[PatriotGirl827]

I just got my dehydrator and want to try making jerky. Do you cook the meat first?

[appleseed]

Nope. Got a Hesco dehydrator. Bought a bunch of lean ground meat. Have a little gadget you put the meat in that looks like a caulking gun. Pull the trigger and it comes out in thin strips. Cut at about 6” length strips. My Hesco has 4 trays and cooks about 1 pound at a time. Didn't cook the meat, only added some spices. Once it was done, put in vacuum bags and put in fridge. They say it goes rancid after about 3-4 weeks in open air. Don't know why. The stuff you buy in the store ain't cooled. Anyhow, it's the best jerky we ever had.