What is a Beer Can Chicken Rack and Why Should You Use One?

Beer can chicken is a very popular way to cook a whole chicken on the grill. To make it, you put an open beer can inside the chicken and then grill it vertically. The beer steams and adds flavor while the chicken cooks, making it extra juicy, tender, and tasty. But most experts say that a special vertical roasting rack is the best way to cook beer can chicken. What is a beer can chicken rack, and why would you want to use one?

What is a Beer Can Chicken Rack?

A beer can chicken rack, also called a vertical chicken roaster or poultry stand, is a rack designed specifically for grilling chicken vertically over an open beer can. It’s a metal stand with a base and an upright frame for holding the chicken upright on top of a beer can.

There are a few common features of most beer can chicken racks:

  • Stable, wide base—The base must be heavy and big enough to keep the chicken from falling over. Some styles come with spikes or stakes that you can use to secure them in the ground or on the grill.

  • Vertical metal frame – This provides support for keeping the chicken upright and holds the beer can in place. It’s often adjustable to fit different sized birds

  • Drip pan – A pan that sits on the base below the chicken to catch drippings. Some models may have a basket or tray instead.

  • Secondary rack or shelves – Some racks have an upper grate for grilling vegetables above the chicken or side tables

  • Handles—Side handgrips make it easier to move and turn the rack while grilling.

So in short, a beer can chicken rack is a vertical stand that firmly supports and holds a chicken upright on a beer can to allow for vertical roasting. It provides stability and makes beer can chicken much easier and safer to execute.

Why Should You Use a Beer Can Chicken Rack?

There are several reasons why cooking beer can chicken vertically on a rack is better than the traditional method of just balancing the bird on an open beer can:

Prevents Tip-Overs

One of the biggest perks of using a rack is stability. The wide, heavy base combined with an upright frame prevents accidental tip-overs of the chicken. The vertical positioning remains solid and secure from start to finish.

Allows Even Cooking

The vertical orientation enables even 360-degree cooking of the chicken. The rack design allows hot air to fully circulate around the bird rather than just radiating from below. This results in crispier skin and evenly cooked meat.

Makes Handling Easier & Safer

A rack with sturdy handles makes rotating the chicken to promote browning much easier. It also provides a firm grip for transporting the hot chicken to and from the grill safely. The fixed frame protects your hands from burns and messy spills.

Holds Liquids Securely

The stand firmly holds the beer can or other liquids upright and in place for the duration of cooking. You don’t have to worry about the can falling over or liquids spilling out.

Provides Extra Cooking Space

Some racks have an upper grate for grilling sides like vegetables above the chicken or side shelves for food prep. This gives you extra cooking real estate when making a full meal.

Allows Smoking & Roasting Too

While designed for beer can chicken, most racks can also be used for vertical roasting or smoking whole birds and small roasts or hams. Their versatility expands your cooking options.

How to Choose the Right Beer Can Chicken Rack

If you’re sold on getting a rack for your next beer can chicken, choosing the right model for your needs is important for success. Here are some tips for picking out the best rack:

  • Consider size – Choose a rack that will accommodate the size of chicken you typically cook, with a bit of room to spare. Adjustable racks allow flexibility.

  • Mind the base – Pick a rack with a wide, sturdy base that can handle the weight of a large bird without tipping. Anchor stakes help too.

  • Examine the frame – Look for an upright frame that will fully support the chicken’s weight while holding the beer can firmly in position.

  • Check for handles – Handles make rotating and moving the chicken much easier and safer. They’re highly recommended.

  • Assess extras – If you want a drippings pan, secondary grilling area or side tables, select a rack with the features you value.

  • Eye the material – High-quality, food-safe stainless steel is ideal. It’s durable, easy to clean and resists rust.

  • Know your grill – Make sure the rack dimensions fit your grill size and consider lower racks if using a kamado style grill.

5 Top Beer Can Chicken Racks

To give you a better idea of what’s out there, here are 5 top-rated beer can chicken racks to consider:

1. Polder Vertical Chicken Roaster

  • Sturdy stainless steel frame
  • Wide base with spikes for added stability
  • Integrated pan catches drippings
  • Handles make rotating easy
  • Accommodates chickens up to 5 lbs

2. Weber Style Beer Can Chicken Poultry Roaster

  • Iconic Weber quality and design
  • Rust-resistant aluminum construction
  • Holds up to a 12 lb chicken
  • Lower shelf for vegetables or charcoal
  • No-tip rotating base

3. Party Grilling Beer Can Chicken Roaster

  • 100% food-grade stainless steel
  • Tall frame keeps chicken well above drippings
  • Handles for easy maneuvering
  • Bonus 5 kabob skewers included
  • Fits up to 7 lb chicken

4. Cave Tools Can-Can Chicken Roaster

  • Tempered steel construction
  • Extra-wide no-wobble base
  • Integrated pan catches drippings
  • Fits chickens up to 6 lbs
  • 1-year warranty

