View Full Version : A (serious) bacon thread- frozen bacon?
ShelterLeopard
10-21-2009, 13:19
Just wondering, has anyone tried freezing a pack of bacon to take on trail? I really do love bacon, and I want to be able to eat it on trail.
During the summer I'll definitely only do the precooked stuff for the most part. And during February, I think it'll be cold enough that I may not even have to freeze it. (I know, fresh bacon is messy and all, but it's soooo good). Do you think if, in April and May, I freeze bacon in town I could pack it out and it'll still be good after a full day of hiking?
And as much as I love bacon, don't suggest I roll it in my down bag- if my numerous ziplocs fail, it'll be WAY to hard to get the bacon grease & smell out.
skinewmexico
10-21-2009, 13:23
Wrap it in clothing. Or make a reflectix cozy, and wrap it in that, then do FBC cooking when the fresh stuff runs out.
ShelterLeopard
10-21-2009, 13:24
The cozy is a good idea- thanks.
Get yourself a piece of Smoked Slab Bacon, it will last for days.
http://www.smithfieldcollection.com/images/popup/smithfieldsmokedslabbacon.jpg
mister krabs
10-21-2009, 13:32
I've done it, and would venture to say that you could go even longer than one day. Good bacon is cured and smoked, both of those processes are preservative. Honestly, I'd eat it until it smelled or got slimy or went rancid. We refrigerate food to slow the growth of bacteria, but you cook the heck out of bacon before you eat it, and any bacteria that grew would be dead. Way dead.
ShelterLeopard
10-21-2009, 13:36
Good point Krabs, thanks.
And veteran, I would do that, but I think it'd be too heavy- though I suppose I could bring just a piece custom cut to the right size... Is it hard to cut somewhat evenly? Could I cut it with a camp knife? And where do I get a slab like that on trail? (I know I could probably get a huge slab like that at one of the smokehouses around here, but I don't know about in towns..)
Toolshed
10-21-2009, 15:35
Did it once - Never again. Froze it, wrapped in plastic, wrapped in reflectix, wrapped in plastic bubble wrap, wrapped in plastic bag and kept in center of my pack. Day 1 frozen, day 2 AM mostly frozen - ended up thawing out too much as I was trying to pick slices apart Day 2 AM morning to cook, was extremely slippery and messy too. day 3 AM at cool temp and good to use. but no longer frozen and starting to get everything a little slimey. I didn't go past day 3 with it and cooked it up because it seemed like it would be a PITA to try to wrap up and not get bacon grease on anything...
All bacon questions are serious.
As I see it, the problem is this: If you're going to freeze it and wrap it in plastic, you still want to keep the entire thing in one block to thaw slowest. But, you need to separate the pre-sliced bacon quickly before you throw the mass back into the insulation. So pre-slice the bacon, separate the pieces you're going to use on which day, and stack them on top of each other, separated with wax paper. Thick wax paper ideally, the thin stuff would rip before it pulled the bacon away from the mass.
That and get cured bacon, ideally smoked and salt cured. That stuff will last for days as veteran says.
$0.02
And be very very careful grilling bacon out in the wild. The wildlife may become violent. Remember Buck and the bacon in Call of the Wild? It can happen to you.
Yeah...Bears do kinda like it.
try one of those hot/cold foil bags they have at grocery stores, that might work. If I am only going out for a few nights and want to take bacon or anything cold for that matter, I just pack a small, soft cloth cooler. I don't mind the half pound if it keeps the bacon, hot dogs and breakfast sausage cold.
Yeah...Bears do kinda like it.
Forget the bears. Have you ever fried bacon around a bunch of thru hikers? Living on the edge.
Forget the bears. Have you ever fried bacon around a bunch of thru hikers? Living on the edge.
