Hi John, my 1.5 cents worth !
I'd probably throw a temp gauge in the jerky maker if it was me, you can get a bucket load of heat into a box with lightbulbs ! and you'd need to regulate it. Personally I'd dismantle it and play with a hair dryer and then fix a silica gell sachet into the unit. I've done it with my Meade DSI. For the amount of moisture it is likely to pull in the gel should only need changing every 18 months, mind you I found the gasket on my unit was pinched in the factory, so I made my own and replaced it, so I expect there should be little or no moisture getting in now. It may be something as simple as a dismantle and inspect to confirm the gaskets / o'rings are sound and then you don't have to bake it, baste it, char grill it or boil it
