What Are Gyros Discs & How to Use Them | BBQ Essentials Explained

What Are Gyros Discs and Why Do You Need Them?

One of the most common questions we get both in-store and online is, “What are gyros discs, and why do I need them?” Understanding the role and importance of gyros discs is essential for anyone looking to achieve authentic, restaurant-quality results when cooking spit-roasted gyros at home.

What Is Gyros?

Before we dive into the function of gyros discs, let’s first clarify what gyros actually is.
Gyros is a classic Greek dish made from thinly sliced pieces of meat typically lamb shoulder or chicken thigh here in Australia  tightly stacked onto a spit. The meat is slowly cooked on a rotisserie, and as it turns, the outer layers are shaved off once they’re beautifully caramelised and cooked to perfection.

The Role of Gyros Discs

Gyros discs are specially designed accessories that secure the stacked meat tightly onto the spit skewer. Unlike standard rotisserie forks that use prongs to hold larger single cuts of meat, gyros discs are flat, circular plates that compress thin meat slices together. This unique design serves several important purposes:

• Securely Holds the Meat: When making gyros, it’s critical that the meat stays tightly packed throughout the cooking process. Gyros discs are positioned on each side of the meat stack and pressed together firmly. This keeps the meat compact, ensures even cooking, and prevents it from shifting or falling apart while roasting.

• Facilitates Easy Carving: One of the defining features of gyros is carving the meat directly from the spit as it cooks. After around 90 minutes, the outer layer of meat is usually ready to be shaved off. The flat surface of the gyros discs provides a smooth, safe edge to carve against, allowing clean, even slices without interference from prongs or spikes. This not only simplifies the carving process but also ensures consistent, perfectly cooked slices every time.

How to Use Gyros Discs

Using gyros discs is simple, but attention to detail will ensure the best cooking results:

1. Stack the Meat: Start by threading your thinly sliced meat onto the spit rod. Whether you’re using lamb or chicken, pack the slices tightly to enhance flavour and cooking efficiency.

2. Position the Discs: Place one gyros disc on each side of the meat stack. Wedge them together firmly — the goal is to compress the meat so it stays compact and cooks evenly.

3. Secure the Setup: Push the discs in as tightly as possible so the meat doesn’t loosen or shift while turning.

4. Carve and Enjoy: Once the outer layer is cooked, use a sharp knife to shave the meat off against the flat surface of the disc. Continue roasting and carving in stages until all the meat is cooked and ready to serve.

Why Invest in Gyros Discs?

If you’re serious about spit roasting and want to recreate the authentic gyros experience, gyros discs are an essential investment. They make the process smoother, safer, and more efficient while ensuring your final result is juicy, evenly cooked, and perfectly sliced. For anyone aiming to elevate their home rotisserie setup, gyros discs are a small accessory that make a huge difference.

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