tonyt722
Friday, September 2, 2011 9:21:51 PM
Any dehydrators you guys recommend? Since I am hunting this year I would like to make some jerky if I get a deer and have never shopped for a dehydrator. Suggestions would be appreciated
critter2
Friday, September 2, 2011 9:25:54 PM
you looking for a large unit or a counter top type?
tonyt722
Friday, September 2, 2011 9:29:33 PM
Counter top...just personal consumption
IUROX
Friday, September 2, 2011 9:31:33 PM
I bought the one from Bass Pro shops since its a mile away. The first one sucked spent $16 on fruit and th fuggar quit 2 hours in! Took it back instant refund but of course they did not care about my fruit!

Been using it pretty steady,(twice a month for 2 years)since. I will look and see what brand it is. Don't spend a ton if your just doing jerky and fruit. I think this one was around $70.

Got some sweet jerky recipes as well. LOL u will see soon enough!

tonyt722
Friday, September 2, 2011 9:33:55 PM
05busa
Friday, September 2, 2011 9:34:19 PM
fruit for da danish
IUROX
Friday, September 2, 2011 9:48:14 PM
Thats it bro! I can do about 3.5 lbs of meat a time. I used thin sliced sirloin tip. Tried many other types of beef but this is the best for the money I have found. $4-5 a pound here.

Nice unit after returning the first one on day 1. Just a fluke I guess.

what you gonna dry bro?

tonyt722
Friday, September 2, 2011 9:50:29 PM
Probably gonna do some fruit and practice on some other meats before hunting season
dubleuhb
Friday, September 2, 2011 9:55:41 PM
IUROX
Friday, September 2, 2011 9:56:02 PM
By BIL does ground beef 93/7 with a syringe looking deal you can buy with different type tips. Pretty good stuff. But for a little more you can get sirloin!

I have done about 7 or 8 different recipes, keep going back to 2. Marinading is the key. 1. the length and strength of the marinade. 2. the length of the drying process.

LMK if you buy it. I was planning on sending you a sample in the box thats being packed this weekend!

wheelrite
Friday, September 2, 2011 10:04:15 PM
Tony,,,

I can't wait til you get your 1st deer.

It is an awesome experience and we all will want to hear all the details..

good luck

wheel,

cacman
Friday, September 2, 2011 11:41:21 PM
From my reasearch the circular stack-tray countertop types are not that great and very limited. The larger box-style versions with the dehydrating unit positioned on the back offered more consistent dehydration without having to rotate trays as with the circular counter-top versions. A bit more money but better especially if you are wanting to do meats and jerky.
tonyt722
Saturday, September 3, 2011 6:16:47 PM
Well apparently the wife did some shopping of her own. I was telling her how I wanted to get a dehydrator and she ordered this one today while I was at work

http://tinyurl.com/42wqazn 

Guess I will see how it does, customer reviews seem pretty good and if I dont like it she just said to return it. I do like that this one has a adjustable thermostat.

McBryde
Saturday, September 3, 2011 10:22:49 PM
I have one of the countertop models, and love it. There is no need for a huge one unless you are planning on doing jerky a LOT at a time. You'll like a model that has a fan a lot more than one that just has heat, as it will dry the stuff quicker, and more evenly. Just make sure to rotate the trays every couple of hours for quicker results.

E

engletl
Saturday, September 3, 2011 10:27:10 PM
Have an old "American Harvest" brand with 12 trays (used to be on infomercials) been using for close to 10 years now

with 12 trays i can run about 10 lbs of meat at a time

jackconrad
Sunday, September 4, 2011 10:52:03 AM
Oven/Microwave
andytv
Sunday, September 4, 2011 1:23:50 PM
I use a dehydrator once or twice a year...........can't justify buying one so I usually just rig a cardboard box, a fan, and a light bulb.

Made jerky, biltong, and dried chilis this way.

Think of it..........in the old days, people would just hang meat in a breezy place and try to keep the insects away.

NYYankees
Sunday, September 4, 2011 2:16:14 PM
I, as well, am looking into a dehydrator. Question about the meats. Do thinly slice them yourself, or ask the butcher shop to do it for you?
andytv
Sunday, September 4, 2011 3:45:59 PM

I, as well, am looking into a dehydrator. Question about the meats. Do thinly slice them yourself, or ask the butcher shop to do it for you?

NYYankees wrote:

Depends on what you're making.

Most people like thinly sliced jerky.............so what you can do is partially freeze your meat before cutting it WITH the grain. The meat will be very firm and easy to cut with a good sharp knife.

I like making South African style jerky (biltong) where the hunks are very thick.....then I slice pieces off the hunk as required later.

NYYankees
Sunday, September 4, 2011 3:53:02 PM
All right, noob jerky maker here, do you marinate the slab of meat prior to freezing? Or simply marinate after slicing?