5 Steps New Electric Smoker Owners Can Use to Smoke Perfect Bacon

Are you ready to plunge into your smoking adventure? If you just purchased an electric smoker, you have the convenience of push-button starting and temperature controls. The electric heating element turns wood shavings into fragrant wood smoke for reliably smoking delicious, nitrate-free bacon every time. Here’s how to smoke bacon in an electric smoker effectively.

Smoking bacon from pork belly requires low temperatures. Depending on your time frame, you can choose cold smoking bacon, which takes 12 to 24 hours, at temperatures from 80F to 100F. When hot-smoking bacon, you set your electric smoker to 225F. This cooking method takes from 2 to 4 hours to smoke bacon. The time required depends on the meat’s thickness, but you should smoke it until the bacon reaches 150F.  

Learn more about smoking bacon in an electric smoker to turn ordinary pork belly into extraordinary, mouthwatering homemade bacon. Once you experience the intense flavor of smoked bacon, you won’t want it any other way.

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What Is Electric Smoking?

Electric smokers are excellent for smoking jerky, bacon, salmon, and other foods that require low-temperature smoking. By simply pushing a button, you can add your favorite smoked flavor to any food and maintain a steady temperature.

One of the advantages of electric smoking is that it takes large, tough cuts of meat and turns them deliciously smoky and fall-off-the-bone tender.

What Are the Advantages of an Electric Smoker?

Electric smokers are convenient and consistent. It’s much easier to maintain the temperature of an electric smoker rather than a wood or charcoal smoker.

Another advantage is not having to check on the fire of the smoker. You get smoked meat without messing with fires and checking the smoker every half hour.

How to Smoke Bacon in an Electric Smoker?

Smoking homemade bacon from pork belly might seem daunting at first, but with an electric smoker, it’s easy. The one thing to remember about smoking bacon is not to overcook it or it

1. Select the right pork cut for bacon.

If you’ve only bought bacon from the grocery store, you might not be familiar with the pork cuts available for smoking bacon. Pork belly and pork loin are the two most common choices. 

The following economical cuts of pork make full-flavored homemade bacon:

• Organically raised hogs without hormones or antibiotics
• Heritage hog pork belly, such as Berkshire, Duroc, or Kurobuta, directly from farmers or farmer’s markets.
• Local butcher shop Port Bellies 
• Supermarket pre-packaged pork bellies or pork loin

2. Collect the items you need for curing the pork belly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkAEYrgvVUk

Make sure you have all the things you need for curing or brining the pork belly before you begin smoking. This takes time, so do the curing about five days before you’re planning to smoke the bacon. 

These items you need include:

• Whole pork belly
• Pepper
• Curing or Kosher salt
• Choice of white, maple, or brown sugar
• Spices are optional.
• Closeable plastic bags 

Once you have all your supplies, start the brining process.

3. Prepare the pork belly and begin brining.

 Prepare the pork belly by trimming the rind off the bottom. If you want lean bacon, trim off any excess fat, but this isn’t necessary. The weight of your meat determines the amount of curing salt, sugar, and spices you use. Use a curing calculator to measure the needed quantities.

Once you’ve determined your curing amounts, mix the ingredients. You can add any of your favorite spices, but these are optional. Make sure you mix all the ingredients thoroughly. Place the pork belly on a baking sheet and rub the curing mix on all sides of the pork belly. After coating the meat, place it in a sealed plastic bag.

4. Wait for the curing process to finish.

Put the pork belly in your fridge for about five days. Turn the meat over occasionally to ensure the liquid in the bag covers all the meat. At the end of five days, rinse the pork belly in cold water. This eliminates any excess salt. Dry off the pork belly with paper towels and put it on a wire rack. Place the rack on a baking sheet in the fridge. Let it rest for at least four hours or overnight.

5. It’s time to smoke your bacon.

Now that the hard part is over, it’s time to start preparing your smoker. Read the instructions in your owner’s manual for preparing the wood, placing it above the heating element, and preheating the smoker.

 One of the best woods for smoking bacon is hickory, but you can make a mixture of various kinds of wood for a diverse flavor. For example, a mix of hickory, apple, and cherry wood provides a nutty and smoky fruit flavor.

Preheat it to 225F. This temperature retains the flavor and tenderness of the meat. Smoke your bacon until the internal temperature reaches 150F. This takes from 2 to 4 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to smoke bacon in a Masterbuilt electric smoker?

Masterbuilt digital electric smokers let you program the temperature and the length of smoking time. They also come with a remote control, and they monitor the internal temperature when you’re smoking bacon and other meats. When set at 225F, it takes from 2 to 4 hours to smoke bacon. Some people prefer to cold smoke at 80F to 100F. Using this method, your bacon needs about 12 to 24 hours to finish smoking. Always use a meat thermometer to determine if your bacon is ready.

How to smoke bacon at 250?

To smoke bacon at 250 degrees, begin by preheating your smoker to the desired temperature of 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Next, coat your bacon slices with a mixture of brown sugar and pepper. Arrange the bacon directly on the grill grate, ensuring there is no need to flip as the smoker provides even heat distribution. Close the lid and allow the bacon to smoke for approximately 30 minutes.

How long does it take to cook bacon at 250?

The bacon should be cooked for approximately 2 hours at a temperature of 250 degrees Fahrenheit. This lower temperature allows for the gradual rendering and collection of grease. It is recommended to place the bacon in the middle of the oven for optimal cooking.

How long does bacon take at 200?

The bacon takes approximately 15 to 25 minutes to reach the desired crispness when baked at 200C (180ºC fan).

At what temperature do you smoke bacon?

