Smoking beef jerky?

[husker3in4]

Looking into smoking my on beef jerky, looking for some tips.

I have a marinade Ive used in the past for a dehydrator, how long and at what temp do I smoke it?

How do you smoke yours? also interested in your marinade recipes, preferrably without too much sodium. Its not like the jerky is gonna last past a couple days anyway :)

 

[sandyut]

I use disco OFG Jerky recipe its on this site too if you search. its pretty much my go to.

I cut my very a little thick ~1/4 inch or a hair less. I smoke at 180 for an hour or two then 225 till almost dry enough. it will keep drying as it cools. cool completely to avoid condensation in the bag. usually about 4 hours total will be close...give or take...

 

[husker3in4]

Best cut of meat for jerky? Hopefully its cost effective?

 

[Lonzinomaker]

I use eye of round. Easy muscle to get fat off of and then slice.
I start my Smokin-It #3 at 160 deg for 2 hours to get smoke good apple/hickory smoke in jerky then I raise temp to 180 and put my jerky fan on to get the drying process in high gear. Still takes 4-6 hours. Don't want to go higher on temp, make the jerky tough. I want the jerky dried, not cooked.

 

[sandyut]

I use eye of round.

Same here. You need to use really lean meat EOR is great for jerky. I cut it once lengthwise and then slice across the grain for the jerky slices. makes nice strips that way.

 

[johnmeyer]

Eye of round is usual recommendation, but London broil or flank steak also work. You want the leanest cut possible, with no marbling.

Here are the notes I've created for smoking jerky:

Smoke at 140º-160º for one hour or less (enough to get through the danger zone), then lower smoker to 120º and smoke for another hour or so. Finish in convection oven, set to lowest level (140º) for 4-10 hours, until reasonably dry, or use a dehydrator, if you have one.​

I don't use cure, but I'm thinking of trying it. I've never had any problem with food illness in my 67 years (knock on wood), but I've read enough about jerky that a small amount of #1 cure probably would be a good idea.