First Try at Bacon

Dewesq55

Founding Member

Joined: Jul 2014

Posts: 2042

Location: The Poconos, NEPA

Smoker:
Landmann Smoke Master Series Heavy Duty Barrel Smoker (COS) - With mods including 2 level rack system with pull-out grates
Masterbuilt 40.2" 1200W Electric Smoker
Masterbuilt ThermoTemp XL 40" Vertical Propane Smoker

Gas Grill:
BBQPro (cheap big box store model) Stainless steel 4 burnerswith aftermarket rotisserie.

Charcoal Grill:
Weber Smokey Joe Charcoal Grill 14"

Thermometer:
Fireboard 2 with Drive cable and 20 CFM fan and Competition Probe Package
Fireboard 1st Generation
ThermoWorks Mini Instant Read
Lavaworks Thermowand Instant Read
2 Maverick 733
ThermoWorks IR-GUN-S Industrial Infrared Thermometer
ThermoWorks ThermaPen Mk4 x 2
Govee Bluetooth Thermometer with 6 probes

Miscellaneous:
Anova Sous Vide Immersion Circulator - 1st generation
Anova Sous Vide Immersion Circulator - wifi/bluetooth connected

Favorite Beer:
Anything to the dark side and malty rather than hoppy. Currently liking Yuengling Porter and Newcastle Brown Ale. In a bar or pub I will often default to Guiness

Favorite Spirit:
Bourbon - Eagle Rare for "every day"; Angel's Envy for special occasions, Basil Hayden's, Larceny

Favorite Wine:
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Super Tuscan Sangiovese (Including Chianti Classico Riserva) Brunello di Montalcino

Favorite Meat(s):
Pork - especially the darker meat. I love spare ribs and anything made from shoulder/butt meat
Chicken - Mainly the dark meat and wings
Beef Ribeye steak

Favorite Cuisine to Cook:
Can't list just one: Indian, Chinese, Thai, West Indian/Carribean, Hispanic/Latin American, Ethiopian, Italian, BBQ

Favorite Cuisine to Eat:
Indian, followed closely by BBQ.

Disqus ID:
David E. Waterbury
#1

First Try at Bacon

October 13, 2016, 04:15 PM

I made MH's Simple Bacon Recipe. It was in the brine/cure for 10 days. Smoked it today. It took quite a bit longer to hit temp (I pulled it at 165°F). The belly slab was not the best, but it was about 4.5 lbs after taking the skin off. I sliced all 4 ends off and ate them. Based on the slab, they were mostly fat. They were delicious though. It's in the fridge now chilling. Here's a few pix:

Before smoking:

After smoking:
Tags: None

4 likes
ecowper

Founding Member

Joined: Jul 2014

Posts: 3484

Location: Maple Valley, WA

Grill = Hasty-Bake Gourmet Dual Finish
Smoke = Weber Smokey Mountain 22.5"

Thermometer = FireBoard FBX11 with 2 ambient and 6 meat probes
Thermometer = Maverick ET732
Thermometer = ThermoWorks Chef Alarm
Thermapen Mk IV = Light blue
Thermapen Classic = Grey
PID Controller = Fireboard Drive + Auber 20 CFM Fan

Favorite cook = Tri-Tip for the grill, whole packer brisket for the smoker
Favorite wine = a good Bordeaux with steak, a good Syrah with pork, or a nice bottle of Champagne or California sparkling wine
Favorite beer = Sam Adams Boston Lager or Shiner Bock
Favorite whisky = Lagavulin 16 year old single malt

Best Cookbooks - Meathead's "The Science of Great Barbecue and Grilling", Chris Lilly's "Big Bob Gibson's BBQ Book", Aaron Franklin's "Franklin BBQ"

