The Bulk

One last batch and this blog is wrapped up. I thought I might go big so I used the following recipe:

- 2kg of Topside Roast (Carved into 1-2cm slices

- Quarter cup of Coriander Seeds (Roasted in shallow pan)

- Teaspoon of Cayenne Pepper

- Rock Salt

- 2 Tablespoons of Brown Sugar

- Half cup of Apple Cider Vinegar x 2

The New Batch

Same recipe, less salt: Result Below (Perfect!!)

Making of Biltong

Recipe:
- Topside Beef (1.2kg)
- Coriander Seeds
- Coarse Pepper
- Rock Salt
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Water
- Twine

Process:
1) Bought about 1.2kg of topside steak
2) Cut into 1cm thick strips
3) Mixed rock salt, brown sugar, pepper and coriander together with a dose of Apple Cider Vinegar
4) Marinated in the fridge (raised level) for one day
5) Took meat out of fridge dipped in 1/2 Apple Cider Vineger, 1/2 Water solution to drain off excess salt.
6) Made a small incision into the top of the meat and threaded the twine through
7) Hung the meat up on the box and left, turned the light on and left for 4 days.
8) Result = Too Salty

9) Next batch is already in, less salt this time

On the finish line

This is probably the second last step of making the box itself. I unclamped the sides of the box and put it all back together. I then slotted in the ventilation shelf and turned the light on.

All that is left now is nailing the insect mesh to the ventilation holes.

The Ventilation Shelf/Holes

Materials/Resources

- Power Drill

- 22 Drill Bit (Wide)

- Piece of Plywood (cut it to 486x474)

- Lining to hold Plywood (12mm wide)

- Insect Mesh

- PVA Glue

- Clamps

Here is to the last part of the box and this is the ventilation. Most blogs about building biltong boxes state that this is the most important part as you don't want the beef growing mould and bacteria.

1) I started by cutting the lining to 488 and then marking the sides of the plywood to glue down the lining (Clamped with glue). This was done for both sides

2) Next were the ventilation holes. Without measuring I drilled 3 holes towards the based of each side of the box. I always start by using a small drill bit to go through the hole and then using the main drill piece to drill half way in, flip it over and then drill right the way through. This will prevent wood splitting.

While I have everything in pieces I also made holes in the ventilation shelf as well.

After the glue is dry I guess all I have to do is put the insect mesh on the ventilation holes and then test the light. My only concern is that the light is not strong enough, if this is the case I will either place a light with stronger wattage in the socket or install another lamp socket

Attaching the light

Materials/Resources

Festoon lamp holder
Bayonet 60w Globe
AC power cord

Process:

1. First of all I grabbed an old AC cord I had lying around, chopped of the end adaptor which left 2 wires


2. I connected these wires to the festoon lamp socket I bought from a local hardware store


3. I then drilled the socket to the base of the box


4. Plugged the cord into the wall and we have light!!

JUST THE VENTILATION SHELF TO GO!!

Just the shelf to go

Rod inserts: Biltong Hangers

Materials/Resources:
5 x 8mm Dowels
Power Drill
8mm Drill Bit

Process (Photos will be posted to illustrate below)

1. Measure from back 80mm x 5 (to achieve distant apart). This is to be done on both sides:
2. On one side I drilled right through so the rods has some stability
3. The other side I drilled half way through so there was room to screw the dowel in.
4. Hacksawed the overhanging dowel

Nearly there

So as mentioned the box has been built.
Back + 2 Sides: 700x500x12
Top and Bottom: 524x512
Door: 700x524

All I did was measure accurately along the sides of the box and screwed it together. The door was quite heavy so I bought a brass hinge and attached it that way

BASIC BOX DONE:Box without door, Box with hinged door (and knob)

The Basic Box Has Been Built

I had the man at Bunnings cut the 2400x1200x12 MDF into the following pieces:
2- 524x512 (Should of cut to 524x500 - you will see why)
3- 700x500
1- 700x524

Next is buying a drill and some screws, the box should still work but as you can see I should have cut the top and bottom a little better. I decided to change the thickness of the MDF on the spot which through my measurements out a bit!!

The Start

The start is near:

Creating a Biltong Box out of some simple materials (From Bunnings). This is what I will start with anyway:

Supplies Needed
- MDF 2400x1200x9
- 9m Dowels
- 3mm Ply (For middle vent)
- Light 60watt (Rod light)- Not sure if it will generate the same heat as a globe
- DIY Exhaust Fan

Hardware Needed:
- Power Drill
- Sand Paper
- Screws
- Circular Saw
- Saw Horse