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  5. Canadian bacon started, equilibrium dry brine

Canadian bacon started, equilibrium dry brine

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  • Dave in AZD Dave in AZ

    processhead this is fantastic! Almost exactly what I was going to try next for a bit juicier end result! I was going to use 20%, so I pumped 10% and had 10% around it in bag as I’d want to be sure I was using all that surface area to cure and not just relying on my newb pumping skills.

    What are your thoughts on dextrose vs. Brown sugar? I had planned on only using my dextrose when bacteria needed food, and easy to get known sugar flavors for flavoring.

    Keep us updated, I want to knie how yours turns out for sure!
    P.s. I bought that pump too, it really looked like the best I saw anywhere. Was gonna get that expensive bbq circuit one, cancelled order for this one.

    processheadP Offline
    processheadP Offline
    processhead
    Regular Contributors Power User
    wrote on last edited by
    #17

    Dave in AZ said in Canadian bacon started, equilibrium dry brine:

    processhead this is fantastic! Almost exactly what I was going to try next for a bit juicier end result! I was going to use 20%, so I pumped 10% and had 10% around it in bag as I’d want to be sure I was using all that surface area to cure and not just relying on my newb pumping skills.

    What are your thoughts on dextrose vs. Brown sugar? I had planned on only using my dextrose when bacteria needed food, and easy to get known sugar flavors for flavoring.

    Keep us updated, I want to knie how yours turns out for sure!
    P.s. I bought that pump too, it really looked like the best I saw anywhere. Was gonna get that expensive bbq circuit one, cancelled order for this one.

    I don’t expect the dextrose will be as sweet as brown sugar. One reason I went with dextrose was I thought it would be more soluble in water that brown sugar. All the solid cure ingredients fully dissolved in the small amount of water I was using, so I was pleased with that.

    This is the first time I have tried the pump in an actual piece of meat. It is a good piece of equipment and works the way it is supposed to. I like the fact that you can continuously draw up brine through the suction hose when pumping.
    In the past I have just used large plastic syringes and big bore needles . This new one is a marked improvement.

    Paul

    1 Reply Last reply
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    • mrobisrM Offline
      mrobisrM Offline
      mrobisr
      Team Blue Cast Iron Sous Vide Canning Dry Cured Sausage Masterbuilt Military Veterans Power User Regular Contributors
      wrote on last edited by
      #18

      The cure is not really long enough for the dextrose to do much for the bacteria, but with that being said it does not hurt anything either and since it’s 70% as sweet as sugar that might be what a person would desire. Sugar actually helps the meat with the red color, so it really depends on your personal preference and your desired end results.

      processheadP 1 Reply Last reply
      1
      • mrobisrM mrobisr

        The cure is not really long enough for the dextrose to do much for the bacteria, but with that being said it does not hurt anything either and since it’s 70% as sweet as sugar that might be what a person would desire. Sugar actually helps the meat with the red color, so it really depends on your personal preference and your desired end results.

        processheadP Offline
        processheadP Offline
        processhead
        Regular Contributors Power User
        wrote on last edited by
        #19

        mrobisr said in Canadian bacon started, equilibrium dry brine:

        The cure is not really long enough for the dextrose to do much for the bacteria, but with that being said it does not hurt anything either and since it’s 70% as sweet as sugar that might be what a person would desire. Sugar actually helps the meat with the red color, so it really depends on your personal preference and your desired end results.

        The major function of a sweetener in cured meats is to take the harsh edge off the saltiness. Different sweeteners will all do this and also add their own little signature-flavors to add another dimension to the flavor. I don’t expect the dextrose to add much of anything in the way of “added dimensions”.

        Paul

        mrobisrM 1 Reply Last reply
        0
        • processheadP processhead

          mrobisr said in Canadian bacon started, equilibrium dry brine:

          The cure is not really long enough for the dextrose to do much for the bacteria, but with that being said it does not hurt anything either and since it’s 70% as sweet as sugar that might be what a person would desire. Sugar actually helps the meat with the red color, so it really depends on your personal preference and your desired end results.

