I have a friend who makes home made dog food and treats. She has a growing cottage business serving the area around New Bern NC. She wants to make Jerkey for dog treats. I am sure I saw a source or plans for a good sized unit to turn out a good sized batch of jerkey. She would consider a comercial made machine as well. I don't think the system she needs would come from Walmart and work on a 60Watt light bulb. Any one have any info for me to pass on to her. She is light on cash as she also runs a Hound Rescue and the 11 dogs she is nursing and careing for take a lot of Vet $$$. Thanks in advance. JBMauser.Back to top

The best idea I ever saw for a solar dehydrator was to use and old station wagon and put the food on cookie sheets inside it. However I think that some sort of heat would be a little more practical than just solar. Here are some other links for ya:

http://www.rmsg.us/cook/canning.htm

all sorts of stuff, the drying part is halfway down the page.

JBMauser what kind of meat is she planning to use and how big are the batches she plans on cooking at one time. I may be able to help.
bobw

After marinating the meat place it on aluminum foil in the oven, turn the temp to about 125 degrees or as low as the oven will stay on, and crack the oven door to the first opening. Dry about 6 hours or over night.

She should turn the 11 dogs into jerky and spend the money saved on a good drier. You cant build a good bussiness by paying someone else's vet bills.
Get smart or get poor.

if you plan to dehydrate large amounts of meat, if it were me i would make one out of an old stand up freezer that you can get for free (one that has been used to death)or a scrap yard my charge a few bucks for one.you could use a number of things to generate heat,a hot plate,light bulbs,eletric heater etc. you want the temp around 120-f.cut holes top and bottom with dampers to control the heat add as many racks as you need.and dont forget to rotate the racks to ensure even drying.i made a smoker out of one and it works just as good as one you would pay a good buck for.