Using this Nella meat tenderizer and slicer is a piece of cake. First, make sure the machine is on a stable surface. Open the mouth of the machine and place the boneless meat inside. Use the handle to gently guide the meat through the machine for tenderizing or slicing. You can adjust the way you move the meat to get the thickness you want for your jerky. When you're done, it's very important to clean the machine. Since it's easy to disassemble, take it apart and wash the parts with warm, soapy water. Make sure to dry them thoroughly before reassembling. Store it in a dry place to prevent rusting. Also, don't try to force large or hard pieces of meat through the machine as it may cause jams or damage the blades.