I just don’t use spices except a dusting of Turmeric to assist anti inflammatory efforts. My old lab will actually spit out store bought treats in favor of SmokinIt jerky or treats. I store them in the freezer an keep out a 2 or 3 days at a time since I don’t use the preservatives that commercial companies use. I use mostly eye round roast and have done pork tenderloin once just for a change. Since winter has set in here in eastern NC the last couple of batches I smoke a couple of hours and move them inside to an old dehydrator to finish (allows easier rotation). A 6# roast from Sam’s well trimmed makes about 1 Lb. 14 ounces of jerky.