Are there any people in here that cook on a Caja China?

[Nole Daddy]

The Cuban box for cooking whole pigs. I have been around pig roasts my whole life, and I have cooked about 3 or 4 pigs over the years. They have all come out great, but it has been a few years. I always borrowed a Caja China, but I am excited because I bought my own and will be cooking a pig soon. Anyone have one or cooked on one and have some suggestions ? Thanks.

 

[Fijimn]

A former neighbor bought one and it was fun to use. Temperature control was an issue, we used too much charcoal and burnt a lot of the cracklins' which was disappointing. If I got a chance to use it again, i'd probably had have a couple of temp. probes inside the box to avoid hot spots.

 

[Nole Daddy]

A former neighbor bought one and it was fun to use. Temperature control was an issue, we used too much charcoal and burnt a lot of the cracklins' which was disappointing. If I got a chance to use it again, i'd probably had have a couple of temp. probes inside the box to avoid hot spots.

Did you cook a pig? I never had a problem with the pigs I cooked before, but that is all I have done in one. I will probably go with a few turkeys for Thanksgiving after pig.

 

[Fijimn]

Yes, whole hog during a mardi gras party. We probably had too much stuff going on and too many hurricanes which caused a hot spot. The neighbor moved away, he was going to leave me the caja china, but never ended up working out.

On the Ugly Delicious episode in Houston, one of the local chefs did a whole hog bbq vietnamese style and then tried a vietnamese style pulled pork on the BGE. So we have been doing that style of bbq lately and it's been really good. The chinese box would work well with that style....

 

[ericram]

I often thought about renting one for a tailgate day, but unfortunately no one rents them in Tallahassee.

 

[Nole Daddy]

I often thought about renting one for a tailgate day, but unfortunately no one rents them in Tallahassee.

That’s exactly where I am going with this. I actually have never seen anyone use one for a game, but I am sure it has been done. I will probably bring it up for the Spring Game next year and do one. I will have the time; can feed a ton of people; and will probably never go into the game itself.

 

[Fijimn]

That’s exactly where I am going with this. I actually have never seen anyone use one for a game, but I am sure it has been done. I will probably bring it up for the Spring Game next year and do one. I will have the time; can feed a ton of people; and will probably never go into the game itself.

The main concern we had cooking with it at a part was the exposed heat. Lots of drinking, kids...made me a little nervous about some dumb ass tripping over it and burning himself. My homeowner's underwriter would have a field day knowing about this risk

 

[ericram]

That’s exactly where I am going with this. I actually have never seen anyone use one for a game, but I am sure it has been done. I will probably bring it up for the Spring Game next year and do one. I will have the time; can feed a ton of people; and will probably never go into the game itself.

count me in for next year's spring game!!

I thought about buying one, but transporting it was the issue there too.

 

[Nole Daddy]

count me in for next year's spring game!!

I thought about buying one, but transporting it was the issue there too.

You would need a big cooler for sure.

 

[Nole Daddy]

I suck at putting pics up, but I will figure it out and post pics when I do it. I also have some pics of my last one which turned out great.

 

[Nole Daddy]

The main concern we had cooking with it at a part was the exposed heat. Lots of drinking, kids...made me a little nervous about some dumb ass tripping over it and burning himself. My homeowner's underwriter would have a field day knowing about this risk

That’s a big concern and I would have to rope off a big area if I brought it up to Tally. When I have done them at my house I have a policy of no kids around it, and I had it away from the party. I had less room back then so it was not easy. Now I have a larg back yard and will keep it away from all kids and people in general.

 

[ericram]

The main concern we had cooking with it at a part was the exposed heat. Lots of drinking, kids...made me a little nervous about some dumb ass tripping over it and burning himself. My homeowner's underwriter would have a field day knowing about this risk

You worry too much about dumb asses. I would worry about ruining the cook.

 

[Fijimn]

You worry too much about dumb asses. I would worry about ruining the cook.

When you have a lot of assets, you tend to worry about what dumb asses do.....your homeowners policy won't cover a claim if it happens at a tailgate.

 

[Nole Daddy]

count me in for next year's spring game!!

I thought about buying one, but transporting it was the issue there too.

Come on by. Last year I had a bunch of people from the TC stop by for some shenanigans. Hope to do a pig, but even if I don’t it will be great.

 

[noleforever95]

I suck at putting pics up, but I will figure it out and post pics when I do it. I also have some pics of my last one which turned out great.

My man...

 

[ericram]

Come on by. Last year I had a bunch of people from the TC stop by for some shenanigans. Hope to do a pig, but even if I don’t it will be great.

Deal, will bring @AllNoles in tow too!

 

[Nole Daddy]

My man...

Thanks so much for posting my pics. So I have the before and after, and it was delicious. I hope my next one comes out as good.

 

[noleforever95]

Thanks so much for posting my pics. So I have the before and after, and it was delicious. I hope my next one comes out as good.

You got it, bud. Looks excellent! I bet one would be outstanding in lot 5 this fall

 

[Nole Daddy]

That and some moonshine

 

[noleforever95]

That and some moonshine

You know it!

 

[FreeFlyNole]

I am on my second one. One of my best friend's is Venezuelan but his wife is Cuban. I grew up eating whole pigs cooked off one. About 15 years ago, we built one at his house. Then about 10 years ago when the commercial version came out I bought one. They aren't made all that well and it eventually rusted out after about 6 years. My 4 year old one has a hunting season or two left on it.

