Let's Talk BBQ

Cured Meats & Food Preservation => Cured meats & Food Preservation => Charcuterie: Ham, Bacon, Sausage, etc. => Topic started by: zueth on February 03, 2018, 06:36:19 PM

Title: First attempt at bacon
Post by: zueth on February 03, 2018, 06:36:19 PM: I picked up a 10.5 lb pork belly from Costco to make bacon. I split the pork belly in half so I had 2- 5lb chunks. I planned on doing maple bacon so mixed together the ingredients:
2 oz Kosher Salt
2 tsp cure #1
1/4 C Maple Sugar
1/4 C Maple Syrup

Did two batches of brine, one for each 5lb belly and spread over the pork belly and put it in a zip loc and in the fridge for seven days. Esch night I flipped them over to distribute cure properly. After the 7th day, I removed from cure and rinsed with water. Then i put them on an inverted bradley rack into the fridge overnight. The next day I fired up the Bradley and smoked at 120 for 3 hours with maple, then continued to cook at 160 until IT of 140. Put the bellies in the fridge overnight and then the next day I put them in zip locs. They sat in the fridge about 48 hours and then I sliced. I left out about 8 pieces and vacuum packed the rest and put in the freezer. I cooked some up this am and the flavor was amazing, but the texture was a little firm, so I just need to work on the best way to cook. I think I will try lower temps the next time around. Overall I consider it a success and will be doing more.

Here are pics of the process:
Pork Belly
(https://preview.ibb.co/hWiMUR/Photo_Jan_22_5_30_42_PM.jpg) (https://ibb.co/dWWVOm)
Out of brine
(https://preview.ibb.co/hkGVOm/Photo_Jan_30_9_20_29_AM.jpg) (https://ibb.co/bMC4im)
Out of smoker
(https://preview.ibb.co/jYdAOm/Photo_Jan_30_6_22_38_PM.jpg) (https://ibb.co/njoYb6)
(https://preview.ibb.co/mJe6w6/Photo_Jan_30_7_59_51_PM.jpg) (https://ibb.co/e5YAOm)
Bacon Jig
(https://preview.ibb.co/h9eH3m/Photo_Feb_02_7_46_50_PM.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fh3zG6)
Sliced Up
(https://preview.ibb.co/jDtzG6/Photo_Feb_02_7_37_39_PM.jpg) (https://ibb.co/mXmKG6)
(https://preview.ibb.co/dph4im/Photo_Feb_02_8_07_00_PM.jpg) (https://ibb.co/kPxtb6)
Title: First attempt at bacon
Post by: Pappymn on February 03, 2018, 06:47:19 PM: Looks like you did a fantastic job. Not sure I understand how the jig works

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Title: Re: First attempt at bacon
Post by: zueth on February 03, 2018, 07:04:03 PM: Quote from: Pappymn on February 03, 2018, 06:47:19 PM
Looks like you did a fantastic job. Not sure I understand how the jig works

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The idea is that you move it 1/4 inch each time and run blade against it to give you an even 1/4 inch slice of bacon each time. Worked pretty well once i got the hang of it.
Title: First attempt at bacon
Post by: Pappymn on February 03, 2018, 07:09:49 PM: Thanks. Makes sense. I'm not terribly bright

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Title: Re: First attempt at bacon
Post by: teesquare on February 03, 2018, 07:17:55 PM: It looks great!

Did you build the jig - or buy it? Looks like foamed PVC board...?
Title: Re: First attempt at bacon
Post by: smokeasaurus on February 03, 2018, 08:14:27 PM: Bacon looks great.
Title: First attempt at bacon
Post by: zueth on February 04, 2018, 02:09:22 AM: I built it, its starboard, had a plastic shop cut to size and screwed it together. Got the idea from another site. Pretty happy with it for the first time

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Title: Re: First attempt at bacon
Post by: HighOnSmoke on February 04, 2018, 09:30:19 AM: Great looking bacon!