Got a 5# roast of Elk from a friend. Vonhansens was nice enough to slice up into 1/4 pieces for me. Marinated in a chipotle marinade (I like spicy) and its up and running. Wish I had pictures. Maybe for the next batch. Wasn't able to get all of it in the OBS.
You have my envy. The best jerky I have ever had was elk. Back in my Navy days, one of my shipmates was from Colorado and went Deer, Elk and Moose hunting every year. His dad sent him a package of the elk jerky and we were fortunate enought to get samples.
Dont give me your envy untill its done! :) I could still screw this up.
Well so far so good. I planned on smoking it for about 4hrs and then just keep an eye on it till its done...The OBS is holding at 150 degrees with an ambient temp of 0 It might be creeping up a lil bit so Ill keep my eye on it as I am only 1hr in.
Get another set of racks and invert one on top of the other. A 4 rack will be an 8 and a 6 rack will be a 12
Dang you are a smart feller arn't you? Well for my virgin attempt I am more than content with the 4 racks. I have done TONS of jerky in a dehydrator but it just does not ever have that "smoked" feel that I want from it, so this is my first smoker attempt....
I rotated my racks after the first hour and I would say by appearance that by maintaining 140-150 degrees temp I think this Elk may be done faster than I previously estimated.
Yep, NePaS is a pretty smart ol' dude. I'm pretty sure he's made jerky before. :D
KyNola
Quote from: KyNola on January 09, 2010, 12:40:45 PM
Yep, NePaS is a pretty smart ol' dude. I'm pretty sure he's made jerky before. :D
KyNola
Thats for sure!!!
Well here is the preliminary. A few of the smaller pieces are done already. About 3hr 45min in, and texture and everything is very good. However the next batch I think I will cut the smoke time in half. I smoked for 3hr 30min and I think the smoke is over powering the marinade. It has a slight almost burnt initial flavor to it.. I quickly yanked all the pucks off after the samples so hopefully the larger pieces will not have that flavor. And the next batch will deffinatly cut smoking time down. (That will be later tonight)......However even despite that, it still came out suprizingly good. At least in my opinion.
Ok round 1 done. A lil too long of smoke. To my surprise the marinade that I used was very subtle after smoking....And its a strong marinade..
Round 2 is in the smoker. This time I did not blot off alot of the excess marinade. I also added a bit of seasoned pepper to this batch too. I will only smoke it for 1.5hrs this time around as well.
I have some room as this batch is only taking up 3 racks, so I rubbed some pork chops with a McCormick pork rub and will put them in for 15-20 min before putting them in the oven to bake them...Why not give them some flavor when I can?
Quote from: KyNola on January 09, 2010, 12:40:45 PM
Yep, NePaS is a pretty smart ol' dude. I'm pretty sure he's made jerky before. :D
KyNola
Yeah a couple times :D :D
Quote from: NePaSmoKer on January 09, 2010, 04:33:18 PM
Quote from: KyNola on January 09, 2010, 12:40:45 PM
Yep, NePaS is a pretty smart ol' dude. I'm pretty sure he's made jerky before. :D
KyNola
Yeah a couple times :D :D
I want proof!!! (PM me for my address! :) )
Quote from: Sweet35th on January 09, 2010, 06:23:47 PM
Quote from: NePaSmoKer on January 09, 2010, 04:33:18 PM
Quote from: KyNola on January 09, 2010, 12:40:45 PM
Yep, NePaS is a pretty smart ol' dude. I'm pretty sure he's made jerky before. :D
KyNola
Yeah a couple times :D :D
I want proof!!! (PM me for my address! :) )
Well lets see :D
Some of todays jerky for my neighbor
(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o290/stlthy1/DSCF5805.jpg)
And others.
(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o290/stlthy1/DSCF5678.jpg)
(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o290/stlthy1/DSCF5566.jpg)
(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o290/stlthy1/DSCF5343.jpg)
(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o290/stlthy1/DSCF5332.jpg)
(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o290/stlthy1/DSCF4710.jpg)
(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o290/stlthy1/DSCF4711.jpg)
And on a larger scale ;D
(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o290/stlthy1/DSCF4697.jpg)
And some venison once in awhile too.
(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o290/stlthy1/DSCF4343.jpg)
Sorry I need physical evidence! ;D
NePaS,
I'm pretty sure if you keep practicing you're going to get the hang of making jerky! ;) :D
KyNola
Quote from: Sweet35th on January 09, 2010, 06:42:10 PM
Sorry I need physical evidence! ;D
Well ya better but some chains on the Ford cuz you'll never make it our dirt rd with the snow
Quote from: KyNola on January 09, 2010, 06:44:49 PM
NePaS,
I'm pretty sure if you keep practicing you're going to get the hang of making jerky! ;) :D
KyNola
I might one of these days.
I got an email from photobucket saying i am almost at my storage limit :D :D
Quote from: NePaSmoKer on January 09, 2010, 06:45:32 PM
Quote from: Sweet35th on January 09, 2010, 06:42:10 PM
Sorry I need physical evidence! ;D
Well ya better but some chains on the Ford cuz you'll never make it our dirt rd with the snow
LOL thats the summer ride. I think the F-350 could handle it just fine. Hey wait a second, how did this turn into me taking a rode trip?
Does photobucket know who they're dealing with?
KyNola
Quote from: Sweet35th on January 09, 2010, 06:48:30 PM
Quote from: NePaSmoKer on January 09, 2010, 06:45:32 PM
Quote from: Sweet35th on January 09, 2010, 06:42:10 PM
Sorry I need physical evidence! ;D
Well ya better but some chains on the Ford cuz you'll never make it our dirt rd with the snow
LOL thats the summer ride. I think the F-350 could handle it just fine. Hey wait a second, how did this turn into me taking a rode trip?
Well ya want a sample dont ya :D ;D
Well all is said and done. Both batches are done, and both have sat for a day. (not that that matter, but gave time for the beer buzz to wear off).
The first batch did smoke too long, but despite that it very good. I would going for a chipotle flavor and it has a smoke flavor, so not a failure just a different than expected out come.
The second batch I left more marinade on the meat, and sprinkled with a seasoned pepper. I also only smoked it for 1.5hrs........It is AMAZING!!!! And amazing hint of smoke and a great peppered taste. It saddens me that I rightfully should give most of it back to the guy that gave me the 5#s of meat in the first place...While yes I did do all the work (well he shot it), I give him cudos for volenteering to let me use his elk for my first attempt at smoking jerky...
NINJA EDIT After going back and re-sampling the first batch, the overwhelming smoke flavor that was there intialy has tamed down, and it is quite good itself....More mild than batch two, and I like spicy so that makes it a close second for this round.
I usually don't do more than 1 hour 20 minutes. I use a dehydrator after the smoking though. It is more consistent heating.
Quote from: Gizmo on January 10, 2010, 03:00:27 PM
I usually don't do more than 1 hour 20 minutes. I use a dehydrator after the smoking though. It is more consistent heating.
I have used a dehydrator for years, and I wish I could explain it better, but the end result is just always seeming to not have that "it factor" that this jerky has.....Seriously I dont think I can ever buy it from the store again.
Hi Sweet,
Mind sharing that chipotle marinade recipe? I'm getting ready to do some jerky on the OBS and am scouring for some recipes and I sure like the sounds of a chipotle jerky.
Like you, I've done lots of jerky on the dehydrator (liquid smoke in the marinade) so am quite excited and anxious to do some real stuff in the smoker.
Cheers,
Bryan