Cob Smoked Bacon (Harrington's knock off)

[BobP325]

Bought a bag of Sunseed Brand Natural Corn Cob Bedding with following claims: made from 100% USA-grown corn cob, biodegradable and no artificial dyes or additives. Smoked a trimmed 4# piece of pork belly after a 1 week cure with the following: 4 ½ teaspoons kosher salt, 4 ½ teaspoons ground black pepper, 3 tablespoons dark brown sugar, ½ cup of maple syrup, ¾ cup distilled water and ½ teaspoon of Prague Powder. Did a 250 deg smoke until a 150 deg internal temp was reached.
The results were outstanding spot on aroma, and flavor (my taste test). I'm hesitant to have others eat it because I'm thinking is the smoke from these cobs safe? As stated on the bag, 100% USA-grown corn cob, biodegradable and no artificial dyes or additives. Ultimately I want to do a Christmas ham as I did last year, this time I'll use corn cobs.

 

[chef jimmyj]

The Cob Pellet Bedding is perfectly Safe for Animals and Smoking Meat. Several guys, past and present, use it...JJ

 

[zwiller]

Yep, cob is safe. I like cob and have done lots straight (avatar turkey was 100% cob) but now prefer it in a mix. It reminds me of how farmers smoked stuff around here with whatever they had on hand. Very old fashioned vibe.

 

[mneeley490]

I bought from Harrington's back in the 90's; it was great stuff and clued me in to cob smoking.
Now I buy Best Cob bedding from Tractor Supply. 40 lb. bag is $9.99, and use about a 70/30 mix of cob and cherry when I'm smoking bacon or hams. Been doing it that way for years, and it's a favorite of friends and family.

 

[BobP325]

Thanx for the response guys. I appreciate the feedback and the relief knowing the cob pellets are safe to use.