First Bacon Attempt

[dangerdan]

Tomorrow I expect to complete a fridge I've been converting over the past couple weeks and I'm looking forward to making some bacon. I'll get the cure mixed up and get things started tonight. I plan on using the recipe navion jim posted. This will finally give me the opportunity to use my crawdad kettle.



I can cure out a lot of bacon in this sucker but I'm only starting with two bellies for now to see how it comes out.



Whoooohooo lets get started...

 

[bassman]

Good luck on the bacon. I'll bet that sweetie is more than a handfull!

 

[bmudd14474]

Good luck Dan. I am sure it will turn out great.

 

[desertlites]

jim lernt me the steps many moons ago-hope yours turns out better than a fert- fallow and u will love it-good lucks Dan

 

[cowgirl]

Good luck with your bacon Dan. Your helper sure is a cutie! :)

 

[ronp]

Good luck Dan!!

 

[dangerdan]

The pot Jim refers to is stainless. This one is alunimum. Will this be a problem?

 

[richtee]

Sooo I missed the belly train I assume? Sigh

 

[richtee]

Yes. Must be food grade plastic, glass, or stainless.

 

[bigarm's smokin]

I agree, she is a sweetie.

those bellies will have you in bacon for quite a while. Have fun.

 

[dangerdan]

thanks! Reckon I'll keep tryin to collect enough crawdads...

Don't worry, another train will be along shortly. This packing house is only a few miles from where my motorhome is kept. I go through weekly. have been for years now. K, gotta go get a container.

Wait, food grade plastic can be a big clear platic bag though.. Yreka!!!!

 

[richtee]

ONLY if is says for food storage... Catering supplies have them. You DON'T want to have meat hanging for a week in a cure in something that can affect it. Too much chemistry for safety. And it's Eureka! ;{)

 

[dangerdan]

The big clear plastic bag the bellies came in is what I was refering to. That was my bright idea...It'll be good for tonight anyways. I have to go to town tomorrow. I'll get something more durable then.

Yeah, Eureaka But I was clownin.

I'll get back to you folks in 5 days.

 

[richtee]

Mmmm bacon! And yep, those bags be good. pretty leak/puncture proof too. You have a vac packer? It will speed curing times by around 20% I have found.

 

[dangerdan]

Yah mean that piece of 3/4" plywood I cut to fit in the bin with the two 3x8x16 solid cinderblocks sittin on top?

Yep I considered that. I picked up a box of huge heavy duty clear food bags and the GFC this morning. I bagged up the "packer" as well so theres no contact between the food and the wood.

Yep, I think everythings going real well in there. Nice & juicy...

Edit: you meant Vacuum Packer as in Food Saver type. in that case, yeah but I'm in no rush.