anyone make jerky at home?

[swbsam]

I'm trying to watch what I eat but find I still have the munchies sometimes. Turkey jerky has been very good to me, allowing me to remain in caloric control while getting my junk food fix...

But it's really expensive locally - would getting a food dehydrator be a good idea?

Can anyone share their experiences with food dehydrators? I think I'm going for a low end Nesco (around $50), but here are some questions:

1. How loud are the machines? Our living room is attached to the kitchen so a loud fan blowing for all day could get annoying

2. Does it smell? I would hate for my house to smell like meat all the time

3. Is clean up easy?

4. Would you do it again, or should I stick to buying my jerky?

 

[rbV5]

I use my Little Chief smoker. It works great, I dunno about a dehydrator for Jerky, but its good for bananas.

 

[funkymatt]

the neighbors put out a bunch of meat in the front yard the other day to make sun dried jerky. they didnt share it though.

 

[swbsam]

Originally posted by: rbV5
I use my Little Chief smoker. It works great, I dunno about a dehydrator for Jerky, but its good for bananas.

I would *love* a smoker, but I live in NYC... No back yard. sigh

 

[mugs]

I've made it a few times, but my wife whined about the smell too much.

 

[Miramonti]

anyone make jerky at home?

Sounds like something Borat would ask.

 

[Patt]

While it is running, the house smells like jerky, but once it is off no problems. My dehyrator (sorry, don't know the model/brand offhand) is decently quiet ... it doesn't disrupt everything. I need to make some more soon

 

[darkxshade]

Oh I make the jerky all night every night. Don't mind the smell much, the clean up is a bitch though.

 

[swbsam]

Originally posted by: Patt
While it is running, the house smells like jerky, but once it is off no problems. My dehyrator (sorry, don't know the model/brand offhand) is decently quiet ... it doesn't disrupt everything. I need to make some more soon

Would you say you're saving money over store brought jerky? Is prep time significant?

 

[rudder]

I like make jerky long time.

 

[KMc]

I have a 6-tray round model, made by Mr. Coffee oddly enough. Makes about the same amount of noise as a pedestal fan or tabletop humidifier.

As far as the smell, the family loves jerky so they sure don't complain when the house smells like it for the day I am making it. It isn't any different than cooking something in the crockpot all day.

Clean up is really easy as the trays all fit in the dishwasher.

I probably make it about 3-4 times a year. Simple and easy. Store-bought jerky tastes way too salty to me and it's expensive.

 

[KMc]

Originally posted by: swbsam

Originally posted by: Patt
While it is running, the house smells like jerky, but once it is off no problems. My dehyrator (sorry, don't know the model/brand offhand) is decently quiet ... it doesn't disrupt everything. I need to make some more soon

Would you say you're saving money over store brought jerky? Is prep time significant?

Well since you have to buy a dehydrator, I guess you are starting out in the red, but based on the number of times you make it, it can eventually pay for itself. I just think the product comes out better, so it's not really about the money savings for me.

I typically mix up a marinade and put the meat in it in the evening, letting it marinate overnight. The next morning I put it in the dehydrator and it's usually done by late afternoon/early evening.

 

[alevasseur14]

I don't think the noise is any louder than a normal fan you'd leave on but it will create quite the smell. The smell isn't a bad thing though, it just smells like what you'll be eating in a while (I make venison jerky with mine).

Cleanup depends whether or not you have a dishwasher. I don't and cleaning those individual trays is a bitch and a half.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Why buy a dehydrator?
http://video.google.com/videop...d=5912487412723519389#

 

[effowe]

Look into Alton Browns jerky making method. For drying he used a cheap box fan and some furnace filters. Should work fine for the budget minded.

Edit: http://www.foodnetwork.com/rec...erky-recipe/index.html

 

[AMCRambler]

Originally posted by: jjsole

anyone make jerky at home?

Sounds like something Borat would ask.

That's-a very nice! Yes!

 

[swbsam]

Thanks guys - I'm still on the fence about the purchase.. I think I'm just craving jerky right now and will walk away from the computer (and amazon) before making a rash decision.

Just curious - your average 5 /6 tray dehydrator - how much jerky can you make in one sitting?

My wife would not want the house to constantly smell like jerky.. I would... I really would..

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Pick up a box fan, bungee cords, and air filters. Give it a shot. Worst case scenario is you're left with a box fan, bungee cords, and some of the best smelling airfilters on earth.

 

[cardiac]

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
Why buy a dehydrator?
http://video.google.com/videop...d=5912487412723519389#

Has anyone here tried this method or his recipe?

I might have to try this....

Bob

 

[DrPizza]

The 5/6 tray dehydrators will make as much jerky as you can fit on the trays - a lot.

I make jerky in the fall from venison. Easiest method for the most consistent results: I use ground meat for it & an extruder. I think I purchased the one I'm currently using at Walmart a few years ago for $5 or $10. Works great. Plus, I use it to inject stuffing into chicken breasts, etc.

 

[Modular]

Originally posted by: jjsole

anyone make jerky at home?

Sounds like something Borat would ask.

That's exactly what I came in here to post.