How to Roast a Pig in Dirt

Planning and preparation is required to roast a pig in dirt.

Having a pig roast at a celebration can turn any event into a festive occasion. It brings families and friends together for good food, conversation and fun. The difference between a Hawaiian luau and other pig roasting traditions is that at a Hawaiian luau, they cook their pigs in a pit, decorate with colorful flowers and wear aloha attire. Roasting a pig takes time and preparation. Prepare for a pig roast by learning how to roast a pig in dirt so that you will have all the proper equipment and any permits that may be required. Does this Spark an idea?

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Pick
Shovel
Newspaper
Kindling
Firewood
Lava rocks
Charcoal lighter fluid
Long stick or tree branch
Green vegetation
Chicken wire
Pig
Burlap sacks soaking in a tub of water
Tarp or heavy plastic sheeting
Garden hose

Instructions

- 1
  
  Dig the pit. There should be a level clearing of approximately 20 square feet around the pit. The hole needs to be approximately 3 feet wide by 5 feet long by 1 foot deep to fit an average size pig. The pit should just fit the pig and roasting materials. Adjust the size of the hole as needed. Place the dirt you dug out near the hole because you will need it later.
- 2
  
  Line the bottom of the pit with newspaper and kindling wood, and top it with firewood. Ash and birch work well for kindling and firewood, but other types of wood can be used.
- 3
  
  Place lava rocks on top of the wood. Use volcanic rocks to prevent them from exploding. Rocks should be at least 5 inches in diameter.
- 4
  
  Light the kindling wood and let it burn for about two hours until the rocks are white hot. As the wood burns, the rocks will drop to the bottom of the pit.
- 5
  
  Use a long stick or tree branch to spread the rocks out across the bottom of the pit.
- 6
  
  Cover the hot rocks with a 6-inch layer of green vegetation such as Ti, banana or coconut leaves. You could also use Honohono grass, corn stalks, lettuce or cabbage.
- 7
  
  Lay a large piece of chicken wire across the vegetation to cover it.
- 8
  
  Place the pig in the pit, and cover it with a thick layer of green vegetation.
- 9
  
  Place several clean burlap sacks that have been soaked in clean water over the pig.
- 10
  
  Lay a tarp of heavy plastic sheeting over the pig and thoroughly cover it with dirt. Do not put too much dirt on it, as it will become hard to remove.
- 11
  
  Let the pig roast for eight to 10 hours until it is done and ready to eat.
- 12
  
  Remove the pig from the pit by carefully removing dirt from the tarp and rolling it toward the back of the pit. Remove burlap sacks and vegetation before lifting the pig from the pit.

Tips & Warnings

Inform your local fire and police department of the time and date of your pig roast.
If any smoke is detected while the pig is roasting, add more dirt.
The pit should be easily accessible to water, such as a garden hose.
Never leave the pit unattended.
Keep all your tools close by and ready for use.
A 125 pound dressed pig will feed approximately 150 guests.
Wait a couple of days to clean up the pit to be sure the fire is out.