Beer can chicken has become an extremely popular way to cook a whole chicken on the grill This cooking method involves placing an open beer can in the chicken’s cavity before grilling it vertically The beer steams and infuses flavor while the chicken cooks, resulting in a juicy, tender and flavorful bird. But to get the best results from beer can chicken, most experts recommend using a specialized vertical roasting rack. So what exactly is a beer can chicken rack and why should you 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:
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Stable, wide base – The base needs to be heavy and wide enough to keep the vertical chicken from tipping over. Some models have stakes or spikes to anchor into the ground or grill surface.
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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
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Drip pan – A pan that sits on the base below the chicken to catch drippings. Some models may have a basket or tray instead.
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Secondary rack or shelves – Some racks have an upper grate for grilling vegetables above the chicken or side tables
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Handles – Handgrips on the side make the rack easier to maneuver and rotate during 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?
Cooking beer can chicken vertically on a rack provides several advantages over the classic method of simply 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:
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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.
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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.
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Examine the frame – Look for an upright frame that will fully support the chicken’s weight while holding the beer can firmly in position.
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Check for handles – Handles make rotating and moving the chicken much easier and safer. They’re highly recommended.
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Assess extras – If you want a drippings pan, secondary grilling area or side tables, select a rack with the features you value.
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Eye the material – High-quality, food-safe stainless steel is ideal. It’s durable, easy to clean and resists rust.
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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:
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Dry the chicken’s skin thoroughly and coat with oil or rub for crispy skin
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Use an open regular or tall boy beer can, not a twist off can
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Partially fill can with beer/liquid to limit spills
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Use tongs and heat-resistant gloves when handling hot rack
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Preheat grill with rack in place before adding chicken
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Cook over indirect medium heat around 350°F
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Rotate chicken every 30 mins for even browning
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Use a meat thermometer to check doneness
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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!
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?
The name “Koozie“, with a capital “K”, is a federally registered trademark in the United States, originally coined by Bob Autrey of San Antonio, Texas, and rights later sold to Radio Cap Corporation (RCC) as the KOOZIE in the early 1980s.
What does beer do to chicken when cooking?
The beer can also adds moisture and flavor to the chicken, while the steam created by the beer helps to keep the meat moist and tender.
What kind of beer is best for beer can chicken?
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. Certain recipes have a collegiate vibe, and beer can chicken sits on top of the heap as the most summery, college-campus-y of all.