Eric Cowperthwaite aka ecowper
#2

October 13, 2016, 04:39 PM

Looks good!
1 like
Comment
Mr. Bones

Charter Member

Joined: Sep 2016

Posts: 9745

Location: Kansas Territory

Grills / Smokers
*********************************************
Kingsford 24" grill (Free) 'Billy'
Brinkmann Smoke n Grill
Oklahoma Joe Highland, gaskets, LavaLock baffle / tuning plate. 'Big Joe'
Weber 18" Kettle ($30 CL) 'Lil' Feller'
Weber Smokey Joe ($25 CL) 'Lil' Brother'
Weber 22.5 Master Touch '93 P Code Blue($85) from fellow WKC member Bmitch 'Elwood'
Weber 22.5 Bar-B-Q Kettle '69-'70 "Patent Pending" Red ($80) from fellow WKC member dwnthehatch 'Maureen'
Weber 22.5 OTS DD Code Black ($40 CL) 'DeeDee'
Weber 22.5 OTS DO Code Black ($15 CL)
Weber 22.5 OTS E Code Black ($20 CL
Weber 22.5 OTS EE Code Black ($20 CL

Weber "C" Code 18.5" WSM '81 ($50 CL) 8-0!!!
Weber "H" Code 18.5" WSM '86 ($75 CL)
Weber " " Code 18.5" WSM

Weber 26.75, $199 NFM clearance !!!
Weber SJS AH 'Lil' Brother'
Weber SJS AT 'Lil' Sister'
Weber SJS DE Code (FREE) 'Lil' Helper'
Weber SJG M Code 'Lil Traveller'
Weber SJS AH Code 'Kermit' (Lime Green)
Horizon 20" Classic, w/baffle/tuning plate (FREE)
Good One Open Range, (FREE), Monthly Prize from AR giveaway!!!!

Thermometers:
*********************************************
Ol' Skool Bi-metal probe pocket thermo, that has checked / served ~ 1,000,000 meals in my possession, easily...
Maverick ET-732, (Black)
Thermopops, (Red, Yellow, Green)
ThermaPen Mk4 (Black), THANKS!!! to jgjeske1
Blue ThermaPen Mk4
Orange Thermapen Mk4
Pink Thermapen Mk4
ThermoWorks IR-GUN-S
ThermoWorks Smoke
ThermoWorks Open Box Smoke
4 Pro Series cable extensions
Smoke Gateway

Accessories:
*********************************************
2 Slow 'N Sears, Slow 'N Sear XL, Grill 'N Griddle
BBQ Vortex, 2 Hovergrills, Top Deck
Warming shelf
MyWeigh KD-8000Kitchen Scale
Backyard Grill marinade injector
Acoustic Guitars/Electric Guitars/Basses/1928 National Duolian/Harmonicas/Banjo Washboard, Spoons, kazoos, pocket comb with wax paper, egg shakers ;-)
Bear Paws
Meat Rakes
BBQ Dragon/Chimley of Insanity, Dragon Wing Shelves (x2 ea.)

Cookware:
Probably a ton of cast iron, mostly very old...still cookin'
G'Ma's Piqua skillet, :-)( They went out of business in 1934~)
'60's Revere Ware (Mom's), + others found elsewhere
60's CorningWare 10-cup percolator (Mom's) Daily driver
50's CorningWare 10-cup percolator (G'Ma's), for a backup! ;-)
Carpy Wally World stock pots, in approx 2 gal/3gal sizes, blue speckledty-porcelain enameled
Tramontina 6.5 qt Dutch Oven

Cutlery, etc.:
Shi*-ton of kitchen/chef knives, most sharper than my straight-razors are. (Better steel!) Chicago Cutlery, Old Hickory, various, including some nice German stuff ;-)
Dexter 12" slicing knife, 6" Sani-Safe boning knife
Smith's Tri-Hone Natural Arkansas Knife Sharpening System
Multiple steels, from all over the planet
Crock sticks
Diamond stones, various
Lansky Sharpening System

Tableware
Daily driver:Washington Forge Mardi Gras, Navy / Cobalt Blue
Dinner: Guests: Washington Forge, Town and Country
Fancy / Formal: Family silverware
#3

October 13, 2016, 04:48 PM

Man, Dewesq55 that's beautiful!!! Got me droolin' now!

Reckon ya' oughtta have plenty of bacon grease for cookin' with, now!

Last edited by Mr. Bones; October 13, 2016, 04:53 PM.
Comment
ecowper

Founding Member

Joined: Jul 2014

Posts: 3484

Location: Maple Valley, WA

Grill = Hasty-Bake Gourmet Dual Finish
Smoke = Weber Smokey Mountain 22.5"

Thermometer = FireBoard FBX11 with 2 ambient and 6 meat probes
Thermometer = Maverick ET732
Thermometer = ThermoWorks Chef Alarm
Thermapen Mk IV = Light blue
Thermapen Classic = Grey
PID Controller = Fireboard Drive + Auber 20 CFM Fan

Favorite cook = Tri-Tip for the grill, whole packer brisket for the smoker
Favorite wine = a good Bordeaux with steak, a good Syrah with pork, or a nice bottle of Champagne or California sparkling wine
Favorite beer = Sam Adams Boston Lager or Shiner Bock
Favorite whisky = Lagavulin 16 year old single malt

Best Cookbooks - Meathead's "The Science of Great Barbecue and Grilling", Chris Lilly's "Big Bob Gibson's BBQ Book", Aaron Franklin's "Franklin BBQ"

Eric Cowperthwaite aka ecowper
#4

October 13, 2016, 04:54 PM

Dewesq55 and Mr. Bones that has me ready to run down to costco and grab a pork belly, darn it.
1 like
Comment
smokinsteve

Charter Member

Joined: Nov 2014

Posts: 332
#5

October 13, 2016, 05:12 PM

Just finished my first batch last week...loved it! Already have batch #2 in progress and the time can't pass fast enough. All 3 recipes are in the works!

I've seen a couple of other recipes that do not use Prague Powder but only salt. Anyone know the criticality of the Prague? Had a local chef tell me he's seen people use salt alone.
Comment
1 - 2

2 comments

#5.1

ecowper commented

October 13, 2016, 05:22 PM

Editing a comment

Prague Powder impacts color and flavor. You COULD do it without PP, but make darn sure you know the amounts of salt to use and they are correct.

#5.2

EdF commented

October 14, 2016, 12:59 PM

Editing a comment

I've made about a dozen or more. Have never used Prague powder. No loss, as ecowper said, get the right proportion of salt. You lose the color, but I certainly don't care.
Mr. Bones

Charter Member

Joined: Sep 2016

Posts: 9745

Location: Kansas Territory

Grills / Smokers
*********************************************
Kingsford 24" grill (Free) 'Billy'
Brinkmann Smoke n Grill
Oklahoma Joe Highland, gaskets, LavaLock baffle / tuning plate. 'Big Joe'
Weber 18" Kettle ($30 CL) 'Lil' Feller'
Weber Smokey Joe ($25 CL) 'Lil' Brother'
Weber 22.5 Master Touch '93 P Code Blue($85) from fellow WKC member Bmitch 'Elwood'
Weber 22.5 Bar-B-Q Kettle '69-'70 "Patent Pending" Red ($80) from fellow WKC member dwnthehatch 'Maureen'
Weber 22.5 OTS DD Code Black ($40 CL) 'DeeDee'
Weber 22.5 OTS DO Code Black ($15 CL)
Weber 22.5 OTS E Code Black ($20 CL
Weber 22.5 OTS EE Code Black ($20 CL

Weber "C" Code 18.5" WSM '81 ($50 CL) 8-0!!!
Weber "H" Code 18.5" WSM '86 ($75 CL)
Weber " " Code 18.5" WSM

Weber 26.75, $199 NFM clearance !!!
Weber SJS AH 'Lil' Brother'
Weber SJS AT 'Lil' Sister'
Weber SJS DE Code (FREE) 'Lil' Helper'
Weber SJG M Code 'Lil Traveller'
Weber SJS AH Code 'Kermit' (Lime Green)
Horizon 20" Classic, w/baffle/tuning plate (FREE)
Good One Open Range, (FREE), Monthly Prize from AR giveaway!!!!

