Using dehydrator to dry MEAT (for jerky)

Ignoramus20054 said:

Is it safe to use a dehydrator to dry meat for jerky?

Yes

Quoted message said:

Can meat be cured (to kill bacteria) with a salt solution only, no
sugar?

Yes (although the amount of sugar used is usually pretty insignificant)

Bob

In article said:

Ignoramus20054 said:

Is it safe to use a dehydrator to dry meat for jerky?

Yes

Well, is curing required? Or I can simply dry thin strips of raw meat?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Can meat be cured (to kill bacteria) with a salt solution only, no
sugar?

Yes (although the amount of sugar used is usually pretty insignificant)

Thanks. I will now look for cure recipes.

i

"Ignoramus20054" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

In article said:

Ignoramus20054 said:

Is it safe to use a dehydrator to dry meat for jerky?

Yes

Well, is curing required? Or I can simply dry thin strips of raw meat?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Can meat be cured (to kill bacteria) with a salt solution only, no
sugar?

Yes (although the amount of sugar used is usually pretty insignificant)

Thanks. I will now look for cure recipes.

i

(I didn't see this post until i read the other and posted there.)

Will you share your findings, please?

---
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Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
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In article said:

"Ignoramus20054" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

In article said:

Ignoramus20054 wrote:
> Is it safe to use a dehydrator to dry meat for jerky?

Yes

Well, is curing required? Or I can simply dry thin strips of raw meat?

Quoted message said:

> Can meat be cured (to kill bacteria) with a salt solution only, no
> sugar?

Yes (although the amount of sugar used is usually pretty insignificant)

Thanks. I will now look for cure recipes.

i

(I didn't see this post until i read the other and posted there.)

Will you share your findings, please?

I will, sure.

i

"Ignoramus20054" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Is it safe to use a dehydrator to dry meat for jerky?

yes

Quoted message said:

Can meat be
cured (to kill bacteria) with a salt solution only, no sugar?

yes, that's how it was done in the old days, especially for sailors 🙂

peace,
pen

Ignoramus20054 said:

Is it safe to use a dehydrator to dry meat for jerky? Can meat be
cured (to kill bacteria) with a salt solution only, no sugar?

i

Yes and Yes.

Here's the recipe I use with the occasional variation...

Have your butcher trim fat and slice a very lean roast such as eye of
round. Tell them it's for jerky.

For each pound of meat add...
1 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon liquid smoke
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 cup water (more or less depending on amount of meat)

Add ingredients from above. Mix well and let sit in the fridge over
night. I put mine in a zip lock bag and give it the occasional sqeeze
to mix things up.

It can be dried in the oven on cookie sheets but it's not as fast as a
food dryer.

I've played with adding a bit of splenda, onion powder and garlic
powder. I like a mix of the three the best.

Always store home made jerky in the fridge or freezer.

Good luck,
Laura B.

Does anyone have any recommendations/reviews for a dehydrator? I've been
thinking about it for a while...to make my own dried tomatoes and jerky...

Peace,
Pen

"Laura B." <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Ignoramus20054 said:

Is it safe to use a dehydrator to dry meat for jerky? Can meat be
cured (to kill bacteria) with a salt solution only, no sugar?

i

Yes and Yes.

Here's the recipe I use with the occasional variation...

Have your butcher trim fat and slice a very lean roast such as eye of
round. Tell them it's for jerky.

For each pound of meat add...
1 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon liquid smoke
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 cup water (more or less depending on amount of meat)

Add ingredients from above. Mix well and let sit in the fridge over
night. I put mine in a zip lock bag and give it the occasional sqeeze
to mix things up.

It can be dried in the oven on cookie sheets but it's not as fast as a
food dryer.

I've played with adding a bit of splenda, onion powder and garlic
powder. I like a mix of the three the best.

Always store home made jerky in the fridge or freezer.

Good luck,
Laura B.

"zxcvbob" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Penelope Baker said:

Does anyone have any recommendations/reviews for a dehydrator? I've

been

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

thinking about it for a while...to make my own dried tomatoes and

jerky...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Peace,
Pen

American Harvest or Nesco (they're the same company) "Snackmaster Pro"
or "FD-50".

The Excalabur dehydrators are even better, but IMHO they're not worth
the price. If you see an Excalabur at a rummage sale for $20, grab it!

oh now THAT'S an idea! thanks 🙂

peace,
pen

Penelope Baker said:

Does anyone have any recommendations/reviews for a dehydrator? I've been
thinking about it for a while...to make my own dried tomatoes and jerky...

Peace,
Pen

American Harvest or Nesco (they're the same company) "Snackmaster Pro"
or "FD-50".

The Excalabur dehydrators are even better, but IMHO they're not worth
the price. If you see an Excalabur at a rummage sale for $20, grab it!

Best regards,
Bob

"Penelope Baker" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Does anyone have any recommendations/reviews for a dehydrator? I've been
thinking about it for a while...to make my own dried tomatoes and jerky...

Peace,
Pen

We have a Nesco GardenMaster and have used it for jerky, mushrooms, and
fruit - works great. Adjustable temp which is nice.

