Guss, add the SB whenever the bacon reaches the stage you want too preserve it? If you are wanting to render the oil out of it then it might take several months? Some people just put it on the stove and cook the oil out of it. Hard too pass up free bacon!
A buddy of mine gave me fatty bacon so it didn't cost me money!.
Cooked when using in bait. Seems to bring the bacon odor out better. But I will say I've never tested it raw. I run it through a grinder then cook in large pot over propane burner.