Page 1 of 1

WSM smoker

Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 8:37 pm
by Ray in Kingwood
I wanted to try and make jerky on my weber smoker. Do you guys think the heat is too high? I have been able to get it stable at 210 but thats as low as I ever got it to go.....

Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 10:34 pm
by Papa Tom
Technically you are to dry jerky not cook it so in that respect 210 is too high. But IMHO I'll bet it turns out fine as long as you don't overcook it. Maybe sand in the pan and center the meat.

Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 12:45 am
by JamesB
I've been able to smoke cheese in my WSM as low as 80°. Fewer coals, smaller fire... You may have to add coals during, but it can be done.

I would also use sand in the pan, covered by a sheet or two of HD foil. I would think that using water when trying to make jerky would be self defeating.

Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 12:53 am
by bigwheel
Like Papa say..making Jerky is a dehydration process..resembles cooking somewhut..but once the temps break 140 it might tase ok but it aint jerky. Yankees dont understand this kinda stuff. Oven door cracked open till the furst notch and set as low as it will go will resemble 140. You can also make it with a box fan if you keep the flies off of it. You dont want to eat jerky and bump into a maggot ya know? You also need the propa marinade. Which yankees got all kinds. I got the real one. Let me know.

bigwheel

Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 4:35 pm
by Papa Tom
JamesB wrote:I've been able to smoke cheese in my WSM as low as 80°. Fewer coals, smaller fire... You may have to add coals during, but it can be done.

I would also use sand in the pan, covered by a sheet or two of HD foil. I would think that using water when trying to make jerky would be self defeating.


Bet ya can't do 80* today without hookin' up the AC...... :)

Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 6:13 pm
by DATsBBQ
Add just a wee amount of liquid smoke to the marinade, then plug in the food dehydrator (things are cheap at any box store). Works like a champ.

Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 7:34 pm
by JamesB
Papa Tom wrote:
JamesB wrote:I've been able to smoke cheese in my WSM as low as 80°. Fewer coals, smaller fire... You may have to add coals during, but it can be done.

I would also use sand in the pan, covered by a sheet or two of HD foil. I would think that using water when trying to make jerky would be self defeating.


Bet ya can't do 80* today without hookin' up the AC...... :)


Sure I could, but I'd have to use water and some ice instead of sand and maybe a smallish fan... Oh and no charcoal! :lol:

Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2008 2:05 pm
by dinty
did anyone see the episode on food network where Alton used AC filters tied to a box fan to dry his jerky? That was a cool episode..

Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2008 5:52 pm
by Papa Tom
Yep saw that one good idea...

Re: WSM smoker

Posted: Sat Dec 27, 2014 10:49 am
by Pig Grinder
I made jerky last week on 22.5 WSM. I use a recipe that includes CURE. I have kept it in a bowl on counter for 6 weeks with no spoilage. I laid a stream of charcoal about 8 inches wide across the entire diagonal of the grate. I lit a 1/3 chimney of charcoal and poured it on the charcoal at one end. I used severaal wood chunks for flavor. I use a Pitmaster IQ 120 controller. Closed 2 vents and set IQ120 for 150 degrees which is the minimum setting. Used empty water pan, I do not even wrap pan. I cooked 5 1/2 hours and temp stayed mostly at 140-145, never exceeded 150.