Q&A on jerky

[Kicken Asphalt]

I'm in the process of smoking some jerky. The question is, after I'm done, I'll be vacuum sealing in half pound batches, can u freeze, or u just leave in the frig, or like most gas stations there sitting at room temp.. I know most batches I make get eaten right way. Just wondering? I'll post the finished product when done.

[TasunkaWitko]

short answer - yes, you can freeze vacuum-sealed packages.

longer answer - depending on the "dryness level, what i often do is simply keep the jerky in a jar that has some holes poked in the lid. stored this way, the jerky would last for months (potentially even longer than that), except for the fact that i have 4 kids.

[Richtee]

Depending on moisture... vac'd jerky would be "shelf stable" for quite a while. Freezing is a better idea. That's a guarentee for months easily.

[smokerdean]

Care of Jerky

After many batches of jerky, someone on the forum clued me into spraying with a pottasium sorbate solution and then letting it dry. That keeps mold from forming on the jerky, which I ran into with one batch. It was a ratio of one ounce to 42 ounces of water. I found the PS at a store selling home brewing supplies.

[Kicken Asphalt]

That makes sense, I know when I freeze vegetables in vacuum bags the vegetables get a little soggy when reopened.

[Richtee]

That makes sense, I know when I freeze vegetables in vacuum bags the vegetables get a little soggy when reopened.

They get "soggy"... because the freezing process causes the moisture/water in the cells to rupture the walls.

[Kicken Asphalt]

They get "soggy"... because the freezing process causes the moisture/water in the cells to rupture the walls.

Thanks for the info.

[someAZdude]

After many batches of jerky, someone on the forum clued me into spraying with a pottasium sorbate solution and then letting it dry. That keeps mold from forming on the jerky, which I ran into with one batch. It was a ratio of one ounce to 42 ounces of water. I found the PS at a store selling home brewing supplies.

Interesting. Never heard this before. I like my jerky a little moist so I vac seal it and throw it in the fridge. Lasts for well over a month. Not sure how long cause it is usually all gone before 2 months. If I have excess, I throw it in the freezer then the fridge. No issues. I only got mold one time and it was vac sealed and left in the pantry for about 2-3 weeks I believe. I always use Tenderquick when making jerky. I believe the mold was due to moisture and house temps being around 80*