Thinkng about making a Biltong/Jerky Hot Box

[Mickey]

Evening all.
I been researching the bits and bobs to make my own cabinet rather than purchasing a dehydrator on fleabay at £20+.
the best solution I have found is to get a small cabinet from say the recycle store. Will get one in a few days and see how it goes with the construction.

Anyone else made or got a "hot box" tips and recipes will come in handy

[GTI]

No experience, but put me down for several bags of Mickey's Special blend... I love the stuff

[piggzy]

A friend of mine has done this. Will try get a picture next time I go round.

He basically got a big plastic tub and adapted it with PC fans. Might be a bit more to it than that . He makes biltong as he is from South Africa and knows how to make the authentic spice blends e.t.c

It is bloody nice. He even sells it in his local butcher. Not cheap though it takes a LOT of beef to make not a lot of Biltong.

[beansontoast]

I really like jerky, used to import a box of jack links every now and then. Bloody rip off over here nowadays a small bag is at least £2. Maybe I don't appreciate what goes into it, I do remember the ingredients stated 200% beef. Interested in this project but would probably not go through with making one.

[Mickey]

I got lots of recipes to try hopefully pop into the recycle store later and see what's for sale. Ill get pics up and running as I go along I guess.

[Mickey]

No experience, but put me down for several bags of Mickey's Special blend... I love the stuff

If it goes well and I can make it reasonably cheap., I will be giving a few batches out to my "special" friends

[Mickey]

So I dropped by the local recycling depot. they have a shop there that sells some of the stuff people throw away. In the past I have had a 21 inch monitor for £10 a flymo hover for £8. both electronically tested and are still working. I looked around the shop but found nothing till I went outside and say a HiFi cabinet with a glass front. This will look cool once its all setup and ready to go. £5 for it cant be bad. I will have to make a back plate for it though but if I can make the full cabinet for around £20 I will be happy. I just need to source a 12V 120mm fan and a light source. B&Q here I come lol

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[Mickey]

Quick Update:

Most of the pieces are now here at work. these are 2 fans, 2 grills and a 12 volt DC transformer to run the fans/leds. I only need the lighting to come which should be today or tomorrow

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[Mickey]

Been waiting for parts still, but I now have the light/heat source in place. Will have to make some sort of shield to stop the drips hitting the bulb. seen a guy make one out of a fosters lager can so that will be novel.

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Ordered a fan saw on fleabay so I can cut the 2 top fans and the 2 side vents, should be here in 3 days

[Mickey]

For all them watching this thread. My hot box is nearly complete. I have cut out the 4 holes needed for the fans and vent holes. I got some draught excluder that has gone around the front glass. I am not sure yet if I will silicone the front so its totally encased. The top opens up for the insertion/removal of the jerky. I will leave the unit one for 24 hours to see how it performs but so far so good its not that noisey and thee is a lot of airflow inside the hot box.

This was fun to make and cost me about £40 to make.

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Hope you make one yourself. Once I get over to the butchers ill get sum meat going

[Mickey]

Just made a novel heat bulb protector. Should do the trick of keeping the juices away from the bulb. The can also gets hot so the dissipation of heat will be more widespread.

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[Mickey]

Got my first test batch in place. not sure on the times yet but will test out every 12 hours or so.

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the smells coming off this is unbelievable. Making me hungry already for sum

[BigBrand]

This is fucking fantastic! Great stuff!

[Mickey]

So its finally completed and here my finished article.

Its totally yummy

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[Mickey]

Quick Update and a miserable BUMP

I decided to upgrade the box, so I went to my friendly B-Q Store and asked a lovely lady if they sold polystyrene insulation, she asked what it was for then laughed and said no but we have mating that's insulated "would that do".

Anyhow it came on a roll and its used for putting down the backs of radiators to reflect the heat away from the wall. I got some of that spray that's you use for sticking posters up.

Once machine was lined I set it going for an hour to get rid of any toxic gasses from the spray. The result was the meat took less than 12 hours to do instead of 2 days. There is now latent heat inside the box than when it was just wooden walls.

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As you can see there's more heat hitting the sides and reflecting back instead of being absorbed into the wood

Happy times

[Clownfish]

Is that an infra red heat lamp you're using?

[piggzy]

Got one myself now. Apart from the meat the Mrs is constantly drying out fruit in it. The kids have a constant supply of dried mango, pineapple & apple. It is nothing like shop bought dried fruit.

Also would be interested to hear what bulb you are using Mickey.
Just been using 100 watt regular bulbs in mine.

[Mickey]

I'm using a 100 watt infra red one, it seems to give out more heat than light. ceramic would be better but they are like £22 from pets r us

[Squizza]

How much do these things cost to run weighed up against the cost of going out and buying jerky?
So for example, meat, power etc included. what would it cost for 100g ?

[Mickey]

I can make about a kilo of jerky for about £10 (If I use beef skirt)
its about £4.00 to buy in 250g packets if you buy manufactured