Saturday, August 28, 2010

Beer Can Chicken

Beer Can Chicken

Well, the end of summer is almost here. To hear the kids tell it, "the end" has already happened because they are back in school. First, summer doesn't officially end until September 21st. Second, if it's still eighty-plus degrees outside and the air conditioning is still cranking, it is still summer. I have seen Chicago summers go well into the third week of October. Either way, time flies. And I had yet to make Beer Can Chicken in Summer 2010, so before it starts getting dark too early (already sort of happening!) and before I'm wearing a sweater and jeans while BBQ-ing. I thought it would be best if I got right on it.

This is the silly thing...it seems like such an adventure. But, if you want a CHEAP adventure, this IS your game! The chicken was $3 (on sale), ten red potatoes $2.33, and green beans 46 cents. Split this between two adults? $2.90 per person...for dinner, not lunch! Can't beat that...

So, how do you grill a Beer Can Chicken? This is about the fifth one I've done, so I will share the steps.

I have a charcoal grill. When you grill something like burgers that will take about twenty minutes at the most, you will not need a lot of charcoal. But chicken on the bone or a whole chicken takes an hour or longer, so more charcoal is needed.

Time I lit the coals: 5 pm



Here, I have my grill started. I have one of those grills with a pot at the bottom where I put newspaper to feed the fire. I put the coals in a triangular shape add lighter fluid, light, and add twigs to get the fire going. Keep an eye on it and move coals with prongs as necessary to keep it evenly going. If it dies out completely, re-light but be very careful to stand back as it will re-light SUPER quickly and viciously. Lighter fluid IS DANGEROUS.


Woods chips are soaking in water to add to fire. Not necessary for burgers, not necessary for bratwurst or pork chops, but chicken? YES. You need something to keep the fire going. Soak a cup of these for maybe twenty minutes before grilling. While the grill is getting hot, it is now time to prepare the chicken.

Remove the chicken from packaging and take gizzards, etc. out of chicken's body cavity. Wash inside and outside with water and dry off with a paper towel.


The star of the show: the CHICKEN! and his (her?) counterpart bought on E-Bay, the beer holder.


Some simple spices...salt, pepper, and BBQ rub!

Sprinkle salt, pepper, and whatever other seasoning or rub you wish onto chicken's cavity and outside.


Chicken all spiced up


Spray chicken AND beer holder with Crisco butter spray. No need to spray beer bottle. The beer is being poured into the beer holder!



It is now about 5:40 pm. The coals are almost done turning gray, and the last sticks I threw in there are still a little on fire. We need to do two things next to get the grill ready: Put the coals in a circle and add the wood chips. Note on this...IF you were just making burgers, brats, or pork chops, no circle necessary and no wood chips. ONLY because this is chicken on the bone and it takes longer to cook do you need to go through these steps.


Move these around with a long-handled metal prong. And be careful...



Throw in wood chips by handful. And it will burn well for another five minutes.


OFF OF GRILL, prepare beer holder and chicken (while wood chips are burning)

Fill beer holder about 3/4 full or place a beer can which is 3/4 full in place for chicken to rest upon


Chicken on grill OFF of grill...set up off to side before actually placing on top of fire



Here we go...ready to grill!

Put lid on when centered.

Time: 5:50 pm


One side...green beans


Second side: red potatoes


Cut up potatoes into fourths. Spray with butter Crisco. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and parsley flakes.


Spray veggie griller with butter Crisco and load potatoes in. Spray taters with more butter Crisco and season more if wedges are showing with no seasoning.

Time placed on grill: 6:30 pm


Here is chicken with the taters getting nicely done. If fire seems to be dwindling and needs to a little kick, poke the chicken all around so juices flow out. Also turn the potatoes so they cook evenly.

This is about 6:45 pm

Next we will add the green beans to the potatoes. And the gizzards for our dog, Bear. If you love your dog, grill him/her the gizzards. We're not exactly making gravy tonight...



Dinner done 7:30 pm


ENJOY!!!!

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