June 1, 2025, 4:06 am | Read time: 4 minutes
Drying is an ancient technique for preserving food. Thanks to modern appliances, it’s much easier for us today than it was for our ancestors. This article reveals what to consider when purchasing a food dehydrator.
A food dehydrator is a practical purchase for anyone looking to preserve fruits, vegetables, herbs, or even meat while making healthy snacks at home. However, not every device suits every need. From size to temperature control to noise level and energy efficiency, there are several factors to consider before buying.
How Does a Food Dehydrator Work?
A controlled supply of heat and air circulation removes water from food in a dehydrator. A heating element warms the air, and a fan then distributes it evenly inside. Essentially, a dehydrator works similarly to a convection oven but on a much smaller scale. Unlike an oven or an air fryer, the temperature and duration for moisture removal can be more precisely regulated. To dry as much food as possible, most devices have multiple trays and grids where the food is spread out.
Dehydrators come in different varieties. More extensively equipped models have programs tailored to various foods. Depending on the desired result and product, drying must occur at variable temperatures. These typically range between 122 and 131 degrees Fahrenheit for vegetables and fruits. If meat is to be preserved this way, higher temperatures are used to reliably kill germs.
Drying Extends the Shelf Life of Food
By removing moisture, the essential living conditions for microorganisms are eliminated, significantly extending the shelf life of food. Yet, important nutrients and flavors are retained. When stored dry, dried foods last several months, sometimes even much longer. Our ancestors knew this, which is why they dried many foods right after harvest to make them storable. Another side effect directly related to storage: dried foods lose volume, requiring much less space.
What Is Suitable for Drying?
The culinary applications of dried foods are diverse. A great snack that even kids enjoy includes dried apple rings or banana chips. Dried berry mixes are tasty as a snack or on porridge. Of course, herbs can also be dried and then ground to add fresh flavor to dishes. Even as a substitute for potato chips, dried vegetables like beets are suitable. Dried tomatoes give pasta dishes an intense flavor, while dried herbs bring fresh aromas to the kitchen all year round.
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What to Consider When Buying a Food Dehydrator
If you already own an air fryer, check the manual to see if the device also has a mode for drying. This way, you can test the technology and the taste results without making a larger purchase.
Once the decision to buy a food dehydrator is made, several factors can be relevant:
- Volume and Size: Devices come in many different sizes. If you only want to occasionally dry a few apple or banana slices, a compact device with three or five trays is best. Fans of the technology or users who want to preserve food for a larger household or make part of their garden harvest last longer should opt for devices with larger volumes and more trays.
- Circulation: The food placed on the trays naturally affects the heat distribution in the device. With simple models, users must compensate for this by regularly rearranging the trays. This becomes more convenient with a fan that distributes the heat horizontally in the device.
- Temperature Control and Programs: The more precisely the temperature for drying can be controlled, the more versatile the machine is. Programs tailored to food production are also advantageous. As mentioned, different foods require different temperatures. Especially for meat products, higher values are necessary to kill germs that can cause health issues.
- Maintenance Effort: Trays and the interior of the device should be easy to clean. Metal trays are generally dishwasher-safe, making them the most convenient option. Attention should also be paid to the manufacturer’s description. “Dishwasher-safe” is different from “dishwasher proof.”
- Energy Consumption: The temperature level and the volume of the device directly affect energy consumption. It is, therefore, sensible to compare two similar models in this discipline to make an economical decision.