My First Beef Jerky on the EGG

Charlie Hustle

Just thought I would pass this along for anyone interested in trying this.[p]I began with 2 LB of London Broil. The butcher cut the meat into strips that were about 1/8" +.[p]I used a marinate from Allegro (hot and spicy) and let the meat marinate for about 24 hours.[p]In order to increase the air-flow, I cleaned out all of the dust from the lump that was in the Egg and I filled in with more lump up to the fire ring. [p]I let the fire burn for about 20 mins. and then I closed the bottom damper to about 1/2". It did not take long to stabilize the dome temp at 170.[p]The meat was sitting out for a while in the kitchen getting the chill off.[p]I took the 3 tier rack and laid the strips of meat out on the top and middle tiers.[p]For about 2 1/2 hours the temp held steady. Then a decline in temp began and I let it hit 155. Not knowing quite what to do, I reached for the leaf blower. I opened the bottom damper all the way and fired up the leaf blower. I let it blow into the open damper for about 5 mins. [p]Fortunately, I had the foresight to stand back a little distance from the Egg and I just let the blower idle and provide some additional air for the coals to burn. If I had stood too close with the blower, I could have blown ash all over the meat.[p]This was enough to get my 170 temp for the remainder of the cook.[p]The total cook time was about 5 1/2 hours and MAN OH MAN WAS IT WORTH IT!![p]

thirdeye

<p />Charlie Hustle,[p]Homemade jerky is the best and it sounds like you are on the right track. London broil is an excellent choice and a marinade is used by a lot of folks because they are easy to make and have predictable cure times. Your temps were actually not a problem even with the downward ramp toward the end of the cook, some recipes or methods use lower temps. Jerky is a combination of drying and cooking, but the real test is having it come out the way YOU like it. I like mine chewier verses really dry.[p][p]You might try making a wiggle rod out of a coat hanger. It will reach into the bottom vent and up through the lower grate to stimulate airflow. It takes a few minutes for natural draft to help out your fire. Hair driers or an AirGrill or your leaf blower can sure get away from you easily. [p]~thirdeye~[p]

Car Wash Mike

<p />Charlie Hustle,
My first pic was of beef jerky. Just to dang good.[p]Mike

Thermal Mass

thirdeye,[p]Beautiful jerky! Very inspiring stuff. I already have so much on my list of things that I have to make on my Egg, and now I have one more. [p]Thanks!
Mark

Charlie Hustle

Third Eye,[p]I have two questions:[p]You said that some jerky is cooked at lower temps. Isn't there a health risk when you cook lower than 165?[p]The other question is about the "wiggle rod". Is this what you use when the temp starts to fall?[p]Thanks,
Charlie

thirdeye

Charlie Hustle,[p]For jerky there are two keys to food safety. In one method, thin strips of beef with seasoning only (the saltier the better) can be smoke cooked, dried or processed in a dehydrator. If done properly they are quite safe.[p]The other method is very safe and I think the best way to go. The key here is the use of a "cure". (Think ham, bacon and smoked sausage). I am not familiar with the brand of marinade you used, but many marinades provide the right combination of ingredients and with time, they prepare the meat for cooking/drying safely using lower temperatures. There are also dry mixes that can be used for curing. I prefer them over a "wet cure", but that is just a personal decision. Salt, the use of curing agents and time work in your favor. For a little extra insurance, especially since I like my jerky a little chewier, I always store the finished product in the refrigerator.[p]Yes, a wiggle rod is used anytime your bed of coals needs waking up. It promotes airflow and knocks ash off of the coals. On overnight cooks, a little wiggle is good insurance that your fire will not die out while you are catching some ZZZZZ's. Don't get too western or you may move the lower grate, just stick the L into several of the holes and wiggle from side to side. I put a "T" handle on mine so I can just rock it back and forth. [p]~thirdeye~