The Clever Campfire Hack That Made Spit Roasting a Breeze
An Accidental Invention While Wild Camping in the UK
Last weekend, while wild camping in a quiet woodland spot, I was cooking a poussin (that’s a baby chicken, for those not in the know) over an open fire. It was one of those laid-back evenings where you're not rushing, just enjoying the process—and in the middle of it, I invented something.
Now, I'm not claiming this is going to change the world, but after 43 years, I finally created a clever little trick that made campfire spit roasting simpler than ever. Let me take you through how it works, how it came to be, and how you can make one too.
Where It All Started: The Spit Roast Struggles
When I cooked the poussin that night, I was messing around with spit placement, temperature, and setup.
I could build the fire higher to bring the heat up
I could lower my spit system to bring the bird closer to the flames
I could move it further away if it started cooking too fast
But the actual spit setup took effort. Carving out 90° notches in hardwood branches to support the spit felt like unnecessary faff.
So I thought, what if I didn’t have to carve anything at all?
The Simple Spit Roast Hack
Here’s what I came up with:
Two sticks pushed into the ground on either side of the fire.
A small disc of greenwood (fresh, live wood), stripped of bark.
I shaved off two sides to form a square edge.
Then I carved a little notch on the side of the disc for paracord to lock into.
This disc sits between the support sticks and holds the spit securely. Because the stick is square, the disc can't rotate—and the notch prevents the cord from slipping.
It means you can:
Rotate the chicken manually without it free-spinning
Easily adjust the height by wrapping cord loops around the stick
Skip all the carving that usually comes with bushcraft-style spit setups
Getting the Chicken on the Spit
Once I had the spit setup sorted, it was time to get that poussin over the flames.
Skewer the bird using a stripped stick
Drill a small hole straight through the spit
Insert a peg of greenwood to prevent the chicken rotating on its own
Then I tied on a second bit of greenwood across the back to stop it sliding. A generous slathering of Nando’s Extra Hot Sauce, and we were in business.
The Result: One Epic Camp Meal
After three and a half hours over the fire (wish I hadn't forgotten my temperature probe), the chicken was perfectly cooked. Juicy, well-roasted, and sliding into a soft bread roll like it belonged in a countryside gastropub.
Paired with a bit of chill, a crackling fire, and peace all around? Couldn’t have been better.
Why I Love Wild Camping Tinkering
This little invention isn't going on Dragon’s Den anytime soon. Anyone can make it in the woods with minimal tools. But that’s the beauty of it.
Sitting alone by a fire, playing with wood, and turning ideas into simple tools—that’s the magic of wild camping.
It wasn’t about perfection. It was about process, creativity, and a quiet space where I had room to think. Not every camp is about reaching a peak or testing a new tent. Sometimes it’s about being in nature and creating something.
Key Takeaways
A square disc of greenwood with a notch makes spit-roasting simple
No need for carved notches in support sticks
Adjustable, reliable, and low-effort for open-fire cooking
Wild camping creates the headspace for creative, relaxing bushcraft moments
Over to You
Ever invented something while wild camping? Or do you have your own way of spit-roasting food over an open fire? I’d love to hear about it.
Drop a comment below or message me on social media. And if you haven’t already, subscribe on YouTube and follow the journey.
Stay wild, stay creative, and leave no trace.
Learn a game-changing camping trick that makes cooking over an open fire so much easier. Discover my simple invention for spit roasting chicken! In this video, I share a clever camping trick that makes spit roasting chicken over an open fire much simpler and more efficient. It’s an easy, foolproof way to cook your meals on your next wild camping adventure. Watch to see the invention in action!
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