Moisture after dehydrating

[dougmays]

So i've been making alot of jerky lately but i have a question about proper steps once taken out of the dehydrator.  Currently my process is to smoke for 2-3 hours then put in dehydrator till firm (4-7 hours). 

Once i'm done i've been putting the jerky in a tupperware and into the fridge.  Last night i put about 2 lbs in a gallon ziplock and into the fridge.  this morning i took the ziplock out and there was a lot of moisture in the bag.

my question is...am i doing the wrong steps after the dehydrator? should i be "letting it dry" ( i hear alot of people say this, do i need to not put it in tupperware/ziplock right away?  is this moisture a bad thing?

thanks

 

[photohap]

It could be a couple of things.  One, are you letting the jerky rest before putting it into the ziplock bags?  After the dehydrator step I usually let mine sit in the trays after I turn the dehydrator off, placing the the trays side by side instead of on top, usually for an hour to cool it down.

Two, are you sure you are drying it for long enough, bending a piece of jerky you want it just to the point where it will bend but not break.

Also what temp are you dehydrating it at?  If using a cure I keep it at 100-120, without a cure I use the highest setting.

The moisture you have shouldn't hurt it, but I would definitely consume it within the next couple of days and keep it stored in the refrigerator.

 

[dougmays]

i am not letting it rest...maybe that's my problem. usually it goes from the dehydrator to the baggie...ill try that next time thanks!

i'm using cure...i've been smoking at 140 for a couple hours because that's the lowest i can get my WSM...then i dehydrate in my Open Country dehydrator....it doesn't have a temp setting but the manual says it runs generally at 150 i think.

 

[meateater]

I use cure and let them set for a few hours then into a tupperware. 

 

[dougmays]

thanks fellas! i'm gonna let rest with the next batch and see what the results are. 

will this moisture shorten the shelf life or is t ok?