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Cold smoking cheese advice

Just bought an A-maze-n tube smoker. This weekend I plan on smoking some cheese. So far I have sharp, jalapeno jack, and Havarti cheese. I plan on using apple wood chips to smoke it. Is there a website out there that covers the basics of cold smoking cheese with a BGE? Wood selection for smoke with different cheeses?  

Comments

  • NPHuskerFL
    NPHuskerFL Posts: 17,629
    LBGE 2013 & MM 2014
    Die Hard HUSKER & BRONCO FAN
    Flying Low & Slow in "Da Burg" FL
  • Raymont
    Raymont Posts: 710
    Just plan to seal up the cheese after smoking, put it in the fridge and let it mellow for at least a week if not 2. It can be overly smokey at first, but it gets better after a while.

    Small & Large BGE

    Nashville, TN

  • Chubbs
    Chubbs Posts: 6,929
    What is it you want to know? I have done a ton of it. Not much to it. Start low in terms of hours and work way up. Foodsaver and age afterwards. 
    Columbia, SC --- LBGE 2011 -- MINI BGE 2013
  • Is apple the preferred wood to smoke cheese with? Do I smoke it for 2 to 3 hours? Then vacuum seal it for 2 to 3 weeks?
  • Are you planning on using chips or pellets? I would use pellets for longer smoking times.

    I've used maple pellets and hickory for smoking cheese - do it on a cool day, start early and let it run for 3-4 hours. Turn the cheese over every few hours for even color and to ensure it doesn't melt through the grate.

    Once it's starting to really melt (if it does) or if the color gets where you want it - pull it off and put in the fridge for 12 hours. Then vacuum seal and it'll keep for a few weeks.
    Formerly of Houston, TX - Now Located in Bastrop, TX
    I work in the 'que business now (since 2017)

    6 Eggs: (1) XL, (2) Large, (1) Small, (1) Minimax & (1) Mini - Egging since 2007
    Also recently gained: (1) Gas Thing (came with the house), (1) 36" Blackstone Griddle & (1) Pitts & Spitts Pellet Smoker
  • I'm using pellets. Just bought an A-maze-N tube smoker Sunday. Can't wait. Thanks for the input.
  • HeavyG
    HeavyG Posts: 10,380
    Is apple the preferred wood to smoke cheese with? Do I smoke it for 2 to 3 hours? Then vacuum seal it for 2 to 3 weeks?
    Individual palettes vary. Just a lot of variables here - type of cheese, type of wood, duration of smoke, quantity of smoke, temperature while smoking.

    Here's a page that gives some examples of different smoking times: http://www.thereallygoodlife.com/276/cold-smoking-cheese-taste-testing-the-first-batch/

    Obviously the longer smoke time the more smoke on the cheese. Some folks like a heavy smoke some like a lighter smoke. Only you can decide what you like.

    I generally wrap and store smoked cheese for at least a month before eating. Some wait longer, some wait less. I know of a fellow that has let smoked cheese mellow for a couple years before eating.

    If you use pellets in your Amazen tube pay attention to the pellets you buy. Most pellets sold are made from a blend of woods. There are some pellets that claim to be made of 100% the wood type labeled. If you are really wanting to smoke with just one specific species then make sure you look for those 100% pellets.

    Experiment. Have fun. 
    “Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.” ― Philip K. Diçk




  • lewisj82
    lewisj82 Posts: 184
    I've been wanting to try this and I think I'm going to do a test batch soon and then do some for easy Christmas presents. Naked Wiz keeps saying to not put in the fridge immediately, how long should you wait before doing that?

    BGE XL- Tomball, TX

    "Well let me just quote the late-great Colonel Sanders, who said, "I'm too drunk to taste this chicken" - Ricky Bobby