How to cook with Dehydrated and store food part 8

[thesmalltowngirl81]

Hi,

I was wondering have you ever used cantaloupe for fruit roll-ups? If so do you mix it with any other fruit or just use it by its self?

Thanks! Oh and I LOVE your videos;-) Thanks for all the great info!

[PauletteS1972]

Wow~I used to make fruit roll ups for my boys when they were younger and you just made it so much easier!!! It was so much work! They may take longer to dry this way, but so much less work. I can't wait to get a food dehydrator!

I noticed the raspberries look exactly like raspberries~Do they not shrink?

[CroneMarcel]

have greatly enjoyed all your videos .. thank you so very much .. a question if possible .. if you were starting out equipment-wise .. is a kitchenaide mixer with attachments for grinding and such a better first purchase .. or .. is a cuisenart food processor a better start? .. thanks ..

[2groomer]

looks like you first peeled the oranges, and other times you didn't?

[comalibre]

Thanks for alot of great info!! I just got a dehydrator of my husband, and is making my first batch now. Was wondering where you got the lemon juice spray?

[Dayla1960]

I never had much success with fruit rollups before but will try again now I have your know how, thanks Dayla1960

[wanditawandita37]

where did you get your meat grinder

[FresnoMostwanted]

Cock push-ups

[xsliceofheavenx]

I would never dehydrate fruit, its best eaten fresh with all its juices :)

If I would dehydrate something I would make crackers, breads, or buckwheat krispies:)

[Jaymemartin911]

Don't use corn syrup....BAD for you!

[webyourstuff]

I suggest you search google on "corn syrup". I will no longer allow corn syrup in my house.

A great alternative you could look into is agave.

[Dehydrate2store]

Please go to our web site Dehydrate2store and enter our free give away of a

9 tray Excalibur Dehydrator.  All entries must be in by Dec.21, 2009 we will video tape the drawing. Also, you will find many more video, tips and recipes so spread the word and tell your friends. Good luck and Merry Christmas to all. Tammy

[odglass4u]

i wished you would do a video or two on making jerky which js something i really love thanks

[leadee2007]

Is it ok to mix a vegetable into a fruit rollup? Like tomato or carrot or something? I thought it might be a good way to sneak vegetables into my grandson's diet because I can't get him to eat them.

[audiostar21]

and how long to you actually put your oranges in for, the ones with the skin from the 1st few vids?

[Dehydrate2store]

Hi audiostar21,

If they are paper thin it takes about 8 hours, 1/4 inch about 10-12 hours. It should not take more then 15 hours. Make sure your dehydrator is not set above 125. Sorry it took me so long to get back to you. I was gone most of the day. Tammy

[audiostar21]

Hi Tammy,

I bought the dehydrator!!! Super cool! But my banana chips don't come out crispy like yours. I live in a humid place but I put them in for like 20 hours! They are good but leathery. I put pinapple juice on them to keep them from turning too brown, (the book said I could use that too) But I need to go buy the lemon juice. How come my ban chips don't come out crispy?

[Dehydrate2store]

Hi audiostar21,

Your banana chips should take no more then 10 hours. Things to check... 1) The temp. should not be more then 125. 2) Use a stainless steel knife. 3) Use concentrated lemon or pineapple juice. I lightly spray mine on with a spray bottle. 4) Slice the banana thin. I use a meat slicer so I have the same consistency (break the bananas in half place them together on the slicer).

[Dehydrate2store]

5) let the bananas cool for about 10 min. before removing from the tray. 6) Place them in a zip lock bag for 2-3 days before packing. Shake the plastic bag after the days have passed. If they are still sticking together place them back in the dehydrator for 2-3 more hours. 7) If the banana are over ripe they maybe on the chewy side.

Please don't give up, you will catch on, it is so rewarding when you can make great meals real fast. After all, that is what made

[Dehydrate2store]

prepackaged food such a hit with working Mom's. The advantage is you get to pick what goes into your prepackaged foods and they cost a fraction of what you would pay at the store. I am here if you need me. Stay in touch and let me know how your doing.

Tammy

[dehydranator]

Tammy, your videos have been so much more than helpful! Seeing how careful you are with hygiene, how you use the other equipment, your storage, etc. will save us so much time and frustration. And thanks for your honest reviews of the equipment you use. I don't have a dehydrator yet but hope to soon.

I was looking forward to drying blueberries and was heartbroken that they are so temperamental! Would cutting them in half help in any way?

Thank you in advance for your reply!

[Dehydrate2store]

Hi dehydranator

Thank you for you kind words, they keep me going. Yes, you could cut them in half, but thats a lot of work. Hard to believe grapes are so easy, they dehydrate with no problem and these little blueberries take so long. Lately, I tried placing my tray across the sink like a strainer and pouring the Blanched blueberries over the top of the tray. The less you have to move them around the better. I found this makes a difference with the berries mussing less.

[Dehydrate2store]

. Halfway thru the dehydration period, I prick them one by one with a pin to let the air out. It seems to work. Don't be discourage they do dehydrate they just take a long time. At first, I thought I would melt my tray by pouring boiling water over the top, nothing happened and my trays are still perfect like the day it was bought . I would suggest to let the water cool a bit just because that sounds like a wise decision. Any how, I promise you once you start dehydration

[Dehydrate2store]

your going to love it and will save time and money. You will be surprised how quickly you will start to build your pantry and how long the food will last. If you have any question, I am here.

[dehydranator]

Thank you, Tammy, for your prompt reply!

