Salt curing pork = Ham/ bacon?

[porkchop48]

Does any one here salt cure their own bacon and hams?

Any tips? How long do they last after doing them and how long do you store them?

 

[Wifezilla]

I've never done it but I found this...
"According to the USDA a whole, uncut, properly cured and stored Country Ham can be edible for one year. For best taste Clifty Farm recommends consumption of their hams within six months. "
http://www.apptrav.com/meats.html

 

[Neko-chan]

...

 

[patandchickens]

No, only magic (or canning, or drying and then living in a dry climate) makes it keep without refrigeration. The point of curing is to make it keep *longer* with *less* refrigeration. (By refrigeration I do not mean a refrigerator specifically, I mean any sort of cool place including all the older-style ones)

If you want it to keep more safely for longer you would use nitrates in the process; but even that isn't magic. You need a coolish place to store them. Coolish and airy helps. A willingness to cut off and discard moldy/manky bits and still eat the rest helps, too

Good luck, have fun,

Pat