Now what flavors of dust do you like?I've got 4.5 pounds of cheese smoking right now, it went on at 0630 when the temp was still 18°. Today I'm using pepperjack and extra sharp cheddar. I also like colbyjack. I use an A-Maze-N sawdust tray lit on both ends and usually have smoke times of 6 hours, but I sample one block along the way to dial in the flavor. One tip is to make all your blocks close to the same size, and if you have some cheese wedges, cut the thin portion and just remove them earlier.
Be careful of the pellets, they produce a LOT of smoke and cheese needs just a light smoke. So get as much draft as you possible can. I'd sample after an hour just to make sure your smoke is light enough. Here is my basic set-up, if you look just above the blocks at 11:00, you can see how light the smoke is. It's about like 2 cigarettes burning in an ashtray.
View attachment 471820
Yes the 2 week time is hard to wait especially when your out!I normally use Apple or Hickory dust when smoking cheese. Try a small slice at the 2hr mark to see how strong the flavor is. If you like that taste. Take it off the smoker. If it needs more repeat every hour. Also after it sits overnight in your re-fridge try it again - just to be sure. I don't like waiting the two week mellowing period, and don't feel it's necessary. Good luck and enjoy.
Chris
I use hickory and the Pitmaster Blend. Here is a video I made that shows exactly what my smoke looks like.Now what flavors of dust do you like?
I have a 30" MB gasser that flows well with vents full open and have been going 4hrs. with the 2 week wait, we really like the heavy smoke flavor but will have to try a lighter smoke to see. Thanks for the tips!
If you can get your smoke amount pretty light, try smoking some butter, but watch it like a hawk it's way more delicate than cheese. It's really good for scrambling eggs, popcorn, corn on the cob etc. I save the wax wrappers and re-wrap after smoking.Looks like Apple, Hickory and Pitmaster which I have all 3.
I'll start with Pitmaster and try the others.
Thanks to all for your input!
Yes! already have done butter. Trying to spread the word to all my friends! Next best thing since sliced bread!If you can get your smoke amount pretty light, try smoking some butter, but watch it like a hawk it's way more delicate than cheese. It's really good for scrambling eggs, popcorn, corn on the cob etc. I save the wax wrappers and re-wrap after smoking.