Headache from Smoked Meat

[Cofe]

Smoked meat generally contains sulfites and nitrites, both of which can cause headaches.
Does anyone know of ways to minimize these "ites" while smoking meat?

 

[rbh]

Re: Headache from Smoked Meat

What kind of chips you using?

 

[Cofe]

Re: Headache from Smoked Meat

What kind of chips you using?

Using hickory and mesquite on natural lump oak charcoal. Eight hours smoke time.

 

[KeyWestSkipper]

Re: Headache from Smoked Meat

I believe the nitrates are added to smoked foods as a preservative and not created by the smoking process itself. You can find nitrate-free smoked fish in gourmet and health food stores or smoke fish yourselves.
Sulfites are a different type of preservative, and can occur naturally in some foods. They can and do commonly cause headaches and just have to be avoided by those sensitive to them.

 

[JRJ]

Re: Headache from Smoked Meat

I'll be happy to try a sample as part of a control group. I have had to take an aspirin or two because someone poured my drinks on bad ice, so I've cut way back.........on ice. I never had any pain I would attribute to jerky though. Good luck.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Headache from Smoked Meat

use an electric smoker, basically a hot plate where the fire goes. it has a pan for the wood to smoke.

 

[JB]

Re: Headache from Smoked Meat

Exactly!! Smoked meat may give you a headache.

To avoid it send all smoked meat (particularly salmon or dead cow) to JB for safe disposal.

 

[Cofe]

Re: Headache from Smoked Meat

I believe the nitrates are added to smoked foods as a preservative and not created by the smoking process itself. You can find nitrate-free smoked fish in gourmet and health food stores or smoke fish yourselves.
Sulfites are a different type of preservative, and can occur naturally in some foods. They can and do commonly cause headaches and just have to be avoided by those sensitive to them.

The biggest headache meat I have smoked so far is ham. I did notice that the hams had been "processed" with nitrates added. I believe next time that I smoke ham, I'll get a raw ham, smoke it first and then finish cooking it in the oven. I don't think my smoker gets hot enough to fully cook a ham. Will have to check with a temp. probe next smoking session.

"A control group is welcome, but a shipping and handling fee will be high"

 

[JRJ]

Re: Headache from Smoked Meat

The biggest headache meat I have smoked so far is ham. I did notice that the hams had been "processed" with nitrates added. I believe next time that I smoke ham, I'll get a raw ham, smoke it first and then finish cooking it in the oven. I don't think my smoker gets hot enough to fully cook a ham. Will have to check with a temp. probe next smoking session.

"A control group is welcome, but a shipping and handling fee will be high"

I like hickory smoked ham too. Don't worry about shipping, I bought 50lbs of lead shot not long ago. Came in a "If It Fits It Ships" box for $10....

 

[Cofe]

Re: Headache from Smoked Meat

LOL JRJ......That is not my shipping cost, my cost is kinda like ebay where you buy a 99cent bolt with 200$ shipping....

Not a bad deal for shipping lead!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Headache from Smoked Meat

my uncle in SC, used to have a smoke house, he would smoke bear, deer, cattle. it takes several days to a week to smoke some on this stuff.

 

[Cofe]

Re: Headache from Smoked Meat

Ok control group it's your turn!!!! Ham or Chicken?

The pressed ham is to be cut up for scrambled ham eggs and cheese for several breakfasts.....Enjoy!

 

[rbh]

Re: Headache from Smoked Meat

Cofe, no wonder you get headaches, its from eatin all that good stuff. Can I introduce you to fruit and veggies.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Headache from Smoked Meat

Any test samples can be sent in this direction.

 

[rainman99]

Re: Headache from Smoked Meat

Cofe, no wonder you get headaches, its from eatin all that good stuff. Can I introduce you to fruit and veggies.

Never thought smokeing fruits and veggies. Maybe they can flavor the chicken.

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: Headache from Smoked Meat

Get yourself something from the local hog butcher, something not all processed and filled with chemicals. Best ham I ever ate come out of an Amish joint in Arthur Illinois.

 

[j_martin]

Re: Headache from Smoked Meat

Never thought smokeing fruits and veggies. Maybe they can flavor the chicken.

I smoke some meat in the top barrel of a double barrel stove. I get a bed of coals, then throw in a few sticks of wet fruitwood, usually apple or cherry. By carefully tending the damper I can keep the top barrel at about 150 degrees for hours.

My favorite is to take a whole chicken, and stuff it with slices of apple, orange, onion, and sweet peppers.

Falls off the bones. Disappears, including vegies, in very short order when set on the table.

John

 

[Cofe]

Re: Headache from Smoked Meat

I smoke some meat in the top barrel of a double barrel stove. I get a bed of coals, then throw in a few sticks of wet fruitwood, usually apple or cherry. By carefully tending the damper I can keep the top barrel at about 150 degrees for hours.

My favorite is to take a whole chicken, and stuff it with slices of apple, orange, onion, and sweet peppers.

Falls off the bones. Disappears, including vegies, in very short order when set on the table.

John

I was wondering how those double barrel stoves would work as a smoker? That sounds like the way to go.....

At one time I was looking into getting a electric smoker, they smoke real nice, and are easy to monitor, but 1,500 -1,700 watts for 8 hours is a lot of juice to burn.

Rainman..... Fruits and Veggies are still a side dish.....

 

[KeyWestSkipper]

Re: Headache from Smoked Meat

This thread is making me hungry. I'm crazy about smoked fish. FWIW I use the electric type.

 

[rbh]

Re: Headache from Smoked Meat

SO slackers, why are the recipes not in the culinary zone.
rob