First time smoking jerky

Morning! I see your ingredients for the jerky - where's the Cure #1 or Morton's TenderQuick? Jerky is dried not cooked. That being said you should have some kind of curing agent so you don't run the risk of people getting sick. When using Cure #1 or MTQ, remember to use it in the  measurements specified by the manufacturer. 

Here's a link to curing agents: http://www.susanminor.org/forums/showthread.php?736-Curing-Salts

You refer to 200* for the MES temp, that's way too high to dry jerky but it will definitely cook it. Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to jerky making. 

Here's how I do all the jerky I make:

I'm smoking in an MES40 and it generally takes me 7 hours to smoke it. I "thread" it on non stick skewers and then hang those horizontal on each end with small S hooks from the first and third racks from the top of the smoker. 

I start at 120*-130* with no smoke to dry the jerky for about an 1-1.5 hrs, bump temp to 140*-150* for 2.5-3 hrs with smoke, bump temp to 160*-170* (I also continue with smoke until it runs out) to finish it off (usually another 2-3 hrs), but no higher than 170*. I start checking it using the bend test (you should be able to bend it without breaking and have white fibers showing) after about 5 hrs on the smaller/thinner pieces and periodically check the remainder until it's done.

Here's some elk jerky I did and you can see the way I hang it in the smoker:

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/123611/elk-jerky-again

These aren't mine but again, low and slow: 

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/82503/pepper-jerky-hot-pepper-jerky-seasoning-recipes#post_364990

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/99298/pepper-steak-jerky-from-bottom-round-in-sv24-q-view

Hope this answers your question! Good luck

Nice

I agree with SmokinHusker, I find it dries better to hang it.  Here is a link to some I did a while back!

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/111998/jerky-w-qview

mvincent42 said:

Thanks for the link yours looks awesome. Mine still turned out better tasting than it ever did in the dehydrator. I will definitely hang next time. Focusing on a fatty now. Out to run errands and get some supplies then I will work on that. There will be pics over on that forum.

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Sounds good!  Working on a fatty now!!!  Don't forget to post some pics!!!!