Title: First cheese smoke
Post by: MikeRocksTheRed on January 06, 2016, 09:11:39 AM
Post by: MikeRocksTheRed on January 06, 2016, 09:11:39 AM
I've had my A-MAZE-N 12" tube smoker since a week before Christmas and have had some blocks of cheese in my fridge for a few weeks. I finally got my cold smoked cheese underway today.
Using applewood in the tube. Place a large tray of ice on the charcoal grate to help keep temps down. Using my 26er and so far the temps are holding around 70 degrees. I've only had the lid on for 15 minutes so I suspect the temp will climb a little bit. The temperature outside at the moment is 55.
Smoking mild cheddar, Monterrey jack, and pepper jack.
I'll post updates as things progress.
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01/06/6a745e7525e8c3f35eda60cf1e7e1177.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01/06/578b2d18990359bad197ee52a9e87640.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01/06/b9aef5a6c6f9185abd406ccdb9cd937a.jpg)
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Using applewood in the tube. Place a large tray of ice on the charcoal grate to help keep temps down. Using my 26er and so far the temps are holding around 70 degrees. I've only had the lid on for 15 minutes so I suspect the temp will climb a little bit. The temperature outside at the moment is 55.
Smoking mild cheddar, Monterrey jack, and pepper jack.
I'll post updates as things progress.
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01/06/6a745e7525e8c3f35eda60cf1e7e1177.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01/06/578b2d18990359bad197ee52a9e87640.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01/06/b9aef5a6c6f9185abd406ccdb9cd937a.jpg)
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Title: Re: First cheese smoke
Post by: Maxmbob on January 06, 2016, 10:40:32 AM
Post by: Maxmbob on January 06, 2016, 10:40:32 AM
Looking forward to your updates on the cheese and the A maze n smoke tube. Looks go o d.
Title: Re: First cheese smoke
Post by: MikeRocksTheRed on January 06, 2016, 01:22:50 PM
Post by: MikeRocksTheRed on January 06, 2016, 01:22:50 PM
The cheese is done. I'll let you know how it tastes in a week to 10 days!
I don't have a torch so lighting the smoking tube was a little tricky. Tried to put a light cube under one end but it just wouldn't quite do the trick. I ended up put a few of the smallest scraps of applewood in my chunk bag in the open end then put a lighter cube right next to it. As the lighter cube burned down I put it in the end of the tube. It worked and after it was going I pulled the cube out, but I think it might have worked too good. I didn't quite have the tube all of the way filled, but it was close and it burned all of the pellets in about 4 hours. I think I got it going a little too much! I'll get a torch so I can focus a flame on a smaller area to get it going next time. It did give me lots of smoke though. I am hoping it wasn't too much smoke.
Temps stayed below 90 the entire time, hovering mostly around 88. I initially had a pan of ice on the bottom and added a second pan on the top grate. I think with a less lit tube next time the temps will be a little lower.
The cheese smoked for 3.5 hours and looked good when I pulled it off. I used paper towels to get the sweat off of the cheese blocks then individually sealed each one with my food saver. They are now in the fridge pending finally judgment mid to late next week. I'll make sure to post an update once I give them a taste test.
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01/06/25aeea23ee3e116d75bed81f5f5d9ca9.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01/06/bad72a9dfd0b7d3fa0e57bf228aec4b6.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01/06/0310a4658c2ed8b114cdd6f48e8ebcf4.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01/06/f56c9a476a3d23e51a1443c6ee82af73.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01/06/10dd31dda04643df03b0af2d0edb9391.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01/06/a3a530892da680cfcdba0369ab34fa51.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01/06/c4816f94b4d9d028b10fc98b42d951fa.jpg)
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
I don't have a torch so lighting the smoking tube was a little tricky. Tried to put a light cube under one end but it just wouldn't quite do the trick. I ended up put a few of the smallest scraps of applewood in my chunk bag in the open end then put a lighter cube right next to it. As the lighter cube burned down I put it in the end of the tube. It worked and after it was going I pulled the cube out, but I think it might have worked too good. I didn't quite have the tube all of the way filled, but it was close and it burned all of the pellets in about 4 hours. I think I got it going a little too much! I'll get a torch so I can focus a flame on a smaller area to get it going next time. It did give me lots of smoke though. I am hoping it wasn't too much smoke.
Temps stayed below 90 the entire time, hovering mostly around 88. I initially had a pan of ice on the bottom and added a second pan on the top grate. I think with a less lit tube next time the temps will be a little lower.
The cheese smoked for 3.5 hours and looked good when I pulled it off. I used paper towels to get the sweat off of the cheese blocks then individually sealed each one with my food saver. They are now in the fridge pending finally judgment mid to late next week. I'll make sure to post an update once I give them a taste test.
