Live in Zam and just made one of these, super easy with the only change being I added a fan. Trust me this box works well. I hung 2 kg of meat and it cured perfectly.
Instead of a bulb you could use a heat mat used for propagating seedlings. Or an electric blanket perhaps. For the mosquito netting you can use plasterers tape which is self adhesive, saving on the glue. Easier and cheaper.
Ok guys just put some fan on your box cause proper airflow is the most important thing. Heat medium (bulb)is there just to lower humidity (you can do it without it, if its not too humid in your area).
I used a tiny desk fan . Made a hole for it on side of the box and screwed the fan onto it with self tapping screws. Took the front guard off the fan. Light needs electricity and fan needs a USB port. I also used a clothes dryer with lots of news papers underneath and a normal 12” fan facing the hanging billies. Took meat down after 3 days. Just tooo lekker.hey. Now meat is so expensive can’t afford ANY on pension let alone for billies. BUT I can say I enjoyed it while I could. Builders Wharehouse guy sounds like he comes from NZ or KZN. 60 WATT BULB. OLD STYLE THAT HEATS UP.
Yeah, I live in Vegas, definitely dry enough here. As for the fan, I got an adjustable one and think I’ll do my first batch at less than 100CFM and see how long it takes to get to 50% weight…
My friend, it's almost impossible to get 40W incad. bulbs now - I've tried as I wanted a couple to help seedlings along on cold winter nights. A cheap little fan outside the biltong box, blowing into it works well enough especially if a dehumidifier in the room is turned on at night. A 60W bulb (which is available) behind the fan may help speed the process, but lights attract insects of all sizes at night, some even well able to pass through mosquito netting. Cheers, Col, NZ
A qualified electrician… sir you question my intelligence and my commitment to safety. Wiring things without any kind of training makes DIY projects even more fun.
I put 2 holes on the one end near the bottom and the fan on top on the other side to allow the air to be drawn through the biltong. However, mine did not work so well. I think putting a lightbulb near the bottom is may be sufficient to heat up the air and the hot air will rise and escape on top outlets. If you put a fan, maybe it will draw the hot air out to fast and suck the humid air in which will cause mold.
I would love a drying biltong box I live in the USA and do not have all the tools to make a box And America the electricity have diff voltage. I miss biltong the most ever.
Go have a look at "how to make a biltong maker" on "Ben Kruger" Channel that is the proper way. Biltong is traditionally air dried with no heat factor. I think his method might suit your needs better than this example
Second this. Just need a bit of air flow and rest takes care of itself. The light thing is probably just old tales with men saying hey I do this way. I can bet you go to any commercial operation in SA and they have 0 lightbulbs. But they will have humidity and temp regulators. In the US you got super cheap meat at Costco. Make a box from the Kruger thing and just use darn paper clips sterilised with boiling water. His biltong-anator is bloody nice. Even works with high humidity like where I am. And in dry winter. Times vary but never had mould issue etc.
I think an extraction fan is more important that a lamp. I bought a biltong box online and it only had a lamp. I ended up with mold and had to throw it away. I live in Colorado where it is generally low humidity (right now it is high IMO at 65%). I am building a couple of boxes with only extractor fans. I used to just hang it in my garage on a clothes dryer with a 24" fan blowing on it and that worked fine,
These biltong boxes do not work in the high humidity areas of the world. Here in deep south Texas our humidity is in the high 90%'s almost year round so doing biltong requires more planning and effort. I do mine in a frame with screen material, a fan to provide adequate airflow in an air conditioned room, and a daily spray of vinegar to kill or prevent mold. The air conditioning will dry out the air enough which is required to make biltong. The best location for making biltong is in my server room at work as the humidity there is in the 50% range, with excellent airflow! I have 40lbs of eye of round cut biltong currently drying, 4 more days to go before the current batch will be ready...
Howzit, so if you put the container in the video indoors with AC, it will work? I'm assuming you mean it won't work if outdoor because of humidity? I am in Florida and am about to give this a try.
