Foods such as apple chips, dried mango and beef jerky…
…can be made in a food dehydrator, which dries foods at a low temperature…
…over an extended period of time.
When food is dry, the flavor is intensified…
…which makes fruit taste sweeter and herbs more pungent;
…it also allows it to be stored for a long time.
As well as being more flavorful and shelf-stable…
…homemade dehydrated snacks tend to be healthier…
…than those you buy in a store; they typically feature one whole ingredient…
…that has been dried without additives, preservatives, or calories.
You can also customize them to your liking…
…(you can add extra salt or none at all, for example).
The dehydrating process also retains more nutrients in food…
…than some cooking methods.
When an ingredient like kale, which is full of heat-sensitive…
…and water-soluble vitamin C, is boiled…
…it loses some of its immune-boosting properties.
By dehydrating it at a low temperature…
…its nutrients and vitamins are preserved better.
Before we get started, let’s hear Stella’s story…
If you’re in the same situation as I was, I hope this helps you.
I recently lost my much-loved food dehydrator,
which I bought in the early 1990’s.
This new dehydrator is the one I found after doing a lot of research to see
if the trays would fit any other dehydrators. YAY!
Since I didn’t want to throw away the old trays,
and I didn’t want to buy extras for the new ones,
I did not want to throw them into the trash.
I have attached photos to show how they fit together so well!
I’m very pleased to have found this dehydrator and have been very satisfied with it so far.
I’ve been using it almost every day since it arrived in the mail.
Let’s get started…
History of Dehydrators
Food has been preserved with dehydration since prehistoric times.
It was not until the 1970s that this method of food preservation…
…became an electrical appliance.
At this time, major appliance companies like Excalibur began producing…
…and selling food dehydrators to housewives around the world.
By the 1980s, a variety of household appliance manufacturers…
…were producing these appliances.
As fewer people grow and cook their own food…
…food dehydrators have declined significantly over the last 20 to 25 years.
Nevertheless, there is still a sizable market for these machines…
…and many people find them to be excellent investments.
How Food Dehydrators Work
Dehydrators dry out foods by circulating air at a very low temperature.
To dry fully and evenly, the foods must be arranged…
…in a single layer without touching.
Depending on the amount of water in the food…
…different temperatures are recommended:
- Generally, water-dense ingredients, like fruit, benefit from a higher temperature, like 135°F, so they can dry quickly without becoming too crisp.
- Dehydrating vegetables at a lower temperature, such as 125°F, is possible.
- Dehydrate delicate foods, like herbs, at even lower temperatures, like 95°F, to prevent over-drying and discoloration.
- The USDA recommends first cooking meat to 165°F and then dehydrating it between 130°F and 140°F. It is recommended that this method be used to kill any potentially harmful bacteria and ensure that the cooked meat dehydrates quickly and safely.
A number of factors, such as uneven slicing, variations in fruit or vegetable size, or different amounts of moisture can affect drying time even in the controlled environment of an electric dehydrator, so taking the time to prep foods so they’re similar in size and thickness will ensure the best results.
Donna Currie – Food writer who specializes in product reviews
Here are some other things you can do with your food dehydrator:
- Dry homemade pasta
- Make yogurt
- Make fruit leather, granola bars, dog treats, and more
- Make potpourri
- You can also crisp up old cookies or crackers.
- DIY art projects, such as flour molds and water molds that can be painted
Keep going…
What Is the Best Kind of Food Dehydrator?
Two main types of dehydrators exist: those with shelves that stack…
…and those with pull-out shelves.
Our dehydrator tests revealed little difference between these two styles…
…when we dried apple slices, parsley, and beef for jerky.
The main difference between these two styles is the placement of the fan.
Both styles offer models with wide temperature and timer ranges…
…an important feature to look for…
…to ensure you have full control over your results.
- Dehydrators with stacked shelves have a small fan at the bottom that circulates air upwards. Dehydrators that stack take up less space and are less expensive. Others are round, while others are rectangular; we prefer the rectangular ones because they create more surface area and accommodate different-shaped ingredients better. For infrequent users or newcomers to dehydration, stacking dehydrators are ideal.
- The large fan in the back of dehydrators with pull-out shelves is able to circulate the air more evenly, resulting in more consistent results. Generally, dehydrators with pull-out shelves are made from more solid materials to better control the temperature. For those who prefer not to cook on plastic, there are metal shelves instead of plastic.
Perhaps you are wondering…
Is It Possible to Use the Oven As A Dehydrator?
