Hunting & Fishing Dehydrator for making venison jerky

[ChadTRG42]

I guess this would apply to the hunting section. I am needing a new deydrator, and I was wondering what you may use and how you like it. I currently am using a simple round, 5 tray, stacking dehydrator that blows from the bottom and has the center cut out in the trays for air flow. When I make my jerky with this set-up, it dries out the bottom tray, and the top trays are moist. The trays are cracking bad, and I need a new one. I want something big for processing as much jerky as I can at one time. I grind up my venison, add the cure and seasoning, and use the jerky gun to dehydrate.

So far, the one that I've found the most interesting is the Excaliber 3900 series. Anyone use this one or have any feedback on other big dehydrators. Thanks!

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Dehydrator for making venison jerky

I use an electric roaster and a buncha wire racks.

Dehydrator.., sheesh...!

 

[ChadTRG42]

Re: Dehydrator for making venison jerky

An electric roaster! Tell me more!

 

[Strickland]

Re: Dehydrator for making venison jerky

I've used the oven set to the lowest setting. It was 175F. Took about 4-5 hours, and I left the top cracked open.

Dehydrator...we don't need no stinkin' dehydrator...

Although I COMPLETELY forgot to talk to you this past weekend about making jerky... damnit!!

 

[ChadTRG42]

Re: Dehydrator for making venison jerky

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Strickland</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Although I COMPLETELY forgot to talk to you this past weekend about making jerky... damnit!!</div></div>

LOL! Ok. I'm all ears. I thought about using the oven, but have heard so so stories with em.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Dehydrator for making venison jerky

I use 200 deg. and turn/sort/rotate every half hour. I use Teriyaki and liquid smoke, plus a few 'proprietary' ingredients (red wine, wine vinegar, onion powder, garlic powder, coarse ground black pepper, sea salt, etc. in a marinade, meat slicer set for slices in the 3/16"-1/4" range. I like it chewy).

Greg

 

[Engine 22]

Re: Dehydrator for making venison jerky

This is what I use and have had very good results. I have the smaller version and can put an entire deer in it at one time. I don't care for the ground jerky-gun type of jerky, I perfer the muscle jerky. I will use a meat slicer and slice all the meat the same thickness. This method works well!

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templa...&hasJS=true

 

[JCH]

Re: Dehydrator for making venison jerky

i use the cheapo version from Wal Mart, it has a top blower/heating unit so the 5 trays dehydrate evenly and in about 6 hours.

 

[Trapshooter12]

Re: Dehydrator for making venison jerky

I built a 2X4 Frame and put nails about every 6 inches and wove a heavy sting around the nails and let my Jerky Air Dry depending on how thick it is. It only takes a day or two to dry.

 

[SCOTTx88]

Re: Dehydrator for making venison jerky

I've used this one for years,have 12 trays for it now.

 

[knockemdown]

Re: Dehydrator for making venison jerky

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Strickland</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've used the oven set to the lowest setting. It was 175F. Took about 4-5 hours, and I left the top cracked open.

Dehydrator...we don't need no stinkin' dehydrator...

Although I COMPLETELY forgot to talk to you this past weekend about making jerky... damnit!!

</div></div>
BINGO!
I just made 12 lbs of deer jerky. Used my oven on lowest temp (170) with the door cracked for 6 hrs. Covered the oven racks with aluminum foil and spaced the strips evenly across. Check & turn strips as needed and go another couple hours if necessary...

 

[81STFACP]

Re: Dehydrator for making venison jerky

excuse my ignorance on making jerky, what is the wisdom behind keping the door open?

 

[Wil]

Re: Dehydrator for making venison jerky

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 81STFACP</div><div class="ubbcode-body">excuse my ignorance on making jerky, what is the wisdom behind keping the door open?

</div></div>

Nez:

if you don't crack the door, the oven will trap moisture inside...

 

[81STFACP]

Re: Dehydrator for making venison jerky

Wil,

Thank you.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Dehydrator for making venison jerky

Yes, the electric roaster has an adjustable vent in the lid.

 

[Sean the Nailer]

Re: Dehydrator for making venison jerky

This works too:

As you can see, I also like to make Jerky. I smoke mine, and have to say that SwitchBlade has some great recipe's.

Oh yeah!!!111