Thermometers:
*********************************************
Ol' Skool Bi-metal probe pocket thermo, that has checked / served ~ 1,000,000 meals in my possession, easily...
Maverick ET-732, (Black)
Thermopops, (Red, Yellow, Green)
ThermaPen Mk4 (Black), THANKS!!! to jgjeske1
Blue ThermaPen Mk4
Orange Thermapen Mk4
Pink Thermapen Mk4
ThermoWorks IR-GUN-S
ThermoWorks Smoke
ThermoWorks Open Box Smoke
4 Pro Series cable extensions
Smoke Gateway

Accessories:
*********************************************
2 Slow 'N Sears, Slow 'N Sear XL, Grill 'N Griddle
BBQ Vortex, 2 Hovergrills, Top Deck
Warming shelf
MyWeigh KD-8000Kitchen Scale
Backyard Grill marinade injector
Acoustic Guitars/Electric Guitars/Basses/1928 National Duolian/Harmonicas/Banjo Washboard, Spoons, kazoos, pocket comb with wax paper, egg shakers ;-)
Bear Paws
Meat Rakes
BBQ Dragon/Chimley of Insanity, Dragon Wing Shelves (x2 ea.)

Cookware:
Probably a ton of cast iron, mostly very old...still cookin'
G'Ma's Piqua skillet, :-)( They went out of business in 1934~)
'60's Revere Ware (Mom's), + others found elsewhere
60's CorningWare 10-cup percolator (Mom's) Daily driver
50's CorningWare 10-cup percolator (G'Ma's), for a backup! ;-)
Carpy Wally World stock pots, in approx 2 gal/3gal sizes, blue speckledty-porcelain enameled
Tramontina 6.5 qt Dutch Oven

Cutlery, etc.:
Shi*-ton of kitchen/chef knives, most sharper than my straight-razors are. (Better steel!) Chicago Cutlery, Old Hickory, various, including some nice German stuff ;-)
Dexter 12" slicing knife, 6" Sani-Safe boning knife
Smith's Tri-Hone Natural Arkansas Knife Sharpening System
Multiple steels, from all over the planet
Crock sticks
Diamond stones, various
Lansky Sharpening System

Tableware
Daily driver:Washington Forge Mardi Gras, Navy / Cobalt Blue
Dinner: Guests: Washington Forge, Town and Country
Fancy / Formal: Family silverware
#6

October 13, 2016, 05:13 PM

Ditto, ecowper !!!! Maybe a few!!!
Comment
1 comment

#6.1

ecowper commented

October 13, 2016, 05:21 PM

Editing a comment

Cause let's be honest .... one pork belly only lasts a couple weeks around my house
fuzzydaddy

Charter Member

Joined: Nov 2014

Posts: 4970

Location: Winchester TN

Hardware
Blackstone 36” Griddle.
Slow 'N Sear Deluxe Kamado & Kettle Grill.
Slow 'N Sear (1.0, Deluxe, 2.0).
DnG Pans/Racks, Easy Spin Grates, Elevated Cooking Grates.
Weber Chimney Starters (regular and compact).
Joule, Instant Accu Slim.
GrillGrates.
Maverick XR-50 [my favorite].
ThermoWorks Smoke & Gateway, Thermapen, Thermapop, ChefAlarms, DOT, probes

Consumables / Favorites
KBB (short cooks), Weber (long cooks), B&B Hardwood Briquettes when I'm out of Weber.
Ribs (beef & pork), Pork Butts, Chuck Roasts, Pork Tenderloins, Shrimp, Fajitas.
SnS Grills salt free rubs: Not Just for Beef & Rocky’s Rub.
MeatChurch Holy Cow. MMD, BBBR, S&G, Herbs de Provence, SPG.
#7

October 13, 2016, 05:43 PM

Dewesq55 I am drooling big time! Awesome.
Comment
AZRedneck

Club Member

Joined: Sep 2016

Posts: 360

Location: Arizona. 90 miles from water and 9 miles from hell.

Pit Barrel Cooker
Weber Kettle 22.5
CharBroil Gasser 5 burners
3 x Thermapen
MAV 732
Anova Sous Vide
#8

October 13, 2016, 05:58 PM

Very nice! I smoked my first 8 pound batch last weekend. It was very good. The Costco I got it from had it already trimmed. Skin off and rough edges cut off for $2.49 a pound. It went straight in the cure for 9 days. I think next batch I'm going to add a smoke tube to try and amp it up a bit.
Comment
Dewesq55

Founding Member

Joined: Jul 2014

Posts: 2042

Location: The Poconos, NEPA

Smoker:
Landmann Smoke Master Series Heavy Duty Barrel Smoker (COS) - With mods including 2 level rack system with pull-out grates
Masterbuilt 40.2" 1200W Electric Smoker
Masterbuilt ThermoTemp XL 40" Vertical Propane Smoker

Gas Grill:
BBQPro (cheap big box store model) Stainless steel 4 burnerswith aftermarket rotisserie.

Charcoal Grill:
Weber Smokey Joe Charcoal Grill 14"

Thermometer:
Fireboard 2 with Drive cable and 20 CFM fan and Competition Probe Package
Fireboard 1st Generation
ThermoWorks Mini Instant Read
Lavaworks Thermowand Instant Read
2 Maverick 733
ThermoWorks IR-GUN-S Industrial Infrared Thermometer
ThermoWorks ThermaPen Mk4 x 2
Govee Bluetooth Thermometer with 6 probes

Miscellaneous:
Anova Sous Vide Immersion Circulator - 1st generation
Anova Sous Vide Immersion Circulator - wifi/bluetooth connected

Favorite Beer:
Anything to the dark side and malty rather than hoppy. Currently liking Yuengling Porter and Newcastle Brown Ale. In a bar or pub I will often default to Guiness

Favorite Spirit:
Bourbon - Eagle Rare for "every day"; Angel's Envy for special occasions, Basil Hayden's, Larceny

Favorite Wine:
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Super Tuscan Sangiovese (Including Chianti Classico Riserva) Brunello di Montalcino

Favorite Meat(s):
Pork - especially the darker meat. I love spare ribs and anything made from shoulder/butt meat
Chicken - Mainly the dark meat and wings
Beef Ribeye steak

Favorite Cuisine to Cook:
Can't list just one: Indian, Chinese, Thai, West Indian/Carribean, Hispanic/Latin American, Ethiopian, Italian, BBQ

Favorite Cuisine to Eat:
Indian, followed closely by BBQ.

Disqus ID:
David E. Waterbury
#9

October 14, 2016, 01:06 PM

So, it is very good, but I would lije the next attempt to be less sweet (the sugar in the rim burns too easily) and, believe it or not, I would luke it saltier. Does anybody have any recommendations on either. I know, reduce the sugar and increase the salt, but I'm looking for specific suggestions. Also, I am wondering if leaving it in the brine longer will increase the saltiness?
Comment
1 - 3

3 comments

#9.1

EdF commented

October 14, 2016, 02:45 PM

Editing a comment

Maybe try out some of the bacons in Michael Riehlman's "Charcuterie"? The Maple didn't strike me as too sweet, but they have a couple of "savory" kinds as well, including pancetta. IME, the saltiness tends to depend on the length of the cure.

