How Long To Smoke Bacon At 225

There is something special about smoking bacon at home. You get to control what goes into the bacon, but you also gain a deeper appreciation for this salty, delicious cut of pork. 

However, smoking bacon can be complicated if you don’t know how long to smoke it. Smoke bacon at 225°F for 2 hours for the best results. 

Will Bacon Get Crispy In A Smoker

Unfortunately, at 225°F, bacon will not get crispy. The temperature is just too low. 

However, that does not mean you can’t get crispy bacon in a smoker. 

If you increase the smoker’s temperature part way through the cook, the bacon will get crispy. For example, you could smoke the bacon for 30 minutes at 225°F then increase the temperature to a temperature between 300°F and 400°F. Cook the bacon until it is fully cooked, and it is crispy.

What’s The Best Wood To Smoke Bacon With 

Ultimately, the best wood to smoke bacon with depends on your preference. Everyone has their preferred wood. For smoke, it is hickory, and for others, it’s apple wood. 

Most BBQ experts suggest using hickory to smoke bacon. Hickory gives the bacon a robustly smoky flavor.

Maple wood is another excellent choice for smoking bacon. It gives the bacon a smoky yet sweet flavor.  

However, you can also combine different woods. You can use equal portions of apple and hickory to give the bacon a unique taste. The bacon will have a strong smoky flavor with a slightly sweet undertone. 

What’s The Best Smoker For Smoking Bacon

There are several types of smokers. Every smoker is different. Technically, you can smoke bacon using any smoker. However, which smoker is best for smoking bacon depends. 

Gas, electric, and pellet smokers are the easiest option for smoking bacon. It’s just like cooking bacon in the oven, so gas, electric, and pellet smokers are best if this is your first-time smoking bacon. 

In contrast, bacon will have a better flavor if it’s smoked in a charcoal smoker. This unique flavor is due to the combination of coal and wood, which produces a flavorful smoke. 

Pellet, electric, and gas smokers only generate smoke from wood. So, the bacon will not be as flavorful as if it were cooked on a charcoal smoker. 

The only downside its harder to regulate the temperature of charcoal smokers. 

Can You Smoke Store-Bought Bacon Slices

Most people assume you can’t smoke store-bought bacon slices. However, you can smoke store-bought bacon slices. 

Store-bought bacon slices come in handy when you do not have time to cure and smoke pork belly to make bacon. 

Additionally, it’s very convenient if you are having guests for brunch or breakfast. You won’t have to fry several batches of bacon in a cast-iron skillet. 

However, keep in mind that smoking time will be drastically different. The bacon slices will smoke much faster than a cured pork belly.

What Type Of Bacon Slices Are Best For Smoking

While you can smoke bacon slices, you can throw any type of bacon slices on the smoker and hope for the best. 

Some bacon slices are too thin. By the time the bacon is cooked, you will have shriveled, unappetizing bacon slices. 

Smoke thick-cut bacon if you are smoking bacon slices. The bacon slices won’t shrink too much. Plus, they will have a better smoky flavor. 

Do You Smoke Bacon Fat Up Or Down

It’s only natural to wonder if you should smoke bacon fat side-up or down. After all, you are smoking a cured pork belly. 

Most people smoke bacon fat-side up. However, whether you want bacon fat side up or down depends on your preference. 

How Long To Smoke Bacon At 225

How long it takes to smoke bacon at 225°F depends on several factors. 

However, the thickness of the bacon is the main determinant. For example, a 9-pound slab of bacon can take up to 6 hours to smoke. 

In contrast, a 2–4-pound slab of bacon can take 3-4 hours to smoke. 

The texture of the bacon also impacts the cooking time. Some people prefer super crispy bacon, while others prefer bacon that has a chewy texture.

Generally, it takes 2 hours to smoke bacon at 225°F. 

Nevertheless, you should always go by the internal temperature, not the time. Smoke the bacon until it has a temperature of 155°F. 

To test the pork belly’s temperature, insert the probe into the thickest part of the bacon. Once it has a temperature of 155°F, remove it from the smoker. 

How Long To Smoke Bacon Slices 225°F

Since the bacon is sliced, it will cook in half the time. It takes 1 hour to smoke bacon at 225°F. However, it will take longer to cook if you smoke the bacon slices on a sheet tray or cast-iron skillet. 

How Long To Smoke Bacon At 225 On A Pellet Grill

It takes 2 hours to smoke a slab of bacon at 225°F on a pellet grill. If you are smoking sliced bacon, it takes an hour to smoke it on a pellet grill. 

How Long To Smoke Bacon In An Electric Smoker At 225

As I mentioned above, it’s easy to smoke bacon in an electric smoker. They are known for being convenient and maintaining stable temperatures. 

Additionally, you won’t have to check on the fire for 30 minutes to an hour. 

It takes 2-4 hours to smoke bacon at 225°F.

However, the time depends on the size of the bacon. Check the bacon’s internal temperature after 2 hours. 

If you are smoking bacon slices in an electric smoker, it takes 1-2 hours. But make sure you do a temperature check after an hour. The bacon may be fully cooked. 

Final Thoughts

Smoking bacon at home is easy as long as you know how long to smoke at 225°F. Since you’ve just learned how long to smoke bacon at 225°F, you will be a pro in no time.

William Thomas

I have been smoking and grilling meat from an early age and enjoy sharing my knowledge and expertise through the hundreds of articles I have written about BBQ. I hope to make everyone’s BBQ journey that little bit easier.