Jerky Help

[FireInTheWire]

I made a half gallon bag of deer jerky last Sunday. Went in the pantry this evening to fill another snack bag of it up. I have mold all over my jerky! WTF! What a waste of meat and time.... What did I do wrong? How do ya'll keep your jerky fresh and dry? I'm pissed....

 

[Bozz10mm]

Add an oxygen absorber to the bag and vacuum seal it. Also, keep it in the fridge.

 

[TxStetson]

Add an oxygen absorber to the bag and vacuum seal it. Also, keep it in the fridge.

Of course you said vacuum seal it.

 

[Bozz10mm]

Of course you said vacuum seal it.

 

[vmax]

I never vacuum seal jerky that I make at home.
Jerky can still have some moisture and heat in it and if you vacuum seal it, you are just sealing that in and asking for mold.
If you want to vacuum seal it, let it set for a long time to cool and off gas before sealing it.

I store mine 1 of 2 ways.
In a paper sack in the pantry or in a plastic or glass jar with a lid that I have poked several pin holes in it.

 

[SloppyShooter]

Wipe the mold off with vinegar and eat it. Without any details on how you made it, can't really say for sure where you went wrong, other than too much moisture is the probable cause.

SMOKE, salt, and PINK SALT are your allies in jerky making. Moist, warm air is a nemisis.

 

[no2gates]

I never vacuum seal jerky that I make at home.
Jerky can still have some moisture and heat in it and if you vacuum seal it, you are just sealing that in and asking for mold.
If you want to vacuum seal it, let it set for a long time to cool and off gas before sealing it.

I store mine 1 of 2 ways.
In a paper sack in the pantry or in a plastic or glass jar with a lid that I have poked several pin holes in it.

I would think that by vacuum sealing it, you're removing the oxygen, and mold shouldn't be able to grow without oxygen.

 

[vmax]

I would think that by vacuum sealing it, you're removing the oxygen, and mold shouldn't be able to grow without oxygen.

You dont get it all
Like Bozz said you can out add O2 scrubbers but I just do it the way it was done for years, before there were vacuum sealers and it works fine

 

[FireInTheWire]

Ok thanks for the tips guys. I'm thinking I went too fast to the bag with the jerky and the bag was sealed trapping all the moister. I'm thinking it needs to breath correct?

 

[bigwheel]

Have ran off a bit of jerky over the years. You figgered out the biggest enemy..aka mold. Mold can be prevented by either shutting off the O2 or reducing the moisture content. As with the earlier good advice. Cool it down slow and let it have plenty of air. Store it for short term use in a brown paper bag. Mid term storage..air tight bag or jar with a paper towel or dessicant pack in it. Both work well. For longer term storage seal it as airtight as is practical and freeze it. Never put it in the frig sealed up in plastic bag..that causes condensation..which leads back to mold. The existing mold can be handled by wiping it off with a vinegar soaked rag...but it comes back pretty quick. Best of fortunes.