Hooded vs Open Spit Roaster: Which Flaming Coals Spit Is Right For You?

Choosing the right spit roaster can be confusing. With so many different sizes, designs and features available, one of the biggest decisions comes down to whether you choose a hooded spit roaster or an open spit roaster.

Both styles are capable of producing incredible charcoal cooked food, from crispy chickens and juicy roasts to whole lambs, pigs and gyros. The biggest difference is how the hood changes the way heat is managed, how protected your cook is from the weather, and how versatile your setup becomes.

At Flaming Coals, we offer both open and hooded spit roasters because different backyard cooks want different things. Some people love the traditional experience of cooking directly over charcoal, while others prefer the extra protection and heat control that a hood provides.

In this guide, we will break down the difference between hooded and open spit roasters to help you choose the right Flaming Coals setup for your style of cooking.

Quick Answer: What Is The Difference Between A Hooded And Open Spit Roaster?

The main difference between a hooded and open spit roaster is heat control and protection.

An open spit roaster gives you the traditional charcoal cooking experience, where the meat cooks directly over the coals with full exposure to the fire. This style is simple, reliable and gives you that classic backyard spit roast experience.

A hooded spit roaster adds a lid that helps protect the cook from wind and weather, while also allowing heat to circulate around the meat. This can help with heat retention, faster cooking and easier temperature management, especially when conditions are not ideal.

Neither option is better for everyone. The right choice depends on how you like to cook.

Open Spit Roasters: Traditional Charcoal Cooking

Open spit roasters are the classic way many people picture spit roasting. The meat rotates above charcoal with direct heat underneath, allowing you to control the cook by adjusting charcoal placement, heat intensity and skewer height.

Flaming Coals open spit roasters include:

• Flaming Coals Minion 1200 Spit Roaster

• Flaming Coals Master 1200 Spit Roaster

• Flaming Coals Extendable Spit Roaster

• Flaming Coals Spartan 1200 Spit Roaster

• Flaming Coals Spartan 1500 Spit Roaster

• Flaming Coals Warrior Spit Roaster

Some of these models, including the Spartan and Warrior range, include windshields that provide extra protection around the charcoal area while still keeping the traditional open cooking style.

Benefits Of An Open Spit Roaster

Traditional Charcoal Flavour

For many spit roasting enthusiasts, cooking over an open charcoal fire is part of the experience. The direct heat, smoky flavour and hands-on fire management are what make spit roasting special.

Simple Fire Management

Open spits allow you to see your charcoal, move your coals around and adjust the heat visually throughout the cook.

The main controls are:

• Amount of charcoal used

• Position of charcoal

• Skewer height adjustment

• Distance between meat and heat

Great For Large Cuts And Whole Animals

Open spit roasters are excellent for traditional cooks such as:

• Whole lamb

• Whole pig

• Large roasts

• Multiple chickens

• Gyros

The open design gives you easy access to the meat while cooking, making it simple to monitor progress, baste and carve.

Hooded Spit Roasters: More Protection And Heat Control

Hooded spit roasters take the traditional spit roast design and add another layer of versatility.

Flaming Coals hooded spit roasters include:

• Flaming Coals Hooded Spartan 1200

• Flaming Coals Hooded Spartan 1500

• Flaming Coals Dual Fuel Spit Roaster 1000

• Flaming Coals Dual Fuel Spit Roaster 1500

The hood helps create a more enclosed cooking environment, allowing heat to circulate around the meat while protecting your cook from external conditions.

Benefits Of A Hooded Spit Roaster

Better Protection From Wind

The biggest challenge when charcoal cooking outdoors is often not the charcoal itself, but the weather.

Wind can:

• Cool down your charcoal

• Affect cooking temperatures

• Make heat management harder

• Increase charcoal usage

A hood provides an extra barrier, helping protect the cooking area and making your spit more consistent in changing conditions.

Better Heat Retention

When the hood is lowered, heat is trapped around the cooking area. This can help food cook more evenly and reduce heat loss.

