Food Dehydrators

[jcam222]

I think I need to remind my wife of this machine when she grows her herbs next year. She usually dries them in the oven I think.

I need to harvest my rosemary and thyme to do this. Both have survived the cold so far.

 

[rjob]

Link below to National Center for Home Food Preservation has a fairly good intro to drying food.

National Center for Home Food Preservation | How Do I? Dry

 

[Cajun Smokes]

I may do this next year. My buddy does it to make pepper powder but I know he does it outdoors.

Definately outside when grinding and stand up wind
. I started dehydrating peppers outside, my poor dog couldn't take it in the house lol

I think I need to remind my wife of this machine when she grows her herbs next year. She usually dries them in the oven I think.

Oven does accomplish drying but a dehydrator is a lower heat for a longer period, I do 120° for lite herbs/green onions and 135 for peppers. This leaves the vibrant color and to me a better product when used later.

 

[chieffan]

We have three of the Presto dehydrators. 2 are simple heating units on the bottom and 5 or 6 trays. The other one is forced air from a fan and heat element on the top which is much faster. We so a lot of apples each year, but one can dry about anything you may want in the fruit, veggie and seasoning line. Have to rotate the trays on each of them. I just run the apples through the corer, peeler, slice, then crosscut them one time to make half rings and put them in a pan of water with lemon juice to keep them from turning brown.