Pork Loin into Canadian Bacon

Dave, how many lbs. was the loin before you started.  I am doing a loin starting today using your recipe.  A gallon of the brine for how many lbs.?  And those sectional pieces in the bucket are 2"x2"?  They look bigger than that.  And if 2x2 is correct, why that size?  Easier getting more brining surface to keep the brining time to a minimum?

 
coachB said:
Dave, how many lbs. was the loin before you started.  I am doing a loin starting today using your recipe.  A gallon of the brine for how many lbs.?  And those sectional pieces in the bucket are 2"x2"?  They look bigger than that.  And if 2x2 is correct, why that size?  Easier getting more brining surface to keep the brining time to a minimum?

Bill, I usually get a 9-10 lb loin at Sam's, trim it, and cut it in 4 equal sections.  In the Briner Jr. that I use, 1 gallon of brine is more than enough to cover the 10 lbs. of loin.
 
That's pretty much what I did Tony.  9.7 loin from Sam's but it was the first time using the briners so I guessed the 4 pieces might be crowded in the Jr. so I did them in the bigger Briner.  I figured the sections would get better absorption with the extra room.  I will go ahead and use the Jr. the next time.  They are now sitting in the fridge for 2 days and I am now desalinating 2 corned beeves to start a pastrami project.
 
Yep, mine was a 9 lbs loin from Cash & Carry.  It is all but gone already.  Canadian bacon sandwich with some of my smoked cheese is like taking an addictive drug. 
 
Oh my, Dave!  We need to find you intervention!  You'll need to send all of the offending substance (CB & cheese) to me immediately, for proper disposal of course!  We're all in this together, and we'll get you the help you need!  LOL! ;D
 
Dave, it took me a while to get back on my Canadian bacon experience because I have been tied up with numerous smoke projects.  But...your recipe was incredibly easy to do and produced by far the best Canadian bacon I have ever eaten.  I do not plan on sharing this bacon with anybody else.  I am hoarding.  This kind of changed my previous impressions of CB as being a breakfast meat.  Sliced thin it is so tender and moist it makes great sandwiches.  With the maple (syrup and smoke) it has a sweetness that contrasts with the saltiness and makes it tough to put back in the fridge.

So, after this weekends action I now have or had 2 full bb rib racks,  7.5 lbs of pastrami, 9 lbs of canadian bacon, and 16-17 lbs of pulled pork.  Since I live alone I can see that this hobby is going to have me looking like Buddha.
Correction,  more like Buddha than at present.  Another beach season down the tubes.
 
How long do you think the brine will keep in the fridge?  Any other smoking the brine would be good for?  I made more than needed, so just put the extra in a sealed container in the fridge.

By the way Dave, I made some; it's great.

Thanks,
Chuck
 
I wouldn't even freeze it if you have space. I have started keeping a gallon of brine in the meat fridge in case I need to soak a chicken with little prep.
 
I use empty gallon water jugs to store brine.  When I make a gallon, I always put it in a water jug in the fridge until it's good and cold (even though I chill it with ice when I make it).  It'll keep for a long time - really nothing to go "bad" in a brine.
 
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