There’s something special about barbecue-style meals.
Many of us have fond memories of enjoying BBQ chicken, brisket, pork chops, and sides on a sunny summer day at the fair—or in the backyard with loved ones as the evening cools down.
Nothing beat the taste of those slow-cooked meats paired with a side of smoked potatoes, salad, or green beans. And no matter how many times you enjoyed a BBQ meal, the flavor never got old.
If you're searching for a powerful rotisserie grill that can handle both serious backyard barbecuing and commercial catering, the Big Ben 40 Rotisserie Grill is your perfect match.
Built with the needs of grill enthusiasts and small business owners in mind, the Big Ben 40 delivers professional-grade results in a more compact and affordable form than the Big Ben 78.
Whether you’re slow-roasting chicken for a weekend cookout or serving pork butts and beans at a catered event, the Big Ben 40 is built to handle it all—with no flipping, no fuss, and no flavor lost.
What Is the Big Ben 40 Rotisserie Grill and Who Is It For?
The Big Ben 40 is a commercial-style rotisserie chicken cooker versatile enough for backyard cooking and robust enough for event catering.
Designed originally for rotisserie chicken, its large cooking chamber and multi-grate system allow you to cook:
- Chicken (whole or pieces)
- Pork butts
- Ribs
- Hamburgers and steaks
- Beans, potatoes, and more sides
In fact, you can make your main entrees and sides at the same time with the Big Ben 40!
This grill is ideal for:
- Small catering businesses
- Mobile food vendors
- Serious backyard grillers who often cook for large groups
Take a look at local catering businesses and food vendors that use Big Ben rotisserie grills in our Video Library.
Big Ben 40 vs. Big Ben 78: What’s the Difference?
The Big Ben 40 has half the cooking volume of the Big Ben 78, making it more compact and easier to manage for smaller events or patios.
Here’s a quick look at the difference in size between the two grills.
- Big Ben 78 Dimensions:
- Overall Size: 44"d x 98"w x 63"h (with Trailer Size: 52"d x 128"w x 76"h)
- Cooking Chamber: 36"d x 78"w x 47"h
- Big Ben 40 Dimensions:
- Overall Size: 44"d x 60"w x 63"h (74" high with casters)
- Cooking Chamber: 36"d x 42"w x 46"h
As you can see, the Big Ben 48 is 48” wide, while the Big Ben 78 is 98” wide.
But don’t mistake the efficiency of the Big Ben 40 just because it’s smaller.
Despite its reduced size, the Big Ben 40 runs identically and offers the same performance as the Big Ben 78.
Key features of the Big Ben 40 are:
- Same function as the Big Ben 78 with half the footprint
- Around 30% less cost than the Big Ben 78
- Ideal for those who don’t need the massive capacity of the Big Ben 78
How Does the Big Ben Rotisserie Operate?
Now that you know the differences (and similarities) between the Big Ben 40 and Big Ben 78, let’s jump into how these units operate.
The beauty of the Big Ben Rotisseries is that they serve many functions.
With an airtight design and draft control, you can cook your meat quickly at high heat or slowly at lower temperatures.
Big Ben 40 Overview
In short, the Big Ben 40 operates by you loading the sandwich or swinging grates with meat and sides of your choice, then letting the automatic rotisserie do the work for you!
This unit uses briquette or lump charcoal, and once the fire’s started, you’ll only have to stoke it when needed.
Check the internal temperature of your entrees and sides to make sure they’re ready, then serve up the perfect rotisserie BBQ meal!
With the Big Ben 40, you’re guaranteed:
- Hands-free Rotisserie Cooking System – Automatically rotates your food, ensuring even cooking and maximum moisture retention.
- Simple Grate Setup – Mix and match sandwich grates for chicken and swinging grates for side dishes.
- No Manual Flipping – Load your meat and let the rotisserie do the work.
- Consistent Cooking – Moist and flavorful meats and sides—every time!
Big Ben 40 Dimensions and Capacity
The Big Ben 40 has two types of grates: sandwich grates and swinging grates.
Sandwich grates clamp down and hold miniature potatoes, chicken legs, wings, hamburgers, brats, and more in place. The name comes from two grates “sandwiching” entrees and sides while the rotisserie operates.
Swinging grates hold large pieces of meat and pans in place as the grates rotate. These grates are large enough for pork butts, pans of beans, whole birds, ribs, and more.
To review, here’s another look at the Big Ben 40’s dimensions:
- Overall Size: 44" deep x 60" wide x 63" tall (74” with casters)
- Cooking Chamber: 36" deep x 42" wide x 46" tall
On average, you can serve 20–45 people with this setup.
This smaller but powerful rotisserie is spacious enough for multiple types of food—cooked at the same time—with excellent heat control.
A Rotisserie Grill for Catering and Small Business Use
The Big Ben 40 is an ideal starter grill for caterers who want commercial power without taking up too much space.
