Written by Andy Whitcomb
Friends and relatives know I am an avid angler. This translates into various fishing-themed gifts. One of the latest gifts is the “Reel Roaster” from www.hogwildtoys.com.
Two prongs on the end of a telescoping rod can be rotated over a fire for even cooking by using a hand crank, shaped somewhat like a fishing reel.
My model was a two-tone blue and Kermit green polyethylene with several Star Trek/Nike inspired engravings in the handle. It is also available in camo so raccoons can witness a levitating skewer over the campfire. The telescoping skewer extended the unit from 12” to 36” and detaches if someone wants to clean it.
Initially, I doubted that an angler designed this unit.
From the position of the “reel” and the finger grooved handle, this is intended to be a baitcast or spincast reel. However, the handle is jointed and has a single grip like a spinning reel. The handle position is not reversible, but it can “reel” backwards, just in case you over-rotate at some critical marshmallow toasting.
There is no drag. If hotdog rotation is impeded, slippage at the last of the three telescopic sections freely occurs. The unit weighs only .2 pounds and at full extension is far from balanced but still sufficient for hotdogs. I would not exceed the tube steak ceiling; there is a reason you don’t see rotisserie chickens on car antennas. Okay, maybe this is not the only reason.
The gear ratio of .62: 1 is not much cranking power but seems just enough to keep one occupied.
Oh, and don’t even try to cast.
After further review, I now suspect that the realistic fishing reel design flaws may have been on purpose. Reeling is addictive enough. Imagine a smooth, favorite high-speed reel, paired with a well balanced, cork handle. And instead of retrieving line, the reel handle rotates a twin-bladed skewer…
Yup, I’d be mixing drinks, whipping up foot-high meringue for pies, and making myself really obnoxious at fondue parties. And who needs that?!
My 5-year-old daughter and I gave one a test drive with a marshmallow last weekend. She didn’t even notice that it was a spinning reel handle on a baitcaster reel. She just evenly browned a marshmallow. And I think she is still grinning from that ‘smore.
Good to see that you are still open to fishing related gifts! All Aboard!!!
Great! Glad to hear about gadgets being used. Still be on alert for mailbox cover!