I was in a totally random situation having a totally random conversation with a totally random person I’ve met probably three times in my entire life.
That person randomly started talking about stuff he can’t believe someone would ever purchase. Something totally and completely useless and destined to turn into clutter.
His very best example?
A jerky gun.
Yeah. We totally have a jerky gun in our cabinet.
He couldn’t imagine why anyone would ever need one. But we need one. My husband uses it . . . to make jerky.
You pack it with ground meat and squeeze that meat out in flat, jerky-ish strips. Then you jerkify those strips until they’re jerky.
My husband loves that thing. We have had it for years, and he has used it so so many times. My kids love his jerky, and no matter how much he makes, it’s gone within days.
And y’all, have you priced jerky in the stores? That stuff ain’t cheap.
(Please note that I normally avoid using non-words like “ain’t,” but when talking about jerky and jerky guns, it feels right.)
So my point? Clutter is personal. If we use it consistently, even if not daily, it’s not clutter. If it’s a cool idea but we’ll never use it, it’s clutter.
Jerky-related affiliate links:
The jerky gun we have is out of stock on Amazon, when sold alone. But here it is with seasonings and a dehydrator. Proof that jerky is expensive (or a convenient link for those who’ve realized they will never make jerky but want to put in a stocking as a non-clutter stuffer).
--Nony
IT’S LIKE A COOKIE PRESS BUT FOR JERKY. That is amazing that a thing like that exists!! Can I come over for jerky?
It is a cookie press. Cookie presses can also be used for making jerky. Jerky presses can be used to make cookies. Spritz cookies shaped like Christmas Trees and wreaths and camels. You can also make sausages. You can also make cheese straws, and probably other stuff.
Anything made with a cookie press tends to disappear pretty fast.
When my arthritis started interfering I got an electric press.
And now you post his recipe for jerky…….. Inquiring minds want to know.
This totally applies to my sister and my gifts to one another. She gets me stamps (totally clutter in her house, used in mine), I get her running and biking gear (totally clutter in my house!)
It works!
FYI–it is now in stock without the dehydrator.
We have that same one. My husband loves to make jerky and everyone is happy when he does.
A jerky press? Never heard of such a thing! lol
I wrote about you again! Oh Nony, how do I love thee, let me count the ways!
https://purpleslobinrecovery.wordpress.com/2016/12/08/paper-purgathon-pal/
Our household also owns a jerky press, and my hubby ROCKS some great jerky! ?
I have one too – I use it for making deviled eggs. It is amazingly useful for filling them.
Jerky is expensive, but so is meat. Do you find it’s actually a huge savings? I forget the ratio but it takes a number of ounces of raw meat to make one ounce of jerky…
Today, in your email about this post, you wrote: “Part of what stressed me out about decluttering was thinking I had to give up all the stuff that made me . . . me.”
I LOVE that you stated this! In so many decluttering lists, it says to get rid of duplicates. I have 12-15 small spatulas (food-scraper type) that I use ALL the time, often several within a day. And I only run the dishwasher or wash dishes every few days, since there are only 2 of us here. For some list to tell me that I only need ONE makes me uncomfortable, because I know I use them all, and then I tend to ignore the whole list!
I’m pretty sure we don’t need a jerky gun, because we have a grinder that has a sausage attachment which is likely to serve the same purpose, or just flatten the tubes as desired.
AND we have a dehydrator that has languished unloved for nearing 20 years. I don’t like hamburger but will eat it. But if ground finer and made into soft jerky, joy returns.
I will do this soon. And jerky is portable and always ready to eat.
My first carnivore venture was successful and I went off it before reaching goal, regaining half the weight I lost including reduced mobility once again.
Back to dropping weight and regaining mobility and muscles.