Cabela's 80L dehydrator with 12 shelves has controls on the front, which works better for my cabinet situation. Their price is just dollars away from some of the Excaliburs. Do you have any thoughts about the Cabela's dehydrators?

Thanks again!

[Dehydrate2store]

Hi again,

The best drying system is the fan on the back of the dehydrator and that is the TRUTH. I can not tell you one way or the other with the Cabela's dehydrator because I have never used one. I do know however, that the fan is on the back and that is good. Cabela's also has a flexible mess tray as the Excalibur. This type of tray makes it easy for removal of food and cleaning. I know that I run my Excalibur day and night and it keeps on running.

[Dehydrate2store]

I have 2 nine trays and would not part with them. I do not want to discourage you in your decision, the most important thing is you are going to start dehydrating and that I can guarantee you will not be sorry for. I hope I helped.

[dehydranator]

Tammy, your videos have been so much more than helpful! Seeing how careful you are with hygiene, how you use the other equipment, your storage, etc. will save us so much time and frustration. And thanks for your honest reviews of the equipment you use. I'm getting ready to take the plunge and find this information valuable.

[Rowbeats]

How would you dehydrate Blackberries ?

[Dehydrate2store]

Just rise them off pat lightly pat dry and place them on your dehydrator. They take about 15 hours depending on the size of the berry. They will look like a piece of Styrofoam when done. Taste great on cereal and kids and adults love them as a snack.

[jake98FL]

Can you over dehydrate food? The reason for the question is that I have just started dehydrating fruits and veggies. Our humidity outside is somewhere around 90% most of the time, but dehydrating inside in the AC. I have been letting my bananas go about 12 hours. I have been using lemon juice and they still turn brown & they are sticking to the sheets after I have let them cool for 1 hour on the counter. Any suggestions?

[Dehydrate2store]

Frozen vegetables ( remember place on tray frozen ) 8 -10 hours

Mushrooms and onions ( sliced and chopped ) 8-10 hours

Sweet and white potatoes ( thin sliced, chopped ) 12 - 15 hours

All other vegetables 10 - 12 hours

Fruits very thin sliced 8 - 10 hours

Fruits ¼ inch slice 12 - 15 hours

Fruit rollups (depending on how much corn syrup and honey used ) 15 hours plus.

[fourplusseven]

How long does a dehydrator take to work?

[Dehydrate2store]

It is very difficult to give an exact time frame because of all the variables. Humidity, thickness and type of cut, how loaded the trays, even different brands of produce play a big part in the dehydrator. What I can tell you is this ..

[Dehydrate2store]

You never want to increase the temp to dry faster this will cause case hardening. This is when the outside of the food hardens and moisture remains trapped on the inside unable to dry out because it is incased in a hard shell. This will cause your food to sour and have to be tossed. Your best bet is long time and low temp. And never try to speed things up by increasing the temp in order to finish at a certain time. Regarding if it is fruit or vegetable I never want to go above 125 degree,

[Dehydrate2store]

After, dehydrating your food place it in a zip lock bag for a few days before storing away in your vacuum bags. This will give you a chance to see that your food has fully dehydrated and if your food appears limp you can put it back in the dehydrator again for a few more hours.

[fourplusseven]

Many thanks.

Please understand though: I have no dehydrator and only middle-terms plans to get one.

When you say: "Your best bet is long time and low temp" I will remember this advice when I need it. But what *is* a long time? An hour? A month?

No way you could know it but I know *absolutely nothing about this*! lol

[Dehydrate2store]

It takes a range from 6 hours to 15 hours depending on what your dehydrating. I try to encourage people to not only build a pantry by dehydrating but to also cook with their dehydrated foods. I believe that hyperinflation is near and only the very wealthy will be able to afford food. We have health, home, car, life insurance. We even but helmets on our kids when they ride their bikes, not because they will fall but, in case they do fall.

[Dehydrate2store]

We go as far as placing that extra blanket at the foot of our beds, just in case it gets cold in the middle of the night. Yet, we laugh at those who build a pantry just in case we have to feed our family. I think having a dehydrator is one of the best ideas when it come to food storage. You will save money, and prepare food so much faster. A lot of your restaurants are using dehydrated foods because it is cheaper to transport ( less weight) and requires zero refrigeration.

[Dehydrate2store]

I hope you will watch the rest of my videos and give it a try. The shelf life of dehydrated food is 10 times longer then canning or freezing when stored properly.

[fourplusseven]

Many thanks for the detailed reply.

Personally I don't laugh at sensible precaution for rational reasons, and I admire those who look ahead. As far as US debt default and/or hyperinflation, certainly not impossible in the short-to-medium term.

You're providing a great resource with your expertise here; I'm very grateful!

And thanks for answering that question about time.

[ATHiking1]

I'm really enjoying your videos. I long distance hike and want to take dehydrated foods on the trail. I'm anxious to here your suggestions on re-hydrating, like corn, or tomatoes.

Also a way to contact you?

Thanks,

Darlene

[jjspirko]

What is the brand of that grinder? 25 bucks? Where do I find one?

[cocoacocola]

this info is so much helpful. Thanks again.

[jugifu]

excellent info! thanks.

[Michigansnowpony]

I love your videos -- thanks so much for doing them. You inspired me to purchase a better dehydrator and try dehydrating again. I am sooo excited and anxious for the new dehydrator to come. By the way, video #4 of the cooking with dehydrated foods seems to be missing.