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I am on my 3rd round of making bacon. I’m addicted as is my wife to this home cured, smoked, and sliced bacon
Since the grain seems to vary in direction some I want to make sure I am slicing it correctly (against the grain). Please confirm. Thanks
I am really anal about slicing bacon cross grain. As you said the grain will run in different directions. So, I try to cut the belly up into a few pieces so all my slices are cross grain.
Al
I am really anal about slicing bacon cross grain. As you said the grain will run in different directions. So, I try to cut the belly up into a few pieces so all my slices are cross grain.
Al
I cut mine in 1/2 to cure in separate vac bags then smoke 1 or both. I’m experimenting with cure times now and just pulled one after 3-hr hot smoke. After it’s refrigerated overnight I will cut in half again (so now it’s 1/4 of whole belly) and that’s when it’s hard to tell the grain direction . Marking with a toothpick for end to silce so it will be against the original grain
I used to cure bellies by cutting in half before curing to fit my 200$ slicer. If I didn't put a toothpick in the cut sides I couldn't tell end from end. I finally sliced a half belly with the grain and couldn't tell the difference after cooking.. The grain is what I call "omnidirectional" in that it goes all over the place. I now slice whole bellies now with my Hobart 12" slicer. But it wouldn't bother me in the least to slice "with the grains" again if I had to