Grill Requirements for RK Drums

One of the most common questions we get is: “Will this or that grill work?”
Determining if your grill will work is quite easy! This page contains the specific grill requirements, including screenshots showing exactly what to look for on the grill. The above referenced article answers many of the common questions we get about grills. You can also watch the video and join us on a trip to Home Depot where we pick out a grill for a new roaster.
Remember that NOT ALL grills will work for your roasting application, so picking the correct grill is important.

Grill Considerations

Heat / BTU Requirements

You will need a minimum amount of heat to roast fast enough to get a good result. The amount of heat that a grill can produce is measured in BTU. Every grill should have the BTU range listed on its specifications. The larger drums require more BTUs than the smaller drums, and you can find the specific requirements for each drum below.
Please reference Main Burner BTU. Reference Sticker is on most grills. It may be located on the back of legs, inside doorback wall.
Note that BTU capabilities greater than the maximum recommended for the drum size may result in an inability to do smaller roasts or perform the optional sheet metal efficiency mods as grill will be too hot. Greater BTU capabilities may be okay for maximum volume roasting.

Rotisserie Cutouts

You will want a grill that already has cutouts for a rotisserie rod (Figures 1 & 2). These cutouts can either be on the lid or the base of the grill. The RK System works by sliding the RK Drum onto a rotisserie rod and rotating inside the grill.
Some of the newer low-end grills don’t seem to have rotisserie cutouts any longer. You can still make a grill without them work, but it will require you to cut into the grill to accommodate the rod (Figure 3). Save yourself some headache if you can and get a grill with this feature. The Rotisserie Bracket holes, pre-drilled (Figure 1) may save you one extra step, if they match the RK bracket. Otherwise, you will have to drill your own holes.
All the rotisserie rods from RK Drums are available in a 40″ and a 50″ version. The 40″ rotisserie rod can only be used on grill boxes that are less than 32″ wide. If you purchase a grill that has a grill box wider than that, you will need the 50″ rotisserie rod.

Figure 1: Rod Cutouts & Bracket Mounts

side of grill
Look for a grill that already has cutouts prepared for a rotisserie rod. If the rotisserie bracket mounts match up with the RK Drums bracket, assembly will be easier.

Figure 2: Rod Cutouts and Rotisserie Rod

side of grill with a rotisserie rod sticking out
The RK Drum will use an additional bracket that will fit exactly the bearing on the rod to make rotation smooth.

Figure 3: Homemade Rotisserie Rod Cutouts

side of grill with homemade cutouts
If you select a grill that doesn't have manufactured rotisserie rod cutouts, you'll have to cut your own for the RK Drum assembly.

Spacing Requirements

Last, your grill will need to have enough space to fit the RK Drum. Depending on the size of the RK Drum you purchase, you will need more or less room inside the grill. The individual requirements for each size drum on available on the individual pages.

Specific Spacing & BTU Requirements for Each RK Drum

BTU Range: 25,000 – 60,000 BTU
Minimum Interior Grill Chamber Width: 11″
Minimum Rotisserie Rod – Burner Clearance: 3.5″
Front to Back Spacing: All grills meet or exceed the minimum requirement.
Space Above Drum: All grills met or exceed the minimum requirement.


BTU Range: 35,000 – 60,000 BTU
Minimum Interior Grill Chamber Width: 13″
Minimum Rotisserie Rod – Burner Clearance: 5″
Front to Back Spacing: All grills meet or exceed the minimum requirement.
Space Above Drum: All grills met or exceed the minimum requirement.


BTU Range: 40,000 – 60,000 BTU
Minimum Interior Grill Chamber Width: 19″
Minimum Rotisserie Rod – Burner Clearance: 5″
Front to Back Spacing: All grills meet or exceed the minimum requirement. Space Above Drum: All grills met or exceed the minimum requirement.


BTU Range: 45,000 – 60,000 BTU
Minimum Interior Grill Chamber Width: 25″
Minimum Rotisserie Rod – Burner Clearance: 5″
Front to Back Spacing: All grills meet or exceed the minimum requirement.
Space Above Drum: All grills met or exceed the minimum requirement.


BTU Range: 48,000 – 70,000 BTU
Minimum Interior Grill Chamber Width: 25″
Minimum Rotisserie Rod – Burner Clearance: 6″
Front to Back Spacing: All grills meet or exceed the minimum requirement.
Space Above Drum: All grills met or exceed the minimum requirement.