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01/06/25aeea23ee3e116d75bed81f5f5d9ca9.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01/06/bad72a9dfd0b7d3fa0e57bf228aec4b6.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01/06/0310a4658c2ed8b114cdd6f48e8ebcf4.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01/06/f56c9a476a3d23e51a1443c6ee82af73.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01/06/10dd31dda04643df03b0af2d0edb9391.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01/06/a3a530892da680cfcdba0369ab34fa51.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01/06/c4816f94b4d9d028b10fc98b42d951fa.jpg)
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Title: Re: First cheese smoke
Post by: Big Dawg on January 06, 2016, 02:45:38 PM
Post by: Big Dawg on January 06, 2016, 02:45:38 PM
Just got one of those for Christmas. Looking forward to your update.
BD
BD
Title: Re: First cheese smoke
Post by: WNC on January 06, 2016, 03:57:03 PM
Post by: WNC on January 06, 2016, 03:57:03 PM
Aw man, that looks great! Can't wait to hear how it turns out
Title: Re: First cheese smoke
Post by: Davescprktl on January 08, 2016, 10:26:33 AM
Post by: Davescprktl on January 08, 2016, 10:26:33 AM
Looks great! You selling any of that cheese? LOL!!!
Title: Re: First cheese smoke
Post by: MikeRocksTheRed on January 08, 2016, 10:29:08 AM
Post by: MikeRocksTheRed on January 08, 2016, 10:29:08 AM
Quote from: Davescprktl on January 08, 2016, 10:26:33 AM
Looks great! You selling any of that cheese? LOL!!!
Actually with the high temps here in AZ there might be a good market for smoked cheese out here! Hopefully if it turns out good we will have a few cool spurts so I can make more. I can't see this going well once temps get above 60 degrees. Might have to do a few middle of the night batches!
Title: Re: First cheese smoke
Post by: SixZeroFour on January 08, 2016, 12:08:38 PM
Post by: SixZeroFour on January 08, 2016, 12:08:38 PM
Really nice job Mike - you look like a pro already at the cheese 
Title: Re: First cheese smoke
Post by: weldboy on January 08, 2016, 02:13:57 PM
Post by: weldboy on January 08, 2016, 02:13:57 PM
Looks phenomenal Mike!
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Title: Re: First cheese smoke
Post by: Nate on January 08, 2016, 02:32:46 PM
Post by: Nate on January 08, 2016, 02:32:46 PM
@MikeRocksTheRed I recommend that when you decide to try it, cut off the outside of the cheese that was exposed to the smoke. IMO, that part doesn't taste good. The rest of the cheese should have a nice mild smoke flavor. Looks like you have enough to try it both ways.
Title: Re: First cheese smoke
Post by: MikeRocksTheRed on January 08, 2016, 02:35:17 PM
Post by: MikeRocksTheRed on January 08, 2016, 02:35:17 PM
Quote from: Nate on January 08, 2016, 02:32:46 PM
@MikeRocksTheRed I recommend that when you decide to try it, cut off the outside of the cheese that was exposed to the smoke. IMO, that part doesn't taste good. The rest of the cheese should have a nice mild smoke flavor. Looks like you have enough to try it both ways.
That sounds like a great tip. Thanks! I have friends who like stuff as smokey as possible and lightly smoked, so I might have to do it differently depending on who is eating it!
@weldboy - Thanks!
Title: Re: First cheese smoke
Post by: MikeRocksTheRed on February 09, 2016, 07:14:59 AM
Post by: MikeRocksTheRed on February 09, 2016, 07:14:59 AM
Update: The cheese came out awesome. I think the pepper jack came out the best. There is something about the mix of smoke and then the heat from the peppers kicking in that is amazing. Of the 9 blocks I smoked, I have one left (I think). @Davescprktl got one of the last blocks of monterey jack last week. I am definitely looking forward to doing this again and already have 6 lbs of cheese in the fridge ready to go. It will be interesting to see how it goes now that the day time temps are in the mid 80's.
Title: Re: First cheese smoke
Post by: austin87 on February 09, 2016, 01:26:28 PM
Post by: austin87 on February 09, 2016, 01:26:28 PM
You can start the cheese in the evening and get it in the morning rather than worrying about daytime temps, it will be fine.
Also - refreeze the water in the ice tray and use smoked ice cubes for bloody Mary's or in a whiskey drink.
Also - refreeze the water in the ice tray and use smoked ice cubes for bloody Mary's or in a whiskey drink.
Title: Re: First cheese smoke
Post by: Big Dawg on February 09, 2016, 03:04:34 PM
Post by: Big Dawg on February 09, 2016, 03:04:34 PM
Quote from: austin87 on February 09, 2016, 01:26:28 PM
You can start the cheese in the evening and get it in the morning rather than worrying about daytime temps, it will be fine.
Also - refreeze the water in the ice tray and use smoked ice cubes for bloody Mary's or in a whiskey drink.
Now, that should make any scotch taste like it came from Islay ! !
BD
Title: Re: First cheese smoke
Post by: Davescprktl on February 09, 2016, 07:38:48 PM
Post by: Davescprktl on February 09, 2016, 07:38:48 PM
Mikes cheese was awesome! I felt no need to trim off the outside. I like the smoke and did not find it bitter. Nice smokey flavor. I cut it in thin slices and paired it with a nice bottle of red...fantastic!
