I did some cold smoking yesterday.
I smoked 15 lbs. of cheese & 1 lb. of spam.
This is the first 4 trays
I always cut mine into small portions before smoking in order to get more surface area.
(http://i771.photobucket.com/albums/xx357/Roget_photos/20161125_155626.jpg) (http://s771.photobucket.com/user/Roget_photos/media/20161125_155626.jpg.html)
I didn't get a picture of the second smoke. V started wrapping it before I thought to get one.
These three pictures show all I smoked yesterday.
I had 3 varieties of cheddar, swiss, farmers, havarti, jarlsberg, pepper jack, & Spam.
(http://i771.photobucket.com/albums/xx357/Roget_photos/20161201_120644.jpg) (http://s771.photobucket.com/user/Roget_photos/media/20161201_120644.jpg.html)
(http://i771.photobucket.com/albums/xx357/Roget_photos/20161201_120632.jpg) (http://s771.photobucket.com/user/Roget_photos/media/20161201_120632.jpg.html)
(http://i771.photobucket.com/albums/xx357/Roget_photos/20161201_120615.jpg) (http://s771.photobucket.com/user/Roget_photos/media/20161201_120615.jpg.html)
I know many, if not most, say to wait 4-6 weeks before eating the smoked cheese.
I have eaten it after a month, but I prefer to wait at least 2 or three months.
I think it just gets better & better the longer it sets.
I actually think it is at it's best after about 4-5 months.
I ran completely out before I smoked this, so I'm pretty sure this batch won't make it that long.
Wow, looks real good! When you say "I actually think it is at it's best after about 4-5 months" I'm wondering how you keep/store it? Do you freeze it or wrap it and leave it in the fridge? I too have made smoked cheese and find it tastes more "flavourable" after a week or even 2 but I just wrap it in Cling Wrap and leave it in the fridge. And how long will it keep in the fridge?
Quote from: Edward176 on December 01, 2016, 02:08:12 PM
Wow, looks real good! When you say "I actually think it is at it's best after about 4-5 months" I'm wondering how you keep/store it? Do you freeze it or wrap it and leave it in the fridge? I too have made smoked cheese and find it tastes more "flavourable" after a week or even 2 but I just wrap it in Cling Wrap and leave it in the fridge. And how long will it keep in the fridge?
I wrap it in plastic wrap, then vacuum seal it & into the fridge.
It will keep indefinitely as long as the air doesn't get to it.
After so long it might get a little mold on it.
I have kept it in the fridge for more than a year without it molding.
Don't freeze it. Frozen cheese is not good.
Looks really good so out of all those which do you like the best think I might have to try some . Randy
I have smoked a lot of cheese & like the cheddar & Swiss the best.
My son also likes cheddar best, but my wife likes a softer cheese. something like the Jarlsberg.
Gouda is also very good, but I didn't do any this time.