5. Char-Broil Cooler Beer Can Chicken Roaster

  • Insulated cooler base keeps beer chilled
  • Handles for easy transport
  • Stainless steel upright with handy tool hooks
  • Adjustable chicken holder
  • Fits up to 14 lb chickens

Tips for Using Your Beer Can Chicken Rack

Once you’ve got your rack, here are some tips to ensure perfect beer can chicken every time:

  • Dry the chicken’s skin thoroughly and coat with oil or rub for crispy skin

  • Use an open regular or tall boy beer can, not a twist off can

  • Partially fill can with beer/liquid to limit spills

  • Use tongs and heat-resistant gloves when handling hot rack

  • Preheat grill with rack in place before adding chicken

  • Cook over indirect medium heat around 350°F

  • Rotate chicken every 30 mins for even browning

  • Use a meat thermometer to check doneness

  • Let chicken rest 10 mins before carefully removing from rack

So grab a great beer can chicken rack and you’ll be ready to grill up the juiciest, most flavorful and impressive backyard birds. Just be prepared for all your family and friends to start requesting your signature beer can masterpieces anytime they visit!

what is a beer can chicken rack

Select The Smoke Wood

Use 3 chunks of apple smoke wood. Each chunk should be small, for example 3″ x 2″ x 2″ or similar. Cherry, oak, or other mild fruit wood can be used if apple is not available.

There is no need to soak the wood or remove the bark before use.

Fire-up the cooker using the Minion Method. Fill the charcoal chamber 1/2 full with unlit Kingsford Charcoal Briquets. Light 20-40 briquettes using a Weber chimney starter and spread them over the unlit charcoal.

Put the water pan in the cooker and fill it with cold tap water to help with temperature control.

Assemble the cooker, add the smoke wood chunks, and put the chickens back-to-back on the top cooking grate.

Set the 3 bottom vents to 100% open. Open the top vent fully and leave it that way throughout the entire cook.

When the cooker reaches about 225°F, set the 3 bottom vents to 25% open so the cooker settles in at 225-250°F measured at the lid. Adjust the 3 bottom vents as necessary to maintain this temperature range throughout the cooking session.

Cook for 2 hours, then baste the chickens with apple juice using a spray bottle. To make sure the chickens are cooking evenly, rotate them by carefully turning the grate 180°.

Cook for another hour, then baste again with apple juice.

Cook for another 30 minutes to 1 hour, then check the internal meat temperature using an instant-read thermometer. The chicken is done when the breast meat registers 160-165°F and the thigh registers 170-175°F.

There should be no need to add water to the pan during the cooking session.

Here’s how the cooker temperatures and vent settings went during my cook:

Time Lid Temp Vent 1 % Vent 2 % Vent 3 %
1:00 pm 100 100 100
1:15 pm 220 25 25 25
1:30 pm 215 25 25 25
1:45 pm 220 25 25 25
2:00 pm 229 25 25 25
2:15 pm 236 15 15 15
2:30 pm 235 15 15 15
3:00 pm (r)(b) 235 15 15 15
3:30 pm 230 15 15 15
4:00 pm (b) 235 15 15 15
4:30 pm 242 10 10 10
5:00 pm 232 10 10 10

(r) rotated meat (b) basted with premium apple juice

Note that the vent percentages represent the way I set the vents at the time indicated.

Using heat-resistant gloves, remove the chickens carefully from the cooker and let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Since the beer in the can will be very hot, make sure to support the can as you lift the chicken off the grate. You can do this with your gloved hand, or you can grasp the can with tongs to support the chicken from below while using your other gloved hand to steady the chicken.

To remove the can, hold the chicken at a slight angle in the palm of one gloved hand, grasp the can with your other gloved hand, twist the can back and forth to loosen it, and pull it out carefully. Do this over the sink or a rimmed baking sheet pan to catch any spills.

Select And Prep The Chickens

Purchase two whole chickens weighing 3-1/2 to 4 pounds each. Remove the neck and giblets from the body cavity and pat dry inside and out with paper towels. Trim any excess fat from around the body cavity opening. Fold the wing tips back under the chicken to keep them from burning.

Best of both worlds with the beer can chicken rack

FAQ

What is a beer can holder called?

Bob Autrey of San Antonio, Texas, came up with the name “Koozie” with a capital “K.” It is a federally registered trademark in the United States. In the early 1980s, Radio Cap Corporation (RCC) bought the rights to use the name as the KOOZIE.

What does beer do to chicken when cooking?

The beer can also taste better and add moisture to the chicken. The steam it makes helps keep the meat tender and moist.

What kind of beer is best for beer can chicken?

For beer can chicken, a lager, pilsner, or light-bodied ale is generally recommended. These beers have a mild flavor profile that won’t overpower the chicken or leave a bitter aftertaste, especially when paired with a flavorful rub.

Is beer can chicken a southern thing?

While the origins of this unusual-yet-iconic dish are murky, everyone seems to agree that beer can chicken was created in the South. Here are some recipes that make you think of college. Beer can chicken is the most summery and college-campus-like of all of them.

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