James Jerky Dryer out of stock - any alternatives?

[Teejilla]

I've been trying to buy a James jerky drier for a while but its perpetually out of stock. Does anyone know of any good alternatives?

 

[old sarge]

I am not aware of any substitute.  Maybe a low voltage computer fan?  Did Steve give you any idea when it will be back in stock?

 

[efciv]

I was looking at this one.
http://www.alliedkenco.com/vent-power-11512volt.aspx

 

[old sarge]

At $160.00 I would wait till Steve gets more in. His price is much better.

 

[Airchair]

I called Steve a few weeks ago and he said the Jerky Dryer will be available the beginning of Feb. As of today its still out of stock. 

 

[NDKoze]

I don't think I would pay that hefty price either. Heck, I think $99.99 is pretty high too, but I still bought one.

In the short term, you could very easily make one with a computer fan like this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-SickleFlow-120-Radiators/dp/B0026ZPFCK/ref=sr_1_10?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1518189210&sr=1-10&keywords=computer+fan

All you would have to do is built a basic square box maybe 4" high or so and add this fan inside the top.

If you are not comfortable with some basic wiring to add an AC plug to the fan, you could go with something like this that already has the AC plug attached:

https://www.amazon.com/Zhanye-Muffin-Computer-Cooling-Exhaust/dp/B076H3HYX8/ref=sr_1_6?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1518193157&sr=1-6&keywords=computer+fan

I have thought about building something like this for when I smoke cheese and am having trouble keeping my AMNPS lit. I think I would add a switch that would let me increase and decrease the speed of the fan too. This is on my to-do list down the road.

But, I would call or shoot Steve a text at 260-417-9951 or send him an email to smokin.it.info@gmail.com to ask when he expects them to be in. If he was expecting them at the beginning of February, I would think he would have a better idea now versus a few weeks ago as to when they will be coming in.

Good luck!

Koze

 

[Grampy]

I don't think I would pay that hefty price either. Heck, I think $99.99 is pretty high too, but I still bought one.

In the short term, you could very easily make one with a computer fan like this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-SickleFlow-120-Radiators/dp/B0026ZPFCK/ref=sr_1_10?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1518189210&sr=1-10&keywords=computer+fan

All you would have to do is built a basic square box maybe 4" high or so and add this fan inside the top.

If you are not comfortable with some basic wiring to add an AC plug to the fan, you could go with something like this that already has the AC plug attached:

https://www.amazon.com/Zhanye-Muffin-Computer-Cooling-Exhaust/dp/B076H3HYX8/ref=sr_1_6?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1518193157&sr=1-6&keywords=computer+fan

I have thought about building something like this for when I smoke cheese and am having trouble keeping my AMNPS lit. I think I would add a switch that would let me increase and decrease the speed of the fan too. This is on my to-do list down the road.

But, I would call or shoot Steve a text at 260-417-9951 or send him an email to smokin.it.info@gmail.com to ask when he expects them to be in. If he was expecting them at the beginning of February, I would think he would have a better idea now versus a few weeks ago as to when they will be coming in.

Good luck!

Koze

Gregg, double check your links again. I believe they are both the same fan.

Grampy

 

[NDKoze]

I don't think I would pay that hefty price either. Heck, I think $99.99 is pretty high too, but I still bought one.

In the short term, you could very easily make one with a computer fan like this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-SickleFlow-120-Radiators/dp/B0026ZPFCK/ref=sr_1_10?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1518189210&sr=1-10&keywords=computer+fan

All you would have to do is built a basic square box maybe 4" high or so and add this fan inside the top.

If you are not comfortable with some basic wiring to add an AC plug to the fan, you could go with something like this that already has the AC plug attached:

https://www.amazon.com/Zhanye-Muffin-Computer-Cooling-Exhaust/dp/B076H3HYX8/ref=sr_1_6?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1518193157&sr=1-6&keywords=computer+fan

I have thought about building something like this for when I smoke cheese and am having trouble keeping my AMNPS lit. I think I would add a switch that would let me increase and decrease the speed of the fan too. This is on my to-do list down the road.

But, I would call or shoot Steve a text at 260-417-9951 or send him an email to smokin.it.info@gmail.com to ask when he expects them to be in. If he was expecting them at the beginning of February, I would think he would have a better idea now versus a few weeks ago as to when they will be coming in.

Good luck!

Koze

Gregg, double check your links again. I believe they are both the same fan.

Grampy

Thanks, Grampy! I missed that.

I fixed the links in the original post, but here is the link for the fan that comes with the AC cord:

https://www.amazon.com/Zhanye-Muffin-Computer-Cooling-Exhaust/dp/B076H3HYX8/ref=sr_1_6?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1518193157&sr=1-6&keywords=computer+fan

 

[Walt]

I would think someone with a HVAC background (or an HVAC supply company) could resolve this quickly. A variable speed fan built into ductwork seems like something that should be available for that purpose.

