Biltong Success !

[Nimrod1960]

First batch of DIY biltong, pretty pleased with it. Followed lots of tips from threads on here plus utube.

Roe and Munty



I thought it might be a little wet , but after a couple of days in the vac pack it darkened and was delicious.

 

[HonestJohn]

Nice!

 

[Tedward]

Hi Nimrod,
are you measuring the final product by % weight loss ?
cheers, Tedward.

 

[Nimrod1960]

Hi Nimrod,
are you measuring the final product by % weight loss ?
cheers, Tedward.

Yes , going for 50% min.
The sample shown was just there.
First batch , could not help myself !
Second batch ( forced on me by a freezer problem) I left to just over 50 % reduction) just as good.
Always been a biltong fan since school days when a Rhodesian mate used to bring it over.
Next project Droewors ! Any tips gratefully received.

 

[Tedward]

Thanks for that, I’ve weighed the thickest piece (no thicker than my thumb) and dried to 50% original weight - I accept that any thinner pieces will be dryer. Tastes fine, eats well, but I’m not getting any colour gradation across the slice.
Are your pieces over 2cms thick ?
cheers, Tedward.

 

[VSS]

Yes , going for 50% min.
The sample shown was just there.
First batch , could not help myself !
Second batch ( forced on me by a freezer problem) I left to just over 50 % reduction) just as good.
Always been a biltong fan since school days when a Rhodesian mate used to bring it over.
Next project Droewors ! Any tips gratefully received.

That's quite moist. Does it store OK?
I generally reckon on getting 300g of biltong per kg of meat.
It'll keep 6 months or more without freezing.

 

[Snap-Cap]

love Biltong

 

[takbok]

Next project Droewors ! Any tips gratefully received.

I've got a pretty good recipe if you need

 

[Nimrod1960]

I've got a pretty good recipe if you need

Yes please

 

[Nimrod1960]

That's quite moist. Does it store OK?
I generally reckon on getting 300g of biltong per kg of meat.
It'll keep 6 months or more without freezing.

The shelf life has not been challenged yet ! too dam tasty
Vac packed and in the 0c part of Mrs N’s overly complicated multi section fridge freezer should keep it long enough .

 

[Nimrod1960]

Thanks for that, I’ve weighed the thickest piece (no thicker than my thumb) and dried to 50% original weight - I accept that any thinner pieces will be dryer. Tastes fine, eats well, but I’m not getting any colour gradation across the slice.
Are your pieces over 2cms thick ?
cheers, Tedward.

No not over 2cms
box ran at 30c and humidity averaged about 35%, did not run the fan at all.
The batch in the pic was marinaded over night in red wine vinegar and worcs mixed with some brown sugar so the outer was pretty dark when it went in. I have not got a pic but after a couple of days in the vac pack and fridge the colour was even and the taste and texture sublime.

My research suggested anywhere between 50% and 70% would be ok.

I also slice it thin with a machine before packing and as it is straight out of the box I think this dries it a little more.

I followed the method on utube “Pants Down Aprons On” !

Cheers
Nim

 

[Tedward]

Many thanks Nimrod, - very much appreciated,
Tedward.

 

[VSS]

All this talk of biltong has just tempted me to have a gnaw on a bit that's been lurking at the back of the fridge since October.
Delicious!

 

[Hambone]

Nice that, did you follow any plans for the box or did you wing it?

 

[Stalker_AG]

Busting to try this! Good effort. Ordered myself a box and that's as far as I got.

 

[gelert]

Looks great, the 57 degrees north box also works well.

 

[Nimrod1960]

Nice that, did you follow any plans for the box or did you wing it?

Winged it after a bit of research and finding an old plain pine three drawer chest in the chaos that passes for the man shed.

ebay 12v fan into usb plug , not used yet as humidity generally low.

switch socket with temp probe to 100w bulb , tried 40w and 60w they didnt get air moving or temp to 30c.

Also put a small sterilising uv lamp with timer in to stop any moulds.

Also have a bluetooth temp and humidity recorder in there so I can monitor the levels.

If you take the “value” of the cabinet into account it probably cost more than an ebay ready made box but I enjoy a bit of upcycling and it kept me in the shed and out of the way .

couple more pics

 

[Hambone]

Winged it after a bit of research and finding an old plain pine three drawer chest in the chaos that passes for the man shed.

ebay 12v fan into usb plug , not used yet as humidity generally low.

switch socket with temp probe to 100w bulb , tried 40w and 60w they didnt get air moving or temp to 30c.

Also put a small sterilising uv lamp with timer in to stop any moulds.

Also have a bluetooth temp and humidity recorder in there so I can monitor the levels.

If you take the “value” of the cabinet into account it probably cost more than an ebay ready made box but I enjoy a bit of upcycling and it kept me in the shed and out of the way .

couple more pics

View attachment 359281View attachment 359283View attachment 359288

You have done a good job of that, should last years

 

[trickie]

A grand job, love billing . When I was serving in SA I always had 2 or 3 flavours in the car, bushbuck and kudo were favourite's, light pepper, and some spicy flavour I don’t remember the name of. It was 1993 iirc.