For those of you who don't know, this cool guy is Ben Kruger, he was a South African actor and author who sadly passed away on May 26, 2021 as a result of COVID-19 complications. In honor of Oom Ben (uncle Ben), go and make your own biltong!!!
Biltong in the UK is both hard to come by and expensive. My brother-in-law is from Capetown and he challenged me to make a biltong maker. I copied both your recipe and the biltonginator design and now have access to the best biltong. Thanks for making the video. There are some very happy South Africans in our community now.
Bloody hell mate. I'm black, SA born (Kimberley), Namibian raised (WHK), and living in CPT (none of which matters). I had an uncle, Eugene (a family friend), and you have his mannerisms. A little Barry Hilton, a little Barry Manilou. His wife Doreen used to run the kitchen with an iron fist, cause he used to work hard as a fitter and turner, but man, he was the biltong king. That biltong of his he used to hang out on the washing line in Rehoboth was the best! and I never knew how he made it (I was a kid). A big thank you. Keep doing what you're doing. +++ Since I've subscribed, they must see me at the next potjie now. I'll grill their chops! They judge you on how much of a man you are simply by tasting your potjie nowadays! Life's so hard! Joking! You just made it look so easy! Biltonganator 3 thousand coming soon!
😃😅(none of that matters) thx4sharing🤙🏾 i didmt know other parts of world used "black" term🤔 have u exp experienced "racism"? Have u noticed differences in ur travels, the way it manifest? My only travels outside 🇺🇸 was to the Bahamas
I'm an American that used to live in Pretoria, and I would eat around 200 Rand of biltong a week. I loved the stuff. It's been 4 years, and I haven't tasted its glory since. I'm making my own box today. Thank you.
Hello there! I just want to say thank you very much. Today, as a 19 year old from the UK, whose favourite snack happens to be biltong, I have just managed to hang up my first batch of this wonderful meat right next to my bed and I am very excited to see the results! Biltong is sold as a “premium meat snack” here in the UK and you do have to pay a pretty penny for a fairly small amount. After your friendly encouragement and easy-to-follow instructions, I couldn’t resist giving it a go myself. I went to the butchers for the first time today and I was nervous for some reason. I didn’t even know what to ask for really, so I explained my plan to the man and after sorting some topside for myself, he wished me farewell and asked me to let him know how it goes when it’s all done! Little things like this mean a lot to me, as I don’t tend to go out much myself and I think a lot of people my age don’t tend to think about places like your local butcher shop when your parents go to the supermarket to buy everything for you. I know I didn’t up until I saw this video anyway. So thanks for opening my eyes. Much appreciated!
@@JasonRetributionhi there. Oh wow, I’m sorry for the late reply. It went fantastically well! So much has happened to me in the last 4 years. I’m now a 24 year old who still makes his own biltong after all this time. Just loaded up another batch in my biltong maker which made me want to revisit the source of all this inspiration for me and I found this old comment that I completely forgot I made. I lost both my parents since making that comment and life has been an absolute whirlwind for me. Making biltong just kind of reminds me of what life was like when I had them around now. If you haven’t already, I would highly recommend you make it yourself as well, if you can! It’s dead simple and you’ll save a lot of money and it’s far better tasting than the stuff you buy in the shops!
Omg i lived in SA for 20yrs before moving out and i miss biltong like CRAZY! Been looking up how to make a biltong box and so far this is probably the most doable box for me. Cant wait to try it!!!