Title: Re: First cheese smoke
Post by: Tommy B on February 10, 2016, 06:23:28 AM
Post by: Tommy B on February 10, 2016, 06:23:28 AM
This may be a goofy question but do you just buy the cheap blocks of cheese from a grocery store or do you buy some nicer stuff somewhere else?
Title: Re: First cheese smoke
Post by: MikeRocksTheRed on February 10, 2016, 09:20:48 AM
Post by: MikeRocksTheRed on February 10, 2016, 09:20:48 AM
Quote from: Tommy B on February 10, 2016, 06:23:28 AM
This may be a goofy question but do you just buy the cheap blocks of cheese from a grocery store or do you buy some nicer stuff somewhere else?
I just bought 2lb blocks of the safeway store brand cheese.
Title: Re: First cheese smoke
Post by: Tommy B on February 10, 2016, 11:06:17 AM
Post by: Tommy B on February 10, 2016, 11:06:17 AM
great that is what I was wondering... If I am going to cold smoke I better get to it before the Texas summer heat.
Title: First cheese smoke
Post by: brewtownbeatdown on February 11, 2016, 01:58:55 PM
Post by: brewtownbeatdown on February 11, 2016, 01:58:55 PM
@MikeRocksTheRed
Kinda surprised you didn't smoke any of this:(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160211/aff3efe3e8dd0ae87d3bca1b51300e14.jpg)
I did my first cheese smoke 3 1/2 weeks ago w/ a brick of it, as an homage to you sir.
Put mine on cooling racks atop a tray of ice (tip I found in another post that might help you guys in the southwest). (http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160211/7a8e98cfcb7d1a5a5167f82c46d396da.jpg)
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Kinda surprised you didn't smoke any of this:(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160211/aff3efe3e8dd0ae87d3bca1b51300e14.jpg)
I did my first cheese smoke 3 1/2 weeks ago w/ a brick of it, as an homage to you sir.
Put mine on cooling racks atop a tray of ice (tip I found in another post that might help you guys in the southwest). (http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160211/7a8e98cfcb7d1a5a5167f82c46d396da.jpg)
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Title: Re: First cheese smoke
Post by: MikeRocksTheRed on February 11, 2016, 02:12:16 PM
Post by: MikeRocksTheRed on February 11, 2016, 02:12:16 PM
@brewtownbeatdown - LOL. I'm really not the bacon fiend I pretend to be when lurking around you on the forums. I do have at least 3 packs in the freezer at all times though. I did use some trays of ice last time. Ice was from the ice maker in the freezer. Will probably freeze a few solid blocks of ice for the next smoke if it is warm. I also had a bit of a problem getting my tube going and when I got it going it burned pretty quick. I have some alcohol gel now to make it easier to get going and hopefully it will burn slower and cooler on my next attempt.
Have you tried any of the cheese you smoked 3 weeks ago yet? You'll have to let me know what kind of cheese you liked best. My favorite was hands down the pepper jack.
Have you tried any of the cheese you smoked 3 weeks ago yet? You'll have to let me know what kind of cheese you liked best. My favorite was hands down the pepper jack.
Title: First cheese smoke
Post by: brewtownbeatdown on February 11, 2016, 03:41:56 PM
Post by: brewtownbeatdown on February 11, 2016, 03:41:56 PM
@MikeRocksTheRed - You might not think of yourself as a "bacon fiend", but that is the reputation you are now stuck with now. You can't control what others perceive of you. All my coworkers think I'm some kinda sexual deviant, because of one comment I said jokingly with a serious look on my face years ago. They ask me about crazy crap, like I'm the Urban Dictionary. Btw, it was you that came up with bacon lube. Fiend!!!
Tray of solid ice probably the best method. Maybe some foil walls as high as the cheese blocks.
Waited til last Saturday. Tried them all. Like them all. I'm a Pepper Jack guy, no matter how it's finished & this is my favorite brand.
1. Pepper Jack
2. Cheddar Jack
3. Horseradish
4. Ghost Pepper
5. Bacon
6. Muenster
7. Colby
I prefer the taste of more dense (harder) cheeses, so that's probably why I put them in that order. Have a brick of Salami for next smoke (probably gonna be even w/ Bacon since they are both American based). Thinking my top four will be the ones I smoke from now on, maybe even a Mozzarella here & there.
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Tray of solid ice probably the best method. Maybe some foil walls as high as the cheese blocks.
Waited til last Saturday. Tried them all. Like them all. I'm a Pepper Jack guy, no matter how it's finished & this is my favorite brand.
1. Pepper Jack
2. Cheddar Jack
3. Horseradish
4. Ghost Pepper
5. Bacon
6. Muenster
7. Colby
I prefer the taste of more dense (harder) cheeses, so that's probably why I put them in that order. Have a brick of Salami for next smoke (probably gonna be even w/ Bacon since they are both American based). Thinking my top four will be the ones I smoke from now on, maybe even a Mozzarella here & there.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk