Essential Equipment for Dehydrating Food:
A Comprehensive Guide
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With the right equipment and a spirit of experimentation, dehydrating food becomes not only a practical means of preservation but also a creative culinary adventure waiting to unfold. In addition to making your own dehydrated meals for outdoor pursuits, dehydrating food opens doors to crafting delightful snacks at home and rescuing perishable ingredients from the depths of your fridge. Whether you’re a seasoned food preservation enthusiast, or a novice looking to dip your toes in the world of dehydrating, having the right equipment is key.
At the core, a dehydrator is all you absolutely need, but there are several other tools that will make the dehydrating process more efficient, successful and enjoyable.
List of essential equipment:
Learn more about each piece of equipment below:
Want to learn more about dehydrating?
Dehydrator
The cornerstone of any food dehydration setup is, of course, the dehydrator itself. Dehydrators come in various shapes and sizes, with different features and price points. Look for a model that suits your needs, whether you’re dehydrating small batches or planning to preserve large quantities of food. Some popular types include stackable tray dehydrators, shelf tray dehydrators, and box dehydrators. Make sure your chosen dehydrator provides adjustable temperature settings for optimal control.
Weight Scale
Using a weight scale for dehydrating food can be a valuable and often overlooked tool. Incorporating a weight scale into your dehydrating tool-kit enhances precision, consistency, and control over the drying process. There are several reasons a weight scale is handy, but the top two in my books are:
- Educational tool: Using a weight scale can help you understand the dehydration process better. By observing how different foods lose moisture during dehydration, you can develop a deeper knowledge of the characteristics of various ingredients and improve your overall dehydrating skills.
- Precision in Recipes: For those who enjoy creating their own dehydrated meals or snacks, a weight scale is invaluable for precise prep and recipe development. It allows you to measure ingredients accurately (before and after dehydrating), ensuring the correct amount is used.Â
Quality Food Slicer(s) and/or processor
Food slicers are handy tools that ensure uniform thickness when preparing your ingredients for dehydration. Having consistent slice thickness is crucial for ensuring your food is dehydrated throughout. For some ingredients, you can go without, but for others, a meat slicer, a mandoline slicer and/or a food processor will make the process efficient and precise.
Dehydrating Tray Inserts, Parchment Paper or Silicone Mats
Prevent sticking and simplify the cleanup process by using dehydrating tray inserts, parchment paper or silicone mats on your dehydrator trays. These liners not only make it easier to remove dried food but also help maintain the cleanliness of your dehydrator. Dehydrator tray inserts are well worth the investment (they fit your trays perfectly, are easy to clean and promote proper air circulation) but if you’re new to dehydrating or have yet to get yourself some inserts, parchment paper or silicone mats that you have lying around will do the trick. Keep in mind that parchment can be blown around by the dehydrator fan (especially if dehydrating something light). In this case, you’ll want to weigh or clip the corner edges down.Â
Mason Jars and Mylar Bags
Mason jars and mylar bags are great options for storage. They provide airtight seals, ensuring optimal preservation. Note: If you plan to vacuum seal Mylar bags, they can be quite tricky. Generic Mylar bags don’t vacuum seal easily because the material is flat on both sides, making it difficult for the vacuum sealer to extract air from between the material. If you’re wanting to vacuum seal mylar bags, make sure to buy ones that have textured material on one side (which are meant for vacuum sealing). Or, look up some hacks online to vacuum seal generic Mylar bags. I have to say though, I’ve tested some of these hacks and find them quite strenuous, especially for small bags.
Vacuum Sealer
Once your food is dehydrated, it’s essential to store it properly to maintain its freshness. Although not necessary, investing in a vacuum sealer is well worth it to extend the shelf life of your dehydrated goodies. I recommend choosing a model that allows you to vacuum seal bags and jars (some are designed for one option only).
And that’s it! The list of equipment and tools you need to dehydrate is short and sweet. Keep in mind that these are tools you can collect over time as you dive deeper into the world of dehydrating; simply investing in a dehydrator is the first crucial step. Otherwise, enjoy the art of dehydrating and the endless opportunities it offers!
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The Foodie Behind the Screen
Hi there! I'm Bri. I'm sharing my love for cooking - and the outdoors - one recipe at a time.
