Flexible skewers are reusable metal skewers that bend into a curve instead of staying straight. You thread food onto the wire, then shape it to suit your cooking space. They are useful for kebabs, shashlik and vegetable skewers, especially when a long, rigid skewer is awkward to fit inside a round barbecue or cooking basket.
The LUKATA flexible stainless steel skewers come as a set of two, each measuring approximately 78–79 cm. Here is how they work, what you can put on them and what to check before cooking.
What makes a flexible skewer different?
A traditional skewer holds food along a straight rod. A flexible skewer uses a bendable metal cable with a pointed end for threading ingredients. Once loaded, it can follow the curve of a cooking surface rather than needing a straight space as long as the skewer itself.
This is particularly practical on round grills, where straight skewers can stretch beyond the usable cooking area. A curved arrangement can help you position food around other items, provided you leave enough room to turn it. Flexibility changes how the food fits; it does not guarantee faster cooking or make an overcrowded grill cook evenly.
What are flexible skewers used for?
Barbecues and closed-lid grills
Flexible skewers suit kebabs on charcoal and gas barbecues. The LUKATA product is intended for closed-lid grilling, including suitable Kamado, Big Green Egg and Weber grills. Arrange the loaded wire on the cooking grate so the lid closes normally, without trapping the cable or leaving food pressed against the lid.
You can also keep different ingredients on separate skewers. That makes it easier to remove quick-cooking vegetables while thicker pieces of meat continue cooking.
Suitable air fryers and Ninja-type appliances
The LUKATA skewers are also marketed for suitable Ninja-type air fryers. Their bendable shape can be useful in a round basket or pot, but compatibility depends on the particular appliance, basket and cooking mode. Check your appliance instructions before using a metal accessory.
The entire loaded skewer must fit comfortably, with clearance from the heating element and fan. Keep airflow openings clear and do not pack food into a tight coil. An accessory fitting inside the basket does not mean it is suitable for every programme; this guide does not recommend pressure cooking with the skewers.
Oven kebabs
For oven cooking, arrange the loaded skewers in a suitable roasting tray or on an oven-safe rack over a tray to catch drips, following the accessory instructions. Keep the cable and ends clear of heating elements. Choose the cooking temperature and time for your ingredients and recipe, rather than assuming a barbecue method transfers directly to the oven.
What food can you put on flexible skewers?
Choose ingredients that are firm enough to thread without breaking apart. Cut them into manageable pieces and group foods with similar cooking times.
- Chicken: boneless thigh or breast pieces for kebabs and shashlik. Try garlic and paprika, or a yoghurt-based marinade.
- Pork, beef and lamb: boneless pieces cut to a consistent size. Choose a cut suited to the cooking method; a skewer will not make a slow-cooking cut tender in minutes.
- Vegetables: peppers, courgettes, mushrooms and red onion wedges. Keep onion layers together when threading them.
For a simple flavour combination, pair chicken or lamb with peppers and red onion. Poppamies Morocco Rub, inspired by ras el hanout, is one seasoning option for those ingredients. Follow the product's directions and check ingredient labels for dietary requirements.
How to use flexible skewers
- Check and clean the skewers. Before use, inspect the wire and ends for damage, then wash according to the supplied care instructions. Metal skewers do not need the soaking used for wooden skewers.
- Prepare the food. Cut similar ingredients to a consistent size. Keep raw meat and its juices away from vegetables or other foods that will be served without further cooking.
- Thread carefully. Place ingredients on a stable board and guide the pointed end through, keeping your hand out of its path. Leave some space between pieces rather than compressing them together.
- Shape and position. Bend the loaded wire gently to fit the cooking area. Avoid sharp kinks, overlapping food and contact with appliance elements.
- Cook and turn. Use suitable tongs and heat-resistant gloves to reposition the skewer. Treat the whole wire, including its ends, as hot.
- Check doneness. Check the food itself with a clean thermometer. Do not judge doneness by browned edges alone.
- Serve safely. Transfer cooked food to a clean plate. Let the metal cool before handling it directly, and take care with the pointed end when sliding food off.
Cleaning and storing your skewers
Allow the skewers to cool, then wash away food and marinade residue, paying attention to the cable and ends. Follow the supplied cleaning instructions rather than assuming dishwasher compatibility. Dry thoroughly before storing and keep the pointed ends safely out of reach of children. Stop using a skewer if the cable becomes frayed or damaged.
For your first meal, keep it straightforward: one skewer of evenly sized chicken pieces and another of peppers, courgettes and onion. Serve with flatbreads, salad and a dip, removing each skewer when its ingredients are ready. You can find the LUKATA set of two flexible skewers here.
