November 12, 2004
La Caja China Plans
UPDATE:If you are looking to purchase a Caja China, please email me at val - at - babalublog.com for more information.
One of the top Google search inquiries that bring people to this site is "Caja China." The pig roasting box I wrote about last year in my Noche Buena post. That same post was read by a food reporter working for the Washington Post while searching for a mojito recipe. She mentions my story, but not my blog, in her article.
I have received a lot of email regarding the caja china. People wanting info on how to build one, asking for plans and pictures. One person in particular, Robert from Dallas, even sent me his phone number because he was so intrigued by the pig roasting box that he just had to have one. If you are into outdoor cooking, it's like a sickness, you just have to have yet another way to cook stuff outside. I have 4 different grills out at ManCamp™ plus the caja china, plus the turkey fryer, plus the gas grill by the pool, plus the upright smoker in the shed, plus the gas ranges. You can never have too many cooking machines out there. The more the merrier. Steve wants to get a Caja China and incorporate smoke into it. He wants to make a Smoking Caja China. Man oh man.
Well, since Robert from Dallas was so nice I decided to draw up a simple plan for him on AutoCad. A picture of it can be found here.
After numerous long distance phone conversations Robert built his Caja China and used it. He just sent me some pictures of his work of art which I will share with you.
Here's a picture of the uncooked and heavily marinated porker. It looks kinda strange like that, I know, but once it's done, it's probably the best damn pork you've ever had.
Here's a shot of the box itself. Robert made some modifications to my Caja China design and I think they are actually pretty darn good.
Here's a frontal view of the mighty cooking machine. The beauty of the Caja China is that the heat generates from the top, thus the pig roasts slowly and evenly. In the end you have a pig that is fully cooked, yet not overdone and totally juicy inside.
Here's a photo of the finished product. Now that's a well cooked pig if ever I saw one. Notice how the skin is really dark. I can almost taste its crispiness.
Robert tells me in his email that he is planning on roasting a small lamb for his 25th wedding anniversary. I've never seen one made in a Caja China, but I bet it will be delicious.
Congratulations to you and the Mrs. on your anniversary, Robert. And send me some of that lamb, will ya?
UPDATE: It's Thanksgiving 2004 today and I have noticed a lot of google searches for the caja china. Will someone please email me at val - at - babalublog.com and let me know where you all saw the thing?
Thanks.
Posted by Val Prieto at November 12, 2004 08:31 AM
Comments
Oh, man. Full frontal pork pictures before breakfast. That's evil, that is.
How am I supposed to enjoy my baloney sandwich at lunch after that?
Posted by: homebru at November 12, 2004 09:09 AM
We are using the caja china saturday to do Ribs for my son's party. (Hope you and Maggie can go by the party for a little while) Anything that u do en la caja china it comes out delicious. Que rico!!!!
Chicharones de puerto and a nice cold beer!! Sounds good to me!! Thank god is Friday!!!
Posted by: yamy at November 12, 2004 09:58 AM
The angle irons for supporting a second shelf are GENIUS.
We need to move to Texas and start manufacturing these things. For the children.
Posted by: Steve H. at November 12, 2004 10:07 AM
I notice the Welder is still in the background in one shot but the charcoals are already lit. Sorry, but I had to chuckle at the thought that you probably had the fire lit before the wheels were on it. See, my wife just doesn't get priorities like that.
Posted by: Dacotti at November 12, 2004 10:56 AM
Yep, lunch is pretty much blown today. Everything will be a letdown after ogling that hog.
Posted by: TC-LeatherPenguin at November 12, 2004 11:07 AM
Wow Val - you beat me to it - I was going to draw it on AutoCad too. Below is a link for a program you have to try! It draws in 3d like no other! It's real easy - being used by everyone from school children to famous architects and engineers.You can download the full program for free for 8 hours drawing time. I bought the whole product - it is that good! As one Cuban to an other - trust me on this one.
The caja china would look great - plus you can add notes and dims.
Posted by: mandingo jones at November 12, 2004 01:08 PM
Best...post...of the week!!
Posted by: j.scott barnard at November 12, 2004 03:31 PM
Mmmmmm...pork. I am bad, bad Jew. ;-)
Posted by: Dave J at November 12, 2004 04:09 PM
Dunno who had it first, but the caja china is almost exactly the same as what we term over here the "Cajun Microwave." You can Google that one for plenty of references.
Main thing is that it works great whether in Louisiana or Florida...
Posted by: mostly cajun at November 12, 2004 06:47 PM
Man, oh, man that looks good. I have to quit coming here on an empty stomach.
Posted by: Rex at November 13, 2004 09:55 AM
sounds like a very good idea i think u should try it
Posted by: carlos at November 14, 2004 10:07 PM
good idea
Posted by: carlos at November 14, 2004 10:08 PM