How to Dehydrate Food
The quality of dehydrated food depends on different methods, time requirements and the type of equipment needed. Here are a few ways on how to dehydrate your food.
Electric Dehydrators
Electric food dehydrators are one of the most effective methods for drying food. They come along with a timer and temperature gauge to help you get the right temperature and fans to make sure the heat is spread evenly. There are many tray sizes that allow you to dehydrate different types of food altogether.
Do not overload the dehydrator tray. To dehydrate your food well, spread out your food evenly to avoid making the food moist
Oven Drying
Dehydrate your food using an electric oven if you don’t have any electric dehydrators. Set the temperature of the oven to 140°F and place your food on a baking sheet in a single layer. Leave the door of the oven slightly open to let the moisture escape. Keep an eye on your food and remove it when it is completely dry.
Oven drying takes two to three hours to dehydrate your food. It also consumes more energy than an electric food dehydrator.
Benefits of Dehydrating Food
There are many benefits of dehydrating food we have mentioned a few of the points below:
- Increases Shelf Life
Dehydration of food is often done to extend their shelf life and make them last longer. It removes the moisture from food which prevents the growth of bacteria, yeast, and mold.
- Reduces Weight and Size
The dehydration process removes a certain amount of water weight from food. This makes the food lighter and solidified which is ideal for storage and transport.
- Preserves Nutrition and Natural Flavors
Dehydrating your food helps preserve the natural flavor and essential nutrients.
Foods rich in fat or oil are not suitable for dehydration since the fat may spoil, turning rancid. Avoid dehydrating food such as peanut butter, avocados and dairy products.
Dehydrating Temperatures of Various Food Items
When dehydrating food, drying temperature is essential. Most dehydrated food can maintain a shelf life of up to 15 years or more depending on the food item. The ideal temperature for most food items ranges from 120°F to 160°F to obtain the best result.
There are various types of dehydrating temperatures according to the food items. Fruits and vegetables can be dried out at temperatures ranging from 125 to 135°F. Meat is dehydrated at a temperature of 160 - 165°F.