When searching for good jerky guns, the choice is endless. It’s a tough task to choose which jerky gun is going to do the best job and which will be the perfect fit for your kitchen.
When craving those chewy and savory dried salted lean meat strips marinated with the seasoning of your choice (I prefer dry rub, by the way) then smoked or dehydrated to perfection, beef jerky is the only solution. If only you could make a bunch of it at home!
Even more, how can you recreate that perfectly even and gorgeous looking beef jerky which is sold at the store? Well, to start with, you’re going to need your very own jerky gun.
You’ve probably seen tons of Jerky gun brands in the market offering a wide variety of product benefits. Choosing the best one for your kitchen already seems a cumbersome task.
But being the determined person that I am, I faced the challenge and did research to test some of the most popular beef jerky gun kits and find out for myself which jerky guns are worth bringing home.
So you don’t have to do the same amount of work that I did, I’ve narrowed down the list of the best jerky guns in order to help other beef jerky fans out there finally decide on the perfect beef jerky gun kit to add to their kitchens.
What is a Jerky Gun?
The jerky gun is a kitchen tool which is used to turn raw ground meat into uniformly-sized thin strips or round sticks. It’s similar to a caulking gun, with a tube or cartridge which can be filled with lean ground beef or any other lean ground meat depending on your preference.
Most jerky guns are made with either hard plastic or metal parts, including a trigger that manually pushes the plunger to let out the meat.
But aside from the manually-operated ground beef jerky gun, I also came across an electric jerky gun sold with a battery and adapter. However, according to one user, the battery and adapter tended to overheat to dangerous levels, so keep this drawback in mind when choosing the right one for you.
A jerky gun makes it easier to prepare jerky, a snack where the ground meat is processed with the aim of preserving meat to prevent spoilage even without refrigeration.
Know How to Use A Jerky Gun? Let us Show You
Typically, a jerky gun comes with several parts that have to be assembled, cleaned and maintained if you’re looking to use it for a long time and make beef jerky snacks well into the future.
The barrel, usually made of hard plastic or metal, is where the seasoned lean meat is loaded. It’s sometimes made of clear plastic, so you can actually see the contents.
To fill the barrel with meat, a stuffing tube also known as a stomper is helpful because it pushes the meat towards the extrusion end of the tube, ensuring that air pockets are eliminated within the tube, so the meat will be expelled in a firm and solid form with the help of a trigger or handle.
When the meat has been fully loaded into the barrel, you can now select the type of nozzle depending on the shape of the jerky that you like. The most common inclusions are the flat tip and the snack stick nozzles, but other jerky guns may also include the double jerky nozzle, double snack stick nozzle and sausage nozzle.
Et voila!
Lay the extracted lean meat onto your food dehydrator tray. You can also use a plastic mesh screen to ensure that your jerky strips will dry out evenly.
I know what you’re thinking: I have to clean it every time, right? This is a major concern for those of us who want to enjoy the tasty snack but don’t want to deal with the challenge of disassembling and cleaning after every use.
Well, fret not, because it was from this exact mindset that I conducted my search for the best Jerky guns on the market. Sit tight for more information as I go over the brands that I would personally recommend based on important factors such as these.
Top Products
* The Judge Beef Jerky Gun
I want to start with one of the most exceptional jerky guns I’ve come across. This Beef Jerky Gun, which was manufactured by the JerkySpot, is not called The Judge for no reason. This 2.7lb capacity pistol has an aluminum barrel made out of sturdy and corrosion-resistant material.
It has a pistol grip that is solid to the feel, which makes it easy to shoot those lean meats perfectly out of its stainless-steel nozzles. I highly recommend this item, not only because of the brand, but because of its high-end quality leaving you feeling like an expert with every batch of beef jerky you make.
Another concern that we have in our household is the amount of jerky that we make. We usually make big batches then store them in the fridge, so the kids and guests can snack on these goodies anytime.
Unlike the other jerky maker guns I’ve tried, the Judge (with its 2.7 lb. capacity) can easily prepare big batches of jerky snacks with no risk of malfunctioning in the middle of a trigger pull.
It saves you time and effort since there’s no need to refill. This kit includes two barrels so you can fill both up and keep one in the fridge while you’re working on the other, saving you the hassle of getting your hands dirty in between refills.
When it comes to clean-up, it’s an absolute breeze because of the long cleaning brush. You can be sure there won’t be a morsel of raw meat left inside the barrels. This again saves you time and energy along with the assurance that no contamination will happen during storage.
Another reason I like this brand is their money-back guarantee. Confident that their jerky maker gun will provide quality performance, JerkySpot leaves it up to the customers to decide if they are happy with the product. If they have any problems at all, they can send the item back and ask for a complete refund.
But, just like any other brand, it has pros and cons which may depend on the users’ needs.
Pros:
- Easy-to-clean barrels
- Two barrels mean more meat capacity
- Made with durable materials
- Parts are easy to assemble
- Money-back guarantee
Cons:
- After a while the aluminum barrel has the tendency to slip
Some might be thinking, why purchase a beef jerky gun kit when you can lay the ground beef flat on a tray and put it in the dehydrator or oven?