          The major function of a sweetener in cured meats is to take the harsh edge off the saltiness. Different sweeteners will all do this and also add their own little signature-flavors to add another dimension to the flavor. I don’t expect the dextrose to add much of anything in the way of “added dimensions”.

          mrobisrM Offline
          mrobisrM Offline
          mrobisr
          Team Blue Cast Iron Sous Vide Canning Dry Cured Sausage Masterbuilt Military Veterans Power User Regular Contributors
          wrote on last edited by
          #20

          processhead said in Canadian bacon started, equilibrium dry brine:

          mrobisr said in Canadian bacon started, equilibrium dry brine:

          The cure is not really long enough for the dextrose to do much for the bacteria, but with that being said it does not hurt anything either and since it’s 70% as sweet as sugar that might be what a person would desire. Sugar actually helps the meat with the red color, so it really depends on your personal preference and your desired end results.

          The major function of a sweetener in cured meats is to take the harsh edge off the saltiness. Different sweeteners will all do this and also add their own little signature-flavors to add another dimension to the flavor. I don’t expect the dextrose to add much of anything in the way of “added dimensions”.

          Ok, I don’t think my comment made any illusions to the fact that you expected “added dimensions” to your product by the use of dextrose. As a matter of fact I think my comment stated that it is truly up to the producer except that sugar could help enhance the color, but that is still subjective. Sorry if I offended you that was not my intentions I was just making comments as I seen could be useful.

          processheadP 1 Reply Last reply
          0
          • mrobisrM mrobisr

            processhead said in Canadian bacon started, equilibrium dry brine:

            mrobisr said in Canadian bacon started, equilibrium dry brine:

            The cure is not really long enough for the dextrose to do much for the bacteria, but with that being said it does not hurt anything either and since it’s 70% as sweet as sugar that might be what a person would desire. Sugar actually helps the meat with the red color, so it really depends on your personal preference and your desired end results.

            The major function of a sweetener in cured meats is to take the harsh edge off the saltiness. Different sweeteners will all do this and also add their own little signature-flavors to add another dimension to the flavor. I don’t expect the dextrose to add much of anything in the way of “added dimensions”.

            Ok, I don’t think my comment made any illusions to the fact that you expected “added dimensions” to your product by the use of dextrose. As a matter of fact I think my comment stated that it is truly up to the producer except that sugar could help enhance the color, but that is still subjective. Sorry if I offended you that was not my intentions I was just making comments as I seen could be useful.

            processheadP Offline
            processheadP Offline
            processhead
            Regular Contributors Power User
            wrote on last edited by
            #21

            mrobisr said in Canadian bacon started, equilibrium dry brine:

            processhead said in Canadian bacon started, equilibrium dry brine:

            mrobisr said in Canadian bacon started, equilibrium dry brine:

            The cure is not really long enough for the dextrose to do much for the bacteria, but with that being said it does not hurt anything either and since it’s 70% as sweet as sugar that might be what a person would desire. Sugar actually helps the meat with the red color, so it really depends on your personal preference and your desired end results.

            The major function of a sweetener in cured meats is to take the harsh edge off the saltiness. Different sweeteners will all do this and also add their own little signature-flavors to add another dimension to the flavor. I don’t expect the dextrose to add much of anything in the way of “added dimensions”.

            Ok, I don’t think my comment made any illusions to the fact that you expected “added dimensions” to your product by the use of dextrose. As a matter of fact I think my comment stated that it is truly up to the producer except that sugar could help enhance the color, but that is still subjective. Sorry if I offended you that was not my intentions I was just making comments as I seen could be useful.

            No offense taken what so ever. I appreciate your comments and the experience you bring to the community. 😊

            Earlier I had posted that I chose dextrose for a sweetener was because I was looking for a very basic cure without any extra flavors. Dextrose was about as neutral of a sweetener as I could think of. That, and I have quite a bit on hand from past brewing projects.

            Paul

            mrobisrM 1 Reply Last reply
            1
            • processheadP processhead

              mrobisr said in Canadian bacon started, equilibrium dry brine:

              processhead said in Canadian bacon started, equilibrium dry brine:

              mrobisr said in Canadian bacon started, equilibrium dry brine:

              The cure is not really long enough for the dextrose to do much for the bacteria, but with that being said it does not hurt anything either and since it’s 70% as sweet as sugar that might be what a person would desire. Sugar actually helps the meat with the red color, so it really depends on your personal preference and your desired end results.

              The major function of a sweetener in cured meats is to take the harsh edge off the saltiness. Different sweeteners will all do this and also add their own little signature-flavors to add another dimension to the flavor. I don’t expect the dextrose to add much of anything in the way of “added dimensions”.

