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Bacon...

i've decided to do a little curing and experimenting with bacon. haven't really seen much on here about cured meats....

so i got a pork belly and built a cure for it. let it go for seven days, turning twice a day with a message to distribute the cure.
started some lump in my chimney as i wanted a cold smoke on the belly. i used applewood chips i had soaked. did a slow cold smoke for two hours on the bacon...dome temp was up to 100 degrees when i took it off....
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i145/lang96/002-50_zps279f9227.jpg

sliced it up and packaged it for freezing...looks good, tastes even better. i will never buy bacon again!
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i145/lang96/007-18_zpsb686af52.jpg

at the same time i started my porkbelly, i bought a really small boston butt. 3.59 pounds and boneless. cost me $3.56. since i was doing a bacon experiment, i wanted to do "Buckboard Bacon" too. so, using a different cure recipe, i stuck it in the frig for a fifteen day cure.
Raw...Rubbed...Smoked:
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i145/lang96/003-43_zps6cb76969.jpg
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i145/lang96/005-29_zpsd98a56f8.jpg
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i145/lang96/002-50_zps85a2806a.jpg

cold hickory smoke in the lg BGE for three hours, dome temp up to 150 degrees....sliced up and ready to go....
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i145/lang96/005-29_zps1260b037.jpg
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i145/lang96/007-18_zps383ab836.jpg
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i145/lang96/008-15_zps7ccfe4c4.jpg

i really like the buckboard bacon! kinda like a cross between bacon and country salt cured ham (Virginia ham). less fat than regular bacon with the same great taste, and it's cheaper and easier to get than pork belly!

flats





fishing, curing, smoking, cooking, eating. living

Comments

  • i really need to figure out how to post a pic on here!
    fishing, curing, smoking, cooking, eating. living
  • TwoCooks
    TwoCooks Posts: 35
    Sorry, I'm a newbie to the BGE world and we are just getting started with only one cook under our belt.  I can't help you with the direct pic posting but your URL's worked and I was able to see the steps you showed on your smoking bacon.  I must say this got me thinking... told the Hubby this is definitely something I want to try.  One thing you did not go into much detail about was, "the actual cure ingredients"?  You mentioned recipes were different between the two cuts of meat.  Or am I treading on secret ingredients here?  TY for your help.  Mouthwatering at the thought of home cured Bacon!!
  • Looks amazing! I saw pork belly at the grocery store for the fist time last week. I didn't buy it because I had already blown the budget on other eggable goodies, so I'm hoping it is still there when I go back!
  • jimfastcar
    jimfastcar Posts: 88
    I had a lot of trouble maintaining the temp below 150 today and had to re-start the charcoal. Would love some insight as I was playing around with the lid and screen door
  • jeroldharter
    jeroldharter Posts: 556
    If you are cold smoking, try the Amazin Smoker in the egg. Won't get hot. You could smoke it all day long.

  • billyray
    billyray Posts: 1,275
    Cold smoking is usually at temps. below 100 degrees, above that is hot smoking. Rulhman's book actually calls for temps in the 70 degree range for cold smoking.
    Felton, Ca. 2-LBGE, 1-Small, PBC, PK360, Genesis Summit, Camp Chef Flattop, Smokefire 24, Traeger Pro Series 22 Pellet with a Smoke Daddy insert, Gateway 55 Gal. drum, SNS Kettle w/acc.
  • jimfastcar
    jimfastcar Posts: 88

    Thanks

    Got the Amazen Smoker.  As a side bar interesting that Dealer sells for same price as is quoted on their website - this is unusual for us in Canada

    It seems I will need to buy or borrow a meat slicer - i am assuming you did not slice that Bacon by hand  ?

  • Griffin
    Griffin Posts: 8,200

    Very cool cook. Earlier this year there was a ton of bacon posts being made, you might do a search for them. Yours looks great. As for inserting pics directly into the post, the link you have needs to have a [img] at the front and a [/img] at the end .

