Just to update ...
Made pig candy out of about half of the $50 worth of bacon LOL. 2.5hrs at 225F with 1 fillet chunk of sugar maple.
Other half was "cold" smoked with a pellet tube for 2hrs...I just need to take the plunge on the bella. Temp ended up climbing to 100F by 2hrs.
All was well received, but the pig candy was the star of the party.