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Using a fridge to dry bacon.
Posted:
Mon Feb 11, 2013 3:57 pmby CaptainSEO
I have just completed my first cure of streaky bacon. I air dried it in my garage and all went well.
I was wondering about what to do in summer as I won't be able to air dry if the temperature is 15 or 20C. I have a spare fridge that I sometimes use to chill lager.
I've read that a fridge has too high humidity, so how about I put some desiccant in there. Maybe a tray or two of white rice. Any thoughts on this?
Re: Using a fridge to dry bacon.
Posted:
Mon Feb 11, 2013 4:35 pmby DiggingDogFarm
Most fridges are usually low humidity, over here anyway.
~Martin
Re: Using a fridge to dry bacon.
Posted:
Mon Feb 11, 2013 4:47 pmby CaptainSEO
I shall buy myself a hygrometer and test it.
What RH should I aim for?
Re: Using a fridge to dry bacon.
Posted:
Thu Feb 14, 2013 6:48 amby JerBear
As Martin said, most modern refrigerators are actually low on humidity. So much so that most people have to add a humidifier to adjust up to the proper amount. I've seen amounts from 65-85% RH depending on the recipe but most fall in the 70-80% range.
Re: Using a fridge to dry bacon.
Posted:
Thu Feb 21, 2013 6:30 pmby Wunderdave
Reportedly you can dry bacon even in the low RH environment of a fridge, as it is flat and thin so case hardening is less of an issue. Search for "pancetta stresa"
Re: Using a fridge to dry bacon.
Posted:
Thu Feb 21, 2013 6:57 pmby JerBear
That's what I do for my pancetta. I leave it flat, wrapped in fine-knit muslin and flip it every day or so for about 2 weeks then portion vacuum seal and freeze. More info here:
http://hgsausageworks.blogspot.com/2012/07/father-guido-pancetta.html