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Curry Chat => Lets Talk Curry => Topic started by: solarsplace on September 09, 2010, 10:11 AM

Title: Big square wooden handled skewers
Post by: solarsplace on September 09, 2010, 10:11 AM
Hi

I have been searching online for ages for some skewers like these:

http://s266.photobucket.com/albums/ii262/jerrym07/Tandoor%20Tikka/?action=view&current=tandoor002.jpg&newest=1 (http://s266.photobucket.com/albums/ii262/jerrym07/Tandoor%20Tikka/?action=view&current=tandoor002.jpg&newest=1)

BTW - is that Jerry from the forums online photo album?

Does anyone know where I can get some please? I have been round the local town and can't find any there in the cooking shops or asian type grocers etc.

Thanks
Title: Re: Big square wooden handled skewers
Post by: chriswg on September 09, 2010, 11:53 AM
I'm certain that is our very own JerryM, I know he cooks tikka in a chiminea!

I think these will be what you are looking for:

http://www.spicesofindia.co.uk/acatalog/Tandoor-Stainless-Steel-Skewer.html (http://www.spicesofindia.co.uk/acatalog/Tandoor-Stainless-Steel-Skewer.html)

Its a bit hard to tell without pictures, but if you click on one of their tandoor ovens and look down at the pictures, these are the types of skewers pictured. For ?6 a pop, they had better be good!

I'm thinking of ordering some too. Rather than buying 10 to get the 2 free offer, we could get 5 each (for the price of 4). I don't accept any responsibility if they aren't right though!

Title: Re: Big square wooden handled skewers
Post by: solarsplace on September 09, 2010, 12:02 PM
Hi

Well found! nice 1.

Eventually I found this too: http://www.gardengiftshop.co.uk/catalog/metal-kebab-skewers.aspx?pid=111877 (http://www.gardengiftshop.co.uk/catalog/metal-kebab-skewers.aspx?pid=111877)

I have emailed them to ask how many of them you get for the ?10 price.

Always worries me ordering stuff with no picture or decent description. I'll email the Spices Of India people and ask for a better description.

I'm up for what you suggested if they are what we want!

cheers
Title: Re: Big square wooden handled skewers
Post by: chriswg on September 09, 2010, 12:08 PM
I'm guessing that price could be each! Let me know what Spices of India say. If you need anything else let me know. As the order will be over ?30 it will be free delivery. It's a good place to buy the Kashmiri Masala paste from, it's hard to find in supermarkets.
Title: Re: Big square wooden handled skewers
Post by: solarsplace on September 09, 2010, 12:47 PM
Hi

Spices Of India:

Q) Are the skewers on this (http://www.spicesofindia.co.uk/acatalog/Tandoor-Oven-and-Accessories.html (http://www.spicesofindia.co.uk/acatalog/Tandoor-Oven-and-Accessories.html)) page the same as the ones pictured with your Tandoor ovens?

A) Yes, they are the same skewers. As they are hand made they do differ slightly in Length/Girth?

Garden Gift Shop:

Q) How many skewers do you get for ?10 please?

A) Yes, it is one skewer. They are 22 inches long, and now made from stainless steel!
 
The shaft is 6mm thick.
 
Very high quality.


CHeers
Title: Re: Big square wooden handled skewers
Post by: chriswg on September 09, 2010, 01:06 PM
That's was quick!

I've dropped you a PM about putting in an order (assuming you want the S of E ones). 10 quid for one from that other place sounds extortionate.

I really like the look of their tandoors too. I might have to get one in time for next summer.
Title: Re: Big square wooden handled skewers
Post by: Unclebuck on September 09, 2010, 03:06 PM
http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php?topic=3461.100 (http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php?topic=3461.100)
Title: Re: Big square wooden handled skewers
Post by: gary on September 09, 2010, 03:29 PM
I have the same ones as Ray http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php?topic=4393.0 (http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php?topic=4393.0)

they are 8mm thick and 395mm blade and cost ?1.50 each from the local Pakistani cash and carry.

These are somewhat shorter than the ones designed for tandoor use, but are ideal for bbq, and grilling (as illustrated in Ray's post above).

I'm not sure where you could find them, but at least it gives you an idea of size etc.

Gary
Title: Re: Big square wooden handled skewers
Post by: Razor on September 09, 2010, 07:19 PM
Hi Solarspace,

As Gary said, our's were only 1.50 each but, be careful.  I bought another 4 the other week, which, because they were highly polished, you couldn't tell that they were not stainless steel at a glance.  Took them out of the dishwasher the next morning and they had turned orange with rust.  I will, when I get a chance, season them in the same way as you would with a wok, which should sort them out.

