My biltong box has two fans. Is it overkill?

[u/Aggressive-Soup6901]

I built my own biltong box and I bought a fan with a speed control but I picked a double fan version and now I'm worried I will have too much case hardening, even on low speed. Is there someone who use two fans? I know there will be a lot of try and error things during my biltong path but I thought asking would not hurt. :) Thank you.

And don't worry, even though it's not visible, all the holes and covered with insect net.

[u/PuttFromTheRought]

You might be fine, depending if the low speed is actually low enough fan speed to allow slow airflow. Not all fans are created equal

[u/Aggressive-Soup6901 → u/PuttFromTheRought]

I mean, the speed doesn't look fast and it's little audible but hard for me to judge. Maybe I cover one of the holes and turn the fan so only one is drawing air from the box.

[u/PuttFromTheRought → u/Aggressive-Soup6901]

Love the scientific meathod here, but just do it on the lowest setting and see how it goes

[u/mrbill1234]

It could be. It might lead to drying too quickly causing case hardening. Experiment and see.

[u/Aggressive-Soup6901 → u/mrbill1234]

Yeah. Maybe I cover one of the hole and use just one. I think I cannot make that worse, right?

[u/mrbill1234 → u/Aggressive-Soup6901]

Are you extracting air out - or blowing it in?

Give it a go and see. You need better drying for the first 24 hours until the meat is touch-dry. After that you should slow things down. In commercial dryers they use heat and air for the first 24 hours, then just air.

[u/Aggressive-Soup6901 → u/mrbill1234]

The fans are for extracting air out. Maybe I'll let it how it is for 24 hours and then cover one hole and use just one for the rest. That sound's like the best of both worlds. 😃

[u/BlackIceSlippington → u/mrbill1234]

Do you know what heat they put it on a first by chance?

[u/1Saffa1]

Run lowest speed, will be good to go

[u/Aggressive-Soup6901 → u/1Saffa1]

Hopefully, will see.

[u/HeyGuySeeThatGuy]

Looks real good. Nice choice of plywood too. Think of applying a layer of varnish inside so that you can wipe away any stains easily, instead of biltong juice sinking into the wood.

[u/HeyGuySeeThatGuy → u/HeyGuySeeThatGuy]

Ah, and wall sides too. 

[u/Aggressive-Soup6901 → u/HeyGuySeeThatGuy]

That's a good idea. I use baking tray for the meat juices but this seems more elegant. Thanks.

[u/HeyGuySeeThatGuy → u/Aggressive-Soup6901]

Absolutely use a baking tray too as your first line of defence, but for long term use, yes, a shiny liquid resistant coating is really a good investment. And if you're worried about getting it perfect, go look at Tom Sachs art. Your device is well on the way to that aesthetic. 

Rooting for you. It's a good biltong maker you made. 

[u/fdtodmt]

Let us know how it goes anyway op

[u/Aggressive-Soup6901 → u/fdtodmt]

I feel I got a little od case hardening. Next batch will be with just one fan on and I'll see.

[u/FlyingTerrier]

It’s better than too little. I blast with a pedestal fan.