As they fight for who gets to mop up the bacon grease with stale bread :D
Don't use this in Bear Country.
http://store.baconsalt.com/assets/images/bacon%20lip%20balm.jpg
wrongway_08
10-21-2009, 16:50
Why not buy the bacon in the plastic package? Needs no fridge and I kept it in a zip lock on my thru for days at a time ..... no problems ..... that I know of .... :)
rambunny
10-21-2009, 17:41
I would sometimes time it to get to town do chores,resupply, then walk 4-5 miles outta town with a potatoe/onion/eggs/bread/bacon breakfast .I would cook somewhere where there was some sand if possible-to clean pot with,(never quite perfected the clean up or disposal of grease(other than mopping with bread & eating). On one thru hike i probebly did that 5 times.Make friends with resturant workers-they will sometimes freeze things for you. I just found bacon flavored salt-maybe that would help.
skinewmexico
10-21-2009, 18:28
The cozy is a good idea- thanks.
And this nice lady named sarbar has a excellent assortment of them in her store.
I bought bacon all the way last year. It is easy to handle if you get the pre cooked packs .They are easy to find south of Harpers Ferry and spotty in the north. Put it in most all meals cooked like Liptons and any freezed dry to boost flavor and ate it in the am(no need to cook) A great protien source too.
Lone Wolf
10-21-2009, 18:52
Just wondering, has anyone tried freezing a pack of bacon to take on trail? I really do love bacon, and I want to be able to eat it on trail.
During the summer I'll definitely only do the precooked stuff for the most part. And during February, I think it'll be cold enough that I may not even have to freeze it. (I know, fresh bacon is messy and all, but it's soooo good). Do you think if, in April and May, I freeze bacon in town I could pack it out and it'll still be good after a full day of hiking?
And as much as I love bacon, don't suggest I roll it in my down bag- if my numerous ziplocs fail, it'll be WAY to hard to get the bacon grease & smell out.
i've carried bacon many times when i left springer mtn. in late march/early april along with a dozen eggs. i eat it over 4 days. just keep the bacon in a ziplock. no biggie
Tuckahoe64
10-21-2009, 19:18
As already stated by others, why worry about gimmicks for carrying bacon, when one can so easily purchase in soooo many areas properly cured bacon that will keep for weeks stored away in a pack? And you know, the cured stuff is cheaper than the pre-cooked stuff.
You can get cured bacon all over Virginia and even double smoked German bacon in Pennsylvania.
Veteran -- when I lived outside of Smithfield, and was heavily involved in Civil War reenacting, I bought a lot of bacon from V. M. Joyner. That was always great stuff. they were bought out by Smithfield packing and their plant was torn down. Edward's of Surry is also great stuff.
ShelterLeopard
10-21-2009, 19:38
First, if worse comes to worst, I'll just cook all the bacon at once. With even one other hiker around, I'm sure that won't be a problem...
Second- about cured bacon, how long does it really last? Because they advertise some of the bacon in shoprite as "cured", but I don't think it'd last. There's a really good smokehouse near me, so I may go ask them about all my bacon needs.... You've all been very helpful!
And the wax paper- good idea!
ShelterLeopard
10-21-2009, 19:39
Don't use this in Bear Country.
http://store.baconsalt.com/assets/images/bacon%20lip%20balm.jpg
This will go well with my breakfast sausage perfume!
They should just call it "bacon balm".
The precooked bacon pieces in packages taste great as well. They don't require refrigeration have a long shelf life. My wife and I added a packet regularly to Mac and Cheese and other meals.
Pricey, but tasty!
I would want to carry my slab of smoked bacon in an odor-proof Aloksak.
But I think I would want to eat it all, just so "critters" wouldn't get it.
Slack-jawed Trog
10-21-2009, 23:55
+1 Veteran
True slab bacon will keep for almost a week, even in hot weather. Wrap it well in paper (brown grocery bag) *before* you put it into plastic wrap or a ziplock, bury it your pack and slice only what you need at the time. BACON! YMMV
Wise Old Owl
10-22-2009, 03:20
Get yourself a piece of Smoked Slab Bacon, it will last for days.
http://www.smithfieldcollection.com/images/popup/smithfieldsmokedslabbacon.jpg
If you are on the trail and precooked is the way to go because you are in a trail town so be it...
