Oscypek molds?

[Thewitt]

I need to hang them while they smoke. They dry hanging in mesh bags, and I'll smoke them the same way.  It's a cold smoke so I don't have to worry about the nylon mesh bags melting.  I have several bent wires that fit under my grill dome to hold them.

If I decide to make the special order for the Polish Community Festival, I'll have to invest in a larger capacity smoker. They want 1000 pieces...

The batch I'll do this weekend is only 2 gallons, so it should be less than 20 cheeses. We will see.

[River Bottom Farm]

1000 that sounds like a project and a half! Guess with the cold smoking you could just use a garden shed or big cardboard/ plywood box if it came down to it.

[Thewitt]

Yeah, I've used a cardboard shipping box in the past. I cold smoked two very large king salmon cut into strips this way a few years ago.  24 hours in the smoker in a refrigerator box and they were delicious   Those were cut into strips and hung over wire strung through the box. It worked very well.

This cheese needs to smoke for 3-4 hours depending on the type of smoke. They use very strong pine or spruce in Poland. I prefer a milder smoke, but I'll have to do a few different samples for this exercise and let the customer choose.

[River Bottom Farm]

I've never used pine or spruce for smoking before. I've heard it can leave tar or creasote on the food. Hadwood is recommended (at least for meat)

[Thewitt]

Yes, pine and spruce are not generally used for smoking.  They have a very distinct taste however, so changing to a hardwood smoke might not please a customer who wants a traditionally flavored Polish cheese.  I'm not sure I will try the pine though unless they reject my samples. I'll smoke with hickory, cherry and pecan - which I already have.

[River Bottom Farm]

How did this project go for you Thewitt?

[Thewitt]

How did this project go for you Thewitt?

I had a minor accident and have not been able to stand for more than a week... so I had to abort.  The smoker is ready though, the molds are waiting, I just need a little more mobility and I'll fire it up!

[River Bottom Farm]

Sorry to hear you had an accident. Glad you are recovering though.

[Thewitt]

Sorry to hear you had an accident. Glad you are recovering though.

Thanks. Recovering nicely.  Managed to turn all the cheese in the cave yesterday and scrub off some nasties, so things are looking up