--
Peter Aitken

Remove the [censored] from my email address before using.

In article said:

"Penelope Baker" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Does anyone have any recommendations/reviews for a dehydrator? I've been
thinking about it for a while...to make my own dried tomatoes and jerky...

Peace,
Pen

We have a Nesco GardenMaster and have used it for jerky, mushrooms, and
fruit - works great. Adjustable temp which is nice.

I have a very similar dehydrator, but it does not have adjustable
temp... I guess I have to measure it.

i

Thank you Peter :-)

Peace,
Pen

"Peter Aitken" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Penelope Baker" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Does anyone have any recommendations/reviews for a dehydrator? I've

been

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

thinking about it for a while...to make my own dried tomatoes and

jerky...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Peace,
Pen

We have a Nesco GardenMaster and have used it for jerky, mushrooms, and
fruit - works great. Adjustable temp which is nice.

--
Peter Aitken

Remove the [censored] from my email address before using.

Ignoramus20054 said:

Is it safe to use a dehydrator to dry meat for jerky?

They are designed for that every bit as much as they are
designed to dry plants.

Quoted message said:

Can meat be cured (to kill bacteria) with a salt solution only, no
sugar?

For plants that's called pickling. For meat it's called
corning as in corned beef. Works great. I have no idea
why the two words are used. Maybe corn originally meant
stored rather than a type of grain. Before it meant one
type of grain - maize, it meant the type of grain most
common in the area. Since all types of grains are
stored, that's where my guess comes from.

"Ignoramus20054" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Is it safe to use a dehydrator to dry meat for jerky? Can meat be
cured (to kill bacteria) with a salt solution only, no sugar?

i

Yes. Many dehydrators dry at 145+ degrees. That should be enough, used with
a cure. Note that a 'cure' can be merely a bottled marindade.

"Laura B." <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Ignoramus20054 said:

Is it safe to use a dehydrator to dry meat for jerky? Can meat be
cured (to kill bacteria) with a salt solution only, no sugar?

i

Yes and Yes.

Here's the recipe I use with the occasional variation...

Have your butcher trim fat and slice a very lean roast such as eye of
round. Tell them it's for jerky.

For each pound of meat add...
1 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon liquid smoke
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 cup water (more or less depending on amount of meat)

Add ingredients from above. Mix well and let sit in the fridge over
night. I put mine in a zip lock bag and give it the occasional sqeeze
to mix things up.

It can be dried in the oven on cookie sheets but it's not as fast as a
food dryer.

I've played with adding a bit of splenda, onion powder and garlic
powder. I like a mix of the three the best.

Always store home made jerky in the fridge or freezer.

Good luck,
Laura B.

I agree and disagree. Sometimes in the oven, jerky will get brittle. In a
drier, you can control whether you want brittle or chewy.
Homemade jerky in a dehydrator doees not need refridgeration. If kept free
of exposure to moisture, it will keep covered(preferable in a sealed bag)
for several months.

In article said:

"Ignoramus20054" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Is it safe to use a dehydrator to dry meat for jerky? Can meat be
cured (to kill bacteria) with a salt solution only, no sugar?

i

Yes. Many dehydrators dry at 145+ degrees. That should be enough, used with
a cure. Note that a 'cure' can be merely a bottled marindade.

could I make a cure like this?

It is a brine recipe...

1 quart water
1/4 cup salt
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 tablespoon black pepper
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
2 teaspoons fresh oregano leaves
4 or 5 bay leaves, crumbled
4 cloves garlic, smashed
2 tablespoons vinegar

"Ignoramus20054" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Is it safe to use a dehydrator to dry meat for jerky? Can meat be
cured (to kill bacteria) with a salt solution only, no sugar?

i

The Excalibur website has several books on drying.

"Ignoramus20054" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Is it safe to use a dehydrator to dry meat for jerky? Can meat be
cured (to kill bacteria) with a salt solution only, no sugar?

i

Try this simple recipe:

* Exported from MasterCook *

Marinade: Teriyaki

Recipe By :
Serving Size : 0 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Sauces & Dressings

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1/4 cup dark soy sauce
1/4 cup saki
2 tblsp Mirin
1 tblsp white sugar

Combine all over medium heat till sugar is disolved.

Place thin sliced meat in a bag w/marinade. Turn every couple of hours for
two days. Dry at 145 degrees for 4 1/2 hours. Eat.

"Penelope Baker" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"zxcvbob" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Penelope Baker said:

Does anyone have any recommendations/reviews for a dehydrator? I've

been

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

thinking about it for a while...to make my own dried tomatoes and

jerky...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Peace,
Pen

American Harvest or Nesco (they're the same company) "Snackmaster Pro"
or "FD-50".

The Excalabur dehydrators are even better, but IMHO they're not worth
the price. If you see an Excalabur at a rummage sale for $20, grab it!

Excalibur driers are a bit steep. There is a new one out with a timer which
is well worth it. I'm getting that one when the current one dies.
If you check around a bit, I'll bet you can find several people that like
jerky-you'd be surprised how many like it-and you make it w/o chemicals-sell
em a bag for $20 or so-helps defray the cost of the machine. Mine has paid
for itself several times over.