By Fiona Gallagher · permaculture designer · food, animals and preservation on 12 acres in Tassie

“My first batch of salami went grey and slimy after three days because I tried to cure it with just salt on the damp Tassie coast.”

Look, mate. If you're curing meat off-grid, nitrates aren't optional—they stop botulism. No nitrates and you get sick. Maybe die. Get it right or don't bother.

Nitrate Sources: Drop the Nonsense

I’ve tossed the hardware‑store saltpetre in the bin – it’s industrial grade and will make you crook. Food‑grade curing salts are the only thing I trust.

Pink Salt: The One Cure I Use

I trust pink salt (sodium nitrite) to cure my meat. It delivers 6.25 % nitrite, not a 100 % nitrate dose, and if you get those two mixed up you’re asking for trouble. Botulism doesn’t care about your confusion.

2023 Aussie Curing Salt and Nitrate Suppliers I’ve Bought From and Their Prices

What I Actually Do (No Fluff)

• Measure like a chemist: 1 tsp per 5kg meat. Not "a pinch". Use a scale. If you're eyeballing it, you're doing it wrong.
• Storage: Keep pink salt in a dark, airtight jar. Not in the fridge. Light degrades it. Lock it up. Kids and dogs will eat it if they find it.
• Timing: Add pink salt AFTER the initial salt cure (24 hours minimum). Otherwise, it won't penetrate properly.
• Don't reuse: Once you open the tub, use it within 6 months. After that, it's unreliable.
• Test it: If you're unsure, do a small batch first. Don't risk your whole winter's meat on a hunch.

Why You Must Check Nitrates When Curing

Botulism spores are everywhere. They love low-acid, oxygen-free spots—cured meat fits the bill. Nitrates kill those spores. Skip the nitrates, you take a guaranteed gamble. Out here in the bush, that gamble kills you.

Grab the pink salt. I get mine from Off Grid Australia if I’m serious about the cure – $9.50 for 250 g, a bargain compared to a hospital bill, and it’s the only thing that actually works.

End of story.

When the Cure Looks Off, I Ring the Vet

While many off-grid projects are achievable as DIY, certain situations require licensed professionals:

• Electrical work beyond basic 12V DC additions — requires a licensed electrician
• Structural modifications to buildings or load-bearing elements
• Gas line installation or modification
• Solar array installations above safe voltage thresholds
• Any work that affects the structural integrity of your property

Always check local regulations and obtain necessary permits before commencing work.