BRADLEY SMOKER | "Taste the Great Outdoors"

Smoking Techniques => Curing => Topic started by: wyrman on January 13, 2012, 08:47:59 PM

Title: My First Canadian Bacon
Post by: wyrman on January 13, 2012, 08:47:59 PM
I was planning on smoking this Sunday but I was asked to work Saturday and Sunday so I had to get it done.
I bailed out of work early today and wasn't able to let it set like it's supposed to but I figured that was better than letting it set for another week in the fridge.
I set the smoker to 130° for one hour and then up to 160°. I applied apple smoke after 1hour for about 1 1/2 hours. I then bumped it up to 180° towards the end to a temp of 142°. I was shooting for 140° to 145°.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v39/budman/BBQ/IMG_2115.jpg)
I cut a few slices off to try it out. Not too impressed, but not bad.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v39/budman/BBQ/IMG_2119.jpg)
I'm going to put it in the fridge for a couple of days then slice it.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v39/budman/BBQ/IMG_2120.jpg)
I just never know with my work so I have to do what I have to do as I am saving for a new to me boat and I'm not going to finance it.  8)
BTW, the PID rocks! Thank you Mike!
Title: Re: My First Canadian Bacon
Post by: La Quinta on January 14, 2012, 01:47:26 AM
I think it looks perfect...what didn't you like about it?
Title: Re: My First Canadian Bacon
Post by: wyrman on January 14, 2012, 04:48:44 AM
It seemed to have a lot of oion powder taste. I'm sure it will mellow out after a cople of days. It's not bad, just not what I was expecting at the time.
Title: Re: My First Canadian Bacon
Post by: squirtthecat on January 14, 2012, 06:15:36 AM

Oh yeah!  Give it a few days, the flavors will melt together...    I thought my last one was over the top salty, but I just had some yesterday and it was fine.
Title: Re: My First Canadian Bacon
Post by: wyrman on January 14, 2012, 06:54:50 AM
I am going to let it set for a few days but I brought four pieces to work this morning for breakfast and it tastes good on a egg sandwich. My co-worker likes it a lot.
Title: Re: My First Canadian Bacon
Post by: bears fan on January 14, 2012, 07:19:54 AM
It looks perfect!  Good job.
Title: Re: My First Canadian Bacon
Post by: Mr Walleye on January 14, 2012, 08:41:28 AM
Certainly looks excellent Wyrman!  8)

As the others have said a day or two sitting in the fridge seems to help balance out the flavors.

Glad you got the PID all figured out. It definitely makes the process easier for sure.

Mike
Title: Re: My First Canadian Bacon
Post by: wyrman on January 14, 2012, 08:52:19 AM
Thank you bearsfan and Mike.
With the drip pan away from the element the PID stayed within 1°.  :)
I'm sure glad that I got tired of the old smoker and decided to go digital.
Title: Re: My First Canadian Bacon
Post by: SouthernSmoked on January 14, 2012, 10:15:26 AM
Looks awesome wyrman!  8)

You'll never go back to buying it!  ;)
Title: Re: My First Canadian Bacon
Post by: ghost9mm on January 14, 2012, 03:47:16 PM
Now that is some good lookin canadian bacon...looks super good to me...
Title: Re: My First Canadian Bacon
Post by: wyrman on January 14, 2012, 03:51:50 PM
Thank you Southernsmoked and ghost9mm.
Title: Re: My First Canadian Bacon
Post by: pikeman_95 on January 14, 2012, 06:53:49 PM
Greg
I think they look great. What did you use for a brine.
KC
Title: Re: My First Canadian Bacon
Post by: wyrman on January 14, 2012, 07:26:17 PM
Thank you Kirby. I used Eldons bacon rub and added onion powder and garlic. I know I need to wait a couple of days but I sliced a few more slices for breakfast tomorrow morning as I'm working again and I tried some, I'm liking it better already.
I'm going to try to get my stuffer hooked up next weekend, it's killing me just sitting there in pieces. Work's getting in the way though.
Title: Re: My First Canadian Bacon
Post by: pikeman_95 on January 14, 2012, 07:40:59 PM
Quote from: wyrman on January 14, 2012, 07:26:17 PM
Work's getting in the way though.

You can say that again. I just don't have the time to do all the things that I see on this forum. When I get done with work I am usually out in the shop until about 10:30 making stuffers. I turn 62 next week and I am sure looking forward to retiring soon. Then besides making stuffers I will have some time to do the things I like to do like spear fishing Pike. I usually start in June in the spring and then go through October. I am glad you have work to do there are so many I know that are out of work.
You will get your stuffer together soon enough. It doesn't take that much and you seem quite capable.
Kirby
Title: Re: My First Canadian Bacon
Post by: wyrman on January 14, 2012, 08:18:01 PM
I do indeed feel very blessed that I have a very good job and very steady.
Talk about working late, I average a double shift once a week and I get home around 1:00am and am back up at 4:30 to go back to work. It makes one pretty tired.
We'll appreciate it when we're lounging on our new to us Crownline cruiser this summer and it's paid for.
Title: Re: My First Canadian Bacon
Post by: bears fan on January 15, 2012, 08:18:03 AM
Work certainly does get in the way of all the fun stuff!
Title: Re: My First Canadian Bacon
Post by: wyrman on January 15, 2012, 08:00:28 PM
I sliced these up this evening and put some on a Papa Murphy's take and bake pizza.
I must say that I really am impressed with the flavor after two days of sitting. I will definitely make these again.
I got more rave reviews from work today and most important of all, the wife really likes them.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v39/budman/BBQ/IMG_2121.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v39/budman/BBQ/IMG_2122.jpg)
All packaged and ready for the freezer.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v39/budman/BBQ/IMG_2125.jpg)
Title: Re: My First Canadian Bacon
Post by: La Quinta on January 15, 2012, 11:58:05 PM
Funny...we all know that little pokey hole to take the temp... ;D