Hog roast
Hog Roast Machine Hire vs Full Service: Costs and Work
Machine hire with a pig usually costs a few hundred pounds; a catered hog roast starts around £500 to £900. What you take on when you cook it yourself.
Is it cheaper to hire a hog roast machine?
Yes. Machine hire on its own is commonly priced at around £150 to £250 a day, and packages with a 50 to 60kg pig, gas and delivery are often advertised at around £400 to £600. A catered hog roast with a chef, carving and trimmings usually starts at £500 to £900 for the first 50 to 100 guests. The difference is the chef's day, the trimmings and the carving, which on machine hire are all yours.
What do you take on with machine hire?
Cooking. A whole pig on a machine usually takes five to eight hours, depending on its size and the machine. The machine must be lit and watched from early morning for an evening meal.
Gas. Bottled LPG, supplied with the machine, sited outdoors on firm ground away from buildings and guests.
Food safety. The pork must be cooked right through and kept hot, or cooled quickly, and raw meat handled separately from everything else.
Carving and serving. Carving a whole pig for 100 people takes a person an hour or more.
Returning the machine. Usually emptied of fat and returned, or collected, the next day.
What does full service add?
A chef who arrives with the pig already part cooked or starts it on site, cooks it, carves it and serves it; rolls, stuffing, apple sauce and crackling; plates and napkins; usually a gazebo and serving table; and someone who takes the machine and the waste away. Many businesses also offer sides, a second meat, and waiting staff.
When does machine hire make sense?
When you have someone who has cooked on a machine before, or is willing to follow the instructions and stay with it all day; when the event is informal and relaxed timing is fine; and when the budget is the deciding factor. It works well for village fetes, family parties and clubs with volunteers. It suits a wedding less well, because the person watching the pig all day is usually someone who would rather be a guest.
What should you check with a machine hire firm?
What size pig the machine takes and whether the pig is included; whether gas is included and how much; delivery and collection times; whether they show you how to use it; what state it must be returned in; the deposit; and what happens if it fails. Ask for the machine's instructions in advance. If the firm supplies the pig, ask where it comes from and how it arrives chilled.
Common questions
How long does a hog roast take to cook?
Typically five to eight hours for a whole pig on a machine, depending on the pig's size and the machine. Allow resting and carving time on top.
Can I hire a hog roast machine without a pig?
Yes, many firms hire the machine alone and you buy the pig from a butcher. Check the machine's maximum pig size first.
Is it safe to cook a hog roast myself?
It can be, following the hire firm's instructions: cook it right through, keep it hot until served, keep raw and cooked meat apart, and site the gas machine outdoors away from buildings.
Do I need a licence to cook a hog roast at a private party?
No licence is needed to cook for your own guests at a private party. A business selling food to the public must be registered with its council.