In fact, we recently had a client that chose the Big Ben 40 over the 78 unit due to space constraints.
In general, we recommend the Big Ben 40 unit to beginner caterers. Our thought? You can always size up later if you need more cooking space, but it’s not efficient to buy the Big Ben 78 and use only half the grill.
If you're looking to scale up your cooking operation, the Big Ben 40 grill offers more space and better results than other grills on the market.
Our clients are split 50-50 between backyard grillers and professional caterers.
Something we consistently hear from our catering clients that they love the Big Ben 40 because of the following abilities:
- Fast cooking: Serve medium-sized crowds quickly and easily
- Fuel savings: Uses less charcoal than standard grills
- Dual-use cooking: Grill sides and meat at once
After making the switch, our catering clients got feedback that their food tasted different and better!
What Can You Cook on the Big Ben 40?
The Big Ben 40 isn't just a chicken cooker — it's a full-on outdoor kitchen solution.
Whether you’re a backyard cookout guru or a small business, the Big Ben 40 can handle:
- Whole birds, leg quarters, wings
- Ribs and pork butts
- Hamburgers and steaks
- Beans, potatoes, brats, and more
For reference, the Big Ben 40 sandwich grates can hold up to 60lb of chicken at once!
Plus, the swinging grates can hold one full-sized cookie sheet per grate or three half-sized cookie sheets.
And, in case you’re wondering, the Big Ben 40 is made with a(n):
- Heavy-gauge steel body
- Stainless steel food-contact components
- Ball-bearing rotisserie for smooth, quiet operation
- Advanced vent system for precise temperature control
- Airtight design for fuel efficiency
All things considered, the Big Ben 40 burns less fuel than traditional grills while delivering consistent heat and more grilling space.
Easy to Clean and Maintain
The Big Ben 40 might be a whopping 68” wide, but it’s easy to clean and maintain.
When you’re done grilling, cleanup is simple.
To keep your Big Ben 40 in tip-top shape, we suggest:
- Removing the grates after each use
- Spray down the grates thoroughly
- Use a wire brush if necessary to remove food residue
The Big Ben 40 is designed with stainless steel contact surfaces, so there’s minimal food residue buildup. This means long-term maintenance is a breeze!
Customize Your Big Ben 40 Rotisserie
Adding on to your Big Ben 40 is simple.
Our grills are made for efficiency without the frills and fuss of other commercial models.
Take a look at the standard grill unit and add-ons below:
- Standard Package: Rotisserie grill, caster wheels, sandwich grates
- Optional Add-ons: Swinging grates, loading tray
Big Ben 40 standard models start at $8,500, and fully equipped models reach $11,000.
Remember swinging grates and sandwich grates are interchangeable.
Want to go all-in on chicken? Use all sandwich grates. Cooking a mix of entrees and sides? Go 50/50 with swinging grates and sandwich grates.
The Big Ben 40 is built to adapt to all your BBQing needs!
Is the Big Ben 40 Worth It?
For those who need to cook large quantities of food quickly and efficiently, the Big Ben 40 pays for itself with:
- Better taste: Clients notice improved flavor and moisture
- Ease of use: Set it, forget it, and let the rotisserie handle the work
- Efficiency: Faster turnaround with minimal supervision
We personally love the Big Ben 40 because it’s:
- Perfect for large families, community cookouts, and entry-level catering
- Cost-effective compared to the larger Big Ben 78 if you're working with smaller crowds
- Can cook 40–60 lbs of chicken in about an hour
- One Grill, Total Control: Prep, Cook, and Serve in One Space
This grill is all about streamlining your workflow.
With the ability to cook meats and sides together, you don’t need multiple grills or cook surfaces.
Let the rotisserie do the hard work—you just monitor the temperature and serve.
Final Thoughts: No Frills, Just Function
The Big Ben 40 isn’t flashy, but that’s the point.
It’s not polished stainless steel like other grills on the market.
The Big Ben 40’s main functions are:
- Efficiency (large quantities of food per use)
- Reliability (consistent moisture and heat while cooking)
- Durability (built to last a lifetime)
- And unbeatable flavor
Every dollar you spend goes into the quality of construction and performance—not unnecessary gadgets.
So, if you’re looking for efficiency and consistency for the lifetime of your grill, the Big Ben 40 will always deliver delicious results.
Invest in the Big Ben 40 Now, Get Great Results Forever!
Ready to invest?
You can order the Big Ben 40 Rotisserie Grill directly from us here or visit our store at 1085 N 850 W Shipshewana, IN 46565 to see the Big Ben 40 in person!
If you’re looking for a commercial-grade rotisserie grill that works just as well in your backyard as it does at a catering event, the Big Ben 40 is one of the best choices out there.
Cook more, flip less, and serve better food—every time.