Dehydrator Jerky- help!

[XLR8R]

Some of my cuts are thicker than others.
Does it matter if I place them on the top or bottom trays?

[L20A]

What are you using to dry them? I have a Nesco dehydrator & I find that location within the unit doesn't make much difference. I will usually have some pieces that are finished before others and I remove those and put the others back until done.

[XLR8R]

I'm also using a Nesco. Thanks for your reply.

[curious aardvark]

usually with the flying saucer dehydrators you have to rotate the trays - so logically put the thickest pieces on the bottom which should be warmest :-)

Although its probably easiest just to check after about 6 hours and remove anything done ane elave rest in for another hour - and so on till it's all either done or eaten :-) (well you do have to sample to check it's done _ I 'lose' a lot of jerky at the testing phase )

[dsgarner06]

I agree with what L20A said. Basically the thicker slices will take longer, but it really shouldn't make too much difference where there are located in the dehydrator. I try to get my slices as close to the same thickness as possible for consistency and so they all come out at the same time. If there are a few that are thicker than others, I simply leave them in for a longer period. I used to use a Showtime (ie Popeil) Dyhydrator and found that it really didn't matter where the slices resided in the unit, but I found that I get much better results by simply using my oven. I do plan on making some jerky in my YS640 this year to see how that works out... Homemade jerky rocks!

[L20A]

usually with the flying saucer dehydrators you have to rotate the trays - so logically put the thickest pieces on the bottom which should be warmest :-)

Although its probably easiest just to check after about 6 hours and remove anything done ane elave rest in for another hour - and so on till it's all either done or eaten :-) (well you do have to sample to check it's done _ I 'lose' a lot of jerky at the testing phase )

If his Nesco is like mine the heat comes from the top not the bottom but I still find that it doesn't make much difference where you put the thicker pieces. Just pull off the ones that get done first.

[XLR8R]

Great comments all. Thank you.

I ended up putting the thicker pieces on the bottom, cause I know they will take longer. Yes, the heat source comes from the top. I only cut them thicker because I wasn't paying close enough attention at first. I like the idea of rotating the trays a bit too.