The Official Biltong Enthusiasts Thread

[faniebraai]

Why would you want it to? Most of the resources I've read recommend temperatures in the low 20s to start with then ramping it up to low 30s after a couple of days. Given that it's winter now the lightbulb in the box is going to be the ideal, or maybe only, viable way of achieving these temps as well as maintaining the right level of humidity.

Or I suppose you could buy a dehumidifier and crank up the central heating.

from what i remember reading, 28C seems to be ideal, but hey, I don't think it's an exact science, and if the conditions are 90% correct, you can still get flawless biltong.

and yes, the seasons do have a big influence, and where you are located. I'm on the highveld, so our winters are very very dry in any case, so no real need for a light bulb. Light bulb will more be a must in the summer more humid months.

I think guys that stay in Durban have it worst... very humid air and they need to be careful not to make the box too hot otherwise you basically cook the meat, and will also get the hard outside and too moist inside.

 

[Kido]

biltong is based on dehydration

 

[Kido]

of course, but how will the warm dry air get to the inside of the meat?

Yoh so based on this we should be using one of those small fan heaters that cost like R200

 

[faniebraai]

Yoh so based on this we should be using one of those small fan heaters that cost like R200

no, those things get too hot

 

[faniebraai]

biltong is based on dehaydration

taking the grass out of your meat??

 

[Ancalagon]

Come to think of it, I used to use heating mats intended for reptile enclosures while germinating chillies. You could also use those for biltong by putting them under the biltong maker itself. The advantage is that they heat the entire underside of the biltong maker instead of just around the lightbulb itself.

Problems.... not sure how much I trust them! You're relying on someone else's wiring to not burn your house down.

 

[Kido]

taking the grass out of your meat??

I disagree because some people use dehumidifiers for making their biltong

dehydration definition:

The process of losing or removing water or moisture. A condition caused by the excessive loss of water from the body, which causes a rise in blood sodium levels. Since dehydration is most often caused by excessive sweating

 

[Kido]

no, those things get too hot

They do yah but maybe increase the distance or one with a proper thermostat control

 

[Kido]

In this past December I was using a stand up fan to aid in air flow and chasing the damn flies

 

[faniebraai]

I disagree because some people use dehumidifiers for making their biltong

dehydration definition:

The process of losing or removing water or moisture. A condition caused by the excessive loss of water from the body, which causes a rise in blood sodium levels. Since dehydration is most often caused by excessive sweating

dude. osmosis will cause dehydration in the meat. so i agree with you.

 

[Ancalagon]

I disagree because some people use dehumidifiers for making their biltong

dehydration definition:

The process of losing or removing water or moisture. A condition caused by the excessive loss of water from the body, which causes a rise in blood sodium levels. Since dehydration is most often caused by excessive sweating

I think you missed the joke. You misspelled dehydration in your last post.

 

[faniebraai]

They do yah but maybe increase the distance or one with a proper thermostat control

as long as the heat can be controlled, profit.

 

[BradleyKZN]

Im very tempted to start making biltong thanks to this thread.
Got any tips for beginners regarding equipment and spices or anything else?

 

[faniebraai]

Im very tempted to start making biltong thanks to this thread.
Got any tips for beginners regarding equipment and spices or anything else?

As a beginner, buy a mellerware biltong maker, and go from there... start with pre-mixed biltong spices, and see if you would like to make your own later.

 

[Kido]

As a beginner, buy a mellerware biltong maker, and go from there... start with pre-mixed biltong spices, and see if you would like to make your own later.

+1 good advice

you can get it here or makro etc
http://www.takealot.com/mellerware-biltong-king-food-dehydrator/PLID26927807

 

[Kido]

I think you missed the joke. You misspelled dehydration in your last post.

OK i'm slow this morning

 

[Kido]

Come to think of it, I used to use heating mats intended for reptile enclosures while germinating chillies. You could also use those for biltong by putting them under the biltong maker itself. The advantage is that they heat the entire underside of the biltong maker instead of just around the lightbulb itself.

Problems.... not sure how much I trust them! You're relying on someone else's wiring to not burn your house down.

OR just move your bulb to the bottom like someone mentioned
If i can find a canopy for the bulb I will do this

 

[Kido]

taking the grass out of your meat??

I fixed it now because you made me go check it

 

[faniebraai]

OR just move your bulb to the bottom like someone mentioned
If i can find a canopy for the bulb I will do this

the position of the bulb doesn't ....


ok, i give up
everyone just hand their meat in front of the heater, because making biltong is about heat.

 

[Ancalagon]

the position of the bulb doesn't ....


ok, i give up
everyone just hand their meat in front of the heater, because making biltong is about heat.

Hot air rises. With the heat source at the bottom, you will get more even heat distribution.