Traditional ovens have rotisseries as a standard features. They are usually detachable, so you can pull them out, poke them into your meat or vegetables, and slot them back into place. If your BBQ doesn’t have its own rotisserie, you can solve the problem with wooden skewers or re-usable metal ones. The same principle applies to Webers.

If your BBQ doesn’t have skewer attachments, you can buy disposables or re-usables. A better option is to buy designated Weber skewers. They are specially designed to be used with Weber BBQs, and are made of high quality rust-proof materials.

It’s important to keep your rotisserie clean, in order to avoid contaminating your food. You can clean Weber rotisseries using a Weber grill brush and Weber cleaning fluid. You can also coat them with Weber metal protectant. In addition to your rotisserie, you can buy Weber skewers. So how do you decide on the best rotisserie for your barbequing needs?

Think about size

Weber BBQs come in different dimensions, depending on their series and type. For example, Weber Smokey Mountain Cookers range in diameter from 37cm to 57 cm. Some Webers have circular cook surfaces while others are rectangular. Wire grills are shaped to match the design of the cook surface, but this doesn’t really apply to rotisseries.

That said, size does matter. You want a rotisserie that will fit snuggly on the surface of your BBQ. If you’re not sure about the size of your BBQ, you could measure it out to confirm the best length of rotisserie to purchase. For a skewer, the length will depend on how many portions you want to cook at a time, but rotisseries need to stretch across the BBQ without falling in or creating excess overhang, which might tip their balance and drop the food.

Electric vs manual

A rotisserie doesn’t sit directly on the cook surface. It’s often suspended some distance above the source of heat. In some types of BBQ, it has to be supported on a hollow elevated platform which is then placed on the cooktop. If your rotisserie is manual, you need to turn it from time to time, so that your food cooks through. Pick a rotisserie with an insulated, easy-to-grip handle to avoid burning yourself and ease you barbequing process.

On the other hand, if you’d prefer to haveyour rotisserie spun automatically, you can buy an electric version. It comes in various models with an earthed plug and can be quite convenient. Its only downside is it can’t be used outdoors unless you have a really long extension cord. You also need to be careful when cleaning it, to avoid electrocution.

Maintenance required

How often do you BBQ, and are you willing to dismantle and wash your rotisserie each time? Electric rotisseries consist of a rotary spit, detachable spit forks, and a raised platform. All these pieces need to be cleaned individually, dried, and then reassembled. And all this has to be done while keeping the rotisserie motor dry.

If that sounds like a lot of work, you might be better offer buying a set of stainless steel Weber skewers. They’re sturdier than mass-produced re-usable skewers, and they’re dishwasher-safe, which makes your maintenance much easier. You can even buy a Weber grill rack to elevate your skewers above the heat source

Count your burners

Certain types of Webers have cooktops with burners. These include the Spirit and Genesis series of BBQ units. Weber has designed rotisseries specifically to go with these BBQs. They have spit forks positioned to ‘float’ above the burners, so the more burners you have, the more forks you have, and the longer your rotisserie.

The power output of your electric rotisserie motor is also determined by the number of burners your BBQ has. As you shop, double-check the model of your Weber, then ask if your supplier has a specific rotisserie for that particular Weber. If they don’t, they can advise you on which rotisserie is compatible with your BBQ.

Whichever rotisserie you settle on, you can keep it in good condition by cleaning it after every use with Weber cleaning fluid. While you’re cooking with it, use a Weber basting brush to keep your food moist and ensure a crispy, well-cooked result.