Question re dehydrated raw meat

[TylerDurden]

I wanted to ask how much the meat has to be dehydrated for it not to rot? If all the water-content has to go, then the resulting stuff is so dry and tough I have to chew it for ages. I suppose I could add some raw liquid fat on the stuff to moisten it as I think that would not lead to the dried meat aging.

[Satya]

How thick are the slices?  In the past I have had more problem with outside molds forming on the meat that was not sufficiently dry when storing.  I don't think any of it has ever rotted, but it tends to get eaten up within a fortnight.  I slice it pretty thin so that if it does get really dry, it is not too hard on the teeth and jaws.

[ciervo-chaman]

have you tried rehidrating with water first? i have never done that.

[TylerDurden]

have you tried rehidrating with water first? i have never done that.

Hmmm, I am planning on going into the French Alps  to hike there, and there are numerous mountain lakes and streams there. I will experiment here in a few days or so to see if rehydration is quick enough.

[sabertooth]

Ive air dried fatty meats at room temp with just a fan blowing on it and they have been just fine. The fat does seem to keep things tender, but if you try to put it in a container for long term storage the fat will become sour....but if you are only going for a few days, keeping semi dehydrated fatty meat in a small cooler would feed you for short trips.