You probably know equilibrium brining. It has previously been described on this forum. You weigh your ingredients and water, and add the amount of salt that will over time result in the desired salinity of both brine and meat.
I did a number of experiments, and in each and every one, no equilibrium could be achieved. Or, at least not at the desired salinity.
WHY? WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYY?!
1. Salmon
115 grams of salmon.
ca 290 grams of water
total weight = 500 grams
12 grams of salt
Forgot to measure the SG.
Desired salinity = around 24%
Desired SG = around 1018
+2 hours: 1026
+ 3 h: 1024
+10 h: 1024
+24 h 1026
Ate it.
2. Chickenbreast
160 grams Chickenbreas
+ 240 g wate
Total weight = ca 500 gram
+ 12 g salt.
Desired salinity is ca 25%
Desired SG= ca 1018
+0 h SG=1032.
+ 1 h: 1034
+2 h: 1034
+3 h: 1034
+ 12 h: 1034
+ 24 h: 1034
+ 48 h: 1034
Ate it: salty.
3. Porkbelly
Porkbelly 950 grams
950 grams water
Total weight is ca 1900 grams
28,5 grams salt + ca 2 grams sugar
Desired salinity ca 15%.
Desired SG = ca 1012
+0 h: 1022.
+10 h: 1022
+48 h: 1022
+72 h: 1022
+84 h: 1022
ate it, somewhat salty.
4. Porkbelly
Porkbelly 1025 grams
1025 grams water
Total weight is ca 2050 grams
61,5 grams salt + ca 2 grams sugar
Desired salinity ca 30%.
Desired SG = ca 1023
+0 h: 1042
+10 h: 1040
+48 h: 1038
+72 h: 1038
+84 h: 1038
+ 96 h: 1038
+ 7 days 1036
+ 9 days 1036
+ 11 days 1036
+ 12 days 1036
+ 13 days 1036
+ 16 days 1036
At 17 days now, currently still brining
5. Chickenbreast revisited
300 grams of chicken
200 gr water
total weight = 500 gr
15 grams of salt
Desired salinity ca 30%.
Desired SG = ca 1023
+ 0 h 1048
+ 12 h 1042
+ 48u 1040
+ 4 days 1038
+ 5 days 1038
+ 6 days 1036
+ 9 days 1036
Went bad, probably because of too much handling. Threw it out.
6. lean beef
520 grams of lean beef
420 grams water
total weight is 940
28 gr salt
Desired salinity = 30%
Desired SG = ca 1023
+ 0 h 1044
+ 11 h 1040
+ 36 h 1036
+ 3.5 days 1036
+ 6 days 1036
+ 8 days 1034
+ 9 days 1032
+ 10 days 1036
+ 13 days 1036
Went bad, probably because of too much handling. Threw it out.