              Ok, I don’t think my comment made any illusions to the fact that you expected “added dimensions” to your product by the use of dextrose. As a matter of fact I think my comment stated that it is truly up to the producer except that sugar could help enhance the color, but that is still subjective. Sorry if I offended you that was not my intentions I was just making comments as I seen could be useful.

              No offense taken what so ever. I appreciate your comments and the experience you bring to the community. 😊

              Earlier I had posted that I chose dextrose for a sweetener was because I was looking for a very basic cure without any extra flavors. Dextrose was about as neutral of a sweetener as I could think of. That, and I have quite a bit on hand from past brewing projects.

              mrobisrM Offline
              mrobisrM Offline
              mrobisr
              Team Blue Cast Iron Sous Vide Canning Dry Cured Sausage Masterbuilt Military Veterans Power User Regular Contributors
              wrote on last edited by mrobisr
              #22

              processhead Thanks, I truly do appreciate you knowledge and experience also.

              1 Reply Last reply
              1
              • processheadP Offline
                processheadP Offline
                processhead
                Regular Contributors Power User
                wrote on last edited by
                #23

                For anyone interested, I added some finished pictures and comments in my earlier pork loin post back on page 1

                Paul

                cdavisC 1 Reply Last reply
                0
                • processheadP processhead

                  For anyone interested, I added some finished pictures and comments in my earlier pork loin post back on page 1

                  cdavisC Offline
                  cdavisC Offline
                  cdavis
                  Team Blue Big Green Egg Masterbuilt Canning Kamado Joes Regular Contributors Power User
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #24

                  processhead looks great. After injecting how long did you hold in the fridge before smoking?

                  1 Reply Last reply
                  0
                  • processheadP processhead

                    You all have got me motivated to try a cured smoked pork loin. This morning for the first time I began curing a 3.5 lb (56 ounce) boneless pork loin.

                    I chose to keep the ingredients very basic like I do on most new projects, my theory being, the fewer the variables, the easier the troubleshooting will be if something goes south. I figure that in future projects, I can add other ingredients if I am satisfied with the balance of salt/sweetness.
                    For this one, my ingredients are just salt, cure #1, and dextrose.

                    I also chose to use the EQ method, but rather than use a dry brine, I dissolved the ingredients in a solution of water equal to 10% the weight of the loin (5.6 ounces of water). My decision to add water to the loin was to attempt to have a juicier finished product after smoking.

                    I used the diggindog calculator which I had converted to an Excel spreadsheet like Idaho Smokey discusses above. I adjusted the amount of cure ingredients to compensate for the weight of the added water. Using my Walton’s brine pump, I pumped loin with the entire brine amount, most of which remained in the loin.

                    I then bagged the loin and the small amount of liquid brine overflow, expelled air from the ziplock bag, and placed it in the refrigerator.

                    20220414_081103.jpg

                    20220414_081309.jpg

                    20220414_082146.jpg

                    After a quick rinse I put the cured loin in the electric smoker and started it at 120 F with no smoke. After an hour I raised it to 140 and applied smoke for 2 hrs. Stepped up to 150 for 2 hrs. Then shut of smoke and raised the temp to 180 for 1 hour.
                    At an IT of 140 I pulled the loin out of the smoker, bagged it, and put in the sous vis for a quick finish at 150.

                    Chilled the loin in cold water while still bagged and had a taste when it had dropped to 110.

                    Great balanced cured/smoked meat flavor and color, without any overpowering off flavors . Seems like a good starting point for future experimentation with other sweeteners or seasoning. Saltiness is just about where it needs to be to make everyone happy that will be eating it. I like it a just a little saltier, but salt can always be added, much harder to take away salt.

                    95cc0e65-6380-4da4-9008-889ca2f28f7b-20220417_083230.jpg

                    02827ca4-60f6-40f8-ba5d-18953e8be79e-20220417_143312.jpg

                    8d4d60bb-8d87-410d-9960-2fbc59f76185-20220417_150615.jpg

                    Dave in AZD Offline
                    Dave in AZD Offline
                    Dave in AZ
                    Military Veterans Sous Vide Canning Traeger Regular Contributors Power User
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #25

                    processhead those finished pics look great! Next one I make I will lean more towards your flavors. Excellent addition, thx for adding your results, really help make this thread useful with a lot of info!

                    1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • processheadP processhead

                      You all have got me motivated to try a cured smoked pork loin. This morning for the first time I began curing a 3.5 lb (56 ounce) boneless pork loin.

