Is my ham safe?

[ACrandall19]

I just cured and smoked my first ham. I just went by a recipe I found and advice from a friend. I wish I would have found this forum first. Anyway, it is a bone-in, 7 lb ham. Even though I cured it for 5 days, I have an I cured spot in the middle. Can I still eat it? I did not know about injecting until I started looking on the forum.

 

[richadam]

I just cured and smoked my first ham. I just went by a recipe I found and advice from a friend. I wish I would have found this forum first. Anyway, it is a bone-in,7 lb ham. Even though I cured it for 5 days, I have an I cured spot in the middle.gb whatsapp Can I still eat it? I did not know about injecting until I started looking on the forum.

The general rule is no longer than 4 hours total out in the danger zone temperatures including the time before and after cooking, but of course there are situations to which this does not apply. Consider "Pancetta" (Italian Bacon). That meat is cured then hung up to dry at room temperature for 5 to 7 days.

 

[SmokinEdge]

The ham looks ok. The core does not look completely grey? Maybe pale pink? 5 days on a ham without injection is a no go.

Tell me about your curing process so we can get a better idea of salt % and cure #1 %.

 

[smokerjim]

What temp did you smoke at, what was the internal temp when you pulled it. Usually your nose will let you know if it's no good.

 

[gmc2003]

Old post. The OP hasn't been on since Jan.

Chris

 

[SmokinEdge]

Old post. The OP hasn't been on since Jan.

Chris

Thanks Chris. I was not paying attention at all.

 

[gmc2003]

Thanks Chris. I was not paying attention at all.

No worries Edge. I've been there and done it also.

Chris

 

[smokerjim]

Old post. The OP hasn't been on since Jan.

Chris

Oops

 

[TNJAKE]

I guess he ate the ham........

 

[zwiller]

I guess he ate the ham........

Ya beat me to it LOL.

 

[gmc2003]

The truist definition of a one and done poster.

Chris

 

[912smoker]

Yep turns out the ham was not safe for human consumption....


Keith

 

[Ringer]

Well crap, I though this was gonna end with "that's what she said"

 

[gmc2003]

Should have read the FDAs warning label.

Chris

 

[SmokinEdge]

Should have ask here first, then made the ham.

 

[chopsaw]

Old post. The OP hasn't been on since Jan.

Chris

Wait ,,,, what month is it ?

 

[bigfurmn]

No worries Edge. I've been there and done it also.

Chris

Anyone here who helps out that hasn’t replied to a really old post by mistake???

 

[eaglewing]

Wait ,,,, what month is it ?

Exactly, time flies when you're in a coma from bad ham

 

[SmokinEdge]

I just cured and smoked my first ham. I just went by a recipe I found and advice from a friend. I wish I would have found this forum first. Anyway, it is a bone-in, 7 lb ham. Even though I cured it for 5 days, I have an I cured spot in the middle. Can I still eat it? I did not know about injecting until I started looking on the forum.

Ok, given that this is an old thread. For the posterity of the forum, for those who may later search this thread or stumble upon it. I’d like to give an answer to the original question.

As long as the final internal temp on pork was at least 145F and the cure #1 was at 0.25% to meat weight, and as long as salt percentage to meat weight was at least 1.5% , this ham was safe. Maybe not cured all through, but 5 days with no injection is not near enough time to cure a whole ham.

So if you are new and stumbled on to this thread, ask here ( on the forum) before you start the curing process. We will start you off on any number of processes that will produce a solid pink ham that is in fact safe.

Don’t just do. Ask first and then do. We have your back.