Smoked Cheese - Batch Number One of 2018: White Cheddar

[gmc2003]

Round two of the 2018 batch.

All lined up on the grate: 4 Pepper Jack, 4 Horseradish, 4 Hot Habanero, 2 Swiss, and 2 Gouda.

High ho, high ho it's off to the smoker they go...

And the final results are in:

About half of this years batch is going towards stocking stuffers and T-day. The rest will be eaten throughout the year by yours truely, the better half and of course skid mark(cheddar only for him). Now onto the smoked salmon and lox.

Thanks for looking.

Chris

 

[zwiller]

5 hours dust again? Apple?

 

[CSR]

Great color! How long and what wood?

I did apple with my first smoke and may try something new with the next batch...

 

[gmc2003]

5 hours dust again? Apple?

Sam, unfortunately this batch had to be done with hickory dust like the cheddar(I really wanted apple dust), but I didn't realize I was out of apple. Time to place another order in with Todd. With this batch all but 4 blocks were smoked for 2.5 to 3 hours. The other 4 saw an additional 2 to 3 hours of pellet smoke with hickory. They were for my kids. Who like a really strong smoke flavor.

Chris

 

[gmc2003]

Great color! How long and what wood?

I did apple with my first smoke and may try something new with the next batch...

Thanks CSR, see above post for times. Hickory is stronger then Apple. I like both, but prefer apple to hickory. My kids like the hickory better.

Chris

 

[Bearcarver]

Wow!!
Looks Great Chris!!
You could move to WI, and start your own "Hat Store".

Bear

 

[gmc2003]

Wow!!
Looks Great Chris!!
You could move to WI, and start your own "Hat Store".

Bear

Funny, but I don't think that would work for a Giants fan - or maybe a Giant Cheese Head.

Chris

 

[Jeff Wright]

Nice looking batch of cheese, Chris. I really want to try this soon. Temps are up for next week or so, but maybe next weekend.

Question: Is there a reason you use the dust as opposed to pellets? Does the pellets burn hooter? I assume I could use the ice bottles I have read about if it is a temperature thing. Just curious.

 

[gmc2003]

Nice looking batch of cheese, Chris. I really want to try this soon. Temps are up for next week or so, but maybe next weekend.

Question: Is there a reason you use the dust as opposed to pellets? Does the pellets burn hooter? I assume I could use the ice bottles I have read about if it is a temperature thing. Just curious.

Thanks Jeff, dust burns cleaner and lighter then pellets. It also burns cooler(basically heat free). If you need them then frozen soda bottles work well in controlling temps. With bottles you don't have to worry about spilling and I believe they omit less moisture. When your ready to go for it, let us know if you have any questions.

Chris

 

[zwiller]

I am with Chris about dust and there are also other members who swear dust is better than pellets for cheese. I have not done it yet but it is on deck and likely this weekend. Gonna run apple first and then try pecan.

Chris, how many hours per row you get? IIRC it goes much faster.

 

[gmc2003]

Probably somewhere around 2 or 3 depending on the burn.

Chris

 

[Jeff Wright]

When your ready to go for it, let us know if you have any questions.

So as to not wait until the last minute....what do you burn dust in? I have the Amazn. I would reckon the dust falls through the holes.

 

[gmc2003]

So as to not wait until the last minute....what do you burn dust in? I have the Amazn. I would reckon the dust falls through the holes.

The AmazN tray/maze. Dust doesn't work in the tube.

Chris

 

[Bearcarver]

So as to not wait until the last minute....what do you burn dust in? I have the Amazn. I would reckon the dust falls through the holes.

Hoping nobody minds my butting in, but below is my favorite way to keep the heat down, without adding too much humidity to the smoker.
Also, Yes Dust Burns cooler. I use an AMNS for my Dust instead of an AMNPS, but other use their AMNPS.
I imagine some dust falls out of the bigger holes, but as long as you don't have it above food it won't hurt.
Here's that Pic:

This was in my Old MES 30:

 

[zwiller]

Just lit some apple dust for 2 lbs jack. LOL blew a bunch of it away trying to light it... Any tips?

WOW very TBS. Excited. First batch 2018.

 

[gmc2003]

One of those long BIC lighters works like a charm. I had that same problem with my first go at it.

https://www.shopbic.com/products/lighters/multi-purpose-lighters/#1

Chris

Forgot to mention good luck with the smoke.

 

[Bearcarver]

Just lit some apple dust for 2 lbs jack. LOL blew a bunch of it away trying to light it... Any tips?

WOW very TBS. Excited. First batch 2018.

I use a Butane torch to light Sawdust, because Propane has too much power & blows the dust around.
However I use my Propane torch to light Pellets, because the Butane torch doesn't shoot the flame in deep enough to get it lit properly.

Bear

 

[zwiller]

Chuggin along just fine. I wasn't sure if I got it started right being the first time I used dust. I'd say the smoke from dust is NIBS: nearly invisible blue smoke. :rolleyes: Hard to tell the dang is even smoking from the house. Got a 2lb slab cut into 5 chunks. AMNPS half loaded aiming 5hr like Chris. Sure hope I get some color. Never got any with cob pellets.

 

[Bearcarver]

Chuggin along just fine. I wasn't sure if I got it started right being the first time I used dust. I'd say the smoke from dust is NIBS: nearly invisible blue smoke. :rolleyes: Hard to tell the dang is even smoking from the house. Got a 2lb slab cut into 5 chunks. AMNPS half loaded aiming 5hr like Chris. Sure hope I get some color. Never got any with cob pellets.

These are the only Cheese Step by Steps I have in my Index (Oldies but Goodies):
Smoked Cheese
Smoked Cheese Taste Testing Party


Bear

 

[gmc2003]

Sam, not sure how far your into this, but you may want to try a slice and see how it is before letting it go the full 5 hours. If I remember correctly you were shooting for a lighter smoke flavor. My lighter and your lighter may be different. It won't hurt the cheese to sample during the smoke.

Chris