My first try at bacon

[hardcookin]

I started out with 2 5lb pork bellies.
I was slightly confused about mixing the cure. The Tender Quick called for more than the bacon calculator did.
I cured the bellies for 10 days in vacuum sealed packs. Turning them everyday.
On day 10 I unsealed them and sliced a test piece of bacon off and cooked it to see how salty it was...Thought it was to salty, so I soaked the bellies in ice water for a couple hours. Result much better.
I cold smoke the bacon for 6 hours - A Maze - N tube and apple pellets.
I sliced the bacon with a knife and cooked some up. I'm pretty happy with the results.
A slicer would be nice, but a good sharp knife works good enough for now.
It was a good learning experience.

 

[jimmyinsd]

mmm bacon, the words are just a distraction.

nice job!

 

[tropics]

HC That looks great!! Nice job on slicing looks like time for me to make more Points
Richie

 

[GaryHibbert]

Nice looking bacon!! I just a pig back from the butcher. Sure hope mine turns out as good.
Obviously you got your cute figured iut. What did you go with?
Gary

 

[motocrash]

Dang'it ! You guys are gonna get me into curing and sausage making if I keep looking at these posts !
POINT

 

[Bearcarver]

Looks Great HC !!!
Nice Hand Slicing too!!
I "Like"!!

Yes---it takes about 12 1/2 times as much TQ as it takes Cure #1 for the same amount of meat.

Bear

 

[smokin peachey]

I started out with 2 5lb pork bellies.
I was slightly confused about mixing the cure. The Tender Quick called for more than the bacon calculator did.
I cured the bellies for 10 days in vacuum sealed packs. Turning them everyday.
On day 10 I unsealed them and sliced a test piece of bacon off and cooked it to see how salty it was...Thought it was to salty, so I soaked the bellies in ice water for a couple hours. Result much better.
I cold smoke the bacon for 6 hours - A Maze - N tube and apple pellets.
I sliced the bacon with a knife and cooked some up. I'm pretty happy with the results.
A slicer would be nice, but a good sharp knife works good enough for now.
It was a good learning experience.

Yummmmmm bacon. Looks good!

 

[Deer Meat]

Where you guys getting your pork bellies from? I have been wanting to cure my own bacon for some time now.

 

[pc farmer]

Great looking bacon

The cure calculator is for cure #1.

How much TQ did you use?

 

[hardcookin]

Where you guys getting your pork bellies from? I have been wanting to cure my own bacon for some time now.

Got my bellies at Sams club.

Great looking bacon

The cure calculator is for cure #1.

How much TQ did you use?

Adam thanks!
I used a tablespoon per pound.

 

[hardcookin]

Thanks everyone for the nice comments and the likes!
Figured I got about 7 lbs of bacon.And some nice chunks for some beans or soup.
As I mentioned this was a good learning experience for me.

I really wasn't sure how long to smoke the bacon. For me 6 hours was pretty good. Bacon had definitely a smoke flavor but not too overbearing.

 

[disco]

Beautiful bacon, Bro! Way better than my first batch was. Point!

Disco

 

[hardcookin]

Thanks disco! I have another pork belly currently curing.
Guess I will find out if it was beginners luck.

 

[SmokinAl]

Nice job Doug!
Now your hooked, you will never be able to buy store bought bacon again!
Al

 

[hardcookin]

Thanks Al
I'm having trouble keeping up with demand. My kids keep sayin, that bacon was good do you have anymore.
On a good note my butcher makes some good double smoked apple bacon.
I have another belly that will be done curing Wednesday.

 

[woodsman5150]

looks good

 

[dave from mesa]

Real nice looking bacon. Enjoy it.

BTW Costco also sometime has pork belly, ask them.