Cooking on a spit can be rewarding, but in order to achieve a nice and even cook, the meat on the skewer must be balanced. If you’re cooking chicken or boneless meat, this can be a breeze. However, when cooking a whole animal, such as a pig or lamb, this can be difficult at times.
This is when using a counterweight comes in handy. When the meat is not balanced, it puts undue strain on the spit motor and eventually damages the gears inside. A spit that is unbalanced will also cook unevenly. The use of a counterweight relieves strain on the motor and allows the skewer to turn at an even rate, resulting in an even cook and a well-maintained motor.
Slowly rotate your skewer by hand to see if it is balanced. If your meat falls as it spins on the prong, it will need to be rebalanced. Attach the counterweight on the opposite side of the heavy side and test it again. You’re ready to go once you’ve mastered the smooth spin. Please see How to Balance a Lamb on a Spit Roaster for a more detailed discussion of balancing a whole animal on a skewer.
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