How to Choose the Right Spit Rotisserie for Your Backyard Feasts

Author: Caleb Barker  Date Posted:19 August 2025 

This image shows Flaming Coals Cyprus Spit Rotisserie, Mini Spit Rotisserie and Hooded Spartan Spit Rotisserie

There’s nothing more impressive or delicious than a whole lamb, chicken, or pork roast slowly turning over hot charcoal. It’s not just a meal; it’s an event.

But if you’re looking to bring that theatre and flavour to your backyard, you’ll need the right spit rotisserie to do the job. Not all spit roasters are built the same, and choosing the wrong one can mean uneven cooking, underpowered motors, or gear that buckles under the heat.

At Flaming Coals, spit roasting is our specialty. We’ve helped thousands of Aussies find the perfect setup for their cooking style and backyard space. So here’s your no-BS guide to picking the right spit rotisserie from weekend warriors to whole-animal roasters.


What to Consider Before You Buy

Before diving into specs, ask yourself:

 What do you want to cook?

  • Chickens, roasts, and small cuts: A compact spit or basket rotisserie will do.
  • Whole lambs, pigs, or goats: You’ll need a heavy duty setup with solid support and a powerful motor.

 

BBQ spit rotisserie cooking options showing whole chickens, a pork roast with vegetables, and a whole lamb roasting on a spit, with text 'What do you want to cook?

 How often will you use it?

  • Occasional cooks: A portable or entry-level spit may be fine.
  • Frequent cooks or entertaining: Invest in durability and features that will last.

 Where will you be cooking?

  • Balcony or patio? Go for compact or stainless steel to resist rust.
  • Backyard with space? Larger freestanding rotisseries give you more flexibility.

Key Features to Look For in a Spit Rotisserie

Not all rotisseries are built for charcoal cooking or built to last. Here's what to look for when choosing a quality unit:

 1. Solid Frame Construction

Choose heavy duty stainless or powder-coated steel. Thin, flimsy frames can buckle under the weight of meat or warp from the heat.

Flaming Coals Advantage:
Our frames are designed for real fire cooking, rigid, reinforced, and built for Aussie conditions.

 2. Motor Strength

This is critical. The motor needs enough torque to spin your meat slowly and evenly even under heavy load.

Look for:

  • Minimum 10kg capacity for baskets and chickens
  • 30kg+ for whole lambs or pigs
  • Options for battery, 240v mains, or dual-power

Spit rotisserie motor capacity guide showing 10kg, 30kg, 60kg, and 120kg BBQ spit motors

Flaming Coals Advantage:
We offer motors up to 60kg load capacity, with low RPM gearboxes designed for consistent slow turning and minimal wear.

 3. Adjustability

To cook evenly, you need control over your setup.

Look for:

Flaming Coals Advantage:
Our systems are modular, meaning you can upgrade or adapt your setup with chicken cages, gyros discs, baskets, and more.

 4. Charcoal Compatibility

Not all rotisseries are made for charcoal cooking. Some are gas only, while others don’t offer proper airflow or ash control.

Flaming Coals Advantage:
Our units are made for open charcoal cooking, with optional fire trays, wind shields, and adjustable fire grates for heat control.

5. Easy Cleaning and Maintenance

The easier it is to clean, the more you’ll use it.

Look for:

  • Removable drip trays
  • Easy disassembly
  • Stainless steel components that resist rust

Flaming Coals Advantage:
We design our gear for real-life use with no complex assembly or hard to clean parts.

Popular Spit Rotisseries from Flaming Coals

Here are some of our best sellers and what they’re perfect for:

Flaming Coals Cyprus Spit

  • Great for: Souvla style cooking, skewers, small whole animals
  • Why it's loved: Multi skewer system, authentic flavour, portable

Cyprus spit rotisserie grill cooking skewers of meat and vegetables with wooden handles.

Deluxe Portable Spit Roaster with Windshield (SP018)

  • Great for: Whole lambs, pork shoulders 
  • Why it's loved: Easy setup, solid motor, built in charcoal pan

Two seasoned whole chickens roasting on a charcoal spit rotisserie BBQ with smoke rising.

Spartan Windshield or Hood

  • Great for: Spit roasting
  • Why it's loved: All in one setup for year round use

Whole lamb roasting on a Flaming Coals Spartan Spit Roaster with stainless steel motor and carving in progress.

Heavy Duty Spit Roaster -  Flaming Coals Warrior Series

  • Great for: Hardcore pitmasters and caterers
  • Why it's loved: Unmatched durability, massive capacity, pro grade performance

Whole pig roasting on a Flaming Coals Warrior Spit Roaster over charcoal

Accessories That Make It Even Better

  • Want to get the most from your rotisserie? Consider adding:
  • Spit baskets for ribs, chickens, and roasts
  • Gyros discs for authentic kebabs
  • Fire trays or braseros for faster charcoal management
  • Digital thermometers for perfect doneness
  • Drip trays to catch fat and keep your area clean

Ready to Start Spit Roasting Like a Pro?

Choosing the right spit rotisserie makes all the difference between average BBQ and unforgettable feasts. Whether you're roasting for two or twenty, Flaming Coals has the gear to get you turning.

Explore our full range of spit rotisseries here
Or chat with our team to find your perfect setup