A rotisserie configured for roasting meat cuts or meat mass comprising a horizontal surface, a horizontal spit configured for translational movement above said horizontal surface, and at least one heating zone.

A control system for use with an outdoor cooking apparatus may include a hub and an axle housing adapted to slidably couple with a hub. The control system may also include a motor mounted at or near the upper end of the axle housing and an axle mechanically coupled to the motor and extending through the axle housing to a free end emerging from the lower end of the axle housing. The control system may also include a support coupling attached to the free end of the axle, the support coupling being adapted to support a food support below the axle housing. The axle housing may be selectively arranged and secured relative to the sleeve to position the height of the support coupling relative to the lower end of the axle housing and the axle may rotate about its longitudinal axis when the motor is turned on.

An outdoor cooking device such as a barbeque is described. It has a cooking section and a support to elevate the cooking section. It has one or more heating elements, at least one food holder, having a spindle, at least one sensor and at least one motor. The sensor comprises measuring means configured to weigh a corresponding one of the plurality of food holders and/or measure thickness of food that is held thereby. A controller is provided (locally or in combination with a wireless handset) to control the motor(s) to turn the spindle of the food holder based on a weight of the food holder and/or thickness of the food.

A system and method for cooking food on a rotisserie in a conventional oven includes setting an oven thermostat to a desired cooking temperature. As spring on a mechanical drive motor is wound and a spit is placed through meat. The spit is then placed on a support to hold the meat in a substantially horizontal position, and the spit is coupled to a mechanical drive motor. The oven rotisserie and meat are placed into the oven to commence a cooking operation. The spit is rotated intermittently via the mechanical drive motor during the cooking operation in accordance with operation of an escapement and gear of the mechanical drive motor. The oven rotisserie and meat are removed from the oven after completion of the cooking operation.

A system and method for cooking food on a rotisserie in a conventional oven includes setting an oven thermostat to a desired cooking temperature. A spring on a mechanical drive motor is wound and a spit is placed through meat oriented horizontally or vertically. The spit is then placed on a support to hold the meat in a substantially horizontal position, and the spit is coupled to a mechanical drive motor. The oven rotisserie and meat are placed into the oven to commence a cooking operation. The spit is rotated intermittently via the mechanical drive motor during the cooking operation in accordance with operation of an escapement and gear of the mechanical drive motor. The oven rotisserie and meat are removed from the oven after completion of the cooking operation. A mechanical drive motor is also used to rotate flat foods, such as pizza, about a vertical axis.