Yes, you have the option to do that, but using a ground beef jerky gun gives you the convenience to do more in one sitting. The time that you will save in terms of preparation, sanitation and clean-up is worth it.
* Presto Jerky 08632 Gun and Seasoning
For those who are new in the art of beef jerky making, this Presto Jerky Gun might seem custom-made for you, especially if you are the type who is not only concerned about the product performance, but also its look.
For starters, what you’ll notice about this jerky gun is how it looks with its clear chamber/barrel and stainless rod.
Users can easily fill up its wide barrel with up to 1 lb. of ground meat and see what is actually happening inside and if their meat has been compacted enough. The combination of clear and black colors makes this an attractive addition to your kitchen tools collection.
The Presto Jerky Gun is promising in its own right.
Aside from the aesthetics, the parts are easy to assemble, and the materials used are dishwasher-safe. You may need to use dishwashing liquid twice on its clear plastic chamber before storing the jerky gun in your kitchen cupboard to prevent molds from building up, though.
Another wonderful thing about this jerky gun is that it has 3 nozzles to choose from. You can prepare 3 varieties in a single setting by changing the nozzles. The wide strip is considered the best cut for beef jerky.
It even saves you from concocting your own marinade because it also comes with 5 packets of classic jerky seasonings. It’s a great gift idea for those who’ve just started crafting their first ever beef jerky.
Pros:
- Easy-to-load wide plastic chamber
- Includes 3 interchangeable nozzles
- Comes with 5 packets of seasonings
- Sleek and classy appearance
Cons:
- Not as heavy-duty compared to other jerky guns
- Washing the chamber may be a bit of a challenge
* Smokehouse Products Capacity Jerky Gun
This all-metal jerky gun mechanism is made of corrosion-resistant metal that will last, which means more jerky snacks for the whole family for generations to come.
Using this ground beef jerky gun to prepare jerky snacks is so easy, partially because its large-capacity tube holds up to 1lb. of ground meat, making it one of the largest in the industry. Handling is not an issue, either, because of its durable and lightweight aluminum handle. Just press your way to that flawless strip!
From filling up to pulling the trigger and letting out that gorgeous ground lean meat from your choice of nozzle until the cleanup afterwards, this brand is one of the most promising.
Durability-wise, it can withstand wear and tear even after multiple use thanks to the thick metal steel used, but perhaps the most important part is they didn’t forget one thing most homemakers are concerned about: the Capacity Jerky gun is easy to assemble and disassemble.
It doesn’t end there either, as this jerky maker gun’s round stainless tip can also be used to stuff 19mm sausage casings, so you can also make pepperoni snack sticks depending on what you and your family are craving.
Pros:
- Durable material, corrosion-resistant
- Can load up to 1lb. ground meat
- 2 Nozzle tips available
- Lightweight and easy-to-handle
Cons:
- Barrel is a bit challenging to clean
With all the latest gadgets being invented, a good old tool is still the best, especially if you’re thinking of long-term use. If you intend on passing the tradition of making jerky to the next generation, you really have to invest in a quality beef jerky gun kit.
Knowing what you want and understanding your needs will allow you to make a sound decision. Here’s the last product that is included in my Best Jerk Gun list to help you decide what to purchase.
* Oster Beef Jerky Gun
The last product we’re reviewing comes from a leading American manufacturer known for their blenders and juicers, ovens and toasters, kitchen appliances and a host of other kitchen tools.
This beef jerky gun kit has a clear plastic barrel that can hold a great deal of meat, while the other parts of the gun are pure white in color, giving it a clean and sanitized look.
According to most of the users who also tried the product, the Oster Beef Jerky White looks great with its sleek design and color, plus it’s one of the most affordable among jerky guns. In terms of product performance, it does its job!
When I used it for the first time, I was impressed by the amount of meat that you can pack into its spacious barrel. You may need to add more pressure when pressing the trigger in order to extrude the ground meat out the flat nozzle.
It’s quite good if you just want to make occasional beef jerky snacks, as I am not sure if it can handle the pressure of wear and tear. But then again, it costs less compared to its other counterparts.
Pros:
- Affordably low priced
- Great for one-time or occasional use
- Elegant looking
- Huge capacity barrel
Cons:
- Materials used are not very durable
- May break easily
- Only one available nozzle
Conclusion
The search for the perfect beef jerky gun kit depends on how you plan to use it. If you’ve just learned that some people are doing it at home and you just want to give it a try as an activity with the kids, you at least have the option to purchase the more affordable brands.
On the other hand, if you and your family are looking to make home-made beef jerky snacks and will be keeping it as a tradition, there are available brands that are durable and long-lasting, not to mention that some even come with replaceable parts that you can choose from.
Keep in mind that these beef jerky gun kits have their pros and cons that you can weigh out based on how you think the product will best serve you. Product reviews such as this are essential in helping out parents like me in making the right decision.
Whether it’s based on durability, product features, benefits, overall look or ease of use, being able to hear the opinion of people who’ve tried the product will surely aid you in making that crucial decision.
If you’re someone who enjoys snacking on savory meat, beef jerky in particular, pick out the best jerky gun and get ready to make some of your own!
