First time home curing and smoking bacon

[Pit pixie]

So I decided to try and make some bacon.
Its been curing for 7 days and left to air dry for 24 hours.

Got my base of coals on the go

Just waiting to add my second kettle of coals .

 

[JLeonard]

Looks like a good start!
Jim

 

[tbern]

looks good, keep updating with your progress!

 

[Retired Spook]

From the looks of the slab, you are off to a good start!

 

[SmokinEdge]

What temperature are you going to run? Smoke wood? What final internal temperature?

 

[Pit pixie]

Ok so two hours Iin and going well

Meat looks like it is cooking??

Fire is good I think??

 

[Pit pixie]

What temperature are you going to run? Smoke wood? What final internal temperature?

Chamber temp appx 220°f

I am sure I see somewhere internally temp when finished should be appx 155°f

 

[Pit pixie]

What temperature are you going to run? Smoke wood? What final internal temperature?

Wood is apple and cherry. I am alternating each log as I go.

 

[SmokinEdge]

I am sure I see somewhere internally temp when finished should be appx 155°f

145F is all you need, so keep that in mind.

Wood is apple and cherry. I am alternating each log as I go.

Those are two of my favorite woods for bacon. For general smoking I’m using cherry and pecan.

You will soon be rewarded.

 

[Pit pixie]

145F is all you need, so keep that in mind.


Those are two of my favorite woods for bacon. For general smoking I’m using cherry and pecan.

You will soon be rewarded.

So my temp is too high in the chamber?
First attempt so if it is we will be having belly pork for lunch today
Or do you mean finished meat temp should be appx 145?
First time using apple. I like cherry and hickory. But they are so far the only woods I have used.

 

[JLeonard]

So my temp is too high in the chamber?
First attempt so if it is we will be having belly pork for lunch today
Or do you mean finished meat temp should be appx 145?
First time using apple. I like cherry and hickory. But they are so far the only woods I have used.

Yeah for bacon IT should be 145 degrees. It is edible (safely) at that temp.
Jim

 

[Pit pixie]

Belly pork for lunch today then hahahaha thank you.

 

[mr_whipple]

Internal temp of the bacon should be 145. You're fine.

 

[JLeonard]

Whats the IT right now?
Jim

 

[SmokinEdge]

So my temp is too high in the chamber?
First attempt so if it is we will be having belly pork for lunch today
Or do you mean finished meat temp should be appx 145?
First time using apple. I like cherry and hickory. But they are so far the only woods I have used.

I’m referring to internal meat temperature. 145-150F is fine. You can go higher but the fat starts to render and changes the texture of the meat.

Your pit temperature is a little higher than optimal but you have to work with what you have, it will be fine. I assume you have a meat thermometer? If so probe in the thickest part and pull off the smoker around 145F IT.

 

[Pit pixie]

Ok so my meat emp got to 170 at the fattest part so I have taken it off.

Its not bad taste is good. Fat is melt in the mouth. If I done it at the lower temp like it should be then I would of left it on but because I have done it so high, (as its my first attempt) I though over 3 hours would be enough.

Ill let you know what it is like once I fry it up as bacon

 

[tbern]

that sure looks good!!

 

[TNJAKE]

Sure does look good

 

[Brokenhandle]

Looks good! In your future tries you don't have to smoke it to an internal temp of 145. You can cold smoke it around or at temps up to 80 degrees, or warm smoke to temps around 120 degrees. Each of us are different so have to try each one to see which you prefer!
What time is lunch?

Ryan

 

[Retired Spook]

Your bacon looks great - especially for a first time go! MUCH better than my first slab!!!

My bacon smoke recipe is to smoke at 200-degrees until the bacon reaches 140-degrees internal temperature (the temperature at which point the fat starts to render - something I do not want).

Just my 2-cents worth