MES40 ground jerky

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basstronics

Fire Starter
Original poster
Mar 4, 2012
37
11
Elmore Ohio
Ive probably put 25lbs raw ground meat thru my MES40 this summer/winter so far. Ive toyed with temperature, time and of course various flavors w/add ins.

I read some people use a food dehydrator to make their jerky. I dont own one and dont intend on buying one either.

I basically only use the HI-Mountain mixes/cures. I have tried the standard LEM that came with my jerky gun as directions stated and was VERY unhappy with it. My jerky is fairly simple. I mix the meat with the cure per instructions. Then I usually add some flavor with a various Chinese sauce. Orange, Kung Pao and General Tso are my favorites. Sometime Sweet baby Rays BBQ if Im doing a BBQ mix. I dont add a ton, maybe 2-4 Tbsp. If I want some heat I add Chili Paste- I buy the Asian hot stuff from "Sambal Oelek". Again 2-4 Tbsp worth. After I shoot it out the jerky gun I then proceed to baste them. Again the same sauces talked about above.

I put them in a preheated smoker at 165F for 12 Hrs. I dont put any water in the pan at all.

I load up my AMZNPS with 2 handfulls oak, hickory, 1 of cherry and mesquite. Before hand I DRY my pellets in my oven at 170F for at least 1/2 hrs-1 hr. Smoke lasts around 8-10 hrs depending.

I got some jerky out right now and will post some pics when I bring it in.

Here is some past smokes:



And some that had an overloading issue:

 
That looks really good. The Chinese sauces, are you making them or buying them? The triple racks you are using, do they fit in the MES40 and if so what brand name and source to buy them. Thanks in advance for the info...JJ
 
I just buy various sauces and Ive used a variety of different stuff, even those odd ball gift basket ones. In the one picture there chunks on the jerky, its from a Habenero Sauce from Targets Valentines day boxed gift basket set. That stuff was AWESOME!

http://www.eastmanoutdoors.com/drying-racks

These are what I bought. They are listed out of stock now and was then as well. I was able to find mine from www.bowzmart.com I think $15.99 per 3 racks. I bought 3 sets so I got 9 racks total. They fit the MES40 without issue. The top one can get tight and you will need to pull the racks to the side to miss the light. The first rack I keep low profile, the two top racks I extend the legs. The top rack on the top rack comes close to hitting top. Note there are 3 racks per box, 3 boxes per a carton. So when I ordred 3 boxes I got the full carton shipped direct to me.

This time around I used Sweet & Spicy and glazed in a Korean BBQ. The other pound I did in Inferno and glazed with General Tso. Both batches got 2 Tbsp of Chili Paste. I added it to Sweet & Spicy on accident, now its Sweet and Frickin Spicy. The Inferno isnt crazy hot, but my eye sockets are sweating and sweats rolling down the back of my head. Tongue and mouth got fairly warm too, but not crazy hot. Im not real "hot" fan but Ive been getting requests for something spicy hot... So I think I nailed it this time.

 
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