Here's an interesting way to drive a Rotisserie!

[Ron G.]

Check out the following link:

http://www.nyemachine.com/clockwork_jack.php

This guy (some sort of "wizard machinist") made a weight-driven clockwork mechanism and drove sprockets to chain-drive a rotisserie.

I trust that something like this WOULD IMPRESS the relatives & neighbors

 

[DarrenC]

Who knew Rube Goldberg was a BBQ man?

 

[Bob Ivey]

That thing is way cool. Reminds me of our grandfather clock.

 

[J Hasselberger]

There's a simple solution. Then there's a complicated one. Then there's a ridiculously over-complicated solution. And then there's art.

 

[Timothy F. Lewis]

The guy says its from a colonial design, he didn't invent it.
Now, if you want to talk "Rube Goldberg" I have always wanted to build a steam powered rotisserie engine. Which would use the grill heat to generate the steam! There are a couple of designs out there but they are all too high pressure for me.
"Mouse trap" anyone?

 

[Ron G.]

Maybe some sort of windmill driving cage gears would be a cool way to drive a rotisserie

 

[Timothy F. Lewis]

Ooh, Ron that's kind of a cool idea, heat driven like those obnoxious Christmas clanging whirly bells! The reduction gearing might be interesting but, I like the concept! Post picture when the "Gyro Gearloose" project comes to fruit, or not.