Expert: John Langenfelder - 2/12/2009

Question
QUESTION: How do I cook a pig on a gas grill? Is it the same as on a charcoal grill?

ANSWER: Cooking on a gas grill is no different than cooking on a charcoal grill, provided all things are equal.  You need to maintain a low cooking temp (about 250 degrees).  Can you do indirect on the gas grill?  If not, you will constantly need to turn the pig.  All my pig cooking is done on indirect charcoal heat.  If my pig cooker had gas, it would be the same way.  Gas could be a little more efficient as you can control the temperature better.

What size pig or gas grill are we talking about?  The typical outdoor gas grill that is about 30X24?  You'll need a small pig (under 30 lbs for that).  Also, it will be difficult to do indirect on that type of gas grill since the pig will occupy all the space on the grill surface.  If you were to put a tray between the heat and the pig, filled with apple juice or other liquid, that would allow you to do indirect.

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QUESTION: We're talking a 75lb pig on a 48x36 gas grill with indirect heat. Can pig be basted in apple juice instead of vinegar? or would it be better to inject pig?

ANSWER: That should be fine (the grill size).  Basting a pig makes no sense unless you remove the skin.  Nothin is getting thorugh the skin and a pig (with skin) is self basting.  I have tried injecting but I think that a pig tastes great by itself.  I do put a rub on the underside, on the meat, but that is all. I generally put a pan of apple juice underneath the pig to allow the apple juice to slowly evaporate and that moisture to help baste the pig, but that is all.

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QUESTION: What type wire should I sandwich the pig in for easier handleing? and what is skin side up?

Answer
I assume that you have sent this again so:
Brett,

I don't using any wire to wrap the pig in.  I cook mine on a meadowcreek directly on the grate.  I know people have used chicken wire (a lot of it) or fencing type wire mesh.  The main reason to use a wire mesh is if you need to turn as the wire is directly below.  I believe you are doing indirect so that would not be necessary.  Check out: http://cuban-christmas.com/pigroast.html

skin side up is the top of the pig.  The belly cavity would be skin side down.