Thanks to Ben. After seeing your video, I made a Biltonginator 4000 today with my kids. Eks baie trots! Tomorrow I'm getting meat and making my 1st Biltong. Thanks to Ben for the video and guidance. Ben Legend. Johan
Made my own box (took slightly larger one but also with the little wheels, thank you Ikea 😉). To build the box from start to finish, once I had all the tools and gadgets together, it took me about 40 min. to build. I made a couple of more holes (including the lid) and placed a computer fan on top that allows me to seamlessly adjust its speed. Against insects I have used an insect mesh for windows that can be fixed with velcro. To ensure that I do not keep it too long or to short, I have little labels per hanger where I write the original weight of the slice and its target weight. Since everybody likes it a little different, it allows to bring it to find the sweet spot (moist 50% to hard dry 30% of the original weight). I have added a heat source, a 40W light bulb placed in the mid bottom of the box, a multi purpose plug on the lid and a thermometer that allows me to check the temperature from tome to time. I am able to establish a repeatable result by using the same settings, once I found my perfect taste. It is then also possible to use different meats from different animals (i.e. game) and cuts and see what needs to be changed. When cutting the meat I decided to go with the “grain” so to say, that allows to cut the Biltong slices against the fiber growth and it becomes easier to eat it is never chewy. I am adding a number of other things to the marinade, like Worcester sauce when marinating the meat and a spoon of baking soda (to 1 kg meat) against the building of mold spores or bacteria. When I feel adventurous I am experimenting with some self made herbs & spice mixtures (i.e. Mediterranean herbs style, Indian style with a special curry powder, Asian style with chili and Lemongrass, Mexican style with chili flakes and marinated with tabasco, Levante/Arab style with ras-al-hanout, etc.) - but the original is still the best.
I am from Holland. As a very young boy, around 12 or 13 years old, I bought Biltong at the local toko. I had never heard of it and loved it, even though it wasn't freshly made with fresh spices. Still, I loved the structure and I liked eating it instead of lunch when I was in the woods for a day or so. Nobody else here ever mentions it or knows what it is. I haven't had any since 1985 or so. I couldn't find it anymore and forgot about it. The toko's here might sell it now, but I think they all reverted to beef jerkey. It never occurred to me to make my own until now. I have a couple of computer fans lying around that are going to be put to work again!
@@arleneshearer6451 No. He died of Covid complications. He never received a vaccination. Misinformation about his death was spread as a form of anti-vaccine propaganda. africacheck.org/fact-checks/fbchecks/south-african-actor-ben-kruger-died-covid-not-after-vaccine-jab
Mr Kruger, if you read this thank you so so much for this video. I've never tried biltong but I am that keen that I replicated your Biltonginator 3000 and I am coming back to this video now to get the measurements of the vinegar to meat ratio but it seems you just cover the meat with it now that I've watched this fantastic video again. The ⅓, ⅓ & ⅓ ratio of salt pepper and corriander is easy enough to remember but this time I'm testing your recipe and another recipe at the same time to see which I prefer, and on half of both recipes I plan on soaking both with the vinegar recipes each of you recommend but also adding lime juice to it, just to see what happens and adding chilli flakes to the salt pepper and corriander because I LOVE chilli. Even though I plan on doing various different recipes, I can't wait to try yours out as you were the one that got me interested in making this biltong, so thank you once again
Got my first batch into my DIY biltong box. Having a ton of fun with the process, even just roasting the coriander for the spice mix was fun. Made the house smell SO good! Just shy of 2kg hanging in the box now. Thanks a bunch for the video 👌
Very useful video. (From NZ) My South African friends introduced me to biltong years ago and I was hooked. I had a totara box made by a cabinet maker, stood it upright and installed a $5 personal desk fan lower right and exit hole upper left. Spices same as yours but 5-3-2; worked well for my taste and fancy. Butchers tend to cut the meat too thick and not overly consistent so I partially freeze mine before cutting it myself with Excalibur. If I put a dehumidifier in the room and close the door at night, the process is hastened a worthwhile amount.
Thanks to this video I've now been making biltong for 7 months. It has been a total revelation to me, now I won't eat store bought stuff anymore. (Cost savings is a big win!)
I'm a Canadian, but I have a lot of South African friends, both here in Canada and in S.A. and I of course love beef jerky. (also Salmon jerky, Bison jerky, turkey jerky and venison jerky, which includes deer, elk, moose, and caribou) ... I do make my own because I have a large food dehydrator, but I am going to build a Biltonginator 3000, and make some South African Biltong...thanks for the recipe, and the look at how you made the machine....and for being the first food-oriented video on RU-vid that has actually made me drool...lmao...Dankie Ben...and Geseende Kersfees!
As an SA expat living in Mexico I have been sorely missing Biltong! I made one of these boxes, calling it the Biltong-a-nator 3000 MX, for obvious reasons. Just hung 2 kg's of USDA New York steak, if it doesn't work, I'm in big trouble for wasting all this really good meat, but I have faith!! Thank you Ben, this is pure awesomeness!!!
@@mikekuun That's rad! Enjoy it man! I'm from South Africa so I get to eat Biltong as a main course basically. I love the stuff so much so it's nice to see people who are all over the world, appreciating something from your country.
I don't know, but listening to Ben creates such nostalgia for me. Just your whole demeanor , so awesome. I am on the other side of 50 and was on the painful receiving side during the "Struggle" years watching you on the Box. It's guys like you that makes me feel really hopeful about SA future and proud. I in the 80's mail ordered a "Sonbessie" cardboard Biltong maker, loved it - Carboard, bulbs, strategic holes .... but nothing like the " Biltonganator" . Well I'm inspired to make one and will possibly post it in my channel. Thanks Ben, bless you !!
2021 checking in. Tasted Biltong for the first time a few days ago and had to learn how to make my own. This was the first video recommended. The biltonginator 4000 is being built as we speak!
Thanks for posting. I visited SA ports many times during the sixties and was introduced to ostrich and antelope biltong. It was fantastic, the stuff for sale in UK supermarkets is nothing like the real thing.
Amazing video! I saw this and built my own Biltonganator 3000 today, first batch is about to go in once the marinading is done. After being out of SA for 1.5yrs now (in Tennessee where people try to convince me jerky is something I should willingly eat), I'm looking forward to having my own supply!
I love how how explains the process and is not afraid to give knowledge........ and with the cheekiness of a StAfrican...... Great job mate....Well done and thank you
ive been making my own biltong fro years now..THE BEST!!! and your biltong box is the best idea....heading down to the hardware store tomorrow...thanks!
I visited South Africa when I was 13 and fell in love with Biltong. I even smuggled some back to the states (they checked the luggage of my family and took everything but what I had smuggled on my person! Now I'm 46 and I've got an itch for some Biltong. Thanks for this video. I'll be making my own in a week thanks to you! Thanks again :)
Thank you for taking the time to share with us. In my teens, a school friend and I spent 2 weeks on an Afrikaans farm in the Freestate practicing "die taal". It was winter. Very cold and dry. One day, our farmer-host went out with a gun and came back with a buck he had shot. We watched it being skinned and all the organs separated and packed for their different purposes - Some for roasting or stews, some for breakfasts, some for sausages, and some for biltong. There was so much meat for the biltong! An old galvanized iron bath was used for the marinating! There seemed to be so many spices. One of the ingredients I remember was saltpetre. The meat was hung outside in an open shed so that the air could continually circulate round the meat. My friend and I visited the biltong every day and see it drying and shriveling and getting darker, until one day, it was taken down and sliced up so we could taste it. There is nothing better than tasting biltong for the first time!
Absolutely love this Oom. Proper SA humour that i miss here in London. Been making biltong like this for years now using the crown national safari spice. The first video i came across was the how to make wors as thats my next project. Thanks Ben. Please keep up the lekker videos meneer🙏🏻
You’re such a good soul. Thank you for this video. I also want to smile with contentment like you did at the end of the video when I will put a piece of my very own home made biltong into my mouth😊
Thanks Ben. Created my own biltong box the same as the biltonganator! Making my first batch of biltong this weekend. I live in Cornwall, uk. Spreading the love!!!
Nothing is better than a home made bilton made by a good Sud-Afrikan man like you sir. I will give it a try. Thank you so much fir the idea 💡 of the box. I will give it a try but for my next batch, can't wait....May the true God bless you sir...warm regards
Biltong is mad expensive at the grocery market, not to mention regular beef jerky. I just came from a video about making your own jerky because of how expensive it is and its awesome to see that Biltong is about as easy/hard to make as ?American? beef jerky. Great video, thanks for posting it! Also check out the closed captioning, its hilarious seeing the AI guess at what is being said, particularly the singing on the background!
oh man, i missed the South African biltong so much!! Definitely gonna build one of this Biltonator for myself and start making some biltong!! Dankie Baie.
Thank you Sir! Beautiful video. Im in New Zealand and have what some might call an addiction to biltong and this video has given me the ability and knowledge to try and make my own :) I cant wait to try!
Watched this video, immediately went out and brought all the pieces i need for the Biltonginator 3000, built it in around 30 mins. Beef is currently sat in the malt vinegar and i excited to see what i get in 4 days! Thank you.
