If you’ve ever found yourself traversing the perilous terrains of Ark: Survival Evolved, you know that managing your food supply is essential for survival. With wildlife around every corner and resources scarce at times, having portable and sustaining snacks can mean the difference between thriving and merely surviving. Enter cooked meat jerky—an essential food item that not only keeps hunger at bay but does so without spoiling quickly. Let’s embark on this flavorful journey and learn how to make cooked meat jerky in Ark.
Why Make Cooked Meat Jerky?
Cooked meat jerky is more than just a survival food; it’s a testament to your survival skills. Here are a few reasons why you should prioritize making jerky in your Ark adventures:
- Extended Shelf Life: One of the primary advantages of jerky is its longevity. While normal meats spoil quickly, jerky can last for several days, making it perfect for long treks or expeditions.
- Nutrition: Cooked meat jerky not only serves as a food source, but it is also nutritious. It can restore more hunger points compared to raw or cooked meat.
Being armed with jerky means you have a reliable source of food you can easily carry on your journeys, crucial for exploring new territories or during lengthy taming operations.
Gathering the Necessary Ingredients
Before you can start the jerky-making process, you’ll need to gather resources and set up your workstation effectively. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need:
Essential Ingredients:
- Cooked Meat: The primary ingredient needed for jerky. Any type of cooked meat works, so focus on gathering meats from creatures like Dodos, Trikes, or bigger prey like the T-Rex.
- Preserving Bin: A must-have item that helps convert cooked meat into jerky.
- Sparkpowder: This special powder is required to keep the preserving bin running efficiently. You can create sparkpowder using flint and stone.
Building a Preserving Bin
The first step in your jerky-making journey is to construct a Preserving Bin. Here’s how:
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Gather Resources:
- Wood: Chopped from trees.
- Thatch: Also gathered from trees, bushes, or by harvesting certain plants.
- Fiber: Harvested from bushes or tall grass.
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Crafting the Bin:
Head to your inventory, find the Preserving Bin recipe, and gather the required resources. Once you collect everything, simply craft it.
Steps to Make Cooked Meat Jerky
Now that you’ve set up your Preserving Bin and gathered your ingredients, let’s dive into the steps to create your own delicious cooked meat jerky.
Step 1: Cooking the Meat
Before you can turn meat into jerky, you need to cook it first. Here’s how:
- Gather Raw Meat: Hunt animals to gather raw meat.
- Cook the Meat:
- Use a campfire, an industrial grill, or a cooking pot.
- Place the raw meat within the selected cooking device.
- Make sure to add fuel, such as wood or thatch.
- Wait for the Cooking Process: Once the meat is cooked, retrieve it from the grill or cooking pot.
Remember that different types of meat will restore varying amounts of hunger. For maximum efficiency, focus on larger prey.
Step 2: Preparing the Preserving Bin
Now that you have your cooked meat, let’s set up your Preserving Bin for jerky production:
- Access the Preserving Bin: Open your Preserving Bin from your inventory.
- Insert the Cooked Meat: Place the cooked meat into the bin.
- Add Sparkpowder: Don’t forget to add sparkpowder into the Preserving Bin. The bin can hold a certain amount of this powder, and it will consume it over time to create jerky.
Step 3: Producing Cooked Meat Jerky
Once the cooked meat and sparkpowder are safely secured in the Preserving Bin, it’s time to create your jerky.
- Wait: Cooking meat into jerky takes a bit of time. It typically takes about 36 minutes in real-time for 1 piece of cooked meat to turn into jerky.
- Check the Progress: Keep an eye on the Preserving Bin’s inventory. Once the time has elapsed, the cooked meat will transform into jerky.
Understanding Jerky Creation Time and Output
The cooking time and the efficiency of your Preserving Bin should be understood:
| Item | Time to Create | Hunger Restored |
|---|---|---|
| Cooked Meat Jerky | 36 minutes | 20 Hunger Points |
| Prime Meat Jerky | 1 hour | 40 Hunger Points |
Each piece of jerky you create will provide a reliable source of sustenance, and it’s worthwhile preparing several pieces for prolonged survival.
Additional Tips for Efficient Jerky Production
Maximizing your jerky production efficiency can make a huge difference in your survival journey. Here are some tips:
Maximize Resource Gathering
- Hunt Creatures Wisely: Focus on high-yield creatures to collect meat. For instance, larger dinosaurs usually yield more meat.
- Use a Taming Strategy: Tame aggressive creatures like Raptors for quicker hunting.
Manage Your Time Effectively
- Multi-task: While your jerky is being made, work on gathering other supplies.
- Auto-Powered Preserving Bins: If you have access, consider upgrading to an industrial preserving bin that requires power but can hold more items.
Heal and Regenerate
- Keep Food Supply Handy: Always have some jerky on hand while exploring, as it not only fills your hunger bar but also restores health over time.
- Share with Allies: Share your jerky with tribe members or friends for cooperative gameplay advantages.
Final Thoughts on Making Cooked Meat Jerky in Ark
Mastering the art of making cooked meat jerky in Ark: Survival Evolved is a pivotal strategy for anyone looking to survive the wild landscape effectively. The process strikes a perfect balance between resource management and nourishment, ensuring you are prepared for anything that comes your way.
