Bacon in the hopper

bgebrent

16 lb belly trimmed down to cure next months (weeks) bacon.  I love bacon!  The BGE does too.  Finale next weekend.  Everyone's invited!!  Happy Memorial Day!! 

buzd504

Damn, that's a lot of bacon.  I love homemade bacon.  I can't wait to see pics when it's done.

bgebrent

Big Belly to play with huh?  Stand by...

bgebrent

@SGH and @henapple, you both are premier league, any suggestions for smoking pork belly/bacon?  Lump and applewood?  Interested in your input!

bgebrent

@4Runner and @Chubbs, you too are eggsperts, finishing bacon?

bgebrent

anyone?  Happy Memorial Day to all!

4Runner

This is going to be good.    I haven't ventured to bacon yet.   Good luck

bgebrent

Thank you @4Runner.  Homemade bacon.  Nothing better!  Easy and fun. Try it and you'll eat much less store bought bacon. 

Chubbs

Looking good so far. I have never hot smoked. I have done over 100lbs of homemade bacon but all cold smoked. I usually do a ton in the winter to last me the year. Good luck and let us know what you decide 

Thatgrimguy

When I have done bacon, I have set up to smoke as low as possible. Trying to stay under 200 dome temp. Bring the bacon up to 140 and cool quickly.

bgebrent

Interesting brothers!  I'm fairly new and only hot smoked my bacon (225 degrees) to IT of 150 and then quick cool.  As per Ruhlman.  I've been happy with the results but I'm very interested in @Chubbs and @Thatgrimguy how you finish your bacon!  

Chubbs

bgebrent said:

Interesting brothers!  I'm fairly new and only hot smoked my bacon (225 degrees) to IT of 150 and then quick cool.  As per Ruhlman.  I've been happy with the results but I'm very interested in @Chubbs and @Thatgrimguy how you finish your bacon!  

Cold smoked using Amaze n Smoker. 

Thatgrimguy

After it's smoked I vac seal it and rest it for a week then slice and fry like bacon.

bgebrent

Finished the cure on Sunday and had to wrap up the lake place from the kid visit so no sliced or plated pix.  Next weekend!  Bacon nirvana.  I really appreciate all the input!  I'll slice it all up this weekend.  12# of homade bacon.  really excited to try the garlic rosemary bacon.

blasting

Never tried home made bacon.  Can't imagine it being less than spectacular.

mmmm. bacon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LC-KxY07aVI

bgebrent

Finally had time to slice up the four bacons and taste test.  Thanks to SWMBO cause the was easier with 2 people. They were all really good!  The garlic/rosemary was most interesting and savory.  I'll repeat all these.  We're stocked for the time being!

Scottborasjr

Looks great to me. Bacon making is something I'd really like to try sometime. Yours looks spot on. Nicely done!!