What Did You Dehydrate Today?

[frustratedearthmother]

How do you dry and use celery?

I don't get fancy...just slice it and toss it in the dehydrator. I'm bad and never pay enough attention to the recommended times...just until it gets crunchy then put it in a jar and vacuum the jar. Sometimes I'll use a silica pack in dehydrated goods.

 

[tortoise]

More apple slices yesterday and today. Keeping the dehydrators humming! There is an online auction with an excalibur-type dehydrator. I plan to come home with it, or buy a similar one at the feed store if the price gets close to retail. We've outgrown our round dehydrators. I've burned out 2 round dehydrators and another one is burning out now. Time to upgrade.

 

[murphysranch]

I'll use dry celery in soups, stews and in casseroles. Since celery is sold by the pound where I live now, its horribly expensive (vs Calif where its sold by the bunch). So I buy it when on sale.

 

[tortoise]

I cut celery into slaw for soup. I might try dehydrating it that way

 

[FarmerJamie]

Thoughts on running silicon dehydrator mats through the washing machine to clean? To cumbersome to wash by hand, have to roll them up in the dishwasher. Last run of honey crisp apple rings today and then putting the dehydrator up for the season. Want the mats to be really clean before bagging them up.
(Been handwashing lightly in a large dish pan, but it takes forever)

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Thoughts on running silicon dehydrator mats through the washing machine to clean?

Never thought about it. Might work - you try it first and let me know, lol.

I generally just fill up the big side of the sink and soak 'em in hot soapy water - maybe a couple specks of bleach. Rinse well and stick in the dehydrator to dry. I store mine in a 2-gallon ziploc bag until I need 'em. Washing machine sounds easier!

 

[tortoise]

Thoughts on running silicon dehydrator mats through the washing machine to clean? To cumbersome to wash by hand, have to roll them up in the dishwasher. Last run of honey crisp apple rings today and then putting the dehydrator up for the season. Want the mats to be really clean before bagging them up.
(Been handwashing lightly in a large dish pan, but it takes forever)

I would bleach afterward, washing machines are full of contaminants that get transferred from one load to another. (from underwear...)
But gosh it still sounds tempting. Those silicone mats are a pain to wash! I can't recommend them. I'll get plastic liners in the future.

 

[tortoise]

Another batch of celery done. Thanks @frustratedearthmother !

I had plums languishing on the counter, so I sliced them thin on my mandolin and popped them in my dehydrator. I'm fixing to add kiwi slices. My kids prefer "naked" dried fruit without sugar, oil, and sulfites added. They're extremely expensive to purchase. Why haven't I done this before?

 

[tortoise]

Kiwi slices in the dehydrator!

 

[Trying2keepitReal]

Kiwi slices in the dehydrator!

Would love to know which dehydrator you end up buying-we are in the market for one too and I hate researching.....

Let me know how those turn out! My kids love the naked dried fruit and fruit leathers as well