Roasting Whole Hog

[BrandonH]

I searched past threads and found some info, but still had a few questions. I'm planning on roasting a whole hog for Easter and trying to get my thoughts in order so I'm prepared. I've cooked small 10-15# pigs before on a regular pit, but this one will be close to 40-60#. I have a pen full of pigs that have been on feed for 3 months now, so I'll just pick one from the bunch and butcher it the week of. I'd imagine cooking with skin on would be ideal, but I admit I've never cleaned one and left the skin on. I've heard stories from my grandparents about boiling water and scraping them, but is there an easier way?

I'm also trying to decide what the best way to cook this thing. Here are a few different ideas I've found online. Of course the open plan is much cheaper than enclosed, but I have no idea how well either will work. Any ideas?

[bigbad243]

Any of those types of cookers will work, but you need to keep the skin on it.

[BrandonH]

Any of those types of cookers will work, but you need to keep the skin on it.

Any tips on cleaning with the skin on?

[bigbad243]

No I buy them at the butcher house ready to go, maybe one can take the hair off for you? Here are some links of ones I have done:
http://discussions.texasbowhunter.co...&highlight=pig
http://discussions.texasbowhunter.co...&highlight=pig

[BrandonH]

No I buy them at the butcher house ready to go, maybe one can take the hair off for you? Here are some links of ones I have done:

http://discussions.texasbowhunter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=568738&highlight=pig

http://discussions.texasbowhunter.co...&highlight=pig

Thanks.


This may be a crazy idea, but what if I shaved the entire pig with an electric clipper then took a torch and burned the stubble left behind? I'd have to constantly be moving the flame so I wouldn't get any area too hot.

[Maui-diver]

Following...Great links posted as well. Thanks guys

[muzzlebrake]

55 gal barrel of boiling hot water and dip the whole hog in it until the skin turns white and the hair starts slipping. Take hog out and scrap with a butcher knife until all hair is gone. It's a PITA to get it all. I guess that was why us kids had that job at hog killing time back on the farm. I sure did enjoy them fresh cracklings though.

[seminole1990]

must scald them which is a PITA. BUT...saw on an episode where the meat-eater guy killed a hog and then burnt the hair off in a small flame camp fire. Seems to work. I'd like to try it.

[iamntxhunter]

Watch some YouTube videos on how to do it as there are a few different ways of getting the hair off.

[seminole1990]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lO2I6D6t92c

Youtube has a few videos on it. good luck

[seminole1990]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhHHryYTEcc

Got a fork lift and big steel barrel?

[alwaysinshorts]

I am in for pictures. I love this kind of thing

[Etxnoodler]

55 gallon barrel water temp 150 not boiling. Dip hog in water and keep it moving. Check at about 3 minutes to see if hair pulls easy if not put it back in. Should be 3-5 minutes. It's some work but worth it on tame hogs. Never tried a wild hog. If you get the water too hot the hair will not come out easily.

[alwaysinshorts]

I would like to rotate a whole pig but can't find a large enough rotisserie. Does anyone have an idea of where to get one? If you YouTube it there are tons of home made things but I think they are past my expertise

[Stins]

I did a skin off wild hog in my Cajun microwave and it turned out great. I did inject it though. Took about 6 hours to cook.