I picked up a 10.5 lb pork belly from Costco to make bacon. I split the pork belly in half so I had 2- 5lb chunks. I planned on doing the 10.5 maple bacon so mixed together the ingredients and spread over the pork belly and put it in a zip loc and in the fridge for seven days. Esch night I flipped them over to distribute cure properly. After the 7th day, I removed from cure and rinsed with water. Then i put them on an inverted bradley rack into the fridge overnight. The next day I fired up the Bradley and smoked at 120 for 3 hours with maple, then continued to cook at 160 until IT of 140. Put the bellies in the fridge overnight and then the next day I put them in zip locs. They sat in the fridge about 48 hours and then I sliced. I left out about 8 pieces and vacuum packed the rest and put in the freezer. I cooked some up this am and the flavor was amazing, but the texture was a little firm, so I just need to work on the best way to cook. I think I will try lower temps the next time around. Overall I consider it a success and will be doing more.
Here are pics of the process:
Pork Belly
(https://preview.ibb.co/hWiMUR/Photo_Jan_22_5_30_42_PM.jpg) (https://ibb.co/dWWVOm)
Out of brine
(https://preview.ibb.co/hkGVOm/Photo_Jan_30_9_20_29_AM.jpg) (https://ibb.co/bMC4im)
Out of smoker
(https://preview.ibb.co/jYdAOm/Photo_Jan_30_6_22_38_PM.jpg) (https://ibb.co/njoYb6)
(https://preview.ibb.co/mJe6w6/Photo_Jan_30_7_59_51_PM.jpg) (https://ibb.co/e5YAOm)
Bacon Jig
(https://preview.ibb.co/h9eH3m/Photo_Feb_02_7_46_50_PM.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fh3zG6)
Sliced Up
(https://preview.ibb.co/jDtzG6/Photo_Feb_02_7_37_39_PM.jpg) (https://ibb.co/mXmKG6)
(https://preview.ibb.co/dph4im/Photo_Feb_02_8_07_00_PM.jpg) (https://ibb.co/kPxtb6)
I like your bacon jig.
I see you decided to smoke/cook the half slab that had the bright red section. I would have done the same.
That looks fantastic!
Looks real good, I especially like your jig!! I might use your idea and get rid of my slicer ;)
Try cold smoking for your next run. The texture will be better.
Nice looking Bacon. I get my bellies from Fiesta Foods and have them split them so I have four to smoke.
Looks good. When my bacon is ready, I throw it in the freezer till it stiffens some. Make for easier slicing.