Question Dehydrating

[Rhonda]

Hello there. I'm relatively new to posting in here hope I am in the right place. I have just purchased a Dehydrater. Loving it so far made some Onion powder , breadcrumbs, herbs. Anyone have some tips or suggestions about Dehydrating. Thank you.

 

[Mandy Onderwater]

This is the right place indeed!
Is this your first-ever dehydrator? I've been wanting to get one too

For most items this same rule counts; spread in an even layer so everything dries at the same time. That way you avoid thicker areas that might hold on to moisture for a longer amount of time.

 

[Rhonda]

Hi there . This is my second Dehydrater. The first one was a Sunbeam plastic one which I was a bit unsure of being plastic. Worked great the first few times then melted in the middle. This one is Stainless steel and has worked wonderfully for the times I have used it.
I dried some curry and onion bread slices last week for crumbing Chicken worked out great.
I have an abundance of Celery and Kale ect in my vege patch all earmarked for dehydrating over the next week.
I split leeks and spring onions length ways then slice makes for quicker more even drying as well

 

[Mandy Onderwater]

Melted? Wowza, that's some bad design...

Onion bread? Do you have a recipe for that, or do you buy it somewhere readymade?

 

[Rhonda]

The onion bread was on sale at my Local Fresh and Save. I think if you bake your own try 2 tablespoons curry and 2 of Onion powder into the flour when measuring it out. Don't quote me LOL. Just a guestamate from the colour and flavour. Good place to start I guess.

Yes the Melting occurred I think because the reccomended drying time for the onions was to much for the Dehydrater

 

[GoneBe]

Hey! Awesome that you’re starting your dehydrating journey! For onions, try slicing them thin; it speeds up the drying process. You can also add other spices like garlic powder or paprika to enhance the flavor. Good luck with your future experiments!

 

[Rhonda]

Thanks John. Yes lots planned Vege powders and rub blends as the produce becomes available in my garden

 

[Scottish_Maiden]

Leeks, thinly sliced fruit (apples, pears, etc.), and celery all make handy mid-winter "toss it in the ___X___" dehydrated veggies. If you're ambitious and have an over-abundance of cucumbers, slice them thin, dehydrate them, and then throw them in the blender a few at the time to create a powder -- good for making ranch dressing, or toss a tablespoon into soups and marinades over the winter for extra nutrition and a pleasant bit of extra flavor.

 

[Rhonda]

I slice Leeks and spring onions length ways first then slice them. Seems to work well. I love celery salt and have an abundance of Celery in the garden so that's on the list

 

[lincoln_park_farm]

I am looking at purchasing a dehydrator and my question would be is the Excalibur brand worth the money? I had an old Sunbeam one years ago and was not impressed. Can anyone vouch for these, or know what to avoid?

 

[Rhonda]

Hi there I bought mine from Bunnings. Looks very similar to an Excalibur but much smaller price tag. My old one was a Sunbeam. It melyed in the middle. It was plastic. The one I have now is Stainless steel. Noy as loud as many others......Hope thishelps

 

[Mandy Onderwater]

What brand do you currently have @Rhonda ?

 

[Rhonda]

What brand do you currently have @Rhonda ?

https://www.bunnings.com.au/food-de...ky-maker-dryer-stainless-steel-black_p0278307
It's Devanti brand.. I popped the link above not sure if it will work

 

[Mandy Onderwater]

Ah yes! The reviews look pretty positive on it

 

[Rhonda]

Ah yes! The reviews look pretty positive on it

Yes I thought so. Managable for the budget these days as well.
So far in it's first week it did Parsley, Green Onions, Mint, Curry Onion bread crumbs and Coriander.
Easy to use as well as easy to clean.

 

[Mandy Onderwater]

I saw comments that said they put the racks in de dishwasher. Must definitely be easy!
On YouTube shorts I often see them use some sort of silicone mat as well, so the rack itself never gets dirty. I'm not sure how that affects airflow though.

 

[Rhonda]

Yes the silicone mats are helpful. They don't come with them but are easy to get. I line the bottom rack with foil to collect any bits that might drop Yes I saw that . But I don't have a dish washer so it's hands on all the way here LOL. I wipe the racks with a cloth and warm water. Washed them in sink with suds when I first got it to clean off any factory dust ect

 

[Mandy Onderwater]

Neither do I, haha. Sometimes I miss it, but then I remember I never unloaded it, so I rarely used it anyway

 

[daveb]

i also make fruit leather in my dehydrators

 

[Rhonda]

Neither do I, haha. Sometimes I miss it, but then I remember I never unloaded it, so I rarely used it anyway

There is just hubby and the fur babies . So no need for one. Plus we use as little electricity as possible ( says me with dehydrator LOL0 but they don't use much in the grand scheme of thibgs