Take the bacon above $5 a pound - found in the butchers area away from the junk bacon and cook it at home on a big skillet. Pour off the greese into a can and stop after 2nd side about six minutes.
Grab several paper towels and straighten the bacon out and wrap. refrigerate overnight. Toss towels and FbC or Vacume seal in small portions. Ready to Eat.
texascampgal
10-22-2009, 12:02
Surprisingly, if you cook/fry Spam until it's crispy, it tastes a lot like bacon, and Spam comes in single serve packets that will last for years.
First, if worse comes to worst, I'll just cook all the bacon at once. With even one other hiker around, I'm sure that won't be a problem...
Second- about cured bacon, how long does it really last? Because they advertise some of the bacon in shoprite as "cured", but I don't think it'd last. There's a really good smokehouse near me, so I may go ask them about all my bacon needs.... You've all been very helpful!
And the wax paper- good idea!
Father`s Country Smoked Bacon under the description that All of the Father's country cured gourmet bacon can be stored unrefrigerated for 90 days.
http://kitchen-dining.hsn.com/choice-of-father-s-country-hams-smoked-bacon-3-pack_m-10019567_xp.aspx
http://www.fatherscountryhams.com/prodinfo.asp?number=CBS4
The Best Bacon In America, Article from Esquire Mag:
http://www.esquire.com/features/best-bacon-america-0901
ShelterLeopard
10-22-2009, 13:03
Wow- thanks Vet! That's great!!!!
ShelterLeopard
10-22-2009, 13:28
Though a lot of the customer reviews are really bad (they're actually really contrary- some reviews are great, some people found it terrible "like dowing two tablespoons of salt")- maybe people's taste just differs a LOT. I wish I could buy just one slab to try it.
I think I'll just go to the smokehouse near us- if anything, I could ask them to smoke a slab "extra" for me- I think they'd do it, they're nice guys.
Wise Old Owl
10-23-2009, 03:52
Ok SL you are describing the "Junk bacon" like Oscar...M..... Salty and fpppppbbbb! (rassberry)
You can destroy the salt by soaking in room temp water. drop the slab in and seperate and this will remove some fat as well. Then wrap the bacon in paper and go back to the previous post.
ShelterLeopard
10-23-2009, 11:18
Sounds good, thanks owl! (Besides, if any one kind I try is wayyy too salty I could always mix it in with my rice or whatnot)
ShelterLeopard
11-21-2009, 12:24
News Bulletin! Frozen bacon work beautifully! I did it on the first weekend shakedown (out of at least two) and it was sooo good. The only slight change I would make is that I would freeze my local really delicious and thick bacon, istead of thin Oscar Mayer. Just gonna have to double ziploc it.
Froze it the night before, drove the hour to DWG at 7:00am, hiked, and didn't actually make the bacon until about 5:00pm at the shelter, and it wasn't even very slimy. It was 60ish degrees out, warm for Nov. If it was colder, I would've probably saved the bacon for several days with no trouble (aside from the occasional willpower issue).
Ham question?? can you get the cured ham or for that matter other cured meats in small enough packages to justify carrying. can't imagine carrying a 5 lb ham around. I saw some cured sausages at the chinese grocery that would do. The Germans did teach the chinese about beer and sausage.
ShelterLeopard
11-21-2009, 12:43
There are probably some towns around St. Louis with a good butcher shop. (Maybe???) I know at the butcher shop here you can get any size you want.
Just wondering, has anyone tried freezing a pack of bacon to take on trail? I really do love bacon, and I want to be able to eat it on trail.
During the summer I'll definitely only do the precooked stuff for the most part. And during February, I think it'll be cold enough that I may not even have to freeze it. (I know, fresh bacon is messy and all, but it's soooo good). Do you think if, in April and May, I freeze bacon in town I could pack it out and it'll still be good after a full day of hiking?
And as much as I love bacon, don't suggest I roll it in my down bag- if my numerous ziplocs fail, it'll be WAY to hard to get the bacon grease & smell out.
