The Official Biltong Enthusiasts Thread

wetkit said:
So far I know the max bulb size is 40W for the Mellerware unit???
The other day I found a nice halogen golf ball light that is working very well for me.
I put a small switch on my light to switch it off whenever I take the lid off. This helps the bulb last longer.

Regarding Game biltong, yum yum!!!
I use the Freddy Hirsch "Hunters Biltong" spice.
40g of spice mix to 1kg of meat. A 200g packet works great for 5kg of meat.
All I add extra is 10ml of Worcestershire sauce and 20ml of brown vinegar per 1kg of meat.
If you like your biltong a bit sweeter, add 1 teaspoon of brown sugar per 1kg also.
I marinate my meat in the fridge for at least 2 days in the mix, stirring every morning and evening. Do not drain the brine!
You need to give the marinade time to do it's thing.
Enjoy :)
Click to expand...

still wanted to say thanks for the help, came out just awesome.
 
Hey guys, I need some advice please.
I live along the coast, so humidty is always a factor when making biltong.
Can anyone recommend heating solutions? I always used 100W "Incandescent light bulbs" but these are no longer available in most shops.
What are other makers doing for heat? Any suggestions from makers along the East Coast of South Africa?

Thanks

Gideon
 
gideonel said:
I always used 100W "Incandescent light bulbs" but these are no longer available in most shops.
Click to expand...

I bought the "normal" 40W globes from a local hardware store. Plenty of heat. Is the humidity that high so you need a 100W ?
 
I always used the 100W cause that ensured no mildew.
Hear in East London i can only make biltong from March to September and then it's over.
I have never tried a 40W as I have a solid customer base and dont want to drop them.
Please advise which hardware store if you may. I have been to OK, Shoprite, P&P - local retailers. Then I have been to Buco, Burmeisters and Vincent Hardware. The last no is local suppliers.
No one is selling the Incandescent light bulbs.
 
Crapper - We've got a shop in Kroondal that still sells all the "old" light bulbs. Suppose it's old stock maybe ?
Let's hear from the other biltong guys what bulbs they use as replacement.
 
Ahhhh, the old stock. I am looking into a lot of shady and back street shops for the old stock but no one seems to have.
At this point it I am also open to alternative heating solutions if such exist and is in use.
Thanks for the feedback
 
Go down to Buffs Club and look what bulbs they are using on the snooker tables. If this is what you are looking for then speak to someone involved in snooker and not the bar staff as they will not know. League is played on a tuesday and thursday from 19h30 so that would be your best bet... Hope this helps.
 
Refraction said:
Go down to Buffs Club and look what bulbs they are using on the snooker tables. If this is what you are looking for then speak to someone involved in snooker and not the bar staff as they will not know. League is played on a tuesday and thursday from 19h30 so that would be your best bet... Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

Fantastic news that, my wife is a buffs club member so getting that info will be within reach. Thanks for the info
 
I wonder if a reptile heating pad from a pet shop might be worth your while.
 
Hello all, I recently purchased a Mellarware biltong maker. My query is this: Is the fan on the lid an extractor fan? Why I ask is that there is a stronger air flow coming from the back of the fan then going into the biltong maker itself. I did in fact have the lid on upside down for a day or two to ensure a much stronger air flow around the drying meat :-) Thanks.
 
Milou said:
Hello all, I recently purchased a Mellarware biltong maker. My query is this: Is the fan on the lid an extractor fan? Why I ask is that there is a stronger air flow coming from the back of the fan then going into the biltong maker itself. I did in fact have the lid on upside down for a day or two to ensure a much stronger air flow around the drying meat :-) Thanks.
Click to expand...

The fan draws the air which is passed by the bulb to dry the air and take it out.
It is therefore a extractor fan.
 
Milou said:
Hello all, I recently purchased a Mellarware biltong maker. My query is this: Is the fan on the lid an extractor fan? Why I ask is that there is a stronger air flow coming from the back of the fan then going into the biltong maker itself. I did in fact have the lid on upside down for a day or two to ensure a much stronger air flow around the drying meat :-) Thanks.
Click to expand...
I think the fan suposed to extract the moist air out
 
Ah, thanks for the responses. Now makes sense. I remember my dad drying biltong in the garage with the stand alone fan blowing air onto the meat and this has sort of stuck in my mind. Incidentally, haven't used a bulb as yet but with summer on its way may need to.The socket is poorly placed though - above one of the rods thus taking out an entire row of possible biltong :-(
 
Hemi300c said:
The fan draws the air which is passed by the bulb to dry the air and take it out.
It is therefore a extractor fan.
Click to expand...

Which negates the purpose of the bulb. Why draw dry air out? Bit of a crap design... which is why I moved the bulb to the bottom. ;)
 
It is a bit of a poor design, but having it as an extractor fan ensures that the small little miggies (flies) can't get to the meat. The other way around, then they will easily be able to navigate the scent to get inside the unit.
 
Isn't it supposed to be blowing? I just put in a batch on sunday, but now I can't remember which way it blows... but in my mind it should be blowing, not sucking... to dry the moisture pulled to the surface of the meat because of the dried out air

:p
 
Update: just prepared another batch. Am going to have the lid upside down (will let the fan blow) for the first 36 hrs and then have the lid on the "right" way for the remainder of the time (will let it suck).... :-)
 
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