296984 Mon May 03 19:22:07 -0700 2004 9 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 1637546 This past weekend I tried out the Caja China, the pig-roasting gadget that's been written about by the NY Times, Saveur, and Jeffrey Steingarten. Got myself a 65-lb pig, injected it with a salt brine the night before, and cooked it according to the Caja's instrux. Sure enough, it came out perfectly in 3.5 hrs (less hthan half the time it'd take on a spit) -- crispy skin, juicy meat. Sensational! The Caja China comes in three sizes -- I got the middle one, which runs $250 + $50 for shipping. Assembling it took a little over an hour and was pretty simple, although I did have to break out the power drill when a few holes didn't quite line up. It doesn't take up much space but you need to leave a bit of buffer space around it, because cooking the pig takes 42 lbs of charcoal, which gets *very* hot. I accidentally left a plastic trash can too close to the Caja, and it started to melt. But that was the only problem in an otherwise wildly successful pig roast. Recommended. -- Paul Link: http://www.lacajachina.com Mon May 03 19:22:07 -0700 2004 0 Paul Lukas 1 1637598 Paul, some folks on the Boston board have mentioned Caja specifically and whole roasting in general. You don't live in Boston by any chance (fingers crossed)? Tue May 04 09:26:47 -0700 2004 1637546 0 Dax 2 1637602 Nope, I live in Brooklyn, NY. But if any Boston 'hounds wanna come down this way, I'd be happy to roast another hog. -- Paul Tue May 04 10:01:03 -0700 2004 1637598 0 Paul Lukas 3 1637639 That Boston pig'll be down about these parts come May 15. Let's hope we can all get together for a tasting! Tue May 04 15:23:39 -0700 2004 1637602 0 Brooklyn Pig Roast 3 1637641 I can think of some Brooklyn 'hounds that want some. if you can fit a bunch of people in your backyard, maybe a chowhound fundraiser is in order. I, for one, have been dying to try it since that article in the NY Times and would be happy to pay to try it. Tue May 04 15:30:39 -0700 2004 1637602 0 wurstle 4 1637651 I'll bring a case of beer... Tue May 04 16:30:57 -0700 2004 1637641 0 Bob Martinez 4 1637656 >>I can think of some Brooklyn 'hounds that want some. if you can fit a bunch of people in your backyard, maybe a chowhound fundraiser is in order.<< I'm not opposed to this idea, but I just had a big pig party and am still recovering. Plus the weather is still a little on the cool side. But I'd happily host such an occasion later this summer. -- Paul Tue May 04 17:05:03 -0700 2004 1637641 0 Paul Lukas 5 1637659 works for me! you let us know when you're up for it. could even be a weekend in Sept. if it's too hot for a pig roast in July or Aug. Tue May 04 17:39:11 -0700 2004 1637656 0 wurstle 3 1637681 I was also wondering if we were going to have a second barbecue event this summer. If so, a pig roast along with barbecue would be a big slice o' heaven. Wed May 05 00:06:19 -0700 2004 1637602 0 Dave Feldman 1 1637669 Did you set up in your yard? Tue May 04 19:57:23 -0700 2004 1637546 0 Dax