Food Dehydrators

[bstansbu]

Yahoo, My first post here. Im looking to get into making my own Beef Jerkey. I will be ordering a dehydrator within the next week. Anyone here have any ideas what I good brand is or what I should be looking for? Im looking for a sorta big one as I dont want to mess with making small amounts at one time. Maybe a 6-9 tray one.
Here is a link to the one I was looking at maybe getting. BEN

http://www.bizrate.com/fooddehydrato...areprices.html

[jeff]

Wow talk about something that cost a lot, takes up a lot of room, and wont be used all that often.

Do you ever watch good eats? He did a show on beef jerky.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/reci..._31151,00.html

Beef Jerky
Recipe courtesy Alton Brown, 2005
Show: Good Eats
Episode: Urban Preservation II: The Jerky

1 1/2 to 2 pounds flank steak
2/3 cup Worcestershire sauce
2/3 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon honey
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons onion powder
1 teaspoon liquid smoke
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Special Equipment: 1 box fan, 4 paper air-conditioning filters, and 2 bungee cords

Trim the flank steak of any excess fat, place in a zip-top bag, and place it in the freezer for 1 to 2 hours in order to firm up.

Remove the steak from the freezer and thinly slice the meat with the grain, into long strips.

Place the strips of meat along with all of the remaining ingredients into a large, 1-gallon plastic zip-top bag and move around to evenly distribute all of the ingredients. Place the bag into the refrigerator for 3 to 6 hours.

Remove the meat from the brine and pat dry. Evenly distribute the strips of meat onto 3 of the air filters, laying them in the grooves and then stacking the filters on top of one another. Top these with 1 empty filter. Next, lay the box fan on its side and lay the filters on top of it. Strap the filters to the fan with 2 bungee cords. Stand the fan upright, plug in and set to medium. Allow the meat dry for 8 to 12 hours. If using a commercial dehydrator, follow the manufacturer's directions.

Once dry, store in a cool dry place, in an airtight container for 2 to 3 months.

He's used setups like this for other things.

[bstansbu]

Well, I went ahead and ordered that dehydrator I posted the link to. Ill let yall know how my jerky turns out. This is the marinade I will try out on a small batch first to make sure it taste ok.

1/2 Cup Soy
1 Cup Apple Cider
1 Cup Water
2 tbls Garlic Powder
2 tblsp Onion Powder
1 tblsp Liq Smoke

and for the main ingredient- I had 30 lbs of fresh green chili from Hatch New Mexico fire roasted, and then put into zip locked baggies to store in my freezers. I will puree about 8 roasted green chilis and mix that into the marinade. I love green chili jerkey. BEN

[USN HM 350Z]

OK, started my marinade for my Jerky.

1 cup soy sauce
1 tbs liquid smoke (Hickory)
Red pepper Flakes
Black Pepper
Garlic powder
Onion Powder