                      I chose to keep the ingredients very basic like I do on most new projects, my theory being, the fewer the variables, the easier the troubleshooting will be if something goes south. I figure that in future projects, I can add other ingredients if I am satisfied with the balance of salt/sweetness.
                      For this one, my ingredients are just salt, cure #1, and dextrose.

                      I also chose to use the EQ method, but rather than use a dry brine, I dissolved the ingredients in a solution of water equal to 10% the weight of the loin (5.6 ounces of water). My decision to add water to the loin was to attempt to have a juicier finished product after smoking.

                      I used the diggindog calculator which I had converted to an Excel spreadsheet like Idaho Smokey discusses above. I adjusted the amount of cure ingredients to compensate for the weight of the added water. Using my Walton’s brine pump, I pumped loin with the entire brine amount, most of which remained in the loin.

                      I then bagged the loin and the small amount of liquid brine overflow, expelled air from the ziplock bag, and placed it in the refrigerator.

                      20220414_081103.jpg

                      20220414_081309.jpg

                      20220414_082146.jpg

                      After a quick rinse I put the cured loin in the electric smoker and started it at 120 F with no smoke. After an hour I raised it to 140 and applied smoke for 2 hrs. Stepped up to 150 for 2 hrs. Then shut of smoke and raised the temp to 180 for 1 hour.
                      At an IT of 140 I pulled the loin out of the smoker, bagged it, and put in the sous vis for a quick finish at 150.

                      Chilled the loin in cold water while still bagged and had a taste when it had dropped to 110.

                      Great balanced cured/smoked meat flavor and color, without any overpowering off flavors . Seems like a good starting point for future experimentation with other sweeteners or seasoning. Saltiness is just about where it needs to be to make everyone happy that will be eating it. I like it a just a little saltier, but salt can always be added, much harder to take away salt.

                      95cc0e65-6380-4da4-9008-889ca2f28f7b-20220417_083230.jpg

                      02827ca4-60f6-40f8-ba5d-18953e8be79e-20220417_143312.jpg

                      8d4d60bb-8d87-410d-9960-2fbc59f76185-20220417_150615.jpg

                      mrobisrM Offline
                      mrobisrM Offline
                      mrobisr
                      Team Blue Cast Iron Sous Vide Canning Dry Cured Sausage Masterbuilt Military Veterans Power User Regular Contributors
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #26

                      processhead That CB looks perfectly cooked very juicy.

                      1 Reply Last reply
                      0
                      • S Offline
                        S Offline
                        Spidey
                        Team Orange Sous Vide Masterbuilt PK100
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #27

                        Have some wild turkey dry rubbed with Tender Quick and brown sugar that will get smoked on Sunday for my daughter. Made it before, but didn’t take notes and. hoping it turns out as well as last time. If my memory serves me right and it turns out well, I will post my recipe and results.

                        cdavisC 1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • S Spidey

                          Have some wild turkey dry rubbed with Tender Quick and brown sugar that will get smoked on Sunday for my daughter. Made it before, but didn’t take notes and. hoping it turns out as well as last time. If my memory serves me right and it turns out well, I will post my recipe and results.

                          cdavisC Offline
                          cdavisC Offline
                          cdavis
                          Team Blue Big Green Egg Masterbuilt Canning Kamado Joes Regular Contributors Power User
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #28

                          Spidey that would be appreciated. Thanks

                          1 Reply Last reply
                          0
                          • processheadP processhead

                            You all have got me motivated to try a cured smoked pork loin. This morning for the first time I began curing a 3.5 lb (56 ounce) boneless pork loin.

                            I chose to keep the ingredients very basic like I do on most new projects, my theory being, the fewer the variables, the easier the troubleshooting will be if something goes south. I figure that in future projects, I can add other ingredients if I am satisfied with the balance of salt/sweetness.
                            For this one, my ingredients are just salt, cure #1, and dextrose.

                            I also chose to use the EQ method, but rather than use a dry brine, I dissolved the ingredients in a solution of water equal to 10% the weight of the loin (5.6 ounces of water). My decision to add water to the loin was to attempt to have a juicier finished product after smoking.

                            I used the diggindog calculator which I had converted to an Excel spreadsheet like Idaho Smokey discusses above. I adjusted the amount of cure ingredients to compensate for the weight of the added water. Using my Walton’s brine pump, I pumped loin with the entire brine amount, most of which remained in the loin.

                            I then bagged the loin and the small amount of liquid brine overflow, expelled air from the ziplock bag, and placed it in the refrigerator.