The temperature at which you smoke bacon is typically around 160-170 degrees F. To achieve this, preheat your smoker and use your preferred hardwood, such as apple, maple, or hickory. Simply place the pork belly on the grill grates, close the lid, and let it smoke for approximately 6 hours. It is important to monitor the internal temperature of the pork belly, which should reach 155 degrees F before it is ready.

Does bacon need to be smoked to 150?

Bacon does not necessarily need to be smoked to 150. However, to complete the preparation, the pork belly should be gently cooked. This can be achieved by either smoking it for a traditional flavor or, if a smoker is not available, by slow-cooking it in a traditional oven. Regardless of the method chosen, the cured belly should be cooked at a temperature of 200F (93C) until it reaches an internal temperature of 150F (66C).

How long does it take to smoke bacon at 250 degrees?

The smoking process for bacon at 250 degrees Fahrenheit typically takes around 30 minutes. To begin, preheat your smoker to the desired temperature. Next, coat your bacon slices with a mixture of brown sugar and pepper. Arrange the slices directly on the grill grate without the need for flipping, as the smoker provides even heat distribution. Close the lid and patiently wait for approximately 30 minutes.

Is smoked bacon fully cooked?

Smoked bacon is not fully cooked and may require additional cooking before consumption. It can be cold or warm-smoked while still raw, or it can be smoked until fully cooked and ready to eat.

Can I smoke bacon to 140?

In my experience, I have found that it is preferable to start with low temperatures, around 110F, for about an hour or two. Gradually opening the vents allows the slab temperature to reach 140-145F, which usually takes around 2 plus/minus hours. Personally, I believe that maintaining lower temperatures helps to prevent the dark part of the bacon from becoming too ‘hard’.

How do you smoke store-bought bacon in an electric smoker?

To smoke store-bought bacon in an electric smoker, start by preheating the smoker to 300 degrees Fahrenheit as per the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Apply a coat of non-stick spray on the grates to prevent the bacon from sticking. Next, place the bacon directly on the grates and allow it to cook in the smoker for approximately 30 minutes, or until it reaches your desired level of doneness.

Is it cheaper to smoke your own bacon?

Making your own bacon can be cheaper depending on how you obtain your pork belly and the type of bacon you compare the cost to. If you have raised and butchered your own hogs, the price of the pork belly will be lower than purchasing it from a supermarket.

Do they use liquid smoke on bacon?

They do use liquid smoke on bacon. To make bacon without a smoker, the salt dry cure method is used to perform the salt curing of the pork. A brush with high-quality liquid smoke is applied before and after curing. This process allows for the achievement of smoky bacon without the use of a smoker once the bacon has dried.

Should I hot smoke or cold smoke bacon?

Bacon is always smoked, and it can be done either through hot smoking or cold smoking. The choice between the two methods is purely a matter of personal preference. Some experts argue that cold-smoked bacon tends to crisp up better when fried compared to hot-smoked bacon.

What is the best smoker to smoke bacon?

The best smoker for smoking bacon is either a pellet grill, electric smoker, or gas smoker as they provide consistent heat. If you prefer cold smoked bacon, maze or pellet tube smokers are highly recommended due to their ease of use and reliability.

How long does it take to smoke food in an electric smoker?

The smoking time for food in an electric smoker can vary depending on the type of meat being cooked. It typically ranges from 2 to 8 hours. It is important to consistently check the internal temperature of the food using a meat thermometer to ensure it is cooked to the desired level.

How do I get the best smoke from my electric smoker?

To get the best smoke from your electric smoker, consider these tips: – Avoid using the chip tray and instead opt for alternative methods.- Be mindful not to over smoke your food; moderation is key.- Opt for a hotter setting when smoking chicken for optimal flavor.- Master the art of controlling temperature swings to ensure consistent smoking.- When cold smoking, make use of the appropriate attachment.- Adjust the vent position to regulate the smoke intensity.- Simplify clean-up by lining your grill racks with foil.- Avoid soaking your wood chips before smoking.

How long does it take to smoke bacon at 275?

The smoking time for bacon at 275F is typically 45 minutes to 1 hour, which may vary depending on the thickness of the bacon. After smoking, the bacon can be sliced into 1/8″ thick slices and placed on a fish & vegetable mat. If desired, you can add a drizzle of maple syrup and brown sugar for added flavor.

How long does it take to smoke bacon?

The time it takes to smoke bacon can be determined by following these steps. First, preheat the smoker to 200F. Next, place the bacon on either the smoker rack or a cooling rack on top of a baking pan. To enhance the smoky flavor, smoke the bacon for approximately 30 minutes. After this initial smoking period, increase the temperature to 400F and continue cooking until the bacon reaches the desired level of crispiness.

What temperature do you smoke bacon in an electric smoker?

The temperature to smoke bacon in an electric smoker is typically set at 175 degrees, while in a charcoal smoker, it fluctuates between 160 and 180 degrees. It is recommended to use hickory, apple, cherry, or other preferred hardwood (or blend of woods) as smoking fuel.

How do you know when smoked bacon is done?

The way to determine if smoked bacon is done is by observing its color transformation. When exposed to heat, bacon undergoes a change in color from light pink to light brown, gradually darkening and acquiring a reddish hue. The meaty parts of the bacon will have a light pink color, while the fat portions will appear white. Once the meat layers of the bacon turn brown, you can consider it fully cooked.

Is it better to cold smoke or hot smoke bacon?

It is a matter of preference whether to cold smoke or hot smoke bacon. Bacon is always smoked, and this can be done through either hot smoking or cold smoking. Some experts argue that cold-smoked bacon tends to crisp up better when fried compared to hot-smoked bacon.