legs (drip pan needed under the bird). Skin is crispier using raised direct.  

KJWILD

This is the before pictures. The bird on the left had a rub applied and the bird on the right had just salt and pepper.

KJWILD

And here is the completed picture. Bird on the left was cooked using a rub and bird on the right had simply salt and pepper. I cooked them at 375 for 1hr and 10 min. Setup: indirect, Place setter with legs up drip pans with cooking rack on top. I must say that the flavor was awesome and the skin was as crisp as I have ever had. The family is sure enjoying our first cook. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE for the guidance and advice.

DMW

Flip the one on the left around so the legs are toward the back. The egg has a hot spot toward the hinge, keep the breast toward the front.

KJWILD

Thanks for the advice. This was an awesome meal and a great first cook.

DMW

Nice first cook!

KJWILD

Trying to decide what to cook tomorrow evening? I was truly amazed at how easy it was to regulate the temp. So far so good, full steam head. How many times do I have to cook at 400 or below before I can tackle the higher temp. Cooks?

grege345

Pork chops. Pork tenderloin. Turbo ribs.

KJWILD

How many times do I have to cook at 400 or below before I can tackle the higher temp. Cooks?

grege345

What are looking to cook at 500+ ? Pizza? Searing steak ?

Carolina Q

LOL, it doesn't matter. You're going to fry your gasket soon anyway!

Skiddymarker

You are good to go now. Used to have to go two or three cooks to set the gasket, the higher temp gaskets seem to be good for whatever out of the box. 

I'd still try some burgers or chops before I went after pizza - unless you use a store bought dough, which is pretty much used at 500-550º indirect. (most are made for oven cooking where temps seldom get above 550º)

KJWILD

Yes, pizza and steaks. The family is chopping at the bit to do homemade pizzas and or the great steaks we have heard this thing produces.

llrickman

When i do steaks i usually do sirloin. I'll have my butcher cut me up a couple 1 1/2" thick. Let them rest on the counter for at least 45 min. Light coating of olive oil then season. I generally go with a salt pepper rub sometimes use Montreal Steak i like it.

Get my egg to about 750 and put the steaks on for 90 seconds each side. BE CAREFUL opening that egg

after searing I'll put on my ceramic top and close the vents for about 3-4 min. then check the temp with my thermapen pull at about 125 internal and rest for 10 min

Again after closing the vents and putting the cap on be very careful and "burp" the egg you dont want a flame rolling out

KJWILD

Thank you llrickman

anzyegg

Great looking Chicken. An awesome first cook...

llrickman

I'm putting two on right now egg almost at 400 Indirect for about an hour

llrickman

Oh raises also

KJWILD

Doing our 2nd cooking of 2 spatchcock chickens tonight. Tried it tonight raised direct at 375 and added some hickory chips for a little smoke flavor. Got about 20 minutes left.. I will post pics when they are completed.

KJWILD

Another change, just flipped to skin side down for the last 10 minutes of the cook.