Food Dehydrators--anyone Use One?

[YankeeDB]

A friend of mine who is very food/diet conscious introduced me to the idea of getting a food dehydrator and brought me samples to try.

The samples were FABULOUS! Watermelon--sweeter than fresh (the sugar is more concentrated); zucchini--yummy crunchy chips; tomatoes--very good also (not a tomato fan though); onions--amazingly strong flavor; grapes--like bigger, tastier raisins; chard--crunchy, interesting. Home-made dried foods are better than the store-bought ones as they are fresher. Also, you control how they are made.

A home drying machine cost $40 - $200+. Sometimes you can find them ultra-cheap in thrift stores. Food dried and stored properly can last practically indefinitely. Great for travel (super compact!), general snacking or those times you just can't face another evening at the stove. Good way to take advantage of fresh produce specials. Make your own gluten-free crackers. Make your own beef/chicken jerky with the spice blend you like best. Make your own potato/kale/yam chips with or without oil added post drying. Make your own fruit leathers.

The food can be reconstituted with water and used like fresh, if you like. There are many recipe books and guides at the library or bookstore.

The nutritional value seems to be somewhere between fresh and frozen food but quite close to fresh.

Has anyone had experience with dehydrating they'd like to share?

[tarnalberry]

Yep. I've got an Excalibur at home. 4 drawer unit without the timer (so ~$150). While things always take longer to make that the book calls for, I love it. I don't use it as often as I'd like, but it's great. (Never could get yogurt taffy to work, but dairy's out now, so it doesn't matter! ;-) )

[j9n]

Yes, I have one too. I make beef jerky and dehydrate hot peppers for my own chili powder mix. Hum, I haven't made jerky in awhile