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I have read different things that when making jerky after you smoke it to put it in a dehydrator? Is this a necessary step or can it all be done in the smoker? (thinking about making duck jerky)
I smoke my jerky for a short time for flavor, then finish in a dehydrator. I have a high quality dehydrator and feel it does a much better job of finishing the job. I've made it start to finish in each, but like it best using both.
Since I have only recently made Jerky once, I'm no expert but I did the whole monty in my grill turned smoker. I smoked for about 40 minutes with one chunk of hickory and when I do it again I'll cut that time in half since I felt the hickory was a bit strong in the jerky. I maintained a 110-140 degree heat with a few bounces into the 160 degree range and all was done in 8.5 hours. I don't own a dehydrador and the lowest our oven will go is 170 degrees so that's out so the grill/smoker is all I have for making jerky.