I have made jerky before but it was the ole wooden spoon in the oven door way. I know that works but do you guys use a dehydrator to make it? What kind would you recommend? It seems like the oven way is pretty messy. Also, any tips on seasoning and how thin/think to make it would be helpful. I seen the jerky makers that use burger and you lay out strips after seasoning it. Have you guys used those? Guess I am kinda getting my Christmas list together.

I use Hi Mountain jerky mix, you can get it at Lunkers, basspro, or Cabelas or online. It comes in alot of flavors, my favorite is blackpepper or hikory. Comes in two baggies (one seasoning, one cure) that you mix together by useing the inclosed chart. I make both ground jerky and regular cut strips about 1/4" wide from deer meat in the dehydrator. But you have to have the cure to be safe in the dehydrator as most do not heat up enough to kill the off any bacteria.

i have an american harvest dehydrater and love it. Have used for several years now. I typically go with my own seasoning of worchestershire,soy, brown sugar, liquid smoke, tobasco and crushed red peppers. woooo weeeee

I use Hi Mountain also. I have a jerky gun from Cabelas. I also bought their commercial deyhydrater with my Cabelas points. I put 50 lbs of meat in it not to long ago and didnt fill it up. I like my jerky out of burger. Easier on the teeth and to tear off.