Pond Boss Magazine
https://www.pondboss.com/images/userfiles/image/20130301193901_6_150by50orangewhyshouldsubscribejpeg.jpg
Advertisment
Newest Members
Shotgun01, Dan H, Stipker, LunkerHunt23, Jeanjules
18,451 Registered Users
Forum Statistics
Forums36
Topics40,902
Posts557,115
Members18,452
Most Online3,612
Jan 10th, 2023
Top Posters
esshup 28,419
ewest 21,475
Cecil Baird1 20,043
Bill Cody 15,112
Who's Online Now
3 members (esshup, Bobbss, teehjaeh57), 728 guests, and 251 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
#414985 06/10/15 06:19 PM
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,712
Likes: 3
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
OP Offline
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,712
Likes: 3
For those who have been around Pond Boss for a while, you may know me as enjoying many kinds of "gourmet" wildlife (including roadkill).

Last night I was given an old, but "new in box" 500 watt dehydrator with five drawers (NESCO FD-60 Snackmaster). The box had been opened, but it appears the plastic bag the dehydrator was in, and the bag with the manuals/warranty, etc., had never been opened. The box had obviously been subjected to some water damage, and had very obviously been invaded by mice and chipmunks/squirrels, etc, based on the acorns, turds, etc.

The box, the bags, and even the paperwork all went into my burn pit. I took the unit totally apart and soaked everything in hot soapy bleach water for a few hours last night, except for the motor and heater. I cleaned them manually with spray bleach and a sponge. The manual was available for download from the factory.

I've currently got 3 lbs. of venison jerky in it. Normally I'd do this in one of my smokers. I'll see how it turns out much later tonight.

The manual has several recipes for dried fish and fish jerky using non-fatty fish, like bluegill, crappie, bass, etc. It does not recommend fattier fish like catfish, trout, salmon, etc.

I'm just wondering if anyone has tried this, and how it has worked out. If so, have you used it for other wildlife snacks?


Thanks,
Ken


Subscribe to Pond Boss Magazine

Peculiar Friends are Better than No Friends at All!
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,080
Likes: 1
Offline
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,080
Likes: 1
Stickem made some fish jerky a while back. He said it turned out very good. Maybe he will see this thread. I don't recall if he used a dehydrator. FWIW I use mine for mushrooms, herbs, etc and use a smoker for meat where I want to add that smoke flavor.


[Linked Image]
Be Brave Enough to Suck at Something New!
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 977
Likes: 1
Offline
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 977
Likes: 1
Originally Posted By: catmandoo
For those who have been around Pond Boss for a while, you may know me as enjoying many kinds of "gourmet" wildlife (including roadkill).

Last night I was given an old, but "new in box" 500 watt dehydrator with five drawers (NESCO FD-60 Snackmaster). The box had been opened, but it appears the plastic bag the dehydrator was in, and the bag with the manuals/warranty, etc., had never been opened. The box had obviously been subjected to some water damage, and had very obviously been invaded by mice and chipmunks/squirrels, etc, based on the acorns, turds, etc.

The box, the bags, and even the paperwork all went into my burn pit. I took the unit totally apart and soaked everything in hot soapy bleach water for a few hours last night, except for the motor and heater. I cleaned them manually with spray bleach and a sponge. The manual was available for download from the factory.

I've currently got 3 lbs. of venison jerky in it. Normally I'd do this in one of my smokers. I'll see how it turns out much later tonight.

The manual has several recipes for dried fish and fish jerky using non-fatty fish, like bluegill, crappie, bass, etc. It does not recommend fattier fish like catfish, trout, salmon, etc.

I'm just wondering if anyone has tried this, and how it has worked out. If so, have you used it for other wildlife snacks?


Thanks,
Ken


Ken,
Yes...you are embarking on a fun endeavor. I will try to smoke or dry just about anything from goose / Pork link sausage to dried fish. A few months back I dried some red fish fillets, cut into strips. I used a dehydrator for the process. IIRC I dried the 1/2" thick fillets somewhere between 16-20 hours. I season the fillets with a creole seasoning after soaking a short period of time in a #2 cure solution. The cure (normally used in smoking sausage) will knock down any bacterial issue, should one arise. Dried fish is a high protein snack. It can be added to any soup or gravy as well...great flavor....and yes stay away from fatty fish. I have a propane fired smoker as well. It can also be used to dry foods without the sawdust medium. I have also dried venison back strap in the oven with the door ajar...best to do that in the winter...
Charlie


...when in doubt...set the hook...
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,712
Likes: 3
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
OP Offline
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,712
Likes: 3
Charlie,

Thanks for the great note.

I don't have any Prague powder, but I've got Morton's TENDER QUICK, which basically includes the #2 cure, plus salt and sugar.

I culled a bunch of medium size bluegills this afternoon, which I filleted and skinned. I got 1 lb., 4 oz., of skin-free and bone-free pieces.

