how to dig one imu pit

[oceangirl]

Does anyone know how to prepare an imu pit?

[opihikao]

With a shovel. [] (Sorry, just kidding.)

Here is a good description for you, and never use lava rocks in the pig's stomach; the "blue rock" or "river rock" is the best.

(*Snipped - More at link incl. food prep)


http://fsakamoto.com/friends/kalua.html


Dig a hole in the ground for an earth-oven (imu) approximately 6 ft. by 10 ft. and 3- to 4-ft. deep. It’s a good idea to do this at a location at least 4 ft. above sea level (be sure to check the tides) so that the pit doesn’t fill up with water and become a 6' x 10' wading pool or pig wallow instead. Keep the excavated dirt close by the pit so that it can be used as a cover later on.

Prepare a fire in the pit from kiawe (key-ah-veh, Hawaiian mesquite), which burns at the desired high temperature, and place about 12 round, not-too-porous volcanic rocks roughly 6" to 10" in diameter on top. If you don’t already have imu rocks that you’ve used before, make sure the rocks you use don’t contain air pockets or they might explode, completely ruining your day and your dinner plans.

[oceangirl]

Hehehe......... thank you kindly. Good resource full of lols....

[oceangirl]

Do you know of an alternative wood to use instead of kiawe?

[kalakoa]

Just make sure you notify the fire department.

[Carey]

Where would you get the emu bird here for your pit?

Most use the spelling "imu" so as not to confuse; "emu" is Hawaiian for 'to shoo away or rid of trees', "imu" is pit oven

Emu is also a large bird...like an ostrich...

[2liveque]

Size of the imu is proportionate with how much you are making. Remember, the imu does NOT have to be that big. Kiawe is the best because it burns super hot and makes long lasting charcoal. If you don't have kiawe, Ohia works. So does mango, guava, etc. But you just have to put a bit more -- meaning that this might increase the time you will have wait from when you light the fire until everything "falls down" and is ready for the hali'i, or banana stump, leaves, etc.

My suggestion to you is to have someone show you the basics. Kalua is hard work......and very depressing if you open the imu and everything is burnt or undercooked. It is a sweet science. But once you get it, you'll only get better and better.

[Lee M-S]

I was thinking the same thing. I planned to advise you to dig a pig pit, then add a deep hole for the neck...

quote:

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Originally posted by Carey

Where would you get the emu bird here for your pit?

Most use the spelling "imu" so as not to confuse; "emu" is Hawaiian for 'to shoo away or rid of trees', "imu" is pit oven

Emu is also a large bird...like an ostrich...

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><(((*> ~~~~ ><(("> ~~~~ ><'> ~~~~ >(>

[oceangirl]

Thank you all.........and thank you auto spell! Emu lol..
So, does anyone know where to find kiawe in puna? But since we're on the subject of birds, would a turkey be a good starting point?

[Obie]

I would suggest this method.

Ingredients:

3 lb pork shoulder blade roast, lean, all fat removed
1 tbsp liquid mesquite smoke
1 tbsp coarse sea salt

Directions:

Place pork in the crock pot and stab it all over with the tip of a knife. Rub sea salt all over pork. Drizzle the liquid smoke all over and set crock pot to low; cook about 16 hours.