Good Dehydrator for Jerky?

[collingwood5]

Hi Everyone,
I am considering getting a new dehydrator for deer jerky, and I was wondering if folks here could tell me the better brands and types of dehydrators to look for. my main purpose for wanting to make jerky Is that I am type 2 diabetic and am always on the lookout for inexpensive healthy snacks for which I can control things like salt and sugar content.

 

[CFLJOHN512]

Honestly, I got one at Walmart 6-7 years ago. It was about 20-30$. I use the heck out of it for nothing but jerky. I use London broil, slice it up, marinade for 24 hours and then toss it in there for about 8 hours and whamo.

 

[2Mac]

Welcome.
I bought a 12 tray Pro series from Cabelas a few years ago and use it only for Jerky.
I love it.
I would recommend it.
If the link works that's the one in Canadian dollars.

Cabela’s® 12-Tray Pro Series Dehydrator | Cabela's Canada

• LED displays shows time remaining and temperature • Adjusts from 80°F to 160°F for precise drying temperatures • 1,100-watt heater and 6-1/2" paddle fan force heated air throughout • Folding front door ensures a consistent internal temperature • Side-mounted air slots eliminate the need to...

www.cabelas.ca

 

[TNJAKE]

I've had this one for years and it works great. Got mine at Walmart at a much better price than Amazon but couldn't find it easily so this is Amazon link

 

[JC in GB]

Nesco American Harvest is the one I have. It works well.

JC

 

[boykjo]

Whatever you get make sure it has a fan!

Boykjo

 

[6GRILLZNTN]

Rocking a 5 tray Open Country I nabbed at REI!

 

[Winterrider]

I've had this one for years and it works great. Got mine at Walmart at a much better price than Amazon but couldn't find it easily so this is Amazon link

Also have this model. Works quite well.

 

[oldsmokerdude]

Excalibur dehydrators have a great reputation. I've been using my 9-tray model for going on 15 years and have absolutely no issues or complaints. I use it for making jerky, dried fruits, crackers, yogurt, dog treats, etc., though jerky is my favorite.

always on the lookout for inexpensive healthy snacks

Even home made jerky is not inexpensive, though you could make it from ground beef. That said, you can control salt and sugar content as you mentioned.

 

[thirdeye]

I have a Nesco Gardenmaster. Mine has the top mounted handle, heater and fan with digital controls. There is another model with a lower heater and fan, but with manual controls. Mine came with 4 trays, I bought 2 more but it can handle up to 20 trays. With 6 trays I can process 5# to 6# of raw weight. HERE is a thread from last month showing my last batch of jerky.

 

[mike243]

Mine is a Nesco also , not sure which 1 ,can set different temps

 

[Bytor]

I just bought this Cosori model and it has been great. I've used it several times now and works like a charm. Very quiet and functional.

 

[clifish]

Does it really need a fan? I have an old Ronco that works good for fruit, never tried Jerky. I am also a type II like the OP and would love to make my own. If I don't have a slicer can it be hand cut?

 

[mr_whipple]

I have a nesco snack master FD-75. Bought it maybe 5 years ago? Either way, works great. I bough extra trays for it and have used 10 at a time. Made loads of jerky in it

 

[grabber]

Agree on Excalibur. Got one and made 1,000 of $$$$'s worth of jerky. Only recommendation is, after each 1 1/2 hrs, move trays top to bottom, front to back. It dries in different spots. This dries all spots evenly.

 

[chopsaw]

Does it really need a fan? I have an old Ronco that works good for fruit, never tried Jerky.

I used one of those for years . Made a lot of jerky on it . I just had to rotate the trays . Element finally went south on me .
I bought a set of oven jerky trays , and do it in the oven now .

 

[uncle eddie]

My Open Country dehydrator has been going strong for years. I have even added two more trays for those big loads of jerky...no issues.

 

[pineywoods]

Like 2Mac I have the 12 tray commercial model from Cabela's prior to that I had gotten a couple of the oven jerky trays like Chopsaw uses

 

[pineywoods]

Does it really need a fan? I have an old Ronco that works good for fruit, never tried Jerky. I am also a type II like the OP and would love to make my own. If I don't have a slicer can it be hand cut?

You may have to rotate the racks around if no fan but it should still work. You can use a knife and hand slice it will just take a little more time

 

[uncle eddie]

Does it really need a fan? I have an old Ronco that works good for fruit, never tried Jerky. I am also a type II like the OP and would love to make my own. If I don't have a slicer can it be hand cut?

I too had an old RONCO "convection" dehydrator that I did make jerky with. I probably used that for 7 or 8 years, butI had to constantly rotate the trays to get an even dehydration. I sometimes had to wipe out the condensation that formed in the lid of the RONCO...but never with fruit, only with marinated meat.

With the forced air fan in my Open Country dehydrator...the top, middle and bottom trays dry uniformly and much much faster. I even added two trays (now have 7) that I load up with about 5 (wet) pounds of meat and, set on 135F +/-, it is usually ready in about 7 - 10 hours depending on how thick I sliced the meat.