How to smoke bacon?

[Kenny202]

Just put my first try at bacon down to cure for a week. Used belly but in hindsight probably should of used loin as less fatty.

I had planned to smoke it after cured but not sure if worth the trouble. Only have a kettle bbq but I'm guessing it will do the job.

Should I just get some hardwood chips or sawdust? How do I light it and keep it smoking for 4 or 5 hours?

[Kenny202]

What about using a few of those black charcoal peices they use here? It's hardwood and smokes up

Edited April 28, 2016 by Kenny202

[Gonsalviz]

What about using a few of those black charcoal peices they use here? It's hardwood and smokes up

That should stink it up good.

Try some water soaked tamarind wood chips. Or you can spend a fortune at HomePro for mesquite or hickory chips.

[Kenny202]

But what do you do and how do you light them? Just make a little fire and wait for it to die down before putting meat in?

How would I burn water soaked wood? Clearly I don't have a clue

[mrjohn]

I use coconut husks on a BBQ. Cheap and works well.

Need to dampen them a bit if weather is very dry.

Edited April 28, 2016 by mrjohn

[Gonsalviz]

Make a fire with charcoal. when it get to a low heat ad the soaked chips. It will take, since you don't have a real smoker, several loads and don't put the bacon above the fire. Don't let it get too hot either.

[KittenKong]

Used belly but in hindsight probably should of used loin as less fatty.

If you want flavour you want fat. Loin is fairly tasteless.

As far as I know the varieties of pig raised for bacon production in the West are not the same as the varieties raised to be used fresh, as pork mostly is here.

[maoro2013]

I use a steamer for my smoker, one of those aluminium things with multi layers, and put a cake tray inside to get better circulation. I put the chips in the bottom and place a burner underneath. I also spray the chips with water to slow things down.

Certainly don't need 4 or 5 hours, I smoke mine for 10 minutes or so and it is much nicer than any bacon I have bought in Thailand.

I use pork belly.

[maoro2013]

One other thing. How did you cure the pork, what mixture?

[Idletime]

Look up smoking and curing bacon on you tube you will find all the info there

[Idletime]

I don't know were to buy the cure in Thailand I get mine sent from Australia

[maoro2013]

I have seen smoking chips in a BBQ shop in Pattaya. The ones I use were imported though, and Pattaya is a long way from my home.

I will try some tamarind chips though after reading a previous post.

[alant]

do you have to mix it with tobacco to get a smooth smoke?

[menzies233]

But what do you do and how do you light them? Just make a little fire and wait for it to die down before putting meat in?

How would I burn water soaked wood? Clearly I don't have a clue

You can do a small amount simply using some wood chips in a wok or large pan on the stovetop - Put the wood on the bottom of the pan, place the meat on a rack above the wood and increase the heat until the wood smokes. Cover with a tight fitting lid for about 30-40 minutes. (If you use this method you can try different woods in the small batches until you find one that works for you)

[chrissables]

Does anyone know where to buy the curing salt in Pattaya?

[roiethome]

For bacon, cold smoking is the best method, look up cold smoking on the web for more details.

[Lopchan]

do you have to mix it with tobacco to get a smooth smoke?

Damn you Alant! beat me to the punch..though I was going to say "rolled in grease proof papers"

[Kenny202]

One other thing. How did you cure the pork, what mixture?

1/4 cup salt

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup honey

Mustard

2 tsp prague powder

Rub all over pork and in zip lock bag. Turn daily for 7 days

Please don't tell me I'm going to kill myself :-(

[snowgard]

Does anyone know where to buy the curing salt in Pattaya?

In Soi Khao Noi at Royal Group!!!

http://www.royalgroupthailand.com/find-us.html

Wood chips you can buy also in HomePro, HomeWorks in the near of the BBQs.

Edited April 29, 2016 by snowgard

[csabo]

What does "should of" mean?

Are you trying to say "should've" which is an abbreviated "should have"?

[peter267]

Had some pleasing results with marinated/brine pork belly. I use fresh crushed sugar cane husks - available free from the vendors that squeeze out fresh sugar cane juice - Need to chop fibrous lengths it into short pieces but it smokes well and is aromatic - could say sweet.

[Beats56]

You can make smoke packets with aluminum foil. Put the wood chips in the center and close up. Punch holes in it to let the smoke out. You can make a bunch of these up and one is finished throw another on the bbq. I use to this all the time back home until I bought a big green egg. Sadly I had to leave it with my brother.

[Kenny202]

So your not actually lighting the damp chips but need a heat source under these to smolder the wood?

Edited April 29, 2016 by Kenny202

[pest]

Like Peter267 I also use sugar cane pulp

I prefer coconut husk and have also poured a wee bit of coconut oil over it to get thicker smoke

I smoke my bacon for 3-4 hrs depending on thickness of smoke

[Kenny202]

Any idea where to buy a basic smoker or small kettle bbq will do the job?

[Beats56]

So your not actually lighting the damp chips but need a heat source under these to smolder the wood?

The heat fom the grill will get them smoking good. And there is a big discussion on wether to soak the chips or not. Some say the wet chips add a bit of bitterness to the smoke. Have tried both ways and couldn't tell the difference. Happy grilling.

[Beats56]

I bought my grill here in Pattaya at BBQ Galore. It is a Australia bbq. Nice heavy duty double hull hood, cast iron grates and Flat top on one side. It called a Turbo. A little pricey but you can get cheaper ones there. Weber too . And they came to Rayong and assembled it too. You can see their advertising in the bangkok post most days.

[carlyai]

If you get on the pattaya forum, theres a nice guy with lots of smokers and bbqs. Good price.

If you get on the Isaan forum, and talk to 'doc' as in doctor, or probably 'isaan bbq' or something similar you will find he sells beautiful bbqs and smokers.

Docs bbqs and smokers are a legend. ?

[chrissables]

Does anyone know where to buy the curing salt in Pattaya?

In Soi Khao Noi at Royal Group!!!

http://www.royalgroupthailand.com/find-us.html

Wood chips you can buy also in HomePro, HomeWorks in the near of the BBQs.

Many thanks

[NickJ]

So I guess you never visited the smokingmeatforum....and now you just must have at least a xillion questions.....Barney Fife works well for u....