Dried herbs are a key ingredient in most recipes. They enhance the flavor and punch of our food. In addition to taste, they boast a wide range of health advantages.
Homemade dehydrated foods are typically healthier than those you purchase from a store because they usually contain just one whole ingredient that has been dried without adding additives, preservatives, or high-calorie ingredients like oil or sugar.
They are also more flavorful and shelf-stable. Fresh herbs dried in a dehydrator will store for months with minimal space.
From dehydrating chives to parsley, herbs are one of the easiest things to dry.
A dehydrator will help you store your bulky harvest while utilizing minimal space and will keep for a long time. Herbs are best dehydrated at very low heat, so keep this in mind when choosing a dehydrator.
Types of dehydrators
Vertical
Vertical food dehydrators are also called stackable dehydrators. These dehydrators have a bottom-mounted fan as a heat source.
This stackable unit is made up of racks with trays inside for storing food while it is being preserved.
A stackable food dehydrator’s racks are stacked on top of one another and are tightly sealed to prevent heat loss. All the shelves where the food to be dried is kept are heated by a base driven by electricity.
Benefits of Vertical Dehydrators
· They are relatively cheap
· Compact sized and does not require much space.
· Can be expanded by stacking additional trays.
Horizontal
Food dehydrators with a horizontal flow are also referred to as shelf dehydrators. They have a heating source at the back of the appliance and operate similarly to a regular oven.
Food dehydrators with horizontal flow are stress-free. The appliance’s fan and heat source are both on the backside. An outer shell encloses the trays.
The fan evenly distributes hot air to each tray.
They are more expensive than stackable food dehydrators but often worth the extra investment.
Benefits of horizontal dehydrators
· Superior Uniform heating.
· Easy to use.
· It can dehydrate more difficult food items.
What To Look for In a Dehydrator
Capacity
The tray space of a dehydrator determines its capacity. A larger tray space will let you dehydrate more food in one cycle. A large capacity will come in handy when dehydrating huge amounts of food for thru-hiking or end of harvest.
Noise
Your dehydrator’s noise level will vary depending on many elements, including the appliance’s size, make, and model.
For instance, larger dehydrators typically produce more noise than smaller ones, and better dehydrators generally make less noise than inferior ones. In general, the decibel level of a food dehydrator can range from 35 to 60+ dB.
Features
An adjustable thermostat is one of the most important features to look for when buying a dehydrator. The temperature can be adjusted, controlled, and maintained using them.
The typical thermostat has a temperature range of 95 to 155 F.
It is crucial to have a thermostat that can support these temperatures and be modified because the required temperature for each product can differ.
The more effective devices frequently have a heating element, a fan, and airflow over the trays. The strength of the heating and fan elements will vary depending on the model.
Best Budget Friendly Dehydrator
This post might contain affiliate links. If you purchase anything through links on my site, know that I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Nesco FD-75PR Food Dehydrator
The stackable food dehydrator has five trays, which may be expanded to twelve if you wish to dehydrate more food.
It has a Converge-Flow drying mechanism to facilitate heating. The outer pressurized chamber is forced to let the air down.
The Vita-Save exterior is opaque, blocking off any damaging light to preserve the food’s vitamins and nutrients. It has a programmable thermostat for heating at temperatures between 95 and 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pros
· Ensures that Flavors do not mix
· Eliminates the need to rotate trays
· Retains nutrients.
· Adjustable temperature
Cons
· Does not have a timer.
· Consumes a lot of time to completely dry some food items.
PRESTO 06301 DEHYDRO
The circular Presto dehydrator has six stackable trays and a see-through cover so you can monitor the drying process. The trays are dishwasher-safe and BPA-free.
A digital thermostat regulates the temperature, which is adjustable between 90 and 165 °F. The thermostat and fan controls are near the bottom of the appliance. It comes with fruit leather sheets and has the option of being expanded to twelve trays.
Pros
· Has a digital timer
· Easy to use digital controls
Cons
· Bulky
HAMILTON BEACH 32100A
This product employs a digital control panel at the base to regulate the temperature and drying time.
The thermostat has a temperature range of 100 to 160 °F and can be adjusted in 5 °F steps. The fan, which delivers continuous airflow to help dry food uniformly, is housed in the base.
It includes one fine mesh screen for fruit leather. Five stackable drying trays provide plenty of space to dry your herb harvest.
Pros
· Comes with a five-year warranty
· Transparent cover
· Has vents to prevent moisture
Cons
· Bulky design
· Noisy
Most Popular Dehydrators
Gourmia GFD1680 Premium Countertop Food Dehydrator
the Gourmia Countertop Food Dehydrator offers plenty of room on the six perforated trays for drying everything from fruits to beef jerky.
Precise digital controls can turn on the Circu-Smart 360o Air Floor. Hot air is circulated in a 360-degree circle, ensuring even and effective dehydration without overheating.
The trays don’t even need to be rotated!
It includes a transparent door, so you can see the progress being made.
Pros:
· Has a timer to prevent overheating.
· A wide array of heating temperature
· No need to rotate trays
Cons:
· Fixed capacity
· It is pricey
Excalibur Electric Food Dehydrator
This horizontal flow food dehydrator gives you 15 square feet of drying space, as well as an adjustable thermostat that lets you choose the drying temperature between 105 F-165 F.
This gives you the ability to dry fruit, because of the low enough temperature, but also high enough to meet safety standards for drying meat for jerky.
Pros
-Easy to use, trays don’t need to be rotated.
-You can change the temperature
-Easy to clean.
Cons:
· Fixed capacity
· Can run a bit loud
· pricey
Rosewill Countertop Portable Electric Food Fruit Dehydrator
The Rosewill Countertop Portable Electric Food Fruit Dehydrator is a fantastic tool for preparing wholesome snacks at home.
Five