                            20220414_081103.jpg

                            20220414_081309.jpg

                            20220414_082146.jpg

                            After a quick rinse I put the cured loin in the electric smoker and started it at 120 F with no smoke. After an hour I raised it to 140 and applied smoke for 2 hrs. Stepped up to 150 for 2 hrs. Then shut of smoke and raised the temp to 180 for 1 hour.
                            At an IT of 140 I pulled the loin out of the smoker, bagged it, and put in the sous vis for a quick finish at 150.

                            Chilled the loin in cold water while still bagged and had a taste when it had dropped to 110.

                            Great balanced cured/smoked meat flavor and color, without any overpowering off flavors . Seems like a good starting point for future experimentation with other sweeteners or seasoning. Saltiness is just about where it needs to be to make everyone happy that will be eating it. I like it a just a little saltier, but salt can always be added, much harder to take away salt.

                            95cc0e65-6380-4da4-9008-889ca2f28f7b-20220417_083230.jpg

                            02827ca4-60f6-40f8-ba5d-18953e8be79e-20220417_143312.jpg

                            8d4d60bb-8d87-410d-9960-2fbc59f76185-20220417_150615.jpg

                            Dave in AZD Offline
                            Dave in AZD Offline
                            Dave in AZ
                            Military Veterans Sous Vide Canning Traeger Regular Contributors Power User
                            wrote on last edited by Dave in AZ
                            #29

                            processhead I am about to do another loin and was going to brine and pump it like you did… but just realized you didn’t list your salt and sugar amounts, just that it was right. Mune at 2.8% dry equilibrium start maybe a bit too salty, so hoping for your feedback and salt/sugar %s before I start! Thx

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                            • processheadP Offline
                              processheadP Offline
                              processhead
                              Regular Contributors Power User
                              wrote on last edited by processhead
                              #30

                              Dave in AZ What a coincidence?!
                              I started another pork loin yesterday, only am doing a whole one this time. Here are the numbers I used.
                              While I used a dry cure calculator for the numbers, I pumped this one in a solution equal to 10% of the green weight of the loin. The weight of the water is added to the green weight of the loin when calculating the salt, sugar, and cure. So the loin was 6.6 lbs + .66 lbs water for a total of 7.26 lbs.

                              Disregard references to bacon, belly etc. The calculator works for any cured meat.

                              Let me know if any of this needs clarification.
                              Loin Cure.jpg

                              Paul

                              Dave in AZD 1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • processheadP processhead

                                Dave in AZ What a coincidence?!
                                I started another pork loin yesterday, only am doing a whole one this time. Here are the numbers I used.
                                While I used a dry cure calculator for the numbers, I pumped this one in a solution equal to 10% of the green weight of the loin. The weight of the water is added to the green weight of the loin when calculating the salt, sugar, and cure. So the loin was 6.6 lbs + .66 lbs water for a total of 7.26 lbs.

                                Disregard references to bacon, belly etc. The calculator works for any cured meat.

                                Let me know if any of this needs clarification.
                                Loin Cure.jpg

                                Dave in AZD Offline
                                Dave in AZD Offline
                                Dave in AZ
                                Military Veterans Sous Vide Canning Traeger Regular Contributors Power User
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #31

                                processhead perfect, thx! Yes I’m doing the same calculation, but using 20% water and pumping 10%, so I have plenty to go in bag around it.
                                Ok, I went with 2% brown sugar, 2.25% salt. Will add 0.1% each clove and allspice in bag after pump. Also going to use accelerator ascorbic acid, 2g, so < 0.1%. Waiting for brine to cool now… Im going to start a new topic for this so we have one for liquid pumped EQ.

                                processheadP 1 Reply Last reply
                                0
                                • Dave in AZD Dave in AZ

                                  processhead perfect, thx! Yes I’m doing the same calculation, but using 20% water and pumping 10%, so I have plenty to go in bag around it.
                                  Ok, I went with 2% brown sugar, 2.25% salt. Will add 0.1% each clove and allspice in bag after pump. Also going to use accelerator ascorbic acid, 2g, so < 0.1%. Waiting for brine to cool now… Im going to start a new topic for this so we have one for liquid pumped EQ.

                                  processheadP Offline
                                  processheadP Offline
                                  processhead
                                  Regular Contributors Power User
                                  wrote on last edited by processhead
                                  #32

                                  Dave in AZ
                                  Sounds good. Will be looking forward to hear how it turns out.

                                  Paul

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