Has anyone used La Caja China?

A friend of mine just purchased a pig roaster called "La Caja China". It is supposed to be modeled after what Chinese immigrants use to cook a whole pig in Cuba. Has anyone used one before? What was your experience?

We used one to roast a whole pig for a Chowhound fundraiser in Los Angeles a couple of months back. They work great. (Perhaps Professor Salt still has photos he can link to...?)

If you want a good introduction, I would suggest you go to the company's website (linked below) and read the magazine articles they have posted there.

Link: http://www.lacajachina.com

Yes I do, David. Click below for photos

Link: http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/profess...

Does the meat have any smoke flavor at all?

It doesn't. The caja china is an outdoor oven, with the coals cooking atop a steel pan that forms its top. Because this top seals off the box, no smoke penetrates the inside.

However, the caja roasts meat beautifully and yields gorgeous, crunchy pork skin, all in just over 3 hours' time (this pig, dressed and butterflied, weighed 85 pounds). That skin was the best part of the pig!

So, totally, jealous!! Absolutely beautiful.

Where is the best place to get a whole pig in Los Angeles?

Where is the best place to get a whole pig in Los Angeles?

Probably best to repost this query on the appropriate regional board.

Link: http://tomness.blogspot.com

Owen's Market will order one for you.