How to Dry Meat Over a Fire

Many people choose to dry meat by leaving it out in the sun for an extended period of time, but it is much easier to dry it over a fire. The benefit of doing it this way is it would drastically cut down on the time it takes to dry it out and you can enjoy your meat a lot sooner.

How to Dry Meat Over a Fire

1. Use a shovel to dig a hole in the ground.




2. Build a fire in the hole using hard wood and coal. Avoid using soft wood, such as pine, because it has a tendency to taint the meat.




3. Allow the fire to burn down to hot coals.




4. Hang the meat between two stakes approximately two feet above the hot coals. The air should feel hot to your hand, but it should not burn. You are not trying to cook the meat.




5. Add some damp hardwood chips to the hot coals to create smoke. This will put a protective coating on the meat.




6. Periodically bend the meat to test for dryness. It is ready when it cracks or snaps when bent.