First Bacon

[cha0s]

Hi guys.. first time making bacon.

I know i messed up the prague powder measurement and put too little in. 

Left in the fridge for a week. turned every day. in a glass dish covered with plastic wrap.

Then washed and put it on a wire rack for 3/4 days in the fridge uncovered.

Then hug in a cool place for a couple of days.

 

the rack has left some marks. I guess residual salt etc has reacted with the metal.

is this a problem and is the too little cure a problem.

looks like bacon, smells a bit wierd. tastes mostly ok.

 

edit: fyi weights etc are as follows

1484g pork belly

44g salt (~30%)

14g sugar (~10%)

0.7g prague powder (~not alot). should have been 3.5g?

 

 

Edited November 16, 2020 by cha0s

[Smokin Monkey]

I would say it’s under cured by the amount of cure you added.

Then 4 days in the fridge and 2 days hung (what temperature?) so that’s 6 days old.

[cha0s]

Hi thanks for taking a look.

It was 7 days in the fridge, turn/flip each day. domestic fridge at around 3 degrees celcius

Then about 3 or 4 uncovered in fridge at around 3 degrees celcius again

Then hung in a cold room for 2 days.

[Wade]

Was the Prague Powder #1 or #2. Also can you confirm that it contained 6.25% Sodium Nitrite.

Assuming it was #1 at 6.25% Nitrite then you have applied just under 30 mg/Kg of Nitrite to the meat (30 ppm). The maximum level permitted commercially is 150 mg/Kg though it has found to still be effective at 50 mg/Kg. You are still significantly below this level.

With bacon, although the Nitrite is used to provide some bacterial protection, its main purpose is as a flavouring and also to inhibit the rancidification of the fat. From what you have described it should be safe to eat - though ensure that it passes the "sniff test". You will be able to tell if the fat has started to go off. I suggest that you eat it quickly and freeze what you cannot eat straight away.

The marks from the rack will be fine - just cut them off.

[cha0s]

Hi wade. Thanks. 

Yes it's #1 and says 6.25%

The fat does taste bad but the meat is OK. 

Next time I'll use the proper amount.