Expert: John Langenfelder - 4/23/2009

Question
My brother is getting married this weekend he has asked my husband to grill a pig. My brother is getting the pig and my understanding is that the big will weigh 1501bs but they are going to cut it in half. So we have a big smoker I know you use rub. My question is about the curing I am not sure if he is getting this pig from a individual or from a slaughter house so what about the curing is that vidal if you are smoking it? My husband is usually a good griller but we usually just grill boston butts its much eaiser. But go figure for my brother the red neck to have a pig pickin wedding! Thanks bunches.

Answer
I don't cure the pig.  I just use a rub and then smoke the pig.  I get my pigs, dressed.  They are fresh.  There is no curing porcess.  Pork is not like beef, there is no aging process.  So once he gets the pig, provided it is dressed and the hair removed, all he needs to do is put a rub on and throw it in the cooker.