Asian Cornish Hen on a DIY Tin Can Smoker
One of the goals I had when building my DIY Tin Can Smoker, was to cook a whole animal. For directions to build your own DIY Tin Can Smoker, click here. In a 6 diameter tin can, the choices are pretty limited. Where lump charcoal is piled in the lower smoker can, a cornish hen almost completely filled the upper smoker can. To my absolute delight, my little DIY Tin Can Smoker works and cooks hot and fast!
Asian Cornish Hen on a DIY Tin Can Smoker
The Asian flavors of five spice powder harmonizes beautifully with the sweet tang and smoke off the DIY Tin Can Smoker on a cornish hen.
Equipment
- DIY Tin Can Smoker
- tongs
- Tomato Paste Can with both lids removed (4 oz) (I actually used the remaining portion of the can after building my DIY Tin Can Smoker!)
- Empty spice rub container
- Silicon brush
Ingredients
- 1 cornish hen (that fits in the DIY Tin Can Smoker without touching the edges)
- 1 tablespoon Five Spice Powder
- 2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon white sugar
- 1/4 cup Blues Hog Tennessee Red Sauce
- 1/4 cup Blues Hog Raspberry Chipotle Sauce
Instructions
- Load the DIY Tin Can Smoker with lump charcoal (about 3 cups worth, piling high so that the air intake holes are not blocked). Light a charcoal starter inside the can (you can also use this as the opportunity to season the smoker as well) with the lid off and air vents wide open.
- Push the tomato can into the backside of the cornish hen (think beer can chicken style).
- Mix the five spice powder, kosher salt and sugar into the empty spice bottle. Liberally season all sides of the cornish hen.
- Using tongs lower the cornish hen by the neck side down into the tin can smoker. Place the lid on top with the exhaust wide open.
- Allow the DIY Tin Can Smoker to cook for 35 minutes. I didn't add a thermometer on the DIY Tin Can smoker because I knew the smoker would cook hot and fast, with the temperature controlled by the air intake and exhaust. With all holes open, I estimate the smoker cooks at 350-375F.
- Using an instant read thermometer and the temperature of the cornish hen breasts are 155-157F, use tongs to remove the cornish hen from the DIY Tin Can Smoker.
- Glaze the cornish hen first with Blues Hog Tennesse Red and then Blues Hog Raspberry Chipotle.
- Use tongs to put the cornish hen back in the DIY Tin Can Smoker to set the sauce for about 3 minutes. Allow cornish hen to rest for 10 minutes.
- Set the cornish hen on fresh greens and enjoy!
