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Cooking & Food The $10 Jerky Maker 2014-08-09

Do it yourself

  1. melbo

    melbo Hunter Gatherer Administrator Founding Member

    This is a fun and easy project that you can do with the kids. I tried his recipe for the marinade but came up with my own after the first batch as Lex' recipe was a little on the bland side for me.

    [​IMG][​IMG]

    http://www.traditionaltx.us/


    Melbo’s Jerky Marinade

    Per 2 pounds Eye of Round.
    I have the butcher slice a couple of Eye of Rounds in 1/4 “ slices after trimming ALL the fat off. Fat will go rancid, dried muscle will not. This recipe is for 2 LB. and I usually do 8 LB so multiply this x 4 and split the marinade into 2 large Ziplocs.

    ½ cup Teriyaki sauce
    ¼ cup Soy Sauce
    2 T Worcestershire sauce
    1 T Liquid Smoke
    1 tsp. Tabasco
    3 Minced or crushed cloves of Garlic
    2 ½ tsp. onion powder
    2 tsp. hot chili powder
    2 T Garlic powder
    2 tsp. ground ginger
    1 tsp. cayenne
    2 T Crushed red pepper
    1 tsp. each salt & black pepper

    Mix all ingredients in bowl.
    Place strips of beef in large Ziploc bag and pour marinade into bag. Close and massage to make sure everything is coated and place in refrigerator overnight.

    Dry beef using your preferred method and enjoy.


    .
     

    Attached Files:

    cdnboy66 likes this.
  2. kckndrgn

    kckndrgn Monkey+++ Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    COOL, thanks.

    I saw the picture of the dryer in the "what did you put away" thread and I was going to ask about it.

    I've saved the PDF for later viewing.
     
  3. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    What he said. My only concern is dripping on the bulb. Let us know how your first batch comes out. It looks like something I might try, and adventurous I'm not. Usually.
     
  4. melbo

    melbo Hunter Gatherer Administrator Founding Member

    There was some bulb drippage but I think that the lack of high temps kept the dripping to a minimum. No smoke either.

    I've made 3 batches (32 lbs raw) through this setup and it turns out great especially the second 2 batches with my marinade.
     
  5. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    The bulb concern was more in the nature of breakage if a cold one hits the glass. (Don't ask, but it has something to do with being under a car meddling with a radiator drain --)
     
  6. Brokor

    Brokor Live Free or Cry Moderator Site Supporter+++ Founding Member

    I am going to make one, except I am going to glue aluminum foil to the inside and wire up a 120v-12v converter and install a small PC fan motor.

    Knowing my luck, I will be electrocuted, but I shall have tasty jerky whilst I lay in bed twitching!
     
  7. tacmotusn

    tacmotusn RIP 1/13/21

    you can make a drip shield easily using a 46 oz juice can. Cut the end off where you punctured the can to pour out of it. Now use tin snips to cut away half of the verticle sides of the can down the sides from the open end to the intact base. When you are done you will have an intact base and a half moon drip shield that can be bolted under the pancake electrical box and the angle support. I would love to include some sort of picture or drawing, but lack that capability. PM me if you are to confused by my ramblings and we can work out some other more direct means of discourse to talk you through it.
     
  8. kckndrgn

    kckndrgn Monkey+++ Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    The wife just asked, what about making a homemade smoker box? Anybody got any plans they've tried?
     
  9. Brokor

    Brokor Live Free or Cry Moderator Site Supporter+++ Founding Member

    Alright. I finally got her done and tested. Thanks again, Melbo. ;)

    Pics of the jerky maker below. I managed to locate all of the parts in the list except an exact "L" bracket, so I used what I could find. I attached the fixture to the lower side with the bolts added cardboard supports and taped reinforcement. The aluminum foil interior (also the interior roof of the box) is mostly a precaution of mine; it also serves to radiate the heat more evenly. I attached the foil with clear tape. I added an aluminum drip pan (2 spliced together to fit) to the bottom to catch the marinade. I also taped the plug wire to the outside of the box with added cardboard support so I do not yank directly on the light fixture. Another precaution.