I'd say I've cooked about 30 pigs over the years, a couple of whole lambs and a couple of goats. I've put whole skin on pork butts and shoulders and about a hundred chickens. They are really great if you're looking to feed a lot of people.

I posted a few pics below. It's super easy to do. I do it one of three ways. I make a hawaiian huli huli sauce, or a cuban mojo criollo sauce, or just salt pepper and olive oil. The mojo seems to be the best and most popular.

I can honestly say some of the happiest and best days of my life with family and friends have been when I've cooked a pig. It's a great way to spend a day. I've drug that box up to a few tailgates at FSU too.

 

[FreeFlyNole]

 

[Nole Daddy]

I am on my second one. One of my best friend's is Venezuelan but his wife is Cuban. I grew up eating whole pigs cooked off one. About 15 years ago, we built one at his house. Then about 10 years ago when the commercial version came out I bought one. They aren't made all that well and it eventually rusted out after about 6 years. My 4 year old one has a hunting season or two left on it.

I'd say I've cooked about 30 pigs over the years, a couple of whole lambs and a couple of goats. I've put whole skin on pork butts and shoulders and about a hundred chickens. They are really great if you're looking to feed a lot of people.

You have to take care of them for sure, or you won’t get many years out of it. And I love how the pig comes out. Very good and a fun experience to cook them.

 

[Nole Daddy]

Great pics and thanks for sharing.

 

[RunRonnieRun]

I dig your boy's long jorts.

 

[FreeFlyNole]

I dig your boy's long jorts.

When you cook a pig you can't always help who shows up. That was at our bi-annual family reunion, so sad to say, that is a cousin of mine.

 

[Nole Daddy]

When you cook a pig you can't always help who shows up. That was at our bi-annual family reunion, so sad to say, that is a cousin of mine.

When you cook a pig you better invite a crap load of people to eat the dang thing.

 

[RunRonnieRun]

When you cook a pig you can't always help who shows up. That was at our bi-annual family reunion, so sad to say, that is a cousin of mine.

Cuz knows how to party.

 

[FreeFlyNole]

Cuz knows how to party.

Pretty much everybody in my family gets loose when there is free booze and hog.

Point of note: As the Chef, I pretty much get my pick of the meats. The day of the roast, I eat the cheeks, some bacon and skin. That is all. The crispy skin is like pork candy. If you've never had it you have spent a hollow empty life.

 

[Nole Daddy]

Pretty much everybody in my family gets loose when there is free booze and hog.

Point of note: As the Chef, I pretty much get my pick of the meats. The day of the roast, I eat the cheeks, some bacon and skin. That is all. The crispy skin is like pork candy. If you've never had it you have spent a hollow empty life.

The skin is so good. I am mostly full from the skin by the time I get to the meat.

 

[Nole Daddy]

There have to be some Cubans in here that cook on one. Jump in the thread.

 

[PoopandBoogers]

I can honestly say some of the happiest and best days of my life with family and friends have been when I've cooked a pig. It's a great way to spend a day. I've drug that box up to a few tailgates at FSU too.

I can attest to this. Here are a few pics I took when you did one for the miami game a few yrs ago. This is what happens- before/after

No lie, a few hrs later after our win, this was my text to another fsu buddy.

"Gonna drjnkb the wotm"

 

[SeaPA]

I can attest to this. Here are a few pics I took when you did one for the miami game a few yrs ago. This is what happens- before/after
"Gonna drjnkb the wotm"

Monte Alban has wrecked a few of my "day-afters." First one is pretty harsh going down, 2nd a little easier; after that you have the illusion that it's really smooth - right up until you wake up the next afternoon.

 

[Nole Daddy]

I can attest to this. Here are a few pics I took when you did one for the miami game a few yrs ago. This is what happens- before/after

No lie, a few hrs later after our win, this was my text to another fsu buddy.

"Gonna drjnkb the wotm"

Cooking a pig is an experience and to me a time of bonding with family and friends.

 

[Nole Daddy]

@FreeFlyNole hey what do you use to season/ marinate your pigs in?

 

[RTM58]

Um, this. If you're gonna cook for Cubanos,you gotta have sour oranges in the marinade. For the gringos, you can never have enough garlic. You MUST also serve plantains. Not doings so is a mortal sins.

 

[Nole Daddy]

Um, this. If you're gonna cook for Cubanos,you gotta have sour oranges in the marinade. For the gringos, you can never have enough garlic. You MUST also serve plantains. Not doings so is a mortal sins.

Funny you bring in the mojo naranja.

So my marinade is regular mojo; Mojo naranja; cumin; garlic; and salt. I also salt the hell of the outside of the pig.

 

[RTM58]

Funny you bring in the mojo naranja.

So my marinade is regular mojo; Mojo naranja; cumin; garlic; and salt. I also salt the hell of the outside of the pig.

You should be able find sour oranges around town.

#PorkCandy

 

[ericram]

Pretty much everybody in my family gets loose when there is free booze and hog.

Point of note: As the Chef, I pretty much get my pick of the meats. The day of the roast, I eat the cheeks, some bacon and skin. That is all. The crispy skin is like pork candy. If you've never had it you have spent a hollow empty life.

And yet no drunk idiots or kids have tipped it over. go figure.

 

[Nole Daddy]

Where are the Cubans in this damn thread ?