Upright and Steady: The Best Beer Can Chicken Stand for a Grill

Beer can chicken is one of those backyard ideas that survives every argument about whether it works. Steven Raichlen, who wrote a book on it, admits he is “not sure honestly and objectively I could tell the difference blindfolded” between birds cooked over different beers. What everyone agrees on is that an upright chicken cooks with its skin exposed all round, and a tipped-over one is a mess.

That’s the case for a stand. Raichlen’s own advice is that “if you’re nervous about falling chicken, simply use a beer can chicken roaster.” This guide covers stands for the grill. For oven roasting, try our chicken roasting pan guide, and start with our grill tools guide for the rest of your kit.

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Quick verdict: the best beer can chicken stand

The rest of the list covers a cast iron pan, a turkey-sized roaster and stands that don’t use a can at all.

Five chicken stands side by side

Five of the eight, one for each kind of cook, with what the maker or listing states. All eight are reviewed below.

Product images from Amazon. Specifications are as stated by each maker or listing; check the listing before you buy.

Our picks for the best beer can chicken stand

Six of these eight hold a can or a liquid in some way, and we say plainly which two don’t. Where a listing leaves a detail out, the specifications say so.

How to choose a stand for your grill

A stand has one job, which is keeping a hot, slippery bird from falling over. Here is what affects that.

Base and stability

A wider base is harder to tip. Look for a ring or crossbar that stops the can from moving, as on the GrillPro and Amazon Basics stands. If a stand doesn’t hold a can steady, the bird relies on the can’s balance alone.

Can, reservoir or nothing

A can is the classic. A built-in reservoir, like Charcoal Companion’s, means you never heat a printed can, and it’s easier to fill with broth or juice. A plain vertical stand drops the liquid altogether. Raichlen doesn’t claim he could taste the difference between beers, so if the liquid is the part you don’t care about, a simple stand does the job. He says he has had no accidents with the can: “Never once have I had or heard of a serious mishap.”

Lid clearance

An upright bird is tall. Measure the height from your grate to the closed lid before you buy, and leave room above the bird for heat to move around. Small kettles and low-lid gas grills can run out of room, particularly with a turkey.

Material and care

Stainless is simple, and some of these stands go in the dishwasher. Chrome wire can chip. Coated stands want gentle cleaning. Cast iron takes hand washing, drying and oil, whatever a listing says.

Moving the bird

The can, the liquid and the frame are all very hot at the end of the cook. Use heat-rated gloves and a large platter, and let the bird rest before you take it off the stand. Handles help a great deal. Check for doneness in the thickest part of the thigh with a meat thermometer and go by USDA’s safe temperature for poultry, not by the time on a recipe.

How we picked these eight chicken stands

We searched Amazon for beer can chicken stands and vertical roasters sold new and in stock, from identifiable makers, with two Amazon-first brands on this page. Ceramic roasters, including Cook’s Choice, Kamado Joe and Big Green Egg, are out because they are glazed or may be and we did not find a maker statement on lead. Several others, such as Weber’s stainless roaster and Staub’s vertical roaster, showed low stock, and Mr. Bar-B-Q’s stand and Nordic Ware’s roaster already appear on our chicken roasting pan guide. We read Raichlen’s piece on the Barbecue Bible site for the quotes above.

We have not cooked on these stands, and we don’t claim to have. These picks rest on maker and listing details. We looked up each brand in the CPSC recall database and found no recall of any stand on this page.

Beer can chicken questions, answered

Does the beer actually make the chicken moister?

That’s disputed. Raichlen says beer can chicken “just tastes moister than most conventional roast chicken,” but when asked if steam is the reason, he answers only, “I like to think so.” Treat the moisture as a bonus at most, and rely on cooking the bird to temperature without going past it.

Do I need a stand, or can I use just a can?

A can alone works, with the bird’s legs forming a tripod, and Raichlen has done it for years. A stand is simply a safer way to keep it upright and lift it off the grill.

Can I use a chicken roaster for the grill in the oven?

Many yes. GrillPro, Amazon Basics, Norpro and Onlyfire all name ovens. Put a pan underneath to catch the fat.

What can I put in the can instead of beer?

Onlyfire suggests wine or juice, and Norpro names broth as well. Plain water with herbs also works. Raichlen’s point stands that you may not be able to taste the difference.

Will these stands hold a turkey?

Mostly not. The Charcoal Companion lists up to 18 pounds, the Norpro up to 8. A chicken stand under a large turkey can tip, so choose by stated capacity. Our turkey roasting pan guide covers the oven route.

Our final pick for an upright chicken

Buy the Charbroil Folding Roaster and cook one chicken on an indirect fire with the lid down. Judge it by the skin. Add a smoker box if you want more wood smoke, or see our smoker guide if you get serious about it.

And when you’d rather leave the bird to someone else, see the menu at Julia’s or call to order.