Best Jerky Cannons – Unbiased Jerky Gun Reviews
Everyone loves jerky, that’s just a fact. The only problem is that store bought jerky is far too often a cheap and insufficient substitute for the real thing. The quality control for commercially produced beef jerky just isn’t what it used to be. That’s why more and more people have embraced making their own jerky at home.
Although popular and filled with nutritious amounts of protein, traditional store bought jerky is typically made using tough cuts of meat. However, by making your own low-fat jerky at home, you have the chance to make the common snack using a variety of ground meats, ensuring your jerky is delicious and completely unique. You’ll also have more control over the sodium contents, allowing you to make your jerky a little more healthy.
There are a number of jerky cannons on the market, which are affordable and easy to use. So keep your eyes glued to this article, because we will reveal everything that you need to know for getting the perfect jerky gun.
Jerky Cannon Basics
Jerky cannons look and function similar to conventional caulking guns. However, instead of adhesives or caulk, these cannons are filled with meat! After filling the gun with your favourite jerky mix, simply squeeze the trigger to expel the meat in flat strips or tubes. Then process the recipe for the recommended length of time in an oven or in a countertop dehydrator to dry the jerky properly. Store your jerky in a cool, dry place (which could include a refrigerator or freezer). In the end jerky cannons are an investment, one that pays back in multifold.
Jerky Cannon Characteristics
Jerky cannons have a central cylinder that holds the meat. The sturdy plastic material used to manufacture some cylinders is clear to enable you to see the contents inside. That way, you can ensure that you pack the meat fully to prevent air bubbles. Slightly more expensive units are made using anodized aluminum, which typically stands up better to the pressure exerted on the cannon after many uses. While plastic jerky cannons are fine for casual jerky makers, if you are serious about making jerky frequently, it’s worth investing in an aluminum model.
The kits typically come with a flat tip nozzle and a tube tip nozzle that fits on the end of the cylinder through which you launch the meat. The trigger mechanism advances the flat piston within the cylinder, which exudes the pressure needed to push the meat through the tip. The handle, trigger, and all of the other pieces easily pull apart for filling and cleaning. It truly is a breeze to use and clean, no matter how intimidating a jerky gun may seem from the outside.
Here are our picks for the best jerky cannons on the market today:
1. Top Pick: XINQIAO Jerky Gun
The XINQIAO Jerky Gun features a food-grade plastic barrel capable of holding up to 1 pound of meat at a time (that’s a lot of jerky in one barrel!). The unit also has a heavy-duty drive system, smooth trigger, a quick release lever, a comfortable aluminum grip and a removable cap. You’ll also get two stainless steel flat jerky nozzles, as well as a single and double stainless steel snack stick nozzle, which quickly attach tightly to the cylinder via a twisting retaining ring. These nozzles allow you to change the shape of the jerky that is shot out of the tip of the gun.
The kit also comes with two barrel brushes for cleaning, one small and thin, the other large and full, which will help you clear out the barrel properly after each run.
This jerky cannon was created to be durable and efficient. It will provide years of reliable jerky shooting. Designed to withstand pressure, it doesn’t require you to be too careful while squeezing the meat. All unit components can be taken apart to clean, making this an ideal jerky gun for anyone who is serious about their jerky passion.
2. Runner Up: SIGVVAL Jerky Gun
SIGVAL’s jerky gun is a fantastic, stylish addition to your drying process. SIGVAL packages the jerky cannon with cleaning tools, multiple heads, and a great quality tamping mechanism. With a bit of elbow grease you can make flat, round, or double strips using the included heads. SIGVAL also offers multiple sizes – 1lb is the entry, while for a little more you can upgrade to a 1.5 lb chamber.
SousVideGuy was also impressed with the attention to build quality. Many jerky cannons or jerky guns feel like repurposed caulking guns. Not so with SIGVAL. The addition of die-cut handles, hardy (and removable) plastic caps, and an anodized aluminum barrel are all fantastic quality of life additions. Nozzles can also be detached from the gaps for easy cleaning. Even better all or stainless-steel attachments, plus the tube itself, are dishwasher safe. With that said, keep an eye on the double strip nozzle. Testing has shown that out of all the nozzles this is the one that is toughest to clean.
3. Honorable Mention: Geesta Classic Jerky Gun
The Geesta Classic Jerky Gun cannon is a high-quality, budget-friendly product that is suitable for novice users and jerky lovers alike.
Each cannon comes with four stainless steel nozzles: a round double snack stick, flat stick, double side round snack stick, and an extra-long round stick. Simply put the nozzle of your choice on the end of the cannon and attach the twist-on ring to keep the nozzle tightly in place. When you’re finished, use one of the two included brushes to easily clean the nozzle and attachments and throw all of the included elements into the convenient storage bag.
The stainless steel attachments and nozzle are both dishwasher safe. The accompanying instruction booklet shows you the ease of the process—so get started!
