Food dehydrators are electric machines that extract moisture from different food products. When the excess moisture gets removed from foods, such as strawberries, tomatoes, and even potatoes, it is easier to preserve the food and save it for a more extended period.
There are all kinds of food dehydrators available, including options for personal use and industrial use. Some dehydrators are large and may take up kitchen space, while others are small and compact enough to fit on a tabletop. No matter which type you are thinking about buying, there are several things you should know before making such a necessary purchase.
Be sure to see my dehydrating recipes at the bottom of this post!
You Can Make Such a Large Assortment of Treats Using a Food Dehydrator
You might not know it, but there are tons of things you can prepare while using your food dehydrator. Some of the assorted treats that you would be able to make at home using this appliance include:
- Dehydrated Roasted Red Peppers
- Dehydrated Strawberries, Blueberries, and Raspberries
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes
- Onions
- Zucchini Slices
- Orange Slices
- Cucumber Slices
- Beef Jerky
- Fruit Leather
- Dried Herbs
These are only a handful of the foods you can put into a food dehydrator to eliminate the extra moisture before storing and preserving for a much longer period. If you would typically purchase dehydrated snacks from a grocery store or specialty food store, forget about spending your money there when you can buy a food dehydrator to use and prepare plenty of your own treats.
It Is Safe to Eat Dehydrated Foods?
It is safe to eat all kinds of dehydrated foods? Although the texture is different when dehydrated, these foods are still just as good for you, if not even better than they were in the first place. When dehydrating other foods, you can still benefit from the vitamins and nutrients they have to offer. Some of the dehydrated food options are an excellent source of protein, iron, and fiber, all of which are good for your overall health.
Although dehydrated foods do last longer, they can still go bad after being stored in a pantry for a long time, so be sure to avoid eating any dehydrated foods that have mold on them.
You should carefully inspect the food beforehand. If there is a strange smell or appearance, you might need to get rid of the food. However, you should not run into this problem when using a food dehydrator because it preserves the food to keep it as fresh as possible.
Different Types of Food Dehydrators Are Available to Purchase
You can find all different food dehydrators while searching for the right one to purchase and use at home. The price of a food dehydrator varies tremendously and will depend on different factors, including its size and the specific features it offers. You can find options for $40 and up.
Some of the more expensive options are larger and tend to come with even more convenient features, but that does not mean that you cannot find a good food dehydrator listed at an affordable price.
Do a bit of additional research to compare the differences between these appliances before deciding to purchase a specific one because of how well it can do the job of dehydrating different food for you.
My Favorite Food Dehydrators
NESCO Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator – I have personally owned and used this dehydrator for almost 7 years without issue. It is a great budget / starter dehydrator.
Excalibur 9-Tray Electric Food Dehydrator – This is the Cadillac of home dehydration. You get faster and more consistent results by upgrading to an Excalibur. If you plan to do a lot of dehydrating this is worth the investment.
COSORI Premium Food Dehydrator – Another fabulous option that is more than the Nesco but a less than the Excalibur. A great midrange machine for the price but high end results; check out the online reviews!
You Can Start Wasting Much Less Food When Using a Food Dehydrator
When you want to save food for later, a food dehydrator is a great appliance to have around the home. Imagine you see fruits and vegetables listed at some of the lowest prices. You want to take advantage of that sale, but you also know that fruits and vegetables can spoil rather quickly. If you have a food dehydrator at home, you can buy these affordable items in bulk and add them to your food dehydrator.
Once you have removed the moisture from these items, you can store them in plastic containers with lids, food storage bags, or even glass jars with metal lids. No matter how you hold them, you can keep those fruits and vegetables a lot longer than you would if you did not use a food dehydrator. If you notice food will go bad soon, dehydrating it is the best way to keep it from going bad and save it to eat it later.
You Can Start to Save More Money in the Long Run
Did you know that having a food dehydrator at home will help you save more money in the long run? It can help you save in plenty of ways. Not only is it possible for you to save money by preparing dehydrated food at home instead of buying it from the store, but it also reduces the amount of waste produced by your household.
Rather than throwing out a bunch of food that you bought because it is getting ready to go bad, you can quickly add it to the food dehydrator and store it. Less food waste is a good thing because you can keep your food fresh, spend less on groceries, and still offer some of the most flavorful foods to your family.
Investing in a reliable food dehydrator is an excellent idea. Once you learn how to use it, you can start dehydrating all types of fruits, vegetables, and meats. If you use the food dehydrator, you can extend the shelf life of these food items, which will help you save money while allowing you to start stocking up on food to save for later.
If you would like to start saving money while making delicious treats for you and your family to eat, start looking at different types of food dehydrators. You should have no problem finding the perfect one to use at home.
Even if you are on a budget, there are options available for as low as $40 online, making it possible for you to get this appliance. If you were unsure whether you should get a food dehydrator for your home or not, you should know that it is a great time to get one of these appliances because of all that it can do for you.
Dehydrating Recipes & Tips
Making Tomato Powder
Dehydrating Apples at Home
How To Preserve Bananas For Your Pantry
How to Make and Use Mushroom Powder
All Natural Homemade Garlic Powder
How to Make Celery Powder
Dehydrating Strawberries
