@Riley-Renwick I made a 50/50 mix of beef and pork about 2 years ago and it was alright, I like it better with just pork though. I’d still consider adding some pork fat to your ground beef. Maybe enough to get it to 25% fat.

@Riley-Renwick There is something creamy about it, I don’t know what ingredient is responsible for that but you’ll find that the same creaminess is in the snack sticks more than the jerky. Enjoy!

@Riley-Renwick I saved the bones from two pheasants I just did with the idea being that I would make a soup out of them. Don’t know if Pheasant noodle soup will be as good as chicken noodle soup but we will see soon!

@Tex_77 I agree, top vent open, lower vent controls air flow. Usually more flow=higher temp. @Riley-Renwick Use the smoker for smoke and use cooker to cook…I’ve always used a water bath, no bag, and I like the look and texture. Doesn’t dry up, stays nice and juicy! Seriously give it a try, anything that holds water can work. We use turkey fryer, some use roasters, or sous vide, you could do it on a stove top with a small pot. Use what you have, don’t try to make the smoker do more than it’s intended use.

I made some sausages using the Lil Smokies seasoning in 26mm clear collagen casings and they came out awesome, great flavor. Put in smaller casings, they should be great party snacks.

@Riley-Renwick I agree with everything @Jonathon has said. My brother also can not have any sort of nitrates as it triggers his epilepsy and his seizures, for years we thought it was the craziest thing but after having numerous testing they ruled foods that are “trigger” foods for him that he can not have. TONS of foods have nitrates that people don’t realize and they try to be healthy and say they don’t want nitrates, but like Jonathon said it’s in healthy foods too lol. So what I do for him is just make a no cure jerky so he can enjoy some sort of jerky, basic ingredients and just smoke for a small amount of time then in the dehydrator. Self life is terrible though so I make small batches for him so it doesn’t spoil