1st Cheese Smoke

[Mikey]

Decided to try my hand at smoking cheese today. Picked up a lb of Pepperjack & a lb of colby jack (Tillamook). I've read about Tillamook being on the pricey side, but I guess it depends on where you shop.




I found the Tillamook to be pretty reasonable at $4.98 a lb.


Doesn't take much to get the proper temp. 4 briquetes did the trick. It was 70 degrees here in So. Cal. today.


Held this temp the whole time, which was 1 hour for each batch.



I cut each package in half and used alder on the first, and apple on the second batch. This is the apple. Not much color change. Did sneak a sample and WOW!, pretty darn tasty.


Gotta have an action shot. My ex left these racks (3) here 6 yrs ago. I almost tossed em, but I'm glad I kept them. They're perfect for cheese.


All vac packed for a 2 week rest in the fridge. Back on the road tomorrow, so I'll give it the taste test when I get back. Thanks for lookin'.

[WALLE]

Looks good, Mikey!
Can't wait to try mine. You'll definitely have to let me know what you thought of the difference between the Alder and Apple.
Tracey

[irishteabear]

They look great Mike! You'll be amazed at the difference that waiting makes in the taste.

[Cajunsmoke13]

Looks awesome Mikey. Nice looking queso.

[mulepackin]

Very nice looking cheeses. I didn't get much color in mine either. Not sure what the secret is there. The flavor is what matters anyway.

[Bassman]

Looks good, Mikey! You guys keep showing your cheese smokes and I'll have to try it myself.

[Slanted88]

Nice....I need to do some....my youngest son can eat a whole tube of crackers & all the cheese in the frigerator...

[Whisky Fish]

Great Job. Way to represent the west side Mikey. I've done a couple test cheeses. But I haven't tried the whole smash yet, I better get it done before it warms up around here.
Nice work.

JT

[wutang]

Nice work. I am also curious on your thoughts on the difference in flavors once you get to taste them.

[ALX]

Looks darn fine mikey

[Kingudaroad]

Very good cold smoke job Mikey. You gonna like it!

[Zeeker]

Great job Mikey. Kudos...

[Mikey]

Definately Worth the Wait

Got back yesterday from an 11 day roadtrip and decided to crack open the cheese that I smoked prior to leaving out. This stuff is killer and had to hide it from the wench so that there'd be some left. The cheese that was smoked with alder is very subtle, and not over powering. Pretty darn tasty! The apple smoked cheese rocked with me as I like a heavier smokey flavor.
Decided to break out the slicer for this project. First time I'd used it for cheese. This Rival is up for the task


Pepperjack all sliced and ready for the Handi-Vac bag



All bagged up and ready to be relocated to the top secret location away from the mrs.

[irishteabear]

That's one way to make the wait easier, lol. Glad you're happy with how they turned out. That slicer does a good job with cheese as well as meats.

[curious aardvark]

All bagged up and ready to be relocated to the top secret location away from the mrs.

At the couples counselling: 'He hid the cheese ! What more reason do you need ? The @8%#$@ smoked some cheese and then hid it !''

Nice looking smoke.

colour wise it doesn't change much. I usually go for 2-3 hours which makes a difference.
1 hour you'll get a nice mild smoke flavour but bugger all colour change.