My first Bacon...NOT my last for sure!

[CaptnTony]

38lbs more in the fridge now.  There is room for 6 at a time, why would anyone make less (I found that out after being afraid on my first attempt).

That first bacon went with a dry rub found on the internet (no maple or other sweet flavor that time).  Being my first time, it was more difficult than I expect it should be, but all-in-all, it was still WORTH IT!

I flipped my bacon for 10, yes 10, days in the fridge (the recipe said 7-10, so I went 10).  Washed it all off, dried it with towels and let it cool to room temperature while the Bradley heated up to 160.  I had some difficulty getting it to heat up as it was well below freezing (probably in the range of 3-7F), but patience (and a move into the garage with all doors but one closed).  Had the vent about 1/4 - 1/2 open.  Smoked for 4 hours until the inside temp hit 150 (I let it go to 152 so I knew it was in the +/- range of my thermometer since it was my first time).  I smoked it the whole time with Apple as I never thought that I could just smoke and then 'cook' it without smoke until it was ready.  After tasting it, I'd keep smoke on it for the full time again!  OMG!  As soon as I opened the door I almost wanted to just start gnawing.  GREAT EXPERIENCE and thanks to those that suggested my remote thermometer and helped with cooking temps, greatly appreciate the help!


Smoker getting ready for her first run


First slab of bacon removed


Second slab of bacon removed


Let the SLICING BEGIN!


Some of the 12+lbs of bacon.


What I learned:

1. Cold and wind aren't that scarey.
2. Blah rub doesn't mean Blah bacon!
3. More than 12lbs of bacon is necessary to feed 5 adults and 4 teenagers for 3 days!  God, that WENT FAST!
4. That smoker is going to be busy with bacon whenever nothing else is scheduled in it.

[RedJada]

 Looks great Capt. I was going to try bacon for this first time this past weekend but my butcher was our. Maybe a Superbowl thing. I will try it in a couple weeks.

[devo]

Looks good for sure

[SiFumar]

[wyrman]

Looks great!

[Geoff_S]

Looks really nice.

Question. The bacon is now cooked, smoked and sliced. When it comes to eating it, do you eat it as it is, I assume this is OK as
it's cooked, or do you fry/grill it first?

[beefmann]

great job on the bacon.. glad the family loves it

[CaptnTony]

I fry mine in a bit of jalapeno vinegar.  I don't cook it for very long though, just enough to heat it up and 'give it some color'.

Looking for an infusion of jalapeno in one of my next batches.

[ratherbboating]

Geoff, you can fry it, bake it, boil it and just about any other way you can think of.  But in my house, almost half my bacon goes for ABT's on the grill. 

[theLDP]

Your bacon looks tasty.  I really need to do some up.

[Geoff_S]

I fry mine in a bit of jalapeno vinegar.  I don't cook it for very long though, just enough to heat it up and 'give it some color'.

Looking for an infusion of jalapeno in one of my next batches.

Jalapeno vinegar? Wow, that's something I haven't heard of, but it sounds good. Off to Google .....

[CaptnTony]

http://www.food.com/recipe/jalapeno-vinegar-237982

Here's the one I use.   YUM-E!

[BAM1]

Me loves me some BACON!