This is especially useful when cooking:

• Large roasts

• Whole animals

• Longer cooks

Easier Storage And A Cleaner Look

A hood also makes the spit roaster easier to store.

When closed, it protects the cooking area and gives the unit a more finished appearance. For many backyard setups, the hooded design also looks cleaner when positioned on patios or outdoor kitchens.

Does Closing The Hood Make It Cook Like An Oven?

A common question is whether a hooded spit roaster becomes an oven when closed.

The answer depends on the model and fuel source.

For gas cooking, especially on Flaming Coals dual fuel spit roasters, closing the hood is recommended. The hood helps trap heat and allows the gas burners to work more like an oven, giving you better cooking performance.

For charcoal cooking, you need to be more mindful.

Charcoal produces intense radiant heat, and closing the hood completely with very hot charcoal can create excessive temperatures. It is important to manage your charcoal quantity and heat before closing the hood.

The Flaming Coals Hooded Spartan models also allow you to adjust the hood height, giving you the ability to partially lower the hood and protect your cook without completely enclosing the fire.

Is A Hooded Spit Roaster Better For Beginners?

A common misconception is that one style is only for beginners and the other is only for experienced cooks.

That is not the case.

Both hooded and open spit roasters require the same basic skills:

• Managing charcoal

• Controlling heat

• Adjusting skewer height

• Understanding your cook

The biggest difference is that a hooded model gives you another tool to manage your environment, especially when wind or weather becomes a challenge.

Experienced spit roasters appreciate this extra control, while newer users often enjoy having more protection while learning.

Which Flaming Coals Spit Roaster Should You Choose?

Choose An Open Spit Roaster If You:

• Love the traditional charcoal cooking experience

• Enjoy managing an open fire

• Want easy access to your meat while cooking

• Prefer a simple, direct setup

• Regularly cook large cuts or whole animals

Recommended models:

• Flaming Coals Minion 1200

• Flaming Coals Master 1200

• Flaming Coals Extendable Spit Roaster

• Flaming Coals Spartan 1200

• Flaming Coals Spartan 1500

• Flaming Coals Warrior Spit Roaster

Choose A Hooded Spit Roaster If You:

• Cook in areas exposed to wind

• Want extra heat protection

• Prefer more controlled cooking conditions

• Want the option of more enclosed roasting

• Like a cleaner-looking backyard setup

• Want dual fuel flexibility

Recommended models:

• Flaming Coals Hooded Spartan 1200

• Flaming Coals Hooded Spartan 1500

• Flaming Coals Dual Fuel Spit Roaster 1000

• Flaming Coals Dual Fuel Spit Roaster 1500

Final Thoughts

When choosing between a hooded and open spit roaster, it comes down to the style of cooking you enjoy.

An open spit roaster delivers that traditional charcoal experience with direct access to the fire and a simple, proven design.

A hooded spit roaster adds versatility, helping protect your cook from wind, improving heat retention and giving you more control over your cooking environment.

Both styles are capable of producing incredible results. The best Flaming Coals spit roaster is the one that matches how you like to cook, what you want to cook and where you plan to use it.

Whether you choose open charcoal cooking or the added versatility of a hooded design, every Flaming Coals spit roaster is built around the same goal: creating amazing food and unforgettable moments around the fire.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is A Hooded Spit Roaster Better Than An Open Spit Roaster?

Neither option is better for everyone. Hooded spit roasters offer more protection from wind and better heat retention, while open spits provide a traditional charcoal cooking experience with direct access to the fire.

Can You Close The Hood When Cooking With Charcoal?

Yes, but you need to manage your charcoal heat carefully. If your charcoal is too hot, closing the hood can create excessive temperatures. Adjust your charcoal amount and hood height to suit the cook.

Are Hooded Spit Roasters Better In Wind?

Yes. The hood helps protect the charcoal and cooking area from wind, making it easier to maintain consistent temperatures during outdoor cooking.

Can You Cook The Same Foods On Hooded And Open Spit Roasters?

Yes. Both styles can cook chickens, roasts, gyros, lamb, pork and other spit roast favourites. The difference is mainly how the heat is managed during the cook