There are a lot of benefits to owning a quality food dehydrator.
Not only does it make it easier to prepare healthy and delicious meals, but it can also save you money in the long run.
Here are six benefits of owning a food dehydrator at home.
A great way to preserve food
If you grow your fruits and vegetables or simply want to take advantage of seasonal produce, dehydrating can extend the shelf life of your food.
This means that you can enjoy out-of-season fruits and veggies year-round, or simply have a stash of healthy snacks on hand for when you get the munchies.
Additionally, choosing an excellent and reliable dehydrator can help you understand how to dehydrate foods.
Commercial dehydrators use chemicals and other additives to speed up the drying process, but this strips away many of the nutrients in the food.
On the other hand, a quality home dehydrator uses low temperatures to slowly and evenly remove water from food, preserving its nutritional value.
You can learn more about the proper technology with dehydratedfoodz.com. The experts’ guides, reviews, and tips on dehydrating food can help you get the most out of your machine.
Make your jerky
If you’re a fan of beef jerky, then you know how expensive it can be to buy at the store. Dehydrating your meat is not only cheaper, but you can also control the quality of ingredients that go into it.
Simply slice up some lean cuts of meat, marinate them in your favorite sauce or spices, and let the dehydrator do its job. In a few hours, you’ll have delicious and healthy jerky that’s perfect for on-the-go snacking.
However, make sure to get a quality machine if you plan on dehydrating meat regularly.
Some lower-end models don’t have powerful enough fans to properly dry meat, which can lead to bacterial growth and food poisoning.
Create your own dried herbs and spices
Dried herbs are a great way to add flavor to any dish, but they can be expensive to buy at the store.
If you have a green thumb, then you can dry your herbs using a dehydrator. Simply wash and chop the herbs, spread them out on the dehydrator trays, and let them dry for 8-12 hours.
Once they’re dried, you can store them in an airtight container and use them as you would any other dried herb.
You can also use your dehydrator to make your spices. Just like with herbs, you’ll want to start with fresh, high-quality spices.
Then, simply grind them up and spread them on the dehydrator trays. Dehydrate for 6-8 hours and store in an airtight container.
Make your fruit and veggie chips
If you’re looking for a healthier alternative to store-bought chips, then look no further than your dehydrator.
You can use it to make all sorts of delicious and healthy fruit and veggie chips. Simply slice up your favorite fruits and veggies, spread them on the dehydrator trays, and let them dry for 6-8 hours.
Once they’re dried, you can store them in an airtight container or baggie and enjoy them as a healthy snack.
The best fruits and vegetables that are great for dehydrating are apples, bananas, berries, mangoes, carrots, sweet potatoes, and zucchini.
Rehydrate dried foods
There are times when you may need to rehydrate dried foods, such as for camping or backpacking trips.
Dehydrated foods are much lighter and take up less space than their fresh or frozen counterparts, making them perfect for packing in your backpack.
Plus, they’re easy to rehydrate – just add water!
However, if you plan on dehydrating foods for camping or backpacking, do a test run at home first to make sure that you’re able to successfully rehydrate them.
That way, you won’t be stuck in the middle of anywhere with a bunch of dried food that you can’t eat.
Dehydrate flowers
Finally, dehydrating flowers is a great way to preserve their beauty and enjoy them long after they’ve bloomed.
Dehydrated flowers can be used in several ways, such as in potpourri, as decoration, or even as part of a homemade bouquet.
To dehydrate flowers, start by choosing fresh, unbruised flowers that have been recently cut.
Remove any leaves or thorns, and then spread the flowers out on the dehydrator trays. Dehydrate for 6-12 hours, depending on the type of flower.
Once they’re dried, you can use them in whatever you like.
These are just a few of the benefits that come with investing in a quality food dehydrator.
If you’re looking for a versatile kitchen appliance that can help you save money and eat healthier, then a food dehydrator is a great option for you.
Additionally, it can help your hobby or business, as it can be used to dehydrate flowers, herbs, spices, and more.