Quick Jerky Question

[DTJ]

I have read quite a few posts on how to make jerky.  I have that part under control with seasoning and cooking times.  My confusion is the meat.  I have a eye of round roast I will be using.  I read in I think two different posts to slice it with the grain.  This does not make sense to me, I am envisioning it being really stringy and hard to chew...like a brisket or corned beef if cut with the grain as opposed to against or perpendicular to the grain.  I have made jerky before only in a dehydrator...did it too long and it came out like chewing on a piece of leather, did not do much research just marinaded in soy and dehydrated til was dry, really dry.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated

Daryl

[Gizmo]

I have seen both with and across the grain for slicing.  I have also done both and can't say that I have really seen any difference in toughness.  Something in me tells me that the slices are so thin that it doesn't matter, at least not as thin as I usually slice.

I smoke for 1 hr and 20 minutes then move to the dehydrator except for what doesn't fit into the smoker.  That will go straight into the dehydrator.  I like them both.  I use eye of round or top round, which ever is cheaper and has no fat running through it (or almost no fat).

[smokeitall]

I always slice with the grain to get it a little tougher.  But the toughness depends on the thickness.  The last batch I did I sliced with the grain less than 1/8" thick and it was very tender and not tough at all.   The same cut of meat on my previous smoke was a 1/4 thick and with the grain and it was very tough.  The longer it dries the tougher it gets. 

After the smoke part is done and I put the box up to 150-160 I begin trying pieces every 20-30 minutes until its right, then pull them all.

Good luck...

[FLBentRider]

I use eye round, against the grain. 3/16 inch to 1/8 thickness.

[DTJ]

thanks for the help.

FBL, I rsponded a liitle late to your reply about going to Disney.  I have annual passes too.  I have probably seen you there!!!  I have two and five year boys who love going so we are there about every other weekend, although we only live about 20 minutes away.  Have you been on the the new Toy Story ride??  I thought it was alot of fun.


Daryl