The pork jowl bacon thread got me to thinking about sharing the making of bacon with no belly cuts.

I will attempt to explain the 2 week process here. Bacon comes from the pork belly but can be made from any part of the pig. Using shoulders gives me a less fatty bacon with more lean meat to enjoy.

I buy a 60 pound box of pork trim for sausage making. From this, I set aside 15 pounds of the fatty trim for this bacon. This trim is 72% lean.








The seasoning, I used was a high Mountain brand. I have had good luck with this brand so I gave it a try.






I sprinkled the dry cure and seasonings over the meat and mixed it well

I then placed all the pieces in a container and refrigerated it for ten days. After ten days, I soaked the pieces in cold water for two hours to remove any surface cure.




I placed the pieces of pork on racks and into my pre-heated smoker at 150F.



For smoke for this batch, I use hickory.

I smoked the meat until the largest piece reached an internal temp of 165F and then let it cool in the smoker.




I sliced one piece while it was still warm and the fat was still transparent so it's hard to see the fat lines like you see on store bought bacon

After cooling overnight I will vacuum seal the pieces whole and slice when I want to fry some

That's more like it !

But no way in hell, that's 72% fat !

Yeah. Typo. 72% lean. Good catch. Good to see you paying such close attention to these pictorials and taking such an interest in the info.

you're welcome.

I'll tell ya, I'll tell ya,,,,,for a Yankee,,, you ain't at all bad!!! grins.

Good pictorial and write up.

I fixed what you really were saying. Mistakingly your post almost read that I produce damn fine bacon "in spite" of being from the north when the obvious implication is that by the fact that im a northerner, its a given that I can produce some dam fine bacon. (self evident truth)

So thanks.

You'd be a welcome addition to a group that's trying to survive an apocalypse.

And then we'd kill you.

Yes, I could pass along a wealth of knowledge to you younger folks that cant seem to do much of anything right. I understand why you feel so threatened. Its ok. Just ask as many questions as you need. Im happy to educate you.

Listen about 5 times as much as you talk and you will come along nicely.

Cool!

At what age did you come to terms with your own virginity and stop trying?

The neighboring farmer only had daughters. They were eager so we took care of that pretty early on. Since you are still struggling in that regard, we can help you overcome that "shortcoming" as well. We are here for you.

Fixt

Dairy farmer. some chickens. No goats.

3 Daughters.

Ages 5, 7 and 9......nice work pedo

Next question:

How many times have you failed to recognize you have the head and demeanor of a pedophile?

We spotted that right off. We knew you were a freak from the get go.