#9.2

W.A. commented

October 14, 2016, 06:21 PM

Editing a comment

I do the brine wihout any sugar. Comes out great and doesnt burn like the simple recipe or other recipe bacons. my opinion is you really dont need the sugar. It can be added while cooking if you like

#9.3

HorseDoctor commented

October 15, 2016, 07:19 AM

Editing a comment

Just don't rinse it (if you do) when removing from the brine. Just pat it dry. That will make a saltier product.
ecowper

Founding Member

Joined: Jul 2014

Posts: 3484

Location: Maple Valley, WA

Grill = Hasty-Bake Gourmet Dual Finish
Smoke = Weber Smokey Mountain 22.5"

Thermometer = FireBoard FBX11 with 2 ambient and 6 meat probes
Thermometer = Maverick ET732
Thermometer = ThermoWorks Chef Alarm
Thermapen Mk IV = Light blue
Thermapen Classic = Grey
PID Controller = Fireboard Drive + Auber 20 CFM Fan

Favorite cook = Tri-Tip for the grill, whole packer brisket for the smoker
Favorite wine = a good Bordeaux with steak, a good Syrah with pork, or a nice bottle of Champagne or California sparkling wine
Favorite beer = Sam Adams Boston Lager or Shiner Bock
Favorite whisky = Lagavulin 16 year old single malt

Best Cookbooks - Meathead's "The Science of Great Barbecue and Grilling", Chris Lilly's "Big Bob Gibson's BBQ Book", Aaron Franklin's "Franklin BBQ"

Eric Cowperthwaite aka ecowper
#10

October 14, 2016, 04:31 PM

Dewesq55 I found that Meathead's maple syrup recipe was much better, for my taste, than the simple bacon recipe. Less sugar, less issues with burning, much preferred the combo of hickory smoke and maple. However, like you, I want more salt. Next batch I make will be that recipe, but I plan to increase my kosher salt some and leave in the brine a couple more days.
Comment
Dewesq55

Founding Member

Joined: Jul 2014

Posts: 2042

Location: The Poconos, NEPA

Smoker:
Landmann Smoke Master Series Heavy Duty Barrel Smoker (COS) - With mods including 2 level rack system with pull-out grates
Masterbuilt 40.2" 1200W Electric Smoker
Masterbuilt ThermoTemp XL 40" Vertical Propane Smoker

Gas Grill:
BBQPro (cheap big box store model) Stainless steel 4 burnerswith aftermarket rotisserie.

Charcoal Grill:
Weber Smokey Joe Charcoal Grill 14"

Thermometer:
Fireboard 2 with Drive cable and 20 CFM fan and Competition Probe Package
Fireboard 1st Generation
ThermoWorks Mini Instant Read
Lavaworks Thermowand Instant Read
2 Maverick 733
ThermoWorks IR-GUN-S Industrial Infrared Thermometer
ThermoWorks ThermaPen Mk4 x 2
Govee Bluetooth Thermometer with 6 probes

Miscellaneous:
Anova Sous Vide Immersion Circulator - 1st generation
Anova Sous Vide Immersion Circulator - wifi/bluetooth connected

Favorite Beer:
Anything to the dark side and malty rather than hoppy. Currently liking Yuengling Porter and Newcastle Brown Ale. In a bar or pub I will often default to Guiness

Favorite Spirit:
Bourbon - Eagle Rare for "every day"; Angel's Envy for special occasions, Basil Hayden's, Larceny

Favorite Wine:
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Super Tuscan Sangiovese (Including Chianti Classico Riserva) Brunello di Montalcino

Favorite Meat(s):
Pork - especially the darker meat. I love spare ribs and anything made from shoulder/butt meat
Chicken - Mainly the dark meat and wings
Beef Ribeye steak

Favorite Cuisine to Cook:
Can't list just one: Indian, Chinese, Thai, West Indian/Carribean, Hispanic/Latin American, Ethiopian, Italian, BBQ

Favorite Cuisine to Eat:
Indian, followed closely by BBQ.

Disqus ID:
David E. Waterbury
#11

October 14, 2016, 04:56 PM

Thanks for the response, ecowper
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