29364 Tue May 18 13:27:20 -0700 2004 10 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 124288 I'm roasting a whole pig (Niman Ranch, procured for $1/lb through Cafe Rouge), and I'm having trouble tracking down a spit that can accomodate a 125 lb pig. Any suggestions? I live in Berkeley, and I'm familiar with the Hertz Equipment Rental on Frontage Road, but their spits can only handle up to 75 lbs. Ideally, said spit would be motorized, as I can imagine my arm falling off after 8 hours of pig turning. Also, any thoughts on where to purchase charcoal (either lump wood, or briquets) in bulk? I think that I'll need about 200 lbs. Thanks for your help. Tue May 18 13:27:20 -0700 2004 0 Jess Leber 1 124291 Lazzari Mesquite lump wood charcoal. Try the site at lazzari.com Tue May 18 13:36:15 -0700 2004 124288 0 Cynthia 2 124299 Lazzari is easy to work with directly if you have a vehicle that can handle the load. Call them and go pick it up at their yard. Cheaper, easy and a fun field trip. It is on Industrial Way, just off of Bayshore in Brisbane. 415/467-2970. It looks like you are driving into a junk yard, but soon the piles of wood appear. Park out of the way of moving trucks and walk into the building, climb the stairs to the office. They will load your purchase into your vehicle. Happy hogging! Tue May 18 14:04:27 -0700 2004 124291 0 Deelish 3 124305 Thanks! That's exactly the help I needed. Tue May 18 14:34:28 -0700 2004 124299 0 Jess Leber 1 124293 125 pounds on a spit. I've never done anything that large. Quarter it and rent two spits. Also rent a grill to do the ribs. If you have access/ownership of the party site you could also do a pit roast. This is not for the meek, but possible. Beverages and More and Monterey Fish sell Lazzari Mesquite in 40 pound bags. 200 pounds sounds like alot. You can also burn oak or fruit wood. Is there a pyromaniac in your camp? You'll need one. Tue May 18 13:42:34 -0700 2004 124288 0 k. gerstenberger 2 124306 I don't really want to break down the pig, even if it would be more practical. Part of the fun of this will be the visual spectacle of a whole spit pig. I'll even be wearing a Viking helmet to complete the scene. Also, this is taking place in a public park in Berkeley, so digging a pit isn't really an option. I was just planning on building a graded fire (more at the shoulder and butt area, less is the middle) so that all of the parts will be ready at the same time (I'm planning on about 9 hours of cooking). I know that big spits must be available somewhere. Tue May 18 14:37:42 -0700 2004 124293 0 Jess Leber 3 124319 Thanks for the visual of a person roasting a entire pig over an open fire in a Viking helmet in a Berkeley public park. I love living here!!! Please post pictures after your event. :-) Tue May 18 16:59:14 -0700 2004 124306 0 Celeste 3 124400 Stuffing the body cavity with a couple of extra loins and stitching them into position is another option to the mounded fire technique, also gives you the feeling of a medieval surgeon. I've also found that some stainless steel mesh to truss the beast is a labor saver, as it helps maintain balance as the beast renders and becomes slippery. In case you can't find a giganto-spit, rest assured that a quartered hog on two spits is visually impressive. You can still roast the head, or just put it on a spear and walk around Tilden, just stay away from the Carousel as the parents might get a little protective at the sight of a pig wielding viking. Wed May 19 12:10:40 -0700 2004 124306 0 k. gerstenberger 3 124407 Stuffing the body cavity with a couple of extra loins and stitching them into position is another option to the mounded fire technique, also gives you the feeling of a medieval surgeon. I've also found that some stainless steel mesh to truss the beast is a labor saver, as it helps maintain balance as the beast renders and becomes slippery. In case you can't find a giganto-spit, rest assured that a quartered hog on two spits is visually impressive. You can still roast the head, or just put it on a spear and walk around Tilden, just stay away from the Carousel as the parents might get a little protective at the sight of a pig wielding viking. Wed May 19 12:36:47 -0700 2004 124306 0 k. gerstenberger 1 124309 You might try RenTrain. They show a "heavy duty" pig roaster at AAA Rental in Redwood City. There might be something at an All Star Rents closer to you. Link: http://www.rentrain.com/rent.html?cat=all&location=94720&keywords=rotisserie&submit2.x=38&submit2.y=8 Tue May 18 15:03:07 -0700 2004 124288 0 Gary Soup 1 124338 Check out the La Caja China web site for an affordable alternative to renting. Tue May 18 19:19:13 -0700 2004 124288 0 wholehog