Homestead_World

My last piggy is about 100 lbs right now I am guessing. He might be a tad heavier but I haven't gone out and measured him. DH and I are thinking about roasting him in a pig roaster. We thought about making one ourselves but we might end up finding one to rent. Has anyone here made one? Can it be done simply or is it just easier to rent one?

And 2ndly.. Should we invite people over for a picnic or hoard the meat to ourselves? does it freeze well if it has been cooked? WE thought about an end of summer picnic with a few family and friends but the cost of renting a roaster, the cost of the pig and feed, etc we would be really going all out in costs.

From this point we are just going to buy ready to butcher pigs and not mess around with raising them up so this is our last "little pig" as we hope to buy the rest at 150-225 lbs. I am kind of eager to be done with it. I have lost my passion to feed these critters 365 days a year. I much prefer chickens :P

But anyways... pig roasters.. any thoughts? advice? any one coming to dinner?

Roast pig is good eating!!

Many people prefer to just rent a roaster from a rent-to-own facility, especially for company picnics and other non-relative gatherings.

We have a family member (in-law) who owns a pre-made barrel type pig roaster that has trailer hitch and wheels. He uses it a couple times a year and loans it out half a dozen times a year. So it gets quite a nice work out every year.
I know of two friends who made their own, one with trailer hitch & wheels and one just a roaster on a stationary metal stand.
I once manufacturered the wire shelving for one of them out of 1/4" stainless x-wires spaced 1/2" apart and 5/16" stainless tie wires spaces 4" apart ...spot welded at all cross joints. Very heavy shelf, but simple to make with pre-cut wire and a jig. It helps to have access to a 250 KVA welder with 6" long copper electrodes.

Figure out how often you'd actually use one, and then check out pricing for all options (rent, outright purchase, or self-manufacture). Then decide what is your best option for the money!

Put him in a hangi! http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GGLR_enNZ276NZ276&q=hangi
When you think you have built a big enough fire, double it. When you think the rocks are hot enough, have a few more beers. When you think it is time to open the hangi, get on with the dancing!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9eb6JmG7JE