tying before or after?

[slc smoke]

wondering if its better to tie or band your cb before or after curing?  last time i did it after and it seemed like it had its mind up on its shape but i see you all have nice round shape yours.

[La Quinta]

I assume cb means Canadian bacon and not corned beef? If so...I tie mine when I cure it...then re tie it when I smoke...an extra step I know...

[Habanero Smoker]

I tie mine after curing. I want to eliminate the possibility that compressing the meat by tying will interfere with the curing. If it seem oblong, you can generally use firm pressure to reform it.

[La Quinta]

I did that first time Habs...but I found it cured exactly the same both ways and I got a more roundish product at the end...it is appearence...nothing more...

[SouthernSmoked]

I did that first time Habs...but I found it cured exactly the same both ways and I got a more roundish product at the end...it is appearence...nothing more...

I've only done Canadian Bacon 3 times but I've always tie mine after the curing but LQ this makes sense and I will be trying this the next time....Thanks

[slc smoke]

awesome...thanks guys .  its to late on this batch but on the next i will tie up pre brine cause it seems to be easier to influence shape

[Habanero Smoker]

I did that first time Habs...but I found it cured exactly the same both ways and I got a more roundish product at the end...it is appearence...nothing more...

A few members do that. But I'll stick with my old habits  :) , I know what can happen (at times); when there is too much pressure on the meat. Appearance it not the reason I tie; it is to make the shape more uniform so the meat cook more evenly.