The parts of a rotisserie
A rotisserie system has three main pieces. The motor mounts on a bracket on the side of the grill and plugs into an outlet or runs on batteries. The spit is the long rod with forks and a counterweight. And on most premium built-ins there's a dedicated rear burner, usually infrared, mounted high on the back wall of the firebox and controlled by its own knob.
Problems with any of the three can stop you cooking. They're also very different repairs.
Common problems, most frequent first
Rear burner won't light
Spiders in the burner inlet, a failed igniter, or a thermocouple problem on burners with a push-and-hold safety valve.
Learn moreMotor won't turn
Water got into the motor housing, the cord was damaged, the GFCI tripped, or the gears stripped.
Motor hums but spit doesn't move
Stripped internal gears, or a load that's too heavy or badly balanced for the motor.
Spit wobbles or binds
A bent spit, a missing bushing, or a mounting bracket that's loose or bent.
Rear burner lights but goes out
On burners with a flame sensor, a dirty or failed thermocouple shuts off gas once you let go of the knob.
Learn moreMissing parts
Forks, counterweights, bushings and handles go missing over the years. Most are replaceable.
What you can check
- Plug the motor into an outlet you know works, and reset the GFCI outlet the grill uses.
- For battery motors, replace the batteries and clean the contacts.
- Run the motor with no spit installed. If it turns freely empty, the problem is the load or the spit.
- Roll the spit on a flat surface to see if it's bent.
- Look at the rear burner face with the grill off. Cracked ceramic tiles or a sooty, blackened face suggest a burner problem.
- When lighting the rear burner, hold the knob in for the full time the manual says, often 30 seconds or more, before letting go.
Leave the burner side to us
The rear rotisserie burner has its own gas valve, orifice and often a safety valve and thermocouple. If it won't light after you've held the knob in properly, or you smell gas around it, turn it off and let us look. Infrared burners also have ceramic tiles or a mesh screen that's easy to crack, so don't scrub or poke at the face. If you smell gas, read our gas smell page before doing anything else.
How we repair a rotisserie
- 1
Test each piece
We test the motor under load, check the spit and bracket, and light the rear burner to see where the problem is.
- 2
Motor repair or replacement
Motors with water damage or stripped gears usually get replaced. We match the motor to the grill's bracket and spit size.
- 3
Burner service
The rear burner gets its inlet cleared, its igniter checked, and its thermocouple tested or replaced. Damaged infrared burners get replaced.
- 4
Spit and hardware
Bent spits, worn bushings, missing forks and counterweights get replaced where parts are available.
- 5
Full test
We run the rotisserie with the burner lit to confirm everything works together.
Parts for older grills
Rotisserie parts are brand-specific. Spit diameter, square vs. round drive ends, bracket shape and motor fittings all vary between brands like Lynx, DCS, Viking and Twin Eagles. On older grills, a universal motor with the right adapter often works. See finding parts for discontinued grills for more.
Rotisserie questions
Should I leave the motor on the grill?
Better not. Store it indoors between uses. Water and heat are what kill most rotisserie motors.
Why do I have to hold the rear burner knob in so long?
Many rear burners have a thermocouple safety valve. The thermocouple has to heat up before it holds the valve open. Let go too early and the burner goes out.
Can I use the rotisserie with the main burners instead?
You can, with indirect heat. The rear burner is designed for it, but the main burners on low with the hood closed work too.
My rear burner's ceramic is cracked. Is it safe?
A cracked infrared tile can cause uneven heat or flame coming through the crack. We'd recommend not using it until it's looked at.
How much does a rotisserie repair cost?
It depends on which part failed and the brand. Send a photo of the motor, spit and rear burner with your model number and we'll quote it.
Related guides
BBQ Grill Repair
On-site repair for gas grills: ignition, burners, valves, regulators, gas leaks and the hardware that wears out, with common parts carried on the truck.
Buying adviceInfrared vs. Conventional Burners
How infrared and conventional gas burners work, what each does best, and how to care for an infrared burner so it lasts.
Care & how-toFinding Your Grill's Model and Serial Number
Where grill makers hide the rating plate, how to read it when it's faded, and what to do if it's gone. Saves time and wrong parts on any repair.
Care & how-toFinding Parts for Discontinued Grills
A step-by-step approach to tracking down parts for older and discontinued grills, and how to know when a grill can't reasonably be kept running.
Rotisserie not turning?
Call or text us with your grill's brand and model, or send a couple of photos. We'll figure out which part is the problem.