Follow up: Why have i been buying supermarket Biltong?! Homemade biltong is absolutely amazing and so easy to do. I can incorporate any flavour of my choosing and the smell of drying biltong really is something special. Thank you for this tutorial, i will NEVER buy shop biltong for the rest of my life!
A great video, thank you! I built mine today and have just put my first batch of bilton in to dry! I used the same mix you recommended. Its going to be a long few days!
Thanks Ben, this video is great! My husband made me my own biltonginator, and I made venison biltong that was delicious. Now my Dad wants to make some, so I'm sending him a link to your video.
Mr Kruger when the student is ready the teacher will appear. Your video has been searching for me for seven years. Thank you. Wayne from Australia. I will try this method. 24 02 2022 Thursday.
Thanks for the video, Ben! Definitely going to home it a shot. My friend from South Africa introduced me to biltong and I was hooked from the first bite. Love your personality btw hah
Brilliant video with very subtle comedy, I enjoyed it very much. I'm going follow your design and recipe. I haven't tasted proper biltong since I left Africa in 73. The stuff the supermarkets churn out is nothing like the biltong we had in Africa. One thing though. I lived in Luanshya, Zambia as a kid or a lightie as they used to say, you speak just like so many of my old friends used to at that time. Brought back great memories. Many thanks for imparting some of your knowledge, much appreciated.
Absolute brilliant description of how to make Billies......Well Done Ben..........I'm so happy Everyone here in Scotland (apart from my South African sons )does't t "trust " how Biltong is made .....Thank You .....Baie Dankie.......Bill.
I am from Malawi but based in America. I was studying and craved biltong. Then came across your video. I am so getting a dehumidifier and making me some. Thank you for the recipe
Biltong is truly the king of dried meat. I've had versions of dried meat from all over the world and nothing comes close. It's only available as a specialty item in a few places in Helsinki, sadly. Considered making my own but beef is very expensive in Finland, and you need a lot of it. Seems very extravagant in the current circumstances.
Oh My Goodness....Can I adopt you? Am definitely going to build an English version of the Biltonganator 3000. Thanks so much for de-complicating the process in such an informative and fun way. PS I'm still laughing hard at the thought of your poor Granny sleeping over a bed-load of your Grandpa's Biltong but I guess it's fortunate that at least he didn't choose to dry fish!.
Biltong is nearly impossible to get here in Spain and when I did buy it online it arrived dry ( I like mine wet) and horrendously expensive. Can't live without my biltong fix so have caved in and bought a biltong maker from Amazon and I'll be using this method. Thank you so much!
The name of the song is, Potjiekos - "potjie" is a castiron pot, round-bellied and "kos" is food. Here's the link address, ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-8Tccn1YAroM.html
Ok.. so basically you made thick meat jerky, got it.. I’ll just go to the store and buy it for 4 dollars.. and you could have cut it with a knife.. that biltbog cutter is really not needed
@@dawnmorris3718 clearly that youtubesucks clown is a troll, either that or s/he thinks that they are the best and anything they do is the only way. Regardless this person wasn't worth your waste of an explanation for that person, however for anyone else that didn't know at least they might learn something so in that respect your explanation definitely wasn't a waste 🤙
My Son and I built the biltonganator 3000 today here in New Zealand. We are into day one of producing biltong. Looking forward to the final result. Thanks Ben!
Ben you are a gent sir. Ek bly in Engeland, en maak biltong vir myself. I had to teach myself from other people advice, but you make it sound so much easier. Dankie, vardeer dit baie.
Halaal biltong in England is even more scarce and expensive. Having tried to make biltong for years which all failed. This is best video out there with easy instructions. I followed this and have made the most delicious biltong. Thank you.
That was AWESOME! I went from never hearing of the stuff to wanting to make the box and make a batch for a wonderful taste test (mostly by me who jealously guards stuff like that).
OH how I miss my South African friends and their awesome Biltong. I will be making my own Biltong-a-nator 3000 here in the states so I can honor the many great memories I had with them. Thank you very much for sharing this and I pray the best for you.
Made my box 4 weeks ago. Have made about 3kg of biltong. So stoked. Haven't had it in almost 3 years! Too damn expensive to buy in NZ! Really appreciate the video ♥
