new dummy 2

[kandh]

slowly getting there with the hot smoking... ie you heat it up smokey then eat it....  havent cold smoked yet how does it work.... so you have some bacon/ ham, sausages, fish etc and you place it in the smoker with no heat and smoke it for ? hours... then is the meat safe and ready for eating cold, and can you reheat it.... for instance if i put various pork cuts or poultry in for cold smoking surely that has to be reheated for eating....regards harry

[Wildcat]

I have not got too far into cold smoking yet.  Some foods (like cheese) can have smoke added with the cold smoking method.  Other foods (like beef steak) can be cold smoked for grilling (or other cooking) later.  The best advice I can give you at this time is to check out the recipe site http://www.susanminor.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=180 and pay particular attention to the FAQ and Food Poisoning and Food Hygiene sections.

[Gizmo]

In addition to the great references Cat has sent your way, whether you need to cook something after cold smoking will depend on what you are cold smoking and what was done to it prior to cold smoking.
Cheese, nuts, vegtables, cured meat or fish, do not need to be cooked prior to eating.  For the most part, if you would need to cook it for it to be safe to eat, then the same would apply after cold smoking.  Of course there are exceptions to any rule.

Bacon comes to mind.  You cure the pork belly and can hot or cold smoke it.  Cold smoke should still be cooked.  Hot smoked could be eaten as is I suppose, but I would still cook it to make it crispy and ooh sooo much tastier.

Lox on the other hand is cured, and then some take it a step further and cold smoke it.  No heating or cooking required.  But then, people eat raw fish anyway, they just give it fancy forein name and charge 200% more than what it is worth by adding some rice and seaweed to make it look like you are getting something.   :D

[Wildcat]

But then, people eat raw fish anyway, they just give it fancy forein name and charge 200% more than what it is worth by adding some rice and seaweed to make it look like you are getting something.   :D

;D How true.

[kandh]

thanks for all that info.... slowly getting there....regards harry, UK