The Accurate Reloading Forums
This business of sausages and smokers ...

This topic can be found at:
https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/9811043/m/6131077272

29 November 2022, 17:52
Bill/Oregon
This business of sausages and smokers ...
... got me thinking about ham, now that I live in feral swine jihad country.
This looks like a great recipe for a simple "city ham," but a properly prepped and aged country ham seems like a goal worth chasing at some point.
Who does their own city and country hams here?

https://www.homesicktexan.com/how-to-cure-ham/


There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t.
– John Green, author
29 November 2022, 18:34
Aspen Hill Adventures
I just saw that locally some agency is offering a country ham session for something like $50. Take your ham home and hang it in the barn for a year (?) kinda thing. I assume they are well salted.


~Ann


29 November 2022, 21:37
Macs B
We put up country ham every year, also smoke and cure a few dozen from butcher hogs for our customers, but we have those done at the processor.


Macs B
U.S. Army Retired
Alles gut!
29 November 2022, 22:32
Bill/Oregon
Good for you, Macs. How long do you let the country hams cure?

Ann, here is a back and forth on Bradley vs. Masterbuilt from my Oregon fishing forum:

https://www.ifish.net/threads/...masterbuilt.1685688/


There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t.
– John Green, author
30 November 2022, 03:08
Aspen Hill Adventures
Thank you, Bill. I will check that out!


~Ann


30 November 2022, 18:59
Bill/Oregon
Ann, I just signed up here. Omigosh what a resource.

https://www.smokingmeatforums.com/


There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t.
– John Green, author
01 December 2022, 01:51
Aspen Hill Adventures
I'll check it out!


~Ann


01 December 2022, 08:39
Norman Conquest
That looks like an interesting site.
04 December 2022, 16:37
Bill/Oregon
Randy, with all your tools, materials and knowhow, have you ever thought about building a smoker yourself?


There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t.
– John Green, author
05 December 2022, 08:50
Norman Conquest
bill. I certainly did. I used an old Norge refer, those old ones were porcelain lined. I made rack holders on either side out of rough cut cedar w/ cutouts to drop the re-bar lengths into. At the bottom I built a stainless steel pan that I could put my wood chips + shavings in, that I had soaked overnight in water. Right above the tray, I installed a pipe w/ elbow to be right over the coals that went through the door. On the outside of the door I made a piece of copper tube that fit the pipe I.D. + made 2 slices on the bottom of it making a "V" one could slide it out or in to give it more or less air intake. Obviously a dampered stack out the top, + to get a perfect seal, take a tube of silicone + after cleaning the door + frame, make a large bead on ONE SIDE ONLY. Cover it with wax paper + seal the door for 24 hrs. It will make a perfect custom fit. I have used the same principle on making valve cover gaskets. Finally, I put one of those A.C. pocket thermometers in the door to read + regulate the temp with the copper sleeve I described above.
05 December 2022, 09:13
Norman Conquest
Also, I guess it doesn't need to be said ,but every piece of plastic has to come out, old shelf supports, etc. + the old rubber gasket. You are making a new one anyway, right? Any hole left in the skin can be caulked in with the same silicone. It will withstand 600 degrees, + if you get that high in your smoker, you have other problems.
06 December 2022, 08:44
Norman Conquest
BTW, most of those old refers still have the old porcelain veg, crisper drawer + that makes a good coal pan after you fill it halfway with sand.