Bacon Season has arrived

[dirtsailor2003]

A few weeks ago our Costco had bellies on sale so I picked up two nice ones to make into bacon. I like to dry cure and cold smoke my bacon. I had planned on smoking on the 24th of October, but life got in the way so Smoke day will be Nov 2nd. I will be cold smoking and plan on smoking 18 hours straight through. I will use cobb pellets. I may mix in some cherry too. After smoking I will age the bacon for 5-7 days then vac pack for the freezer.

As usual I used Digging Dogs Universal cure calculator for the cure mix. I will dry season the slabs tonight when I take them out of the vac packs to dry and form the pellicle. I season with white pepper, cracked black pepper and garlic powder (no measurements I sprinkle on until it looks good).

I cut the bellies into thirds for curing. Fits better in my fridge and I can use gallon sized vac pack bags.

Cure calculated for one of the slabs

Weigh each slab prior to calculating the cure.

I write the weight, cure mix, and date started on all bags.

More to come Saturday.

 

[73saint]

Looks good! I've got 43lbs that have been drying all week, waiting for the storms to clear. Was going to start cold smoking this morning but it was still raining...so I'm going home at lunch to get them going!

 

[Slow42]

I haven’t make belly bacon before but your process looks like something I could handle. I see there is 2% salt in the cure seems low is that normal or just the % to your liking. And the sugar is that a normal amount? Thanks

 

[dirtsailor2003]

I haven’t make belly bacon before but your process looks like something I could handle. I see there is 2% salt in the cure seems low is that normal or just the % to your liking. And the sugar is that a normal amount? Thanks

Yes those are both normal. Especially when using cure #1.

 

[SmokinVOLfan]

Looking good! How much were the bellies there? Ours run about $3.29 lb would love to find some cheaper.

 

[Bearcarver]

Great Start, Case!!
Thirds work best for me too---Gallon Bags & they fit nice on my MES racks.
Look like nice Bellies!!
Be back for Final Pics. Slurp.

Bear

 

[dirtsailor2003]

Looking good! How much were the bellies there? Ours run about $3.29 lb would love to find some cheaper.

These were on sale for $2.29/# normally $2.79/#

 

[sawhorseray]

Those bellys look to be perfect for bacon, a lot nicer than I was able to find at a local Mexican meat market, and at a better price. I've got a Costco card and now I know where to look. Thanks for posting, LIKE. RAY

 

[fivetricks]

Costco is an excellent resource for large slab/primals. Plus you get case discounts!

 

[browneyesvictim]

Nice thick ones there! Looking good Case!

 

[disco]

Watching!

 

[foamheart]

Nice to see ya back old man, looking forward to that yearly wooden boat campout!

 

[HalfSmoked]

Nice start waiting for finish and some sammies or eggs and taters.

Warren

 

[Sowsage]

Cant wait to see the finished product! Looking good!

 

[dirtsailor2003]

Nice to see ya back old man, looking forward to that yearly wooden boat campout!

Hi Kevin! The last couple of years I have canceled the boat gathering I host. The Forest service changed the reservation system and now it's almost impossible to get the sites that we used to camp at.

Still out boating and camping in at other venues. Always hosting a group potluck. This year I cooked at two events. Here's a few photos of the fun we've been having.

Great Oregon Steam Up

Yep that's My tractor!

Toledo Oregon Wooden Boat show:

 

[foamheart]

Hi Kevin! The last couple of years I have canceled the boat gathering I host. The Forest service changed the reservation system and now it's almost impossible to get the sites that we used to camp at.

Still out boating and camping in at other venues. Always hosting a group potluck. This year I cooked at two events. Here's a few photos of the fun we've been having.

Great Oregon Steam Up

Yep that's My tractor!

Toledo Oregon Wooden Boat show:

Wow Would I be right in calling her a Ketch? Thats a good looking boat. I also even further up, like that wooden steamer. Nice Pictures.

 

[Winterrider]

Will be watching. Can't find bellies here.
Sweet looking tractor...

 

[SmokinAl]

Good to have you back on here Case!
Bet that bacon will be good!
Al

 

[dirtsailor2003]

Forgot to post this photo, been air drying in the fridge for several days now.

Will start smoking Saturday morning and plan on rolling straight through 18 hours. Cobb & Cherry mix has been decided on.

Seasoned the slabs with White pepper, Cracked black pepper, Garlic Powder.

 

[Smokin' in AZ]

Watching.....