I solved the problem with my smaller smoker. The chips and sawdust mix are kept smouldering/smoking by means of a 3 speed aquarium pump with 2 outlets. One outlet is directed at the wood mix the other outlet is angled inside slightly upwards, this distributes the smoke all around the inside and out ...

It pays to compare prices on cultures for sale in Australia. I found the best prices at Master Butchers in Adelaide. www.mblsa.com.au Bactoferm 600 mould culture $ 17.00 F 1 culture $ 13.60 FRM-7 culture $ 13.60 T-SPX culture $ 12.90 Starter Biobak Ultra Plus $ 15.45 All their other prices for natur...

It's great to hear that you received the bowl cutter and that you are impressed by it's quality. Can you mention the manufacturers in China where you bought it, some other members might want to buy one as well. I have a #22 all stainless Chinese mincer, I am impressed with its performance and like y...

Hi Spud, I am thinking of buying Kirby's bucket mixer as well, just to save my poor hands and arms. At the moment I'm working on getting it to Australia for a reasonable price, I have to ship it by FedEx in combination with another future order shortly. Kirby no longer makes the stainless blade vers...

Whatever I EQ dry cure now, be it bacon or Coppa or other goodies I use 2%salt and 0.25% cure# 2. With Equilibrium Curing the time frame is not so important. IFB, we are a bit like you and hate oversalted food. I find that the above percentages are a happy medium. For wet curing I am still sold to B...

Red, sending money up front by Western Union to a 3rd person has me worried. Let's hope it all turns out OK for you and the machine does what it suppose to do.
We will all be looking forward to your posts about some superb products.
Cheers,
Jan

With winter temperatures nearly here and some spare time up my sleeve, I will be making a 5 kg batch of salami as well when we come back from holidays. I am still deciding which recipe to use. I am impressed with the UMAi bags although in OZ we buy them under a different name. We have the smoker bag...

Chris, Talk to your airline. I have brought more than 65 kg back from China as long as they know beforehand. It wouldn't cost 500 bucks either.
Good Luck,
Jan.

To get good freight rates from FedEx you need to have an account with them with a history. The only way for you get a Bowl Cutter from China cheaply is to find somebody that has an established FedEx account and is willing to let you use his account. Discounts run just over 90%, again depending on th...

Suffer Devo, Smoking summer sausage and drinking beer. A might fine Hobby.
Cheers,
Jan.

Hi Ant,
Croatians make some wonderful cured and smoked Charcuterie. Pick his brains and take notes.
Where is this tall smoke oven situated in Melbourne. I love to fly in and have a long talk to this guy. Obviously he has many old and treasured family recipes as well.
Cheers,
Jan.

It certainly is a disaster. Help will be needed urgently, especially food and water and not to forget medical help to stop Malaria in it's tracks as well as other diseases. The UNHC has a big representation there so let's hope, they get of their backsides. I lived there and the inhabitants are wonde...

Hi Ant, Welcome to the Forum. Aussies and Kiwi's have a special section in Hyde Park where there is a list of suppliers who are willing to supply us hobbyists at very reasonable prices. We need to give them our support otherwise some might close the door on us. Post some foto's and all other relevan...

What you find is that almost 95% of hobbyist scales are made in China. The smaller scales 0.01 gram in Devo's photo is Chinese made. I have 2. They have lasted me now for about 8 years bought on Ebay from China direct. All my other scales came from Aldi.
Cheers,
Jan.

Rich,
I have at least 3 different sizes of teaspoons, soup and desert spoons here.
Being an ex European, I prefer to go with metric weights and have several small scales in 1 gram and smaller graduations.
Good Luck,
Jan