First Time for Bacon

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poacherjoe

Smoking Fanatic
Original poster
Nov 7, 2019
599
731
Central Ca
I am going to do my first run on bacon but I need some info ? Costco has 2 types of pork to work with and I want to know which is best for making bacon ? Pork belly or pork belly with the rind on ? Also should I buy a pre packaged brine or just mix my own. Now the tough question which pre mix should I get ? I see Brown sugar and honey and maple are available at most of the online stores.
 
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I like the rind.
i haven't used a commercial mix, just Pop's Brine or Bearcarver's Tenderquick dry cure.

Both are excellent.
 
I use plain ole belly because that's what is available to me. Haven't used any commercial cures either just tenderquick or cure 1, and have used pop's brine also.

Ryan
 
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I have been using Disco's dry rub for quite a long time now. Here it is on YouTube, I couldn't find it here, but it is here somewhere. . The AMAZN Smoker is an essential in my mind, although you could get away without it.

I often add additional stuff to his basic rub for different flavors (pepper, coriander, red wine, whatever seems like a good idea)
 
I have been using Disco's dry rub for quite a long time now. Here it is on YouTube, I couldn't find it here, but it is here somewhere. . The AMAZN Smoker is an essential in my mind, although you could get away without it.

I often add additional stuff to his basic rub for different flavors (pepper, coriander, red wine, whatever seems like a good idea)


Thanks for the video man, makes it so easy to see.
 
Here's the bacon rinsed off and refrigerated overnight going into the smoker with a nice pellicle
485853F2-A73C-4F4B-BBD6-A262E9360550_1_105_c.jpeg
 
I was pissed off when I found out they didn't have " Realtree Camo" but I guess woodland ain't so bad ! Now that little scooter is bad ass. The kids on the block don't stand a chance against me now.
 
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You commented all over it lol.
 
I am going to do my first run on bacon but I need some info ? Costco has 2 types of pork to work with and I want to know which is best for making bacon ? Pork belly or pork belly with the rind on ? Also should I buy a pre packaged brine or just mix my own. Now the tough question which pre mix should I get ? I see Brown sugar and honey and maple are available at most of the online stores.
I do rind off - I get mine at BJ's and love doing a peppered bacon cure. I just put one in the fridge last night, so by next weekend, it should be ready to smoke.

This is based on a 5lb. belly, and other than the Prague, I do vary some of the ingredients. I tend to add more pepper and pepper flakes because I love the taste. And if you like a less salty variety cut back on the Kosher salt. I'll add more pepper when I smoke it of course :) Everything gets mixed together to a pasty consistency, in the large ziploc bag and massaged on all sides. I'll flip and massage daily until it's ready to come out.
  • 1 teaspoons Prague Powder #1
  • 5 Tablespoons coarse Kosher salt
  • 5 Tablespoons brown sugar
  • 3 Tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon maple syrup
  • 3 Tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
  • 1 ½ teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
 
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I used to remove the rind before slicing. Then one time i forgot and realized when i took it out of the freezer for slicing. I thought....how bad can it be and sliced with rind on. I usually slice very thin1.5-2.5 on my slicer. Texture was great, crunch, added smoke flavour from the rind. Never went back.
 
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Here's the finished product. It turned out just fine and I can make adjustments if I so choose to do this again but I will try a few different recipe's in the future and get it right where I like it best. Thank's for all the help and adviceView attachment 634198
Mmmmmmm lookin good!

What I like about 145F bacon is that you can eat it as you slice it and right out of the vac seal packs. Honestly, most of my bacon never hits a skillet hahhaha. Bacon cold cuts!!! :D
 
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