@@hcorp560 In any region where daily humidity is high (say 70-80C+) mold id going to be a problem, and the meat might even go off. The most important way to combat this is to reduce humidity in the box/container, 1) by introducing very good air flow (ie use a fan all through the drying process), and 2) heating up the box slightly (eg putting in an incandescent light fitting.), where humidity is very high (90C+). With AC it might work better, but only if the AC has a dehumidifier function, and you use a fan. A fan is a MUST!
Good idea. Needs some improvements though. I would use a fan, instead of a bulb. A bulb does work, but is not a necessity. I live in a coastal town and I would only use the fan in the "store bought" biltong dryers. And no, you dont need an electrician to do basic connections lol
@@Boomslang1 hello. I use coriander, black pepper and sea salt in equal parts. Mix all 3 and cover your meat in them. I prefer buying whole pepper and whole coriander then grinding them just before use as they retain their flavours. Also grind the salt but not too fine.
Seen a similar set up. Instead of a lamp, he installed an washroom evacuation fan. Had the fan running 24 hours a day and it cured the meat perfectly in about 3 days. His reasoning was that a light will cure the meat unevenly, but the fan pulling the air through evenly was a better option. Beats me, but his biltong was incredible 👌
Even normal fan can do the job - to perfection, not even with the box , ( with strong fan no fly sit on the bolting , I see it in butchery in Africa ) also maybe three days ,depended how dry need to be .
I’ve got no lightbulb but I put a computer fan at one end of the box and holes at the other end and I can cure biltong in about a week (in UK winter weather) with no extra heater at all. Also I used a pair of tights over the holes rather than mosquito netting. It works just as well and they were free (just don’t tell the wife).
Please stop promoting these insipid clear plastic Billy Bob style contraptions.. This backyard insult to biltong has zero control over the ambient air temperature with a stupid light bulb and mickey mouse computer fans. An element with a conventional thermostat is not viable .as the lower temperature range of 25-35
I can't believe the man kept a straight face when telling people to get a electrician for a plug.😂
Thank you for the video tho.
Lol and didn’t show the part where the licensed electrician came to do the 1 minute job
Yes, because a qualified electrician wants to add electricity to a meltable plastic box and have that on his insurance……
Just made one of these ! Now I'm really struggling to get hold of a 40w incandescent bulb , is there a suitable alternative ?
Um where do you get those old incandescent light bulb? cos most of them aren't in the market anymore?
I can't wait to make my own biltong dryer! thank you very much!
Surely that requires a lot of electricity? Just asking because the UK is scandalous atm
Live in Zam and just made one of these, super easy with the only change being I added a fan. Trust me this box works well. I hung 2 kg of meat and it cured perfectly.
I used a bathroom extractor fan on the lid... and it works like a charm... 2kg droëwors is ready within 3 days;,some pieces even after 2 days.
I used a bathroom extractor fan on the lid... and it works like a charm... 2kg droëwors is ready within 3 days;,some pieces even after 2 days.
How long did it take to dry?
Did you manage to get all the materials from builders
Thanks for the video and explaining things so well. I'm very much looking forward to my first Biltong batch. I have some ideas of my own for the rub.
Do you sell the already prepared container
Sadly could not source incandescent light bulbs!! Any alternative??
Hi! We just found your channel. We're liking what we see! QUESTION: Can this billing box be used for drying meats, say, for pemmican? Thanks!
Instead of a bulb you could use a heat mat used for propagating seedlings. Or an electric blanket perhaps.
For the mosquito netting you can use plasterers tape which is self adhesive, saving on the glue. Easier and cheaper.
Ok guys just put some fan on your box cause proper airflow is the most important thing. Heat medium (bulb)is there just to lower humidity (you can do it without it, if its not too humid in your area).
I have a fan on my box, but the biltong dries too fast an results in case hardening
I used a tiny desk fan . Made a hole for it on side of the box and screwed the fan onto it with self tapping screws. Took the front guard off the fan. Light needs electricity and fan needs a USB port. I also used a clothes dryer with lots of news papers underneath and a normal 12” fan facing the hanging billies. Took meat down after 3 days. Just tooo lekker.hey. Now meat is so expensive can’t afford ANY on pension let alone for billies. BUT I can say I enjoyed it while I could. Builders Wharehouse guy sounds like he comes from NZ or KZN. 60 WATT BULB. OLD STYLE THAT HEATS UP.