Maybe something like this with a short piece of 4" ducting attached ...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/slredirect/picassoRedirect.html/ref=sspa_dk_detail_2?ie=UTF8&adId=A004697310H9SI6T022BK&qualifier=1518211127&id=6996741904366356&widgetName=sp_detail&url=%2Fdp%2FB07741M53K%2Fref%3Dsspa_dk_detail_2%3Fpsc%3D1%26pd_rd_i%3DB07741M53K%26pd_rd_wg%3DAW7Ju%26pd_rd_r%3DGT1DH0GC0A2S513JPME1%26pd_rd_w%3Da1KhW

Or this for less than $20...

https://www.amazon.com/iPower-Booster-Inline-Exhaust-Grounded/dp/B00CQBFOTS/ref=pd_day0_328_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00CQBFOTS&pd_rd_r=0TDYTE4GGDY4C7R6V15R&pd_rd_w=5lLvu&pd_rd_wg=5YdkP&psc=1&refRID=0TDYTE4GGDY4C7R6V15R

A variable speed controller, like this, could be added for less than $15....

https://www.amazon.com/gp/slredirect/picassoRedirect.html/ref=sspa_dk_detail_1?ie=UTF8&adId=A06779753FOYI73QQODDQ&qualifier=1518211507&id=8734877475278756&widgetName=sp_detail&url=%2Fdp%2FB0742Z5SH9%2Fref%3Dsspa_dk_detail_1%3Fpsc%3D1%26pd_rd_i%3DB0742Z5SH9%26pd_rd_wg%3DuXgfU%26pd_rd_r%3DNZSKHYKXWEHMFVAD05CF%26pd_rd_w%3DL5FK3

 

[DivotMaker]

Hey Tejilla, Welcome!  I see you're new around here.  Head over to the Introductions section and tell us about yourself!  We love to know the new folks we're helping.

Personally, I would just wait the short amount of time to get the James dryer.  It not only works great, it looks good, and is backed by a great company!  Lots cheaper than your alternative, too!

 

[Ducksoup]

I heard it was going to be early march for the Jerky Dryer.

He's something I was going to try.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009OXDAWY?ref=emc_b_5_t

This fan here is closer to the CFM of an 80mm case fan out of a computer (Which is typically around 33-37) This one is 37.

If you want a bit more airflow you can try this. (47 CFM)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009OXMZ3Y?ref=emc_b_5_t

I was then going to find some 4in PVC Pipe and put that under the fan and see if I can get a good fit. If not PVC then maybe I'll try something else. I'll have to experiment a bit. The fan is 3.6in in diameter.

The fan's pretty cheap and PVC Pipe is cheap as well, so I'll see how it goes.

 

[NDKoze]

Sounds like a fun inexpensive project. Make sure you take lots of pictures and let us know how it goes.

 

[Ducksoup]

Sounds like a fun inexpensive project. Make sure you take lots of pictures and let us know how it goes.

Will do!

I have the fan coming in Wednesday, so I'll see how it goes.

 

[Grampy]

I was then going to find some PVC Pipe and put that under the fan right where the grate is and see if I can get a good fit.

Duck, forgive me if I have misunderstood what you are talking about. Are you talking about putting the piece of PVC pipe on the inside of the smoker on the top grate under the vent hole? What would be the purpose for doing that?

 

[Ducksoup]

I was then going to find some PVC Pipe and put that under the fan right where the grate is and see if I can get a good fit.

Duck, forgive me if I have misunderstood what you are talking about. Are you talking about putting the piece of PVC pipe on the inside of the smoker on the top grate under the vent hole? What would be the purpose for doing that?

Sorry, what I mean was to put the PVC pipe on top of the smoker (Where the hole is) and put the fan on top of the pipe. Basically a smoke stack, kind of like how the Jerky Dryer works. The 4in pipe is bigger than the fan, so I'll have to figure out how to make it fit. (Or use a different material)

When I said grate, I was referring to the grate on the fan. Sorry. :-D I edited my post to hopefully make it more clear.

 

[Grampy]

Duck, thanks for the clarification. That makes much more sense to me now.

 

[NDKoze]

You could put a flat PVC end-cap on the bottom and then drill a hold in it just big enough to fit around the smoker blowhole and it would look/work similar to the Smokin-It drier bottom. I am not sure if this is necessary or not, but it would help prevent leakage from around the base of the PVC.

 

[Ducksoup]

You could put a flat PVC end-cap on the bottom and then drill a hold in it just big enough to fit around the smoker blowhole and it would look/work similar to the Smokin-It drier bottom. I am not sure if this is necessary or not, but it would help prevent leakage from around the base of the PVC.

Thanks!

Yeah I was trying to think how I would get a good air seal on the bottom without using something like tape. I was pondering using some of my kids silly putty along the bottom around the PVC since I could easily remove it. :-D

Not sure what I'm going to end up doing though.

 

[NDKoze]

You could put a flat PVC end-cap on the bottom and then drill a hold in it just big enough to fit around the smoker blowhole and it would look/work similar to the Smokin-It drier bottom. I am not sure if this is necessary or not, but it would help prevent leakage from around the base of the PVC.

Thanks!

Yeah I was trying to think how I would get a good air seal on the bottom without using something like tape. I was pondering using some of my kids silly putty along the bottom around the PVC since I could easily remove it. :-D

Not sure what I'm going to end up doing though.

It is not like it has to be super-sealed. But, you just need to have enough so that the suction from the fan is not affected. This idea just came to me because that is pretty much how the James Jerky Drier works as noted from the highlighted attached picture of the bottom section of the James Jerky Drier.

 

[Ducksoup]

You could put a flat PVC end-cap on the bottom and then drill a hold in it just big enough to fit around the smoker blowhole and it would look/work similar to the Smokin-It drier bottom. I am not sure if this is necessary or not, but it would help prevent leakage from around the base of the PVC.

Thanks!

Yeah I was trying to think how I would get a good air seal on the bottom without using something like tape. I was pondering using some of my kids silly putty along the bottom around the PVC since I could easily remove it. :-D

Not sure what I'm going to end up doing though.

It is not like it has to be super-sealed. But, you just need to have enough so that the suction from the fan is not affected. This idea just came to me because that is pretty much how the James Jerky Drier works as noted from the highlighted attached picture of the bottom section of the James Jerky Drier.

Yup, good point. I have a few ideas but I'll need to wait until I get the parts to see if it's really going to work. It's a bit more work, but it will look a lot cleaner than something like a silly putty idea.