I hi Billy when it comes to making beef jerky it is messy that is why you put like a drip pan under it while it is in the oven that way your oven stays clean and you dont have a big mess on your hands my son's exgirlfriend I told her when she got my recipe and she was going to make it to put a pan under it while it was in the oven and what does she do she did the oppasite from what I told her she had a great big mess in the oven I swear that girl had no brains in her head. So make sure you either put a pan or tin foil under the rack you have your meat on.