Just to clarify I used a CLOTHES HORSE to hang my Bolton’s on - not A CLOTHES DRYER as in a drying machine for clothes. Sorry for any confusion.
Yeah, I live in Vegas, definitely dry enough here. As for the fan, I got an adjustable one and think I’ll do my first batch at less than 100CFM and see how long it takes to get to 50% weight…
What if the light is at the top of the box on top of where the meat hangs and the air flow vents are at the bottom? Could someone help pls
My friend, it's almost impossible to get 40W incad. bulbs now - I've tried as I wanted a couple to help seedlings along on cold winter nights. A cheap little fan outside the biltong box, blowing into it works well enough especially if a dehumidifier in the room is turned on at night. A 60W bulb (which is available) behind the fan may help speed the process, but lights attract insects of all sizes at night, some even well able to pass through mosquito netting. Cheers, Col, NZ
You can find them they are sold as appliance bulb in most places now
thank you.looking forward to making tuna biltong
That is not biltong, my friend, we call dried fish bokkems in South Africa.
@@bliksemdonder5624 something ive learnt
You're honestly gonna get sick
@@rjforshort4415 get sick? from
I'm living in Indonesia where it is very humid, will I need to do anything different to my biltong box?
I'm in Trinidad, and I have the same question.
@@paulvr3158 I'm going to assemble my biltong box tomorrow. ill let you know when its ready if it worked
A bulb and a fan should work. Fan should blow out of the box, not into the box
@@nielrossouw7831 I've got two fans. one sucking in and one blowing out
@@fenotype
That should work, just make sure there is decent filter or screen where the fans are.
A qualified electrician… sir you question my intelligence and my commitment to safety. Wiring things without any kind of training makes DIY projects even more fun.
Do you still need a lamp if it's kept inside your house at room temperature?
the lamps dries the air and speeds up the process allot
Nice work there Dave!
I use my garage......in cool weather..........nothing fancy.........
Does the bin have to be clear. I have a lot of extra bins but none are clear.
The bin does not have to be clear - a clear bin just allows one to see inside and I like that.
where do you put the fan?
I put 2 holes on the one end near the bottom and the fan on top on the other side to allow the air to be drawn through the biltong. However, mine did not work so well. I think putting a lightbulb near the bottom is may be sufficient to heat up the air and the hot air will rise and escape on top outlets. If you put a fan, maybe it will draw the hot air out to fast and suck the humid air in which will cause mold.
Going to builders now
I would love a drying biltong box
I live in the USA and do not have all the tools to make a box
And America the electricity have diff voltage. I miss biltong the most ever.
Go have a look at "how to make a biltong maker" on "Ben Kruger" Channel that is the proper way. Biltong is traditionally air dried with no heat factor. I think his method might suit your needs better than this example
Second this. Just need a bit of air flow and rest takes care of itself. The light thing is probably just old tales with men saying hey I do this way. I can bet you go to any commercial operation in SA and they have 0 lightbulbs. But they will have humidity and temp regulators. In the US you got super cheap meat at Costco. Make a box from the Kruger thing and just use darn paper clips sterilised with boiling water. His biltong-anator is bloody nice. Even works with high humidity like where I am. And in dry winter. Times vary but never had mould issue etc.
Nice box not a fan?
I think an extraction fan is more important that a lamp. I bought a biltong box online and it only had a lamp. I ended up with mold and had to throw it away. I live in Colorado where it is generally low humidity (right now it is high IMO at 65%). I am building a couple of boxes with only extractor fans. I used to just hang it in my garage on a clothes dryer with a 24" fan blowing on it and that worked fine,
These biltong boxes do not work in the high humidity areas of the world. Here in deep south Texas our humidity is in the high 90%'s almost year round so doing biltong requires more planning and effort. I do mine in a frame with screen material, a fan to provide adequate airflow in an air conditioned room, and a daily spray of vinegar to kill or prevent mold. The air conditioning will dry out the air enough which is required to make biltong.
