Rookie Smoker from Columbus, Ohio

[osumblues]

Just got my digital 4 rack Bradley yesterday and already ruined a batch of jerky.  I like smoked food.....but this tasted like I dropped it in an ash tray.  I will learn the more I read and practice.  Looking forward to learning from everyone on here.

[FLBentRider]

W E L C O M E  to the Forum osumblues!

How much smoke did you put on the jerky ?

What temp and how long did you cook it ?

[Gizmo]

Welcome Blues,
Did your jerky have black spots on it?  If so, you might have gotten condensation build-up on the top of the smoker and then it drips down.  How wide did you have the vent open?  Was the jerky wet marinade or dry seasoning?

[HawkeyeSmokes]

W E L C O M E  to the Forum osumblues!

How much smoke did you put on the jerky ?

What temp and how long did you cook it ?

Welcome to the forum!

One other thing, did you have the vent wide open?

[osumblues]

I followed the recipe from Bradley:

-Wet marinade
-Marinade over night
-smoked with vent wide open
-6 hours and 30 minutes
-used combination of Cherry and apple
- Threw it out

[KevinG]

Welcome to the forum osumblues, I don't recall that recipe, but that seems like an awful long time to smoke. I think maybe the total cook time would be that long and smoke about 1/2 that time.

[HawkeyeSmokes]

I would agree with KevinG. I use 1:40 of smoke time and then finish off drying with no smoke. Last batch took about 8 hours total.

[Old_Sarge]

Howdy and welcome to the neighborhood!

Sorry your first go was a bust.

You know what they say..."If at first you don't succeed, so much for skydiving".

Levity aside, there's a bit of a learning curve associated with bbq sometimes. Start with something easy, get to know your equipment, research some of the recipes on this and other sites, and give it another go. I certainly can't claim 100% barbecue success, especially in the early days. I learned quickly to not get my family's hopes up whenever I was experimenting with something new.

"Tonight we're having smoked leg of lamb in a yogurt marinade on a bed of biryani rice with couscous and flatbread. Or Pizza Hut; we'll have to see."

Does your name mean Ohio State - University of Michigan blues?

[Huntnfreak]

Welcome blues!  This is a great place to get your questions answered as you have probably already found out.  I'm with everybody else.  I think it was way too much smoke.  I would cut it to 1:20 TO 1:40.  The good thing about it is that now you know what not to do!!  Happy smoking!

[Quarlow]

Hey man don't sweat it. I know it hurts the pride and the wallet. My last batch cost me $30 and it went in the g can. And I have successfully made jerky before. I just wasn't paying attention to what I was doing and had other things going on. We all make mistakes but as long as we learn from it "say lovey". ;) ;)

[Hopefull Romantic]

Hi osumblues and welcome to the forum.

Dont worry you just have to get up, brush that dust off and right back on the horse again.

HR

[hal4uk]

Just jump in there and try again! 

"I used to rassle hogs down to the ground...ain't nary a hog got away from me yet." -- Hoke Colburn

[OU812]

Welcome to the fun osumblues.

I would also say you had WAY to much smoke.

I would try it again doing every thing as before but this time only smoke it for 1 hr 20 min then taste and if it needs more smoke add more next time.