Ray :)
Title: Re: Big square wooden handled skewers
Post by: JerryM on September 10, 2010, 08:14 AM
Solarspace,

the pic is mine. i bought my skewer from Asian store in bolton ~ ?2.

i've used the skewer regularly until last week. i was cooking for 9 and using the 1 off skewer was going to take too long. as a make shift i put a grill over the top of the chiminea and used my 300mm long thin 3mm sq BBQ skewers (like i do if i cook on my gas bbq).

the chicken was almost as good - i need to repeat doing a side by side to make sure. i suspect that on the big skewer the surface area is not a much in relation to the volume which makes the meat more succulent whilst the thickness of the skewer makes sure it's cooked right through.

i'm going to try both methods when i cook jb's tikka (weather permitting tonight)
Title: Re: Big square wooden handled skewers
Post by: solarsplace on September 10, 2010, 09:31 AM
Hi Guys

Thanks for all the tips! - suppose the key is to be wary of extra-cheap kit. Like everything in life I suppose.

Interesting what you say about the volume etc. The Tikka from my locals always has quite a big skewer hole through the middle of it, much bigger than the tiny little BBQ skewers I currently have make. Funny to think, things like that could make such a difference.

I love your pics Jerry, you have inspired me to try cooking Tikka in my Chiminea too.

Regards
Title: Re: Big square wooden handled skewers
Post by: JerryM on September 10, 2010, 03:56 PM
inspired me to try cooking Tikka in my Chiminea too.

Solarsplace,

i was taken aback how good the chiminea is. i use my gas bbq to cook tikka most of the time as it's in the garage and not weather dependent. the gas bbq result is pretty good but the chimy is something else.

i fire the chimy up with quite a bit of wood initially and wait for it to die down. i then keep the heat up by adding a little at a time. u want heat not flames as the flames blacken the meat.

when i cook with the big skewer on an angle through the top it takes a surprisingly long time to cook - i've not consciously timed it but it's probably around 15 to 20 mins. i turn it once through 180 deg during the cooking.

don't forget the trick of warming the skewer before putting the chicken on - otherwise it drops off.

before marinating i cut each breast in half longways. if the breast is big i push the skewer through the ctr. if small i thread it on top & tail so to speak. i only cut the breast into pieces after cooking.

all the best
Title: Re: Big square wooden handled skewers
Post by: solarsplace on September 10, 2010, 06:39 PM
Hi Jerry

Thanks for all the helpful info, much appreciated.

Regards
Title: Re: Big square wooden handled skewers
Post by: JerryM on September 11, 2010, 10:17 AM
Solarsplace,

no probs. a bit of an update from last nights cooking. i prefer the big skewer taste and ease of cooking. i think it's the heat being lower down that makes the difference.

chimy warm up
(http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/imagehost/pics/6ea785f214a0b0f87b6b2604ac8c62db.jpg) (http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/imagehost/#6ea785f214a0b0f87b6b2604ac8c62db.jpg)

jb tikka cooked on bbq skewer (20 mins, 5mins per side) Nb test piece - normally put 4 off on at a time
(http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/imagehost/pics/c295cf721707cbd867fc0c7cf67bbc04.jpg) (http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/imagehost/#c295cf721707cbd867fc0c7cf67bbc04.jpg)

jb tikka on big skewer (30 mins, turned once) Nb test piece - normally put 4 off on at a time
(http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/imagehost/pics/ab02427d9c1b7c517e05b43fe0bdde18.jpg) (http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/imagehost/#ab02427d9c1b7c517e05b43fe0bdde18.jpg)
Title: Re: Big square wooden handled skewers
Post by: solarsplace on September 11, 2010, 11:24 AM
Hi Jerry

Yay - have the same Chimy (or one just like it) - hoping to try it out later tonight as I have volunteered for the forums Tikka taste test, so fingers crossed for later.

Better go and mix all up the marinades now....
Title: Re: Big square wooden handled skewers
Post by: chriswg on September 11, 2010, 05:22 PM
For anyone thinking about ordering the skewers from Spices of India but are worried because there is no photo - fear not. I ordered 10 (to get 2 free) and Solarsplace and I went halves. I'm very pleased with them, I hope they stand the test of time.

(http://lh5.ggpht.com/_8ZixU3Nbf9c/TIuqE0Riu3I/AAAAAAAAAfs/XijY9EyHlOc/s800/2010-09-11%2017.09.08.jpg) (http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/1IhSepQ63UhBXkjWCXs9pBU5aJ-LdBMbSyl3gnAxO98?feat=embedwebsite)
Title: Re: Big square wooden handled skewers
Post by: JerryM on September 12, 2010, 09:43 AM
Solarsplace,

probably too late to be of help - but my chimy luckily has a ledge at the bottom of the chimney. the skewer needs to be ~700mm long to be able to rest on it.