From gathering cooked meat to managing your Preserving Bin effectively, making jerky can give you a significant edge. So gather your supplies and start crafting—your adventure in Ark awaits!
Remember, every piece of jerky you create not only fuels your character but also symbolizes your preparedness and survival aptitude as you brave the wilds. Embrace the challenges, and may your culinary skills keep you fed and thriving in Ark!
What is cooked meat jerky in Ark: Survival Evolved?
Cooked meat jerky is a preserved food item in Ark: Survival Evolved that is made by processing cooked meat. It provides a longer shelf life than regular cooked meat, which means you can store it for extended periods without the risk of spoilage. This makes it an essential item for survival during long expeditions or when resources are scarce.
Moreover, cooked meat jerky is more efficient than regular cooked meat in terms of food value. It restores a significant amount of hunger, allowing players to sustain themselves longer in the wilderness. Thus, transforming your cooked meat into jerky is a smart survival tactic.
What materials do I need to make cooked meat jerky?
To make cooked meat jerky, you will need cooked meat, a preserving bin, and a source of fuel, such as thatch, wood, or sparkpowder. The cooked meat is essential, as it serves as the base ingredient for creating jerky. You can cook raw meat using a campfire, a cooking pot, or an industrial grill before proceeding to the next step.
The preserving bin is a crucial component for drying out the meat and converting it into jerky. You will need to ensure you have fuel in the bin to keep it operational. Once you have all the necessary items, you can start the jerky-making process without any issues.
How long does it take to make cooked meat jerky?
Making cooked meat jerky takes a bit of time, typically around 36 minutes in real-time for each batch in the preserving bin. During this period, the cooked meat will undergo the drying process, transforming it into a more valuable preserved food item. It is essential to plan your gathering and cooking activities to align with this timeframe to ensure you have enough jerky for your adventures.
While waiting for the jerky to finish, consider gathering other resources or hunting for more meat. Utilizing your time efficiently will ensure that you can stock up on jerky and other supplies concurrently. Efficient time management is key to survival in the harsh environments of Ark.
Can I make jerky using different types of meat?
Yes, you can make jerky from various types of cooked meat in Ark: Survival Evolved. This includes raw meat, prime meat, and even fish meat, each offering different hunger restoration values once transformed into jerky. Using prime meat creates a more effective jerky option, supplying more nourishment than the standard cooked meat variety.
However, it’s essential to note that the drying process in the preserving bin remains the same regardless of the meat type you are using. Therefore, if you have an abundance of a specific kind of meat, utilizing it to make jerky is an excellent way to ensure you have a stable food source for your survival needs.
What are the benefits of using cooked meat jerky in-game?
Cooked meat jerky offers several benefits that enhance your gameplay in Ark: Survival Evolved. Firstly, it has a much longer shelf life compared to regular cooked meat, meaning you can conserve food while exploring or gathering resources far from your base. This longevity enables players to venture into more perilous environments without the constant worry of food spoilage ruining their plans.
Additionally, cooked meat jerky provides higher food restoration value, ensuring you stay energized during your survival journey. This can be especially beneficial in battles or long treks when managing your hunger meter is crucial for maintaining stamina and health. Overall, jerky serves as a practical choice for resource management in the game.
How do I store cooked meat jerky?
Cooked meat jerky can be stored in various containers, including your inventory, preserving bins, and even refrigerators if available. Keeping jerky in your personal inventory is convenient for quick access during explorations, but be mindful of your weight capacity to avoid being over-encumbered. If you’re planning on building stockpiles, the preserving bin remains an excellent choice.
Using a preserving bin not only helps in storing your jerky securely but also keeps it fresher for longer, given that it can slow down the spoiling process. If you have the resources, keeping a refrigerator close by can offer the most extended preservation, ensuring that your jerky remains available for future use throughout your adventures.
Can I use cooked meat jerky to tame creatures?
No, cooked meat jerky cannot be used to tame creatures in Ark: Survival Evolved. Instead, different types of raw meats are preferred when it comes to taming animals, as the jerky does not have the required taming effectiveness for wild creatures. Players should focus on using raw meat, prime meat, or kibble for maximum efficiency during the taming process.
While jerky is a fantastic long-term food source for players, its role in taming is limited. Once the creatures have been tamed, players can feed them jerky as a food source to sustain their health over extended periods, showcasing that while jerky isn’t beneficial for taming, it remains a valuable item post-tame.
Is there any difference between preserving bin and a refrigerator for making jerky?
Yes, there is a significant difference between a preserving bin and a refrigerator regarding food preservation and the jerky-making process. The preserving bin is essential for drying cooked meat into jerky, while the refrigerator is primarily used for keeping food items, including jerky, fresh for extended periods without decay. The preserving bin allows you to maximize the longevity of your food supply by converting it into a more sustainable form.
On the other hand, a refrigerator offers a more immediate storage solution for various food items, preserving their original states and preventing spoilage. If you have access to both, using the preserving bin for jerky production followed by storing the finished product in a refrigerator provides optimal food management strategies for in-game survival.