    Rowlett, Texas

    Griffin's Grub or you can find me on Facebook

    The Supreme Potentate, Sovereign Commander and Sultan of Wings

     

  • Chubbs
    Chubbs Posts: 6,929

    Thanks

    Got the Amazen Smoker.  As a side bar interesting that Dealer sells for same price as is quoted on their website - this is unusual for us in Canada

    It seems I will need to buy or borrow a meat slicer - i am assuming you did not slice that Bacon by hand  ?

    I have sliced about 60 lbs of bacon by hand in the past 4 months. You just need to throw the belly in the freezer for a little while to firm it up and use a long slicing knife. Takes some patience, but I like it. Once you get down to the last inch or two inch strip, I cut that into lardons and use for salads, seasoning beans, etc. 


    Columbia, SC --- LBGE 2011 -- MINI BGE 2013
  • Little Steven
    Little Steven Posts: 28,817
    photo 008-15_zps7ccfe4c4.jpg

    Steve 

    Caledon, ON

     

  • Little Steven
    Little Steven Posts: 28,817
    I just click on the thumbnail to enlarge copy and paste it in the comment

    Steve 

    Caledon, ON

     

  • Chubbs
    Chubbs Posts: 6,929
    Nice @LittleSteven!!!
    Columbia, SC --- LBGE 2011 -- MINI BGE 2013
  • Little Steven
    Little Steven Posts: 28,817
    Not my post Chubbs

    Steve 

    Caledon, ON

     

  • Chubbs
    Chubbs Posts: 6,929
    Speaking of bacon, anyone got any ideas for little plastic pieces to place the sliced bacon on before sliding in food saver bag. Thinking of something like the packs you get from the store have in it. Going bare-back into the FS bag, it is fairly difficult to get the bacon to lay nice and neat. Just curious as I am going to be giving bacon to friends and family for holidays
    Columbia, SC --- LBGE 2011 -- MINI BGE 2013
  • Iowaegger
    Iowaegger Posts: 2
    Would you share the cure recipes you used? I have been wanting to try this as well, but I don't know any good cure recipes.
  • Chubbs
    Chubbs Posts: 6,929
    Iowaegger said:
    Would you share the cure recipes you used? I have been wanting to try this as well, but I don't know any good cure recipes.
    Yep, but will be tonight when I get home. Place an order for the book 'Charcuterie'. It is what most on here go by I believe. I use it, and it is a great buy

    Columbia, SC --- LBGE 2011 -- MINI BGE 2013
  • BigWader
    BigWader Posts: 673

    @chubbs you need something like this

    http://emballagesrapidesplus.com/PRODUCTS/products3.html

    This company is based in QC and not sure they sell to individuals - but I'm sure you can find that stateside easier.

    Toronto, Canada

    Large BGE, Small BGE

     

  • r270ba
    r270ba Posts: 763
    Chubbs said:
    Iowaegger said:
    Would you share the cure recipes you used? I have been wanting to try this as well, but I don't know any good cure recipes.
    Yep, but will be tonight when I get home. Place an order for the book 'Charcuterie'. It is what most on here go by I believe. I use it, and it is a great buy

    +1 for Charcuterie and +1 for @chubbs and his help with curing bacon.  I have another 20 lbs going in to cure this weekend.

    I am going to have to try the buckboard bacon!
    Anderson, SC
    XL BGE, Father's Day Gift 2012 (Thanks Fam!!!)
    Webber Kettle and Webber Summit Gasser
    Want List: Thermapen, Small BGE, Wok, Adjustable Rig, Food Saver, More $

  • Iowaegger
    Iowaegger Posts: 2
    Thanks. Will check it out!
  • Chubbs
    Chubbs Posts: 6,929
    First and most importantly you need some pink curing salt. Have that?
    Columbia, SC --- LBGE 2011 -- MINI BGE 2013