Ham Discussion

I've also been doing whole hams for a while, and people have been asking to buy them as well. I use a brine similar to Smokin Okies, but with sage and a bit of vinegar added. I usually have to do it in a cooler with ice since I don't have a container big enough for a 25lb. ham. I wash for about 5 minutes under running water and I usually smoke for about 16 or 18 hours to an internal temp of around 175 or so with apple and hickory wood. I've got nothing but rave reviews yet. I'll post the brine recipe when I can remember to bring it in. I am interested in trying dry curing as well if you have a recipe.

JayB

Gilly,

I wouldn't just "ask" everyone, there are many lurkers here that won't comment. What I would suggest is creating a Ham 101.

If you want to (since this is your passion) feel free to email me and we can create something that works in the forum that follows your flow:

Meat selection
Brining
Dry curing
Smoking
Air curing
other (such as ham recipes)

but that's just my idea to help get your started.

Sounds great to me, we love new stuff here.

Did you do a search for Ham by the way. There were a couple of posts.

And what model CS do you use?

Gilly,
I, and I'm sure others, would be interested in any experience you may have had in curing (brine or dry) and smoking pork loins. This is something I've been wanting to master, but have not found enough solid information to risk trashing a somewhat expensive cut of meat (compared to a butt).
Richard

Please have at it, it would be appreciated. I just got the Morton Salt book on meat curing. While it helps to do the reading and preparatory work, you just can't beat experience. Having none on injecting brine into hams and loins, I would like to learn all I can from others. Call me cheap, but why re-invent the wheel when there is such a wealth of experience out there.

I would also be very interested in Hams. I am a beginner and would love to see what you fellow smokers have tried, brines, cures the whole gammit. A Ham 101 sounds like a great idea to me. I am ready to give it a whirl !