Souvla BBQ Made Easy: Meet the 3 New Flaming Coals Cyprus Spit Roasters

There's something about a souvla BBQ that pulls a crowd. Skewers turning slowly over glowing charcoal, fat hissing on the coals, that smoky smell drifting over the fence. Nobody needs an invite. They just turn up.

We've added three new models to the Flaming Coals Cyprus spit lineup, giving you more ways to cook souvla, gyros-style cuts, whole chickens and roasts in your own backyard. Whether you're after something compact for a weekend feed or a hooded setup for long, slow cooks, there's now a Cyprus spit roaster to suit.

Here's what's new, how the three compare, and how to work out which one belongs on your patio.

What Is a Souvla BBQ?

A souvla BBQ is a charcoal spit built for Cypriot-style cooking: long skewers of meat turning slowly above a bed of coals. It's lower and wider than a whole-animal spit, with main skewers up top and smaller kebab skewers underneath, so big cuts and quick bites can cook at the same time.

Souvla itself is big chunks of meat, usually pork or lamb, threaded onto a long skewer and turned over charcoal until the outside is charred and the inside stays juicy. It's a Cypriot backyard tradition, and it's made for sharing.

Why We've Added Three New Models

Flaming Coals already has a solid lineup of Cyprus spits. These three expand it, giving you more choice on size, skewer count and heat control. They're built to the same solid standard as the rest of the range, so you're choosing on what suits your cook, not on build quality.

The short version:

• Cypriot Souvla BBQ: the compact two skewer option
• Cyprus Spit Roaster: three skewers and a bigger grill
• Hooded Cyprus Spit Roaster: three skewers, a full hood and a deeper firebox

The Three New Models at a Glance

Cypriot Souvla BBQ: The Compact 2 Skewer Pick

The Cypriot Souvla BBQ is the one for backyards where space counts. You get two 10mm main skewers and ten 5mm kebab skewers over a 732 x 332mm grill. That's plenty for a couple of whole chooks, a gyros-style stack or a lamb leg.

Firebricks line the charcoal box, holding and evening out the heat from the first coal to the last carve. Wooden handles give you a cool grip, the dual shelf keeps your tongs close, and heavy-duty braked wheels lock it in place once you're set.

Best for: smaller backyards, regular weekend feeds and a first proper souvla setup.

Cyprus Spit Roaster: More Room for a Bigger Feed

The Cyprus Spit Roaster steps things up. The cooking width grows to 932mm, with three 10mm main skewers and fourteen 5mm kebab skewers. Turn a roast up top while a few chickens or a load of kebabs cook below.

The 160mm firebox gives you room to build and manage a proper charcoal bed, and the Bakelite handles stay cool even with the fire cranking.

Best for: families and regular entertainers cooking for a crowd, and anyone moving up from a kettle or gas BBQ to real spit roasting.

Hooded Cyprus Spit Roaster: A Hooded Spit Roaster for Longer Cooks

The Hooded Cyprus Spit Roaster is built around one idea: retain more heat, use less charcoal. The full hood locks the heat in and shields your cook from wind, rain and flare-ups, so a blustery arvo doesn't knock your timing around.

It has the same 932 x 432mm grill and skewer setup as the Cyprus Spit Roaster, but the firebox is 220mm deep. That's room for a solid bed of coals and a steadier cook across a long afternoon. A side shelf with tool hooks keeps your gear handy, and heavy-duty locking wheels hold all 115kg firmly in place.

Best for: charcoal purists, long cooks, and anyone whose backyard cops the wind.

What Every Stainless Steel Spit Roaster in the Range Shares

All three new models share the same core build:

• 304 stainless steel grill and skewers: stand up to heat and regular cleaning without rusting out
• 20mm firebricks: soak up and radiate heat evenly, so you're not fighting hot spots
• 12V/240V variable speed motor, 15kg capacity: dial in a slow, even turn to suit the load
• Single-lever height adjustment across 155mm: move the meat closer to or further from the coals in seconds
• Heavy-duty wheels with brakes and a dual shelf: roll it into position, lock it down and keep your tools within reach

Pro tip: want roasts on the top skewers and kebabs on the bottom at the same time? Grab a second spit motor and run both levels together.

Which One Suits Your Backyard?

• Tight on space, cooking for the family most weekends: Cypriot Souvla BBQ
• Regularly feeding a crowd: Cyprus Spit Roaster
• Windy spot, long cooks, or you want your charcoal to go further: Hooded Cyprus Spit Roaster

Souvla and Gyros Spit Tips for Your First Cook

1. Light your coals early. Start cooking once they're glowing and ashed over, not while they're still flaming.
2. Cut evenly. Chunks of a similar size finish at the same time.
3. Load firmly and balance the skewer. Nothing should spin loose, and an even load turns smoothly.
4. Use the height lever. Keep the meat further from the coals while they're at their hottest, then bring it closer as the fire settles.
5. Check doneness with a thermometer. Chicken needs to hit at least 75°C in the thickest part.
6. Rest before carving. Then slice gyros-style cuts thin, straight off the skewer.

FAQs

Can I cook a whole lamb or pig on these?

No. All three are built for souvla, roasts, whole chickens and gyros-style cuts. For whole-animal cooks, look at our full-size spit rotisseries.

Are they charcoal or gas?

Charcoal only, with firebricks in the charcoal box to hold the heat steady.

Can the motors run on 12V?

Yes. All three have a dual voltage 12V/240V variable speed motor rated to 15kg.

What's the difference between a spit roaster with a hood and an open one?

The hood holds heat in, helps your charcoal go further and protects the cook from wind and rain. The hooded model also has a deeper 220mm firebox.

Can I cook on the top and bottom skewers at once?

Yes. Add a second motor and both levels can turn at the same time.

Your Next Cook-Up Starts Here

A good souvla BBQ isn't really about the gear. It's about the mates around the fire and the skewers everyone keeps coming back to. Pick the model that suits your space and the way you cook, load it up and let the coals do the talking.