Food dehydrators work by continuously circulating air…
…at very low temperatures for an extended period of time.
The dehydrators, on the other hand…
…remove moisture from food so that it can be cooked without heat and rehydrated.
A dehydrator offers lower temperatures than most ovens.
Dehydrating is an option on some new models…
…but it isn’t ideal due to the limited amount of racks…
…and accessories most ovens come with.
Dehydrating in a toaster oven, especially one with a large capacity…
…like June Smart Ovens or Breville Smart Oven Airs…
…allows you to dehydrate more ingredients at once…
…since you can purchase additional air fryers/dehydrating racks.
Go on…
Is It Worth Buying A Food Dehydrator?
Dehydrators are useful appliances for mindful eaters.
In addition, they are helpful in keeping food waste at bay…
…since they promote eating whole, natural ingredients.
They are especially useful for parents…
…who try to feed their children healthy snacks, for people with allergies…
…and for those who can’t find additive-free snacks at stores.
Furthermore, dehydrators are very cost-effective in the long run.
They allow you to buy produce in bulk, especially when it is in season or on sale…
…and store it for later use.
For gardeners who often have an excess of ingredients, they’re a great tool.
Dehydrators have the drawback of drying food slowly…
…and the yield often makes it easy to eat everything in one sitting.
However, if you purchase a large one with a timer…
…the process is quite hands off and rewarding.
Tips for Dehydrating
- Before dehydrating, cut foods into even pieces. The thinner the food, the faster it will dehydrate.
- Food should be laid out in a single layer, with at least 1/8 inch of space between each item.
- Dehydrate foods for less time if you want a chewy texture.
- If the foods are still dry but flexible, turn the dehydrator off. As they sit, they will become less flexible.
- Before storing foods for long periods of time, they must be fully dehydrated. Dehydrated food can be tested for this by placing it in a sealed plastic bag. The food is not completely dry if moisture droplets accumulate over the course of a day or two. Repeat the dehydration process.
Our Articles for Food Dehydrator
Food Dehydrator Buying Guide You Need To Know!
When it comes to picking the best food dehydrator for your purposes…
…your tastes and how you intend to use it will play a big role.
However, having a clear understanding of how they differ…
…and what options you have will assist you…
…in making the best purchasing decision possible.
Read more on the article to find out more abou thist food dehydrator’s buying guide..
Best Ronco Dehydrator, Yay Or Nay?
Everyone these days appears to be striving to eat a bit healthier.
However, some of the greatest foods have a short shelf life.
It’s infuriating to spend your hard-earned cash on groceries…
…only to have them spoil within a few days after purchase.
If you have a garden, you may discover that your kitchen…
…is overflowing with vegetables throughout the summer,
…but that you miss those items when the weather turns chilly.
Are you interested in using a food dehydrator?
Or wondering if the Ronco dehydrator is a good match for you?
You can read the article right now!
Best Nesco Dehydrator: You Will Be Fascinated
When you can dehydrate your own fruit chips and jerky…
…making nutritious snacks doesn’t have to be tough.
Since 1978, Nesco has been the market leader in dehydrators…
…and developed to include the accessories you need.
Dehydrating food has never been easier! Nesco has a wide range…
…of food and accessories dehydrators to meet…
…your requirements.
Read more on the article to find out which the best Nesco food dehydrator.
Is A Dehydrator Worth It? Check This Answer Now!
A dehydrator may be worthwhile in some cases.
We discovered that after dehydrating sixty items (an apple, for example)…
…you should have recovered your investment in a dehydrator…
…which costs around $40. This includes the price of electricity.
In this article, we explained how we arrived at this figure…
…as well as how you can save money on a dehydrator…
…by dehydrating foods with a different appliance in your home…
(which you may already own).
Finally…
Sum Up!
A food dehydrator is basically a box filled with air that circulates over heat.
Evaporation occurs as hot air circulates through the chamber where the food sits.
Using it at home will help you save money on groceries…
…by allowing you to dry your own produce.
Conclusion
There you go, a guide for a food dehydrator.
Would you consider buying one for your kitchen?
In addition, please feel free to share this article with your family…
…and friends if you find it helpful!
Was this helpful?
Hi there! I’m a food enthusiast and journalist, and I have a real passion for food that goes beyond the kitchen. I love my dream job and I’m lucky enough to be able to share my knowledge with readers of several large media outlets. My specialty is writing engaging food-related content, and I take pride in being able to connect with my audience. I’m known for my creativity in the kitchen, and I’m confident that I can be the perfect guide for anyone looking to take their culinary journey to the next level.