4. Also Consider: Weston
The Weston is another affordable jerky cannon made of a durable aluminum. It comes with a stainless steel double flat strip and a stainless steel double snack strip nozzle, enabling you to eject 1.5 pounds of seasoned ground meat in half the time! The piston plunger and trigger mechanisms are also made with sturdy coated steel. The kit additionally comes with an instruction booklet and two cleaning brushes for cleaning the barrel and each of the nozzles.
Unlike the majority of jerky-making kits on the market, the Weston features a couple of additional components. For one thing, this cannon isn’t limited to only making jerky. You can also use it to make sausage with the enclosed sausage funnel. To make loading the barrel even easier, Weston also includes a stomper to get rid of air pockets. So pick up the Weston today and start making jerky, snack strips, or sausage immediately using the enclosed 4.3-ounce seasoning packet.
5. Best Budget: Chard Jerky Gun, JG-9 inch
The Chard 9-inch jerky gun is a great option for those looking for an affordable, easy way to get started making jerky. It comes with three stainless steel attachments – round, flat, and double. We found that the spring-loaded handle was particularly great for those with low-grip strength. Extruding jerky can be tough work, and the Chard makes it substantially easier. The fact that the handle has been molded ergonomically is a big plus, and something missing from the smooth triggers of many other jerky guns.
One of the nicer additions to the Chard jerky gun is its transparent chamber. This makes it easy to track where you are in the jerky making process. Often jerky cannons hide away this action for aesthetics, but for those who like to stay in the know this is a nice touch. Finally, as a bonus the Chard is also compatible with nozzles from our number 1 pick – the LEM Jerky Cannon.
What to Look for in a Good Jerky Gun
How much meat can it hold at one time?
The barrel of the jerky gun is where you load and pack the ground meat mixture before expressing it. Different models have varied capacity barrels. The larger the barrel, the less time you will spend reloading it, making the job quicker. Larger barrels need a more solid design, which affects the cost, but also the durability. Some models even come with multiple barrels to aid in efficiency. You may be content with a smaller barrel, especially if you would like to experiment with small batch recipes. Jerky guns with smaller barrels often are less expensive as well.
What affects the quality of a good jerky gun?
Depending on how often and to what capacity you are planning on using your jerky gun, the materials it is made from can make a big difference. Jerky guns made from stainless steel or aluminum are much more durable and can be more ergonomic and easier to use than jerky guns made from plastic. Some jerky guns are much easier to clean than others too. Meat and seasonings can get caught in nooks and crannies of the jerky gun. A model that can be broken down into smaller pieces for cleaning is desirable. Some models are constructed from materials that can go in the dishwasher which can be an added advantage.
Conclusion
All three of these jerky cannons would make an ideal addition to the kitchen of any jerky fanatic. Which one will work best for you depends entirely on your personal jerky needs and budget. The good news is that no matter which option you choose, it will change the nature of your jerky making forever!
FAQs
How do you make meat jerky?
You can make jerky by slicing it into strips or grinding meat and forming into strips. The meat strips are then dried using a food dehydrator or in an oven at a low temperature for 4-6 hours, reducing the water content which aids in preservation.
How does a jerky gun work?
A jerky gun is a handheld kitchen appliance designed to make jerky by forming seasoned ground meat into strips or uniform pieces. The basic components of a jerky gun are: a grip and trigger, a tube/cannon, and nozzles. Seasoned ground meat is packed in the cannon of a jerky gun and expressed through the nozzles in various flat or cylindrical shapes. Some jerky guns come with other accessories in the form of a kit, such as funnels, packers, and cleaning brushes.
Why should I get a jerky gun?
Many people prefer ground meat jerky because it has a more pliable texture, and it is easier to chew. A jerky gun makes the job of forming flat uniform strips of jerky or cylindrical snack sticks quicker and easier compared to forming the ground meat by hand. Making ground jerky at home using a jerky gun allows for experimentation with a variety of recipes and allows for flexibility and ease, seasoning to your particular taste preference and allows for experimentation for different forms (like strips or cylindrical tubes) using different nozzles that provide different textures.
How do I load a jerky gun?
Shape your ground meat into balls and load them into the back end of your jerky gun. These are essentially caulking guns for cooks. By depressing the trigger you force the balls of jerky through the nozzle into strips that are ready-made for your dehydrator. Finally it is extremely important make sure that you’re using lean ground beef – ideally with no more than 10 % fat content. You’ll also need to make sure that you’re using as little liquid as possible in the rub, just enough to allow the seasoning to bind to the meat. If your jerky rub doesn’t include any oil then a little bit of cold water is fine. Finally, SousVideGuy would recommend a 96/4 lean/fat split if this is your first time making jerky.
Best Jerky Cannons – Unbiased Jerky Gun Reviews
Great review but your Amazon links for #1 and #2 are switched.