Food

[Bosham]

Can someone explain to me food dehydrators? I've read posts about them and still, I'm not exactly sure on a few issues.
I had originally planned on going with freeze dried, but one of the posts I read made me think that dehydrators would be better for us.
So, I'm looking into purchasing a food dehydrator but I have a few nagging questions that I haven't seen answered here yet.
Can someone please tell me how to store your food after dehydration? I.e., do you put it in a tupper ware bin? mason jar? or what?
How long does food stay good after it has been dehydrated? 1yr, 5yr, 10yr??
What is a good food dehydrator to buy?
And, can you dehyrdrate all kinds of foods including hamburger?
Thank you for your time.

[Redman]

Welcome to the forum Bosham. You may find some of the answers to your questions in this thread.

http://thesurvivalpodcast.com/forum/index.php?topic=62738.0

Also check out some of the other threads there.

[CharlesH]

I’ll tackle the “how I store it” question.  For me dehydration is about saving space and creating intense flavor.  Unless you dehydrate something down to super dry and crispy, it will eventually mold if left out.  We have a nice Excalibur and do lots of dehydrating of fruit (apples, peaches, plums, apricots, strawberries). Dehydrating reduces the space the fruit takes up and amps up the flavor.  But we tend to dehydrate to a leathery consistency and then freeze them.  If we leave them on the counter they will eventually mold on us.

[Stwood]

We store in mason jars, and used to vacuum the jars. Now we just drop in a oxygen pack.

And we also have the Excalibur, newly bought. We retired the old round one.

[LvsChant]

Start your dehydrating education here: https://www.dehydrate2store.com/

She has lots of tips on how to dehydrate things best and also how to use the dehydrated foods in recipes. Fruits, veges, herbs are what I dehydrate most. I also do dry bread to make my own breadcrumbs.

Dehydrators are great for making your own jerky, too.

I think it is less optimal for drying meats... and I wouldn't try hamburger.

Dehydrators are much less expensive than freeze-dryers...and yield some really excellent results. But if you are looking at long-term storage of meats, I wouldn't recommend it.

[mountainmoma]

I store dried fruits and veggies for years after dehydrating. If you want it to store along time, dry it all the way, until it is no lonnger soft or pliable. Store away from air, light  and moisture ( like in a mason jar with an O2 absorber)

the web site LvsChant gave is good.

Get a good dehydrator, many people get excalibur and like it, they are good.  There are also ones sold a Cabellas that are very good. Dont get a cheap, round one.  I dont like fan noise, so I made on like on this site, and have that book http://www.dryit.com/

[Bobbytech]

Thanks for the recommendations, guys! Will be taking note of these.

[Frugal Upstate]

I agree with what’s been said.  For long term storage I dehydrate the heck out of stuff till is brittle and then I vacuum seal in jars, sometimes with a moisture absorber pack thrown in.  Then store in a cool dark place.  I’ve stored a few things in Mylar bags with o2 absorbers-mostly tomatoes & peas etc—anything with sharp edges after dehydration may poke s hole in your Mylar.  For eating shortly (fruit leathers, jerky etc) I just toss in a good quality zippered freezer bag or a jar and close the lid without vacuum sealing.

Oh, and while you can buy the moisture absorber packets, I just save any that come in pill bottles or purchased produxts, throw them in the dehydrator to “recharge” them and store in a jar till I need them.

[Stwood]

Oh, and while you can buy the moisture absorber packets, I just save any that come in pill bottles or purchased produxts, throw them in the dehydrator to “recharge” them and store in a jar till I need them.

 

[LvsChant]

Great tip, frugal! +1

[Redman]

A reminder for those that may have forgotten or may not know.
Dessicant bags and beads are not the same as Oxygen Absorbers.

Dessicant - Silica Gel and can be dried

https://www.instructables.com/id/Reusing-Dessicant-Packs/

Oxygen absorber - iron filing, salt and clay, can not be reused.

https://apartmentprepper.com/the-difference-between-oxygen-absorbers-and-silica-gel/

[Stwood]

Thanks for the reminder

[Frugal Upstate]

A reminder for those that may have forgotten or may not know.
Dessicant bags and beads are not the same as Oxygen Absorbers.

Dessicant - Silica Gel and can be dried

https://www.instructables.com/id/Reusing-Dessicant-Packs/

Oxygen absorber - iron filing, salt and clay, can not be reused.

https://apartmentprepper.com/the-difference-between-oxygen-absorbers-and-silica-gel/

Thanks for clarifying for folks!  In case I wasn’t clear in my comment above—I mentioned the O2 absorbers in regards to sealing the Mylar bags, but the moisture absorbers (desiccant) in the other parts of the comment.

It made sense when I typed it

[Redman]

Thanks for clarifying for folks!  In case I wasn’t clear in my comment above—I mentioned the O2 absorbers in regards to sealing the Mylar bags, but the moisture absorbers (desiccant) in the other parts of the comment.

It made sense when I typed it

Yeah I understand, BTDT.

[Bobbytech]

That clears it all up. Thanks as well, fellas!