Anybody make their own jerky?

[Ox190]

Wanting to start making my own jerky, need some help buying a good dehydrator.

Also any tips on spices and marinades?

[limey]

Big Ed makes some mean jerky, give him ahout.

[DATsBBQ]

I have one of those $40 to $50 dehydrators. Works great. I've found that bold marinades are better, they lose some punch in the drying process.

[CJATE]

DAT nailed it, i found that dry seasoning bring lots of party to your mouth. I soak in what ever for 1 day or more, lay on rack, then dry seasoning.

it's just a hair dryer blowing on a rack of meat, there is not much too it.

I also like mine cut in thin strips, they just seem to work better,

also have a sausage maker, and bought some slim Jim size casings and stuff them... that is a lot of effort, and they don't last long, so I don't do it often.

[Signalguys]

Be sure to get one with a fan, my first one didn ot have one and I seldom use it. I prefer the heating element and fan at the top of the unit. If the heating element is at the bottom you take the chance of food bits and/or liquid dripping on it which could cause smoke and/or fire. Buy as many trays as you can afford because as you go you will wish you had more. Also get the same number of tray liners, these are great to keep stuff from each try dripping or falling through to the other trays. Buy a dehydrator with multiple temp settings, I have six choices, this allows you to turn the heat down when drying things like veggies/herbs and then crank it up for making jerky, try to get on with a top temp of 160 degrees. Go with a high wattage unit, I went with 700 watts, the more trays the more wattage you will need.

I have more info if your interested.

C

[Signalguys]

DAT nailed it, i found that dry seasoning bring lots of party to your mouth. I soak in what ever for 1 day or more, lay on rack, then dry seasoning.

it's just a hair dryer blowing on a rack of meat, there is not much too it.

I also like mine cut in thin strips, they just seem to work better,

also have a sausage maker, and bought some slim Jim size casings and stuff them... that is a lot of effort, and they don't last long, so I don't do it often.

Have you looked into getting a Jerky Gun or Jerky Cannon? It is kinda like a caulk gun. Fill it with ground meat that has been cured/marinated and shoot it onto a dehydrator tray. Get one with multiple tips, mine has three... thin flat for thin strips, fat flat for thicker strips and a round one for shooting out sticks, kinda like Slim Jims.

C