How do you store your dried fruit?

[big brown horse]

I don't have a vacuum sealer, so how should I store my dried apples and plums?

Second question, how long will they last? My dehydrator was second hand and didn't come with a manuel. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[delia_peterson]

Good question BBH, mine did not come with one either.

 

[big brown horse]

Good question BBH, mine did not come with one either.

Morning delia! You and I always end up in the same boat don't we? Scoot over I'll have some popped corn with ya while the experts chime in!

 

[delia_peterson]

Yes, I just got mine yesterday and am dying to use it, but not until I know the proper way to store.

 

[enjoy the ride]

Ok- no guarantee of this being proper but I haven't killed myself yet.
I have dried stuff as opposed to canned for years. I store most of it vacuum packed in canning jars. Some I just put in jars without vacuum packing if I plan to use within a year,
I was worried about botulism in some things so I contacted those canning experts at the Georgia University. Onions and garlic are not alright to vacuum pack. Celery, I have found from my experience, needs to be kept in the fridge even if dried and vacuum packed- it has always molded on me no matter how dry I get it but will keep in the frige a long time when dried. I don't vacuum pack it.
Botulism grows in an anerobic, warm and moist situation. So I have always been hesitant to vacuum seal things that are gummy when dried like pears and raisins. The Georgia UNiversity people told me that it would be OK if I was sure about the proper moister level. But since those never seem to last too long, simply putting them in a canning jar and keeping out of direct light keeps them at least a year. Apples and tomatoes and other things that get crispy dried last a lllllooooooonnnnngggg time vacuumed packed.
BTW Cabellas had a hand held vacuum thing that I use with the canning jar do-hickies. It was only $15 dollars plus about $10 for the jar dokickies. I never liked the plastic bag approach so never used that part of the old vacuum sealer anyway.