Making Jerky Dehydrator and Pellet Grill

[BurntWeenie]

I have an Excalibur dehydrator that I've used for years to dry chilies. Never made jerky. I now also have a recteq 590. Wondering about do I smoke on the LO setting for while in the pellet grill then finish in the Excalibur? Thoughts?

 

[thirdeye]

That's the way I make my jerky, except my smoke time is in a Big Chief. Then I move to a dehydrator. I do use cure but mainly for the cured flavor, and better color... not actually for preservation. I'm less than 2 hours in the smoker, and about the same in the dehydrator. One tip would be to block open your lid or door on the smoker, you are going for flavor and drying not so much cooking.

 

[Buckeye1]

I just do mine on the Recteq.

 

[BurntWeenie]

I just do mine on the Recteq.

What temp? LO?

 

[Buckeye1]

I have done low (180) and I have done 200. Cook to the texture you like normally smoke 3-4 hours depending on how thick pieces are. I rotate and flip pieces at about 1 1/2 hours.

 

[sandyut]

Same. I do mine on the rec teq. 180 for an hour or more. Then I up it to 225. Works great. I bought the large internal shelf to maximize the space. I also pull the jerky a smidge before its done because it keeps drying while cooling.

 

[sandyut]

I use OFG recipe. Credit to disco

 

[sandyut]

Ok foiund the link for ya here. I think the excel calculator i made is in there somewhere