A dehydrators for food is a great tool for anyone who wants to eat healthier and eliminate food waste. It can also help those who have difficulty finding additive-free foods in stores or for whom fresh ingredients are too expensive.
Preserving Nature’s Bounty: A Look at Fruit Dehydrators
A simple dehydrator works by circulating air over ingredients for extended periods of time to remove moisture and preserve the flavors and nutritional content of the food. It can take anywhere from four to 12 hours for some foods to dry completely, depending on their size and how thick they are. Most models have trays that stack together and rest on a base unit that typically houses the heating element and fan. Look for a model with dishwasher-safe trays and intuitive controls. A digital display with a countdown timer can make it easier to keep track of drying times.
Water-rich ingredients like fruits and vegetables benefit from high temperatures, while delicate herbs and veggies can be dehydrated at lower ones. Meat should be cooked to 165deg F before drying, as raw meat is more likely to carry bacteria that can cause illness if not fully killed and dehydrated.
The best food dehydrators are easy to use, have a compact footprint and accommodate many trays at once. Our top pick, the Excalibur EFD-400, has a solid 4.5-star rating on Amazon and comes with everything you need to get started. It has a large capacity and can handle a lot of food at once, so it’s an excellent choice if you plan to make jerky, fruit leather or other recipes that require larger quantities.
