Food Dehydrator

Dehydration

Food Dehydration and the use of dehydration as a food preserving method has actually been around for thousands of years. Before refrigeration, there were really only two options for keeping food: dehydration and canning.

With the advent of food dehydrators, the process became much simpler than for our ancestors who would hang meat, vegetables or berries over wood frames in the sun and wind.

Although food dehydrators have been around for decades, the models on the market today are far superior in features and functionality than those available in the past.

When looking into food dehydrators for your own home, be sure to investigate all your options.

If you are in the market for a food dehydrator, there are two main types of food dehydrators, vertical airflow and horizontal airflow:

  • Those who use horizontal airflow units comment that you get even heat between the trays. In addition, you don’t get as much flavour mixing between the trays when dehydrating different types of foods at the same time.
  • Vertical airflow units usually have a fan on the bottom, which provides good heat distribution because heat rises. However, you can get drippings on the fan making it more difficult to clean.

When you’re researching different models available, consider the size you will require. Think about how much you will be drying at a time. Some dehydrators are very large and give you the ability to dry many different items at once. Others are meant for limited home use and allow you to only dry a few different items at once. Remember that you will need to store this unit, so size is important.

Heat control is another important element to consider when selecting a food dehydrator. You want a machine that offers an adjustable thermostat as well as a long length timer.

One of the most popular and highest quality food dehydrators available on the market is the Excalibur Food Dehydrator. Offering horizontal air flow and up to 25% more drying space than standard dehydrators, this unit also features faster drying and best overall versatility.