Preserve your fresh veggies and fruits for long-term storage, or make tasty, healthy, on-the-go snacks for your family!
I have a new addiction! I bought a dehydrator a few months back, and I haven't been able to stop! At the store, I find myself searching for bargains like BOGOs on produce to justify buying large quantities for dehydrating. Yes, I am unapologetically hooked!
Potatoes, onions, strawberries, cherries, you name it, even watermelon - I am trying it! And I am extremely pleased with how well it is going. And for that matter, so is my husband.
I wanted to share a little bit of my experience, in hopes that those of you that are considering it have a bit more of a head start than I did. It has been pretty straight-forward so far, and with a little bit of luck, I haven't had any big fails - knock on wood. However, I have a few lessons learned.
Tips on Buying a Dehydrator
I got lucky with my dehydrator purchase. Based on a Facebook group I have been following, it could have been much different. Many have posted about poor experiences, customer service nightmares, and paying more than they felt they should. I, on the other hand, am content with mine so far.
First, let me share that I purchased a Magic Mill MFD-7070. It has 7 stainless steel trays, 3 food-grade plastic mesh screens and 2 food-grade plastic trays for liquids. All accessories are dishwasher safe. My only complaint is the power button seems to be right in the place that I touch every single time I close the door, causing it to shut down. I have also seen very good posts on Cosori, which seems to be a popular brand on the dehydrating scene and similar to my unit.
Things to consider when you are shopping:
Size - If you have a small kitchen like mine, you may not have the storage for some of the larger units. Keep in mind that dehydrating takes hours and even days, so think about where you will keep it when using it in addition to storage. I placed mine on the stove to one side, leaving two burner open and this works well for every-day use.
Trays - I picked my unit based on the number of trays/space available, and it worked out well for me. I love the size for what I do. Many of the folks I have encountered have more than one unit. I find mine to be perfect, but this will be very dependent on your needs.
Temperature Control - Some units don't offer much flexibility in temperature control. Mine does, but I could see this being a deal breaker for many. Many of the items I dehydrate require different temperatures.
Cleaning - It mattered to me how easy the unit was to clean, and I am very pleased with the Magic Mill in that regard. Granted, I use parchment paper for the most part, but the trays are all dishwasher safe, and the large cabinet is easy to wipe down.
Cost - Dehydrators vary pretty significantly in price. If you are on a budget, watch for sales on your favorite shopping sites. Also, keep an eye on sales forums, as they seem to be an item that someone buys or gets as a gift, never uses and then resells.
Usage - That brings me to my last tip. Dehydrating fresh produce requires a lot of prep work. My husband is really good about helping me peel, slice and dice our fruits and veggies, but it takes time even with both of us working on it. It has proven well worth it for us when we are short on time to cook, but you might not find it is a good fit for you. I have seen many a post of dehydrators declaring defeat and leaving the game. Keep in mind that it
Proper Food Preparation
As with anything, preparation will have a huge impact on your end result. Some of the tips I have found helpful:
Clean your food well. Many fruits and vegetables have been waxed, and then you don't know where they have been and who has handled them. It will help to extend the life of your food.
Peeling and slicing is not absolutely necessary, but will certainly reduce dehydrating times pretty significantly.
Prep your food the way you would use it. Think about the recipes and dishes you would use your veggies in, and go ahead and dice or slice them with that in mind.
Prep veggies with veggies and fruit with fruit as a rule. Temperatures tend to run about the same in these categories, so this will help keep your dehydrator full.
Good Results, Bad Results
Some things work, and some things don't, and this will ultimately come down to personal preference. For instance, I did not have good luck with cabbage. I didn't like the texture. Many fellow dehydrators (and my husband), loved the watermelon, but my daughter couldn't stomach it. I will try to keep my comments objective in this section on a few that I have rehydrated or eaten, or based on anecdotal comments from other dehydrators' experiences. You will then have to experiment to see what you like and what you don't.
Scallions, onions, carrots, mushrooms - All rehydrated well, and no textural changes noted. Awesome in your favorite instant ramen!
Cabbage - As mentioned, the cabbage turned out a bit chewy when rehydrated. The flavor was still good, so just the texture is different.
Cilantro - Seems to lose all of the yummy flavor when dehydrated. I chose to freeze for preservation.
Citrus - Amazing as a snack, and powders are really nice for cooking to add brightness. My daughter uses the powders in everything, and my husband loves the orange slices as a snack.
Tomatoes - I have not yet rehydrated tomatoes yet, because they don't seem to last long enough. I love to use them in powders for dips and cooking, and the cherry tomatoes with a few spices added are my new favorite snack!
Marshmallows - Yes, marshmallows! All of my fellow dehydrators love them, so I gave them a try. They definitely make a nice, chewy snack, and will last longer. I look forward to using them in some hot chocolate this winter.
Potatoes - I have dehydrated sliced and diced, but not yet rehydrated. I made potatoes au gratin with my sliced potatoes, and you could not tell the difference from fresh.
Mangos, watermelon, cherries, bananas - Turned out to be awesome snacks that didn't last for very long because we ate them so fast.
At the end of the day, I enjoy my dehydrator and feel like I will get many years of enjoyment from the projects I have planned. I am entertaining the idea of meals in a jar, making my own herbs and spices, and love the idea of making gifts for friends and family. I will certainly share my adventures as we go! As I learn new things, I may add to this blog, so be sure to bookmark and check back!
Comments