Biltong Maker NZ: From Tradition To Innovation

At Kalahari Khabu, we don’t just make biltong; we live, breathe, eat, and sleep it. Our mission is to bring the world’s best biltong to meat lovers everywhere, and the right biltong maker is key to achieving that perfect flavour and texture.

Our roots run deep in the meat industry, stemming from the small town of Adelaide in the Eastern Cape, where our family has been crafting biltong for generations. With over 80 years of collective experience, we understand every nuance of this beautiful, age-old craft.

The Origins Of Biltong

Biltong began with the Khoisan Bushmen, the first masters of meat preservation, long before refrigerators or modern technology. They relied on the hot, dry African climate to sun-dry strips of game meat, ensuring they had a lasting food source.

Later, the Boer Afrikaners, comprising Dutch, German, and French settlers, perfected the curing process by introducing vinegar and biltong spice. This evolved biltong into the delicacy we know today. Even the British settlers couldn’t resist its charm, and biltong quickly became a staple in every South African home.

Ways To Make Biltong

Today, the world has embraced biltong, but making it successfully depends on the environment. Different methods have emerged to counteract humidity and ensure consistent results. Here’s a breakdown of how biltong is made worldwide and why different conditions call for different techniques.

Traditional Winter Drying On The Verandah

One of the oldest and purest ways to make biltong is to simply hang it outside under a covered veranda during winter. A gentle, dry breeze and mild sun provide the perfect drying conditions. However, this method only works in areas with low humidity and no flies.

Early 20th Century Wooden Biltong Box With Fans

As biltong-making evolved, butchers in the early 1900s began crafting wooden biltong boxes for their customers. Also called biltong dryers, these had small fans to increase airflow and create a more controlled environment for drying meat. This marked the beginning of modern biltong makers.

The DIY Cardboard Biltong Box Setup

A simple and cost-effective method is using a biltong box made from cardboard with a small light bulb and a computer fan. The fan keeps the air circulating, while the bulb adds slight warmth to help with the drying process. This setup is a popular entry-level solution for home biltong makers.

Plastic Biltong Box With A Fan And Heat Source

Instead of a cardboard biltong box, this method uses a more durable plastic container. The fan and heat source work together to create a stable drying environment. Compared to the cardboard version, this biltong dryer setup is slightly more hygienic and long-lasting.

Budget-Friendly Plastic Biltong Makers

Several companies now produce affordable plastic biltong makers based on the same principles as the DIY models. These units come with built-in fans and heating elements, making them accessible for anyone wanting to try their hand at homemade biltong.

The KK Biltong Boss Range

Enter the modern era with our KK Biltong Boss range, a collection of beautifully designed biltong machines NZ catering to beginners and professionals. These sleek, programmable, and hygienic biltong dryers feature a closed drying environment that prevents contamination and ensures consistent results. With gentle, controlled airflow, they make it incredibly easy to succeed in producing perfect biltong.

Our biltong maker NZ range includes:

KK11 Biltong Box NZ

A compact biltong dryer ideal for home users. It has a 24-hour drying function and can hold up to 5kg of wet biltong slabs. Perfect for personal use or small batches.

KK12 Biltong Maker NZ

A mid-range biltong machine that offers a 96-hour drying function, allowing users to process up to 7kg of wet biltong slabs at a time. This biltong dehydrator unit is great for enthusiasts looking to scale up their production.

KK16 Biltong Machine NZ

The ultimate home and small commercial biltong maker. It features a 96-hour drying function and can handle up to 25kg of wet biltong slabs. Typically, you can either produce 25kg of biltong per week or a mix of 12kg of biltong and 30kg of biltong smalls, such as snapsticks, leaves, and nuggets. This could be a huge profit opportunity if you have the market.

The Kalahari Khabu Heritage Stainless Steel Biltong Box NZ

Launching worldwide in June, our Kalahari Khabu Heritage Biltong Box NZ is designed for those who value time over efficiency and appreciate the slow, methodical process of crafting the perfect biltong. With its top-extraction airflow system, this biltong dehydrator can house up to 25kg of wet biltong slabs at a time, ensuring a slow, even drying process.

Kalahari Khabu Commercial Biltong Machine NZ

For larger-scale production, our Kalahari Khabu Commercial Biltong Machine NZ follows the same principles as the Heritage model but is designed to handle up to 100kg of wet biltong slabs at a time.

Kalahari Khabu Industrial Biltong Machine NZ

Our Kalahari Khabu Industrial Biltong Machine NZ can process between 250kg and 500kg of dried product per cycle. It operates at low electrical costs, utilising advanced technology to optimise the drying process while keeping expenses down. With precise humidity and temperature control, it creates the most efficient drying environment.

Choosing The Right Biltong Dehydrator In New Zealand

Making biltong in New Zealand presents unique challenges due to varying climates. In drier regions, biltong can air-dry with minimal intervention. However, in the country’s often damp and unpredictable weather, improper drying conditions can lead to mould, uneven texture, or extended drying times.

A biltong dehydrator helps counter these challenges by regulating airflow, maintaining optimal drying temperatures, and preventing excess moisture buildup. When selecting the right biltong dehydrator NZ, consider these key features:

Adjustable Airflow

Proper airflow is critical to remove moisture evenly and prevent spoilage. Look for a biltong dehydrator with a built-in fan system to circulate air effectively.

Temperature Control

While traditional biltong is air-dried, modern dehydrators often come with a low-heat setting to aid drying without cooking the meat. A unit with adjustable temperature control gives you flexibility.

Humidity Management

In humid climates, controlling moisture levels inside the dehydrator is essential. Some high-end models have built-in humidity sensors to maintain ideal conditions.

Capacity & Size

Consider how much biltong you plan to make. A small household biltong dehydrator is perfect for personal use, while larger commercial units are available for bigger batches.

Other Essentials To Make The Perfect Biltong In New Zealand

Having a high-quality biltong maker is just the first step to crafting the perfect batch of biltong. To truly elevate your biltong-making experience, a biltong shredder and biltong spice can make all the difference.

A biltong shredder lets you:

Achieve uniform slices or shreds for a professional finish.
Save time compared to manual slicing.
Reduce waste by cutting efficiently, maximising your yield.

Whether you enjoy finely shredded biltong for snacking or thicker slices for a more traditional experience, a biltong shredder NZ makes the process effortless.

The right biltong spice is what transforms dried meat into the flavourful snack loved around the world. Traditional South African biltong spice blends typically include a mix of salt, coriander, black pepper, and vinegar, but there are endless variations to suit different preferences. For the best results, it’s essential to use high-quality biltong spice NZ, especially if you want an authentic taste.

The Future Of Biltong – Your Journey, Your Method

Regardless of your experience, Kalahari Khabu has the perfect biltong maker for you. From traditional air-drying methods to DIY biltong boxes and high-tech biltong machines, there are many ways to create the perfect batch of biltong. The key is finding the approach that suits your style.

Pairing your biltong maker with a high-quality biltong shredder ensures precision slicing, while premium biltong spice enhances flavour. With the right tools, every batch can be consistent, delicious, and perfectly textured.

Starting with 70% capacity is a great way to build confidence and refine your technique. As you gain experience, you will naturally become more efficient, making the most of every cut of meat. Let’s keep this incredible tradition alive and share it with the world. Happy drying, and welcome to the biltong revolution!

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