Bacon....beef bacon

[RustyJake]

Been wanting to try making some beef bacon. Picked up a couple 6 lb beef bellies from a local butcher this afternoon
They are dry brined and in vacuum bags for a week.


Also have both halves of a split pork butt and a 13 lb brisket to smoke. Might have to fire up the Traeger too

 

[Murphy's Law]

How’s that Yoder treating you?

 

[RustyJake]

How’s that Yoder treating you?

I am happy with it. Love the extra space with the larger grill. Had I bought the IW885 I probably wouldn't have justified buying the Yoder. It can get down to 150 and maintain it regardless of the outside temperature and it can get up to 600, probably higher with the damper moved in and the firepot exposed. I have actually been using it to finish the reverse sear grilling. It comes up to temperature really quick to sear.
It definitely has a pellet tunneling issue. Surprised there aren't more posts about that.

 

[MidwestSmoker]

I am happy with it. Love the extra space with the larger grill. Had I bought the IW885 I probably wouldn't have justified buying the Yoder. It can get down to 150 and maintain it regardless of the outside temperature and it can get up to 600, probably higher with the damper moved in and the firepot exposed. I have actually been using it to finish the reverse sear grilling. It comes up to temperature really quick to sear.
It definitely has a pellet tunneling issue. Surprised there aren't more posts about that.

I need to get one. Should have bought one of those Mega Million lottery tickets.

 

[CMTiger]

I am happy with it. Love the extra space with the larger grill. Had I bought the IW885 I probably wouldn't have justified buying the Yoder. It can get down to 150 and maintain it regardless of the outside temperature and it can get up to 600, probably higher with the damper moved in and the firepot exposed. I have actually been using it to finish the reverse sear grilling. It comes up to temperature really quick to sear.
It definitely has a pellet tunneling issue. Surprised there aren't more posts about that.

But you didn’t buy the IW885 so your Yoder purchase is justified and now you have two awesome pellet grills.
That’s planning ahead right there

 

[RustyJake]

I need to get one. Should have bought one of those Mega Million lottery tickets.

That was quite the prize amount.

 

[RustyJake]

But you didn’t buy the IW885 so your Yoder purchase is justified and now you have two awesome pellet grills.
That’s planning ahead right there

I have been looking at adding on to the concrete pad so I can set the Traeger up in a more permanent location

 

[Slimpicker]

It definitely has a pellet tunneling issue. Surprised there aren't more posts about that.

you don't wanna use that slippery tape inside? Or coat with ceramic car coating? that won't help?

I've actually been getting tunneling also and I'm gonna try a couple things, I think the pellets leave a film or oil on the metal inside... might be worth trying to clean and coat

 

[RustyJake]

you don't wanna use that slippery tape inside? Or coat with ceramic car coating? that won't help?

I've actually been getting tunneling also and I'm gonna try a couple things, I think the pellets leave a film or oil on the metal inside... might be worth trying to clean and coat

I did put down one coat of ceramic wax. Which helped a bit, but the bottom of the hopper needs to have a steeper pitch. I just have to remember to give it a stir in the morning after an overnight cook.
I will look at getting some UHMW adhesive sheet and put that on it. For now I just remember to give it a stir.

 

[MidwestSmoker]

I did put down one coat of ceramic wax. Which helped a bit, but the bottom of the hopper needs to have a steeper pitch. I just have to remember to give it a stir in the morning after an overnight cook.
I will look at getting some UHMW adhesive sheet and put that on it. For now I just remember to give it a stir.

There is always RemE's approach:

Okay, time to stir the pot, another Covid Project!

I'm referring to the Pellet Hopper and the challenges with the pellet sensor, this pot needs stirring! While I like having a pellet sensor, I don't much care for the accuracy of the stock setup. The big issue is that as the auger draws out the pellets, a funnel shaped trench grows which causes...

www.traegerforum.com

 

[RustyJake]

There is always RemE's approach:

Okay, time to stir the pot, another Covid Project!

I'm referring to the Pellet Hopper and the challenges with the pellet sensor, this pot needs stirring! While I like having a pellet sensor, I don't much care for the accuracy of the stock setup. The big issue is that as the auger draws out the pellets, a funnel shaped trench grows which causes...

www.traegerforum.com

Yeah, always an option. Be nice if there was a magnetc vibrating device that could be set to go on a timer. Something that you could be put on the wall of the hopper. Periodically it would give a quick vibration. The pellets should shift down with that.

 

[RustyJake]

Here is what it looks like after being left from 11 PM to 8 AM



I will have to run a test one time to see if the pellets on the side 'fall in' when it gets lower. But this is definitely not what one would expect from any pellet grill.
You can just start to see the auger. I wouldn't want to leave it unattended for much longer without a stir.
My Traeger has tunneling, but no where to this extent. Traeger definitely gets the win over the Yoder for the pellet hopper.

 

[RustyJake]

Brined and rinsed the bacon this morning. Will dry it in the fridge overnight and on in the morning


And might as well thrown on some kielbasa. Another project I wanted to try. They are stuffed and in the fridge for the night as well


Have to decide on the pellet selection

 

[MidwestSmoker]

Rusty, you are an inspiration for us all! One of these days I will drum up the courage and effort to do some of what you do: make sausages, curing meats, smoking a whole pig, ........... You are a real pitmaster!

 

[RustyJake]

Rusty, you are an inspiration for us all! One of these days I will drum up the courage and effort to do some of what you do: make sausages, curing meats, smoking a whole pig, ........... You are a real pitmaster!

You definitely need to try some of this stuff. Pick a favorite or something you really want to try and make and just do it. Once you do you reach out and try more. I don't expect to get 100% perfection, but I haven't had anything that wasn't edible and enjoyable.
I have enjoyed my Traeger journey and now enjoying using the Yoder as well. They both cook well and work as intended.
I am looking forward to trying both when they are done. I have never done any type of sausage before, so this could be a learning experience yet. I have done pork bacon with success before, but never beef bacon, so this is new as well to me.
Will update tomorrow after they are smoked