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Bacon Grease

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I would not use bacon grease on my muzzleloaders. The folks who know can debate the types of salts that are in bacon and bacon grease. All I can say is that it tastes salty, and while I have not actually tried it as a gun grease or patch lube, I‘m not willing to take a chance with it, as there are so many other products out there that are known to work well.

I think there was a character in one of William Faulkner’s books or stories who decided to kill a man. He got an old ten-gauge shotgun from somewhere, and the story described how he made a cleaning rod out of cane, cleaned up the gun, and greased it with bacon grease. The next day, the gun looked as if it had been dusted with snuff.

One other thing that has not been addressed is that bacon has to get pretty hot to cook, and I think bacon grease gets overheated in the process. It isn’t just greasy, but is also kind of sticky, and kind of brownish in color. On the other hand, pure lard, as well as beef and mutton tallow, is slick and greasy, and very white. Again, I have not actually experimented with bacon grease in shooting, but I just can’t come up with a good reason to do so.

The question was a good one, though, and led to a fun discussion.

As a post script, I don’t eat bacon much any more, but I have it once in a while and I love it. However, I discovered that there is a special ”bacon cooker” that you use in the microwave. It’s like a hard plastic plate with high, narrow ridges on it, spaced about half an inch apart. You lay a paper towel on it, lay the bacon on the towel, then put another layer or two of paper towel on top. Microwave it on high for about 55 seconds per strip of bacon. You have to experiment a little with the cooking time, but once you get it figured out, the bacon comes out perfect. It cooks a lot faster than in a skillet on the stovetop, and all of the grease ends up in the paper towels. There’s minimal cleanup. However, you still get that bacon aroma wafting through the house and hanging in the air for hours afterward.

Life is good, and it’s even better with bacon.

Notchy Bob
As a kid here in Florida I ate my share of squirrel and dumplings and "swamp cabbage" which is the heart of the sabal palm. One main seasoning was always bacon drippings. Granny kept a coffee can off to the side of the stove (kerosene) filled with drippings and they were used in almost everything she cooked. Some folks now say "It's a wonder that stuff didn't kill you". Collard greens without bacon drippings are definitely not as good. I'm 82 and my cholesterol is great. I still eat my share of bacon. Granny died at 93 and not from eating bacon fat, the doctor said she "just wore herself out".
For a grin, please look at my post on YouTube titled " Swamp cabbage cutting for the elderly"
 
In the 1950's and 60's , we had a power boat , and outboard motor dealership on the Monongehelia River , in SW Pa. . No canoes , or kayacs around there. Just power. second hand antique boat racing engines to play with , 6 cylinders , with 6 carburetors , all speed and insane fun. Left home at 18 , all the water sporfs in the rear view mirror , still no kayacs , just muzzleloaders.
 
I'd suggest bringing it on your stand to bring that bear in closer for a clean shot! Keep in mind that in states where you can't use bait (on the ground) you can smear some on your hunting hat or vest. I asked the local game warden here if that was legal and with big smile on his face he said, "Yeah, it's legal. go ahead and use it." :)
 
Been saving bacon grease from microwaving strips for breakfast. Currently storing in a lidded plastic gallon icecream container. What are some good uses for this product in muzzle loading?

And...Merry Christmas to all of you! You are a valued set of folks in my life.

Dan
It is very good on pancakes
 
In 1976, I slow danced with a girl. We both were interested in the other. During the dance I remember her sniffing. She lost all interest in me immediatly. I was confused, as is normal for such matters when you are 14 YO. 40 years later my sister broke the news. The reason the girl lost interest in me was because I smelled like bacon! It was off putting for her. I had cooked bacon for breakfast.
Obviously you danced with the wrong girl.
 

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I just put a little bacon grease on my cast iron skillet, followed by 2 eggs and 2 slices of bologna. Got em cooked up, put between 2 slices of bread and 2 slices of American cheese. Added a little more bacon grease to the skillet and fried the sammich. So dang good! That’s why I’m sitting here on the interweb instead of doing something outside.
 
Wow... a great discussion and many posts make me hungry! I appreciate it. Just thought I had a resource that might lend itself to something in the ML affliction. Guess I'll just keep trying to feed it to the birds with rolled oats on wintery days. As for me and my house, I lube patches with a ballistol/water mix ... unless in speed loaders, they they are dry as a bone for storage purposes. Plan to try olive oil ... I use it almost exclusively in cooking and grilling. Merry Christmas to all.
 
I just put a little bacon grease on my cast iron skillet, followed by 2 eggs and 2 slices of bologna. Got em cooked up, put between 2 slices of bread and 2 slices of American cheese. Added a little more bacon grease to the skillet and fried the sammich. So dang good! That’s why I’m sitting here on the interweb instead of doing something outside.
Mystery solved!
 
Yup, butter 🧈 😋

I was just reading today that the cholesterol/heart disease connection has never been "connected". Acceptable scientific papers still refer to it as "The lipid ( cholesterol) HYPOTHESIS" (my upper case).
This is a gimmick like "Global Climate Change". The diagnosis "High Chloesterol" is used nearly universally by medial providers these days. It ensures that they get a recurrent income from repeat blood testing and "follow-up" visits. whether they get any return from pharma for the prescription drug sales is anybody's guess. There is No one-to-one link between this treatment and cardiac health. In diabetes, for example, there is. You fail to take your insulin properly, you die.
 
Been saving bacon grease from microwaving strips for breakfast. Currently storing in a lidded plastic gallon icecream container. What are some good uses for this product in muzzle loading?

And...Merry Christmas to all of you! You are a valued set of folks in my life.

Dan
And a Merry Christmas to all as well from Canada.
Yes, I save my pork fat too (unsalted) use it as a component in my own boolit loob. Some don't like it at all but it works great for me and my buddies.
Peace be with you all forever, God Bless.
 
At the hunting camp , two extended families unwanted iron cookware hangs on the wall above the gas stove , ready for immediate action. Iron skillet spaghetti is my forte , while my hunting buddy of 50 yrs.+ , cooks iron skillet cabbage and meat food , and breakfast. Anyone comes to the door and is hungry , gets a load. Of course , there is a bottomless 12 cup pot of fresh spring water coffee on the stove. Evening of the first day , the camp smells like food , wood smoke , and odors not appropriate for this discussion. Iron cookware rules.
 
M/l barrel steel is not made for salt to be used in it. Black powder is bad enough w/o adding more corrosives to it.
Its not THAT corrosive it dosn,t seep into the barrel in any normal use no worse that the powder. Ive never use Pyrodex ect so I cant speak for them sorts , I've carried my rifles days at a time with out problems . Rudyard
 
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