Hi Jim...I've made jerky many times in my Ronco dehydrator. First, you get the leanest beef you can buy; I like rump roast. I have the butcher slice it for me into strips of whatever thickness I want. Then you cut off any visable fat. After that, you marinate it in any of the several hot/spicy etc. marinades you'll find online. Add some liquid smoke to the marinade if you like that flavor. I usually marinade it overnight. Next day, load it onto the trays of the dehydrator. Rotate trays as usual. It will take a variable amount of time depending upon how thick you have those slices but keep it moving so you don't get spoilage. I also store the jerky in the freezer anyway, just in case there is still moisture remaining and I don't want it to spoil or mold. That's it...easy and soooo tasty. SandyO CH #1146 of the moderate persuasion