What light bulb do I need for biltong?
Recommend this product to a friend – 40 watt candle lightbulb can be bought separately to speed up drying, but the machine will work without it.
Why is there a light in a biltong maker?
If you live somewhere very chilly, it will take a long time for airflow to draw the water from the meat and finish the curing process. That’s why some varieties of biltong dehydrators have light bulbs so that the air is slightly warmed around the meat.
How does a biltong box work?
The way it works is the bulb heats up the box and the fan blows air into the box, the air flows up through the meat and out of the holes at the top. I made sure that the fan was facing the right way, and blowing air into the box rather than pulling it out.
How long does it take for biltong to dry?
about 5 days
Drying time is about 5 days, depending on the weather, and whether you prefer your biltong crisp or slightly moist.
Can you make biltong in the cold?
The ideal temperature and drying time for biltong is 22°C to 24°C for the first 24 hours and thereafter at 30°C to 33°C for two days. Keeping below 24°C in the initial phases stops the fats from going rancid. Keeping relative humidity in the box below 50% ensures consistent, quality results.
How do you dry droëwors?
Dry the droëwors at 30 C with UV light for 24 hours. Then switch off the light. Hang droëwors to dry on a plastic or metal hook. Do not allow contact between the raw meat and wood.
How thick should biltong be?
1cm thickness
Don’t cut the slices too thick or they will take too long to dry. Roughly 20cm in length, and 1cm thickness is ideal. Get rid of any gristle/sinew – these bits become extremely tough to chew when dried. Longer strips are more space efficient for drying, and reduce the number of drying hooks you’ll need to use.
How do you dry Droewors?