Based on the Morton's instructions, I added 1 tablespoon per per pound -- so, after through rinsing, drying, re-rinsing and a final cleaning, I added 1-1/4 tablespoons of TENDER QUICK. I also added a tablespoon of McCormick's "Condimento de Cayena" (Cajun seasoning, no MSG added). The fish pieces presently bathing in a very slightly wet solution of this mixture.

When I finish this note, I will rinse them one more time and I'll dry them in paper towels. The semi-dried pieces will then get tossed in more of the Cajon Seasoning before I start laying the pieces on the dehydrator shelves.

It is possible I could perish in ecstasy from the recipe.

If you don't hear from me for a few days, contact Lusk, or any of the moderators. They know how to get in touch with my wife.

I just hope the government search engines don't see this, leading to a raid thinking my ecstasy fish are some kind of illegal hallucinogen.

Ken


Subscribe to Pond Boss Magazine

Peculiar Friends are Better than No Friends at All!
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,712
Likes: 3
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
OP Offline
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,712
Likes: 3
I just removed the top tray from the dehydrator.

I don't think anyone could ever guess these "chips" were fish. The top tray was filled with the thin parts cut from outside the rib cages of the bluegill.

I'm going to have a hard time staying away from them.

I did sprinkle each of the trays with some coarse ground pepper before activating the dehydrator.

I can't even begin to describe how good these things taste.

Ken


Subscribe to Pond Boss Magazine

Peculiar Friends are Better than No Friends at All!
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,712
Likes: 3
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
OP Offline
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,712
Likes: 3
I just pulled out the last drying tray of my marinated and spiced bluegill fillets.

The BG fillets are very crispy and toasty. They are a little spicy. They are way too delicious. Bluegill shouldn't be like this.

I thought I may have put a little bit too much fresh-ground pepper on the last rack. But, they are incredible.

There is no way to describe how delicious these BG/HBG crispy fillets are, unless you dry/try some.

These go way beyond the old commercial for "Betcha can't eat just one."

If you don't have a dehydrator or smoker, I think they could be made in a a toaster oven set to its lowest temperature setting, with a regular oven set to the lowest temperature, and either with the oven door partially open.

Fish Breath Ken


Subscribe to Pond Boss Magazine

Peculiar Friends are Better than No Friends at All!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,420
Likes: 794
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
Online Content
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,420
Likes: 794
Ken, convection ovens work great for making jerky. A ball of aluminum foil is easily adjusted to keep the door open the correct distance.


www.hoosierpondpros.com


http://www.pondboss.com/subscribe.asp?c=4
3/4 to 1 1/4 ac pond LMB, SMB, PS, BG, RES, CC, YP, Bardello BG, (RBT & Blue Tilapia - seasonal).
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 99
D
Offline
D
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 99
Wow I never thought of doing dehydrating fish. I will have to try it.
I finally started canning fish a few years ago. My mom canned fish and everything else but always ran us kids off away from the pressure canner. By the time I wanted to try it everyone was passed away. I always worry about food poisoning but after much research tried it and now I am comfortable.

Do you have any idea how long you could store dried fish or just freeze it.
I normally just catch enough bluegill for a mess once or twice a month.
sounds like a really neat idea.
Dale

Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,080
Likes: 1
Offline
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,080
Likes: 1
Hey Ken,

You got enough fish jerky on hand to get through the big snow hitting you this weekend? smile


[Linked Image]
Be Brave Enough to Suck at Something New!

Link Copied to Clipboard
Today's Birthdays
cro, HC1968
Recent Posts
Relative weight charts in Excel ? Calculations?
by esshup - 03/29/24 01:06 AM
pond experience needed
by esshup - 03/29/24 12:45 AM
Alum vs Bentonite/Lathanum for Phosphorus Removal?
by FishinRod - 03/28/24 08:28 PM
New pond middle TN: establishing food chain?
by Bill Cody - 03/28/24 07:57 PM
Happy Birthday Bob Lusk!!
by FireIsHot - 03/28/24 07:33 PM
Working on a .5acre disaster, I mean pond.
by PRCS - 03/28/24 06:39 PM
Fungus infection on fish
by nvcdl - 03/28/24 06:07 PM
Can anyone ID these minnows?
by Dylanfrely - 03/28/24 05:43 PM
1 year after stocking question
by esshup - 03/28/24 04:48 PM
Yellow Perch Spawn 2024
by H20fwler - 03/28/24 04:29 PM
New 2 acre pond stocking plan
by LANGSTER - 03/28/24 03:49 PM
Paper-shell crayfish and Japanese snails
by esshup - 03/28/24 10:39 AM
Newly Uploaded Images
Eagles Over The Pond Yesterday
Eagles Over The Pond Yesterday
by Tbar, December 10
Deer at Theo's 2023
Deer at Theo's 2023
by Theo Gallus, November 13
Minnow identification
Minnow identification
by Mike Troyer, October 6
Sharing the Food
Sharing the Food
by FishinRod, September 9
Nice BGxRES
Nice BGxRES
by Theo Gallus, July 28
Snake Identification
Snake Identification
by Rangersedge, July 12

� 2014 POND BOSS INC. all rights reserved USA and Worldwide

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5