Curing Time

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Biggy1

Meat Mopper
Original poster
Apr 5, 2019
228
35
Houston Texas
I purchased a 5# pork belly and using the EQ dry method , question is what amount of time do I refrigerate and flip 7-10 days ?
 
I flip every day
if you have your cure1 amount right I do14 days but that is me being safe
my bellies have no skin

I slice the middle and test fry for the pink meat before I cold smoke
 
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I flip every day
if you have your cure1 amount right I do14 days but that is me being safe
my bellies have no skin

I slice the middle and test fry for the pink meat before I cold smoke
I put in 5.66 grams of cure#1 and it has no skin on it.
 
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I purchased a 5# pork belly and using the EQ dry method , question is what amount of time do I refrigerate and flip 7-10 days ?
Take your time and be patient, it’s worth it. 10 days is the earliest I’d pull it, and 14 days is better. It will likely be cured in 7 days, but it takes time for the salt to balance and the flavors to develop.
Turn it over every other day.

If you pull it at 10 days, by the time you form a pelicul, smoke it, re bag it and rest it, you’ll have bacon at 14 days.
 
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Take your time and be patient, it’s worth it. 10 days is the earliest I’d pull it, and 14 days is better. It will likely be cured in 7 days, but it takes time for the salt to balance and the flavors to develop.
Turn it over every other day.

If you pull it at 10 days, by the time you form a pelicul, smoke it, re bag it and rest it, you’ll have bacon at 14 days.
Really appreciate it sir 👍
 
If your salt and sugar (if used) are within the common limits, I agree with the 14 days of curing. Your amount of cure is spot on. Of course your fridge needs to be 34° - 38° ish.
 
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I purchased a 5# pork belly and using the EQ dry method , question is what amount of time do I refrigerate and flip 7-10 days ?
This is a biggie. Mind sharing the rest of the recipe? Salt % is all that matters.
 
Last edited:
I cure 14 days... 2 days of cold smoke/6 hrs./day... then another 4-5 days in the refer to bloom....
ALL days in the refer the meat is on a wire rack open to the air... on a sheet pan...

Bacon 8-30 002 (2).JPG

Bacon and Spacers.jpg

Bacon 5-2020 001.JPG
 
14 days here too, then 4 days drying on a wire rack in the fridge, then cold smoke for 10 hours, then 4 more days drying in the fridge. Finally put in freezer for 2-3 hours & it will make slicing much easier.
Good luck!
Al
 
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14 days here too, then 4 days drying on a wire rack in the fridge, then cold smoke for 10 hours, then 4 more days drying in the fridge. Finally put in freezer for 2-3 hours & it will make slicing much easier.
Good luck!
Al
Thank you very much sir!
 
I Dry cure with Tender Quick.
I go by thickness as to how long to cure.
Nothing gets cured less than 8 days.

Bear
 
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