New Dehydrator

[Manda_Rae]

I just got a New dehydrator!
Does anyone have any tips?
Where should I start?
What's the easiest thing to start with?

 

[Trying2keepitReal]

I don't have one, but it is on my list so I am watching for replies So exciting

 

[FarmerJamie]

I just got a New dehydrator!
Does anyone have any tips?
Where should I start?
What's the easiest thing to start with?

Start with what you have available and what you like.
Dried fruits are easy, get some firm crunchy apples, kiwi, or strawberries are easy first attempts. And easy to taste test.

Jerky is awesome, but can be intimidating to start with.

Stuff like onions, herbs, etc are easy too, just do them outside of the main living space, if possible. Lol.

Did your unit come with a recipe book? Sometimes I find something unique to attempt.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

What's the easiest thing to start with?

For me - the absolute easiest thing to start with is frozen veggies from the store. They don't have to be cut or blanched because it's already done. It saves me tons of time!

I recently bought 50# of onions and a lot of them were dehydrated.

I also do okra from the garden - it's delicious! Dehydrated corn is quite a tasty snack, lol.

Homemade jerky is delicious and rewarding, but like FJ said is a bit imtimidating the first time. Try it - if you don't like it the dog probably will, lol.

 

[Trying2keepitReal]

I just got a New dehydrator!
Does anyone have any tips?
Where should I start?
What's the easiest thing to start with?

what brand/size dehydrator did you get?

 

[Manda_Rae]

Start with what you have available and what you like.
Dried fruits are easy, get some firm crunchy apples, kiwi, or strawberries are easy first attempts. And easy to taste test.

Jerky is awesome, but can be intimidating to start with.

Stuff like onions, herbs, etc are easy too, just do them outside of the main living space, if possible. Lol.

Did your unit come with a recipe book? Sometimes I find something unique to attempt.

It came with a small recipe book I also got a book. I also joined a few FB groups.

I am really excited about making my own onion & garlic powder.

 

[Manda_Rae]

For me - the absolute easiest thing to start with is frozen veggies from the store. They don't have to be cut or blanched because it's already done. It saves me tons of time!

I recently bought 50# of onions and a lot of them were dehydrated.

I also do okra from the garden - it's delicious! Dehydrated corn is quite a tasty snack, lol.

Homemade jerky is delicious and rewarding, but like FJ said is a bit imtimidating the first time. Try it - if you don't like it the dog probably will, lol.

I do want to work my way to jerky and fruit leather stripes.

I would also like to figure out eggs too.

 

[tortoise]

I don't recommend dehydrating vegetables because they don't rehydrate well and the flavor goes off, IMO. (even with blanching).

I like to dehydrate leafy greens and make them into a powder. It's space efficient and adds a kick of nutrition in almost anything - it's easy to hide! I minimize drying time and minimize heat by leaving the greens on dehydrator trays for a day before turning it on. Then they dry in a couple hours.

I like to keep dehydrated mushrooms on hand. Rehydrate in warm water, drain. Add to cream and cook over low-medium heat until reduced into sauce. Best cream of mushroom soup you'll ever taste!

Apple chips are a hit with my kids. I've tried treating them to reduce browning and even blanching them. Just plain untreated apple slices worked best. Use a mandolin for even drying.

My kids love fruit leather. I can applesauce in season and then later flavor it with berries, etc, and make fruit leather strips. Cutting them is annoying, but it saves so much money compared to the BEAR fruit rolls that DS7 loves.

I make jerky dog treats with thin sliced meat - whatever is left in the freezer before hunting/butchering season. I use a laser thermometer to check the temperature, my cheap NESCO dehydrator gets to 190 easily.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I don't recommend dehydrating vegetables because they don't rehydrate well and the flavor goes off, IMO. (even with blanching).

Hmmm.... I've been making soups and stews with dehydrated veggies for years! I generally rehydrate them before I add them to the pot and it works well for me.

 

[Manda_Rae]

what brand/size dehydrator did you get?

I got it on Amazon.

VIVOHOME Electric 400W 8 Trays Food Dehydrator​