The best location for making biltong is in my server room at work as the humidity there is in the 50% range, with excellent airflow!
I have 40lbs of eye of round cut biltong currently drying, 4 more days to go before the current batch will be ready...
Howzit, so if you put the container in the video indoors with AC, it will work? I'm assuming you mean it won't work if outdoor because of humidity? I am in Florida and am about to give this a try.
@@hcorp560 In any region where daily humidity is high (say 70-80C+) mold id going to be a problem, and the meat might even go off. The most important way to combat this is to reduce humidity in the box/container, 1) by introducing very good air flow (ie use a fan all through the drying process), and 2) heating up the box slightly (eg putting in an incandescent light fitting.), where humidity is very high (90C+). With AC it might work better, but only if the AC has a dehumidifier function, and you use a fan. A fan is a MUST!
No 40w incandescent B22 bulbs at Builders Warehouse. Only 60w which is too hot.
Can I use a fan and a globe?
i just use a fan...
Where does the fan go ? Does it pull air or push air though the box
@@delroyarnolds1186 better to push out... pulling in will bring dust
Good idea. Needs some improvements though. I would use a fan, instead of a bulb. A bulb does work, but is not a necessity. I live in a coastal town and I would only use the fan in the "store bought" biltong dryers. And no, you dont need an electrician to do basic connections lol
Thanks. Does the fan need to pull air out of the container or blow air into the container? Just checking direction of airflow
@@mrpeery1 direction out of the container, with holes at the bottom of the sides
Do you sell them?
U sell these boxes are they compliant to the America voltage
And if so what is the price.
I live in London, so I presume I'll need a lamp, esspecially durin winter. How long will it take to dry?
Anywhere from 4 to 7 days, depending on how humid your place is and how tooth-breaking you want your biltong to be.
@@rey_nemaattori perfect, thank you :)
Not really. I live on the Isle of Wight and I've been making biltong throughout the winter with just the fan attached.
@@andytendai Andrew what spices do you use to marinate? I live in London and am fed up of getting overcharged for biltong, wanna make my own now
@@Boomslang1 hello. I use coriander, black pepper and sea salt in equal parts. Mix all 3 and cover your meat in them. I prefer buying whole pepper and whole coriander then grinding them just before use as they retain their flavours. Also grind the salt but not too fine.
Seen a similar set up. Instead of a lamp, he installed an washroom evacuation fan. Had the fan running 24 hours a day and it cured the meat perfectly in about 3 days. His reasoning was that a light will cure the meat unevenly, but the fan pulling the air through evenly was a better option.
Beats me, but his biltong was incredible 👌
I
Even normal fan can do the job - to perfection, not even with the box , ( with strong fan no fly sit on the bolting , I see it in butchery in Africa ) also maybe three days ,depended how dry need to be .
I’ve got no lightbulb but I put a computer fan at one end of the box and holes at the other end and I can cure biltong in about a week (in UK winter weather) with no extra heater at all.
Also I used a pair of tights over the holes rather than mosquito netting. It works just as well and they were free (just don’t tell the wife).
STARSAN is a great food grade disinfectant!
Lol so is vinegar
That mosquito net almost looks like bubble wrap. I'vee never seen anything like it. I'll need to use some fabric with a loose weave, I think.
Or just buy fly mesh from Amazon.
Or cut up some pantyhose
The service at builders klerkdorp is appalling
Too bad these lightbulbs aren’t for sale anymore here in Norway…
So difficult to find them anywhere. No one seems to be able to suggest an alternative
i think a fan works better than a bulb, but hey whatever works.
Ek soek nou biltong😢
i made one using an old laptop fan no bulb lol XD
How is it coming along?
@@Boomslang1 great to vinegary though lol
added too much
@@BiggerDreamer lol, at least you're the wiser for it😄😄😄
Please stop promoting these insipid clear plastic Billy Bob style contraptions..
This backyard insult to biltong has zero control over the ambient air temperature with a stupid light bulb and mickey mouse computer fans.
An element with a conventional thermostat is not viable .as the lower temperature range of 25-35
Attention Builders Warehouse .
A PUd