Bacon should last for at least a day even if not frozen. There is enought sodium Nitrate in processed meat that it will be ok. I have carried smoked turkey lunch meat for a couple days even in the summer with no problems.
You will be a big hit at breakfast once the smell of bacon reaches the other hikers. You may want to camp alone while you have bacon. Forget about bears the hikers will attack you first.
You can buy dry-cured ham or bacon (http://johnstoncountyhams.foodoro.com/products/smokehouse-sampler)vacuum-sealed that will keep for days. Sliced and ready for the skillet.
Tuckahoe64
11-21-2009, 13:42
Ham question?? can you get the cured ham or for that matter other cured meats in small enough packages to justify carrying. can't imagine carrying a 5 lb ham around. I saw some cured sausages at the chinese grocery that would do. The Germans did teach the chinese about beer and sausage.
Bryce, I guess we're pretty fortunate to live in the ham capitol of the world here in Virginia. I dont know about in your parts, but here from a number of local packers it is pretty easy to get cured ham slices in 4oz and 8oz packaging in any grocery store.
And for those that think cured ham is too salty, when you go to fry it up, start off with a little bit of sugar water in the pan.
Here are examples --
Edward's of Surry, Virginia -- http://virginiatraditions.com/Virginia-Country-Ham-Uncooked-Slices.aspx
http://virginiatraditions.com/Surryano-Ham-Slices.aspx
And another out of Ky is Scott Hams -- http://www.scotthams.com/
And again I have used bacon from both Scott and Edwards without refrigeration for extended periods of time.
Jack Tarlin
11-21-2009, 16:22
Lone Wolf's right. Regular bacon will be fine for a few days if you ziplock it. You can add a day or more if you leave town with it frozen. And the storebought "pre-cooked" stuff is great, and will last for days. As to it being "pricey" keep in mind that one package (3-4 dollars) will give you quite a few meals.....you can have some at lunch in sandwiches, and tear up a few slices each night to add to any dinner, adding meat, taste, fat, and calories.
If you're a meat eater and don't want to deal with pouches or cans, leaving town with a package of the pre-cooked bacon is a great idea, and the stuff is now available everywhere.
I love bacon with my pork chops, how about you?
ShelterLeopard
11-21-2009, 16:24
Lone Wolf's right. Regular bacon will be fine for a few days if you ziplock it. You can add a day or more if you leave town with it frozen. And the storebought "pre-cooked" stuff is great, and will last for days. As to it being "pricey" keep in mind that one package (3-4 dollars) will give you quite a few meals.....you can have some at lunch in sandwiches, and tear up a few slices each night to add to any dinner, adding meat, taste, fat, and calories.
If you're a meat eater and don't want to deal with pouches or cans, leaving town with a package of the pre-cooked bacon is a great idea, and the stuff is now available everywhere.
It'll give you a few meals, if you don't sit next to anyone else while you make it!!! (*Cough* Mara *Cough* :D)
Okie Dokie
11-21-2009, 23:00
If you want to take bacon along on a hike try this: buy any kind of bacon you like form the supermarket....typically, that's about a pound package, pre-sliced, sealed in plastic...wash your hands well, open the package, cut the multiple stips into thirds so that you now have 3 rows of multiple strips...peel them apart and wind them into a ball...you'll end up with a ball the size of a softball...bag it and freeze it...stow it in between your extra clothing in the pack...once you're on the trail the outer layers will thaw first and you can easily peel off 4 or 5 strips daily for your breakfast, leaving the core still frozen, or mostly so...this will work for 4 or 5 days then you'll be out of bacon...
Here's a big secret about American food preservation lore, at least compared to the rest of the civilized world - we're a bit paranoid....food will be safe to eat, or cook and eat, much longer than you've been told it will...I backpacked through Australia some while ago and the supermarkets there kept eggs out in the aisles, unrefrigerated...imagine that in America...
If it doesn't smell bad it's probably ok...if it smells a little bit bad you can probably cook the crap out of it and still eat it safely...if it smells really bad, well, you be the judge, but lots of protein has been thrown out over the years by timid cooks...