For those who enjoy cooking outdoors, consider a barbecue rotisserie as an alternative to grilling or deep frying. While these methods result in tasty meats and veggies, they are not the healthiest ways to prepare food. Rotisserie cooking, on the other hand, is the best of both worlds. Not only does it result in great-tasting meals, but it is far healthier than grilling or frying.
Grilling burgers, hot dogs, steaks, shish kabobs and more gives food a smoky flavor and a unique texture that just isn't the same when cooked on the stove. Similarly, deep-fried foods have a flavor and character all their own. Neither of these methods, however, is particularly healthy. Deep frying is obvious - submerging foods into a vat of oil greatly increases fat and cholesterol content. With grilling, the risks are less immediate. Studies have shown that particles found in the charred surface of grilled foods - known as benzapyrenes - are actually carcinogens that can eventually lead to cancer.
Other potential risks stem from the use of lighter fluid or additive-laden charcoal. While chemicals help with fire starting, they can end up in the food, which can't be healthy. In addition, flare-ups can be caused by dripping grease, consequently burning food or even the cook.
BBQ rotisserie cooking, by contrast, is a far healthier way to prepare food and can be done on either a gas or charcoal grill. The way it works is simple. First, a skewer or spit is inserted through a piece of meat, whole chicken, etc. The loaded spit is then mounted on support legs that allow it to rotate freely, powered by a motor. Once activated, the spit slowly turns, exposing all sides of the meat equally to the heat.
Since this method allows for the food to be held higher off the flame, cooking is less direct. While this process takes longer than grilling or frying, there is no charring and no hot spots. Barbecue rotisserie cooking results in self-basted foods, as juices effectively cover every portion of the meat as it rotates. A drip pan placed beneath the spit collects excess fat and grease. This results in less fatty, healthier food while preventing flare-ups from grease dripping into a fire.
A rotisserie is great for preparing virtually all meats, from steaks to chicken and pork ribs. Small items like vegetables, fruits, cubes of meat or seafood like shrimp and scallops can also be skewered and placed on a rotisserie for slow cooking.
Required rotisserie accessories include the spit, support legs and motor. Options include multi-pronged spits to better hold larger foods like a whole turkey. Recently, innovative barbecue aficionados have come up with new styles of rotisserie cooking that utilizes several flat trays that rotate around the spit, giving the cook a way to barbecue several foods simultaneously. The food does not need to be skewered, but can just lay in the basket, with grease dripping away from the food into a catch pan. The capability of cooking several types of meats and vegetables at once helps blend flavors, and increases fuel efficiency while ultimately reducing cook time.
BBQ rotisseries made for use on existing gas or charcoal grills are available in multiple sizes. As with slow roasting, the rotation of the skewer or basket ensures the smoke penetrates every part of the meat. With all of these advancements, the tasty possibilities are endless.
Author Resource:-
For an award-winning BBQ rotisserie, internet marketing strategist Stephen Daniels recommends BBQ Innovations. This company invented the Rib-O-Lator rotisserie and offers an assortment of accessories including sauces and smoky wood chips, promising big flavor for your barbecues year-round.