Dehydrator ?

[Hangfire]

Some may remember the ads on TV back in the day but I've had a Ronco dehydrator (pic below) since the late 80's or early 90's and although slow (aprox 18 hrs. per batch of jerky) we've made a bunch of deer jerky in it......we tried the oven method once and it didn't turn out the way we liked.

All the Ronco is is trays that a person rotates every 'X' period with a coil in the bottom but I understand nowadays dehydrators have fans in them to speed the process up.

I may be getting ready to make some jerky and without going el-cheapo or over the top expensive what is a good dehydrator make and model to purchase ?

 

[chazroh]

https://excaliburdehydrator.com/pro...timer-solid-door-black?variant=31260242051204
I have one of these, it’s fits a lot of jerky in it and usually dries a batch in 5-6 hours

 

[chazroh]

Whichever one you get, try to get one with the fan in the back of the unit, top is ok but bottom is terrible if you make jerky with a liquid marinade. Liquid drips on the fan area( even though it’s protected) and gets spread everywhere and is a pain to clean.

 

[dlbleak]

I have a Harvest Maid. A friend had one that I borrowed. It holds a lot of meat and does a batch in about 5 hours. eBay and estate sales are a good place to find them.

 

[magna19]

Fan is a must have. Ive tried a few dehydrators, I bought some thin wire racks from Cabelas and stack 6 of them in a pellet grill. Hard to beat for doing jerky. Ground venison with NO FAT added. Use a tube gun to fill racks. Last year ran the grill until about 16 lbs of dried jerky was done. When its time to do jerky don't jerk around.

 

[TwoForFlinching]

Just tossing it out there, my neighbor slices his deer/steaks and does it in a stick and tarp smoker. Ultra-cheap, and boy is it good. Just have to wait on those rare windless days.

 

[CHenry]

Last one I had came from Bass Pro and cost maybe $40 and looked a lot like the one you pictured. Very pleased with it.

 

[Gunbuffer]

Get an Excalibur off of amazon. Great unit.

 

[swampratt]

I had 4 dehydrators going at one time all a different brand and the rear fan type was best.
I really did not care for any of them really as I do not like to rotate trays that is BS.
I decided to try my long skinny smoker that was just a homemade deal.
It was below freezing outside so i placed a carpet over it to hold in some heat.
I opened the fire box door on the side and stuck one of those cheap $12 electric space heaters in the door and sealed up around it with wood pieces.

That smoker box could hold a lot of jerky on the racks and it so far has been the best way i found to make jerky with no trays to rotate.
I later used an electric smoker that was broke and used the same small space heater.

That may give you guys some ideas on building your own on the cheap.

 

[rc508pir]

https://excaliburdehydrator.com/pro...timer-solid-door-black?variant=31260242051204
I have one of these, it’s fits a lot of jerky in it and usually dries a batch in 5-6 hours

Nice, been wanting a Excaliber for a while