    DSCF1218.JPG DSCF1219.JPG DSCF1220.JPG DSCF1221.JPG
     
    DKR likes this.
  10. dragonfly

    dragonfly Monkey+++

    1-20 gallon trash can, 1- 110v hot plate, and a can of water with your favorite smoking "chips".
    Cut a small hole in the side near the bottom of the can, insert the hot plate, put the can of water/wood flavoring chips on the hot plate....
    Using stainless steel racks suspended on the inside, or by using hooks or straight wires from side to side, hang or lay the meat to be smoked in side, Put the cover on, plug in the hot plate.
    It's best to have a thermometer (oven or meat type),going thru the can to monitor the heat levels, so they can be adjusted as needed.
    Use a new can!
    Or, you can also use a 30 gallon steel drum, or 55 gallon drum, and do the same thing, or build a small firedoor in the bottom, with a firegrate, and use wood or charcoal to do the above. You can "hot" smoke, or "cold" smoke whichever you prefer, by adjusting the heat level inside the cans!
     
  11. melbo

    melbo Hunter Gatherer Administrator Founding Member

    Nice setup Brokor!

    Just had some PM with a Mountainman regarding jerky and thought I'd post it here (with permission) for further info:

     
  12. magnus392

    magnus392 Field Marshall Mags Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    I have one and have done a couple of batches...werks great. I used Alton Brown's Jerky marinade as a base starting point:)
     
  13. KHAN

    KHAN Monkey+++

    Made this and marinated my beef in Yoshida Sauce and then sprinkled with Montreal Steak Seasoning...was skeptical but it turned out delicious!!!!
     
  14. Brokor

    Brokor Live Free or Cry Moderator Site Supporter+++ Founding Member

    Monty Steak Seasoning is amazing stuff :D
     
  15. jstalljon

    jstalljon Monkey+

    Loved this thread...I made one a few years ago for large batches of venison jerky...it was a little more then $10, but still not the $200-300 for the big commercial ones that the chain stores charge.

    I work in an RV plant so much of this material is scrap that is thrown away. Plywood construction with aluminum lined walls. Heat source is two small electric burners and a tanning bed fan circulates the air. I can dehydrate up to 10lbs of venison at once with this set up.

    [​IMG]


    Here you can see the heating elements and the fluorescent light grids as I use as drying racks...you can also see they were a tad too long on my trial run as they melted just a bit! :shock:

    [​IMG]

    Everything loaded and ready to go.

    [​IMG]

    Running about 166 here. Typically ran between this and 175. Rotated the racks after every hour and turned the meat over 1/2 way through. Ran this amount for about 5 1/2 hours total.

    [​IMG]

    End product, ready to be trimmed and vacuum sealed.

    [​IMG]



    [​IMG]

    Two hot plates combined $30
    Drying racks $15
    Tanning bed fan $10
    Misc (ext. cord, plug, wire, handles, wthr strip, etc) $5

    Total $60.
     
  16. melbo

    melbo Hunter Gatherer Administrator Founding Member

    added this to the recipe forum
     
  17. Falcon15

    Falcon15 Falco Peregrinus

    I use a similar set-up in my oven - however, I do not use a light bulb. Light destroys vitamins so after some research (and a serendipitous Good Eats episode (Withering Bites)) I use a ceramic reptile heater. It costs about $20.00 on Amazon, but the local pet stores have them for around $15.00. It radiates infra-red heat without any light. Being ceramic, it is a bit more resistant to drips, drops, and being jostled. Adding a small, low speed fan improves circulation inside the dehydration vessel of choice.

    Zoo Med Repticare Ceramic IR Reptile heater

    Coleman Ten Fan - Battery Powered

    This set-up is also excellent for drying fruits and veggies in an oven rig!
     
  18. Flip853

    Flip853 Monkey++

    Are you running just the one bulb and what temps do you achieve? Wonder if this would work on a 12 Battery system with a small solar array back charging. I would think the draw from the light would be far less than a hot plate but may have to extend the drying times.
     
  19. melbo

    melbo Hunter Gatherer Administrator Founding Member

    The key to this guys jerky idea is that you don't bring it to the "commercial" temps, preserving flavor and nutrients. Less heat us better. The bulb is only used to move air.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  20. Falcon15

    Falcon15 Falco Peregrinus

    Flip: 115-125 degrees, with the oven door cracked about 1 inch open. The heater I posted draws 100 watts.

    Melbo: you should check out the Good Eats Blowhard 5000 -
    1 Box fan
    3 brand new paper (MUST BE PAPER) air filters
    2 Bungee cords

    NO bulbs, NO heat.

    check it out:
    Part I
    YouTube - Good Eats - S09E03P01 - Urban Preservation II - The Jerky
    Part II
    YouTube - Good Eats S09E03P02 - Urban Preservation II - The Jerky
    Oh, and AB teaches a person how to make their own liquid smoke! Pretty cool stuff. This is the next method I am going to try. . .
     
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