Salmon question...again

[Ontrack]

I think I asked this question back in August when I first got the DBS, but to save myself a lot of backtracking I'm going to ask it again: Is it necessary to brine salmon when it will all be consumed within 48 hours? I'm talking about the store bought, farm raised, color added product of Chile crap, which is all I can get here in southwest Virginia. I smoked it dozens of times on my old upright water smokers without brining, just basting it ever so often, and it always turned out great. I've only done it once on the Bradley, using Kummok's method (almost, but not as much sugar as his recipe calls for) and it turned out good, but quite salty, even after a good rinse. If the brine is for a safety reason, I will by all means do it like before with the recommended amount of sugar this time to "offset" the salt, but if it is only for flavoring, I will stick to my old tried and true basting method. What do you think, guys?

[tsquared]

What temp do you plan to smoke your fish at? That will make a difference as to whether you brine or not.
T2

[Habanero Smoker]

If you are hot smoking you don't have to brine, but I find that salmon ends up much drier when not brined. Generally for hot smoking salmon at home, brining is for flavor and moisture, not to preserve the fish. If you have good luck with basting then there is no reason not to baste in the BS, other then extending the cooking time.

[iceman]

When I kipper (hot smoke) salmon the brine is all about flavor as Hab stated. If you hot smoking use a real mild brine and add some spice that you like with the salmon. Then baste on if you like. The brine really does help keep the fish moist. As long as the temp is up in the safe zone brine is not a safety issue.

[Ontrack]

Thanks very much, gentlemen. I will be hot smoking, and now that I see it's safe to do so, I think this one time I'm going back to my old baste instead of brining. My wife loved my salmon the way I used to do it, and although she liked Kummok's recipe, she wanted me to do my old recipe on the Bradley. So, what the heck, I'll never know if I don't try it, and it should cut down on the wife's "chin music" to at least try it HER way! ;)

[iceman]

and it should cut down on the wife's "chin music" to at least try it HER way! ;)

Hey at least you have "chin music" Ontrack.
All I ever get is the "jaw jive screach"  :o :D Man I'm gonna get it again I can just tell. ::) ;)

[Mr Walleye]

All I ever get is the "jaw jive screach"  :o :D

Ice
You should try being from Moose Jaw and say that!  :D  ;D

Yup... It's like going to a bar in Moose Jaw with a band playing and drinkin' some screach!  :D  ;D

Mike

[Ontrack]

Hey guys, they call hip-hop and gangsta rap music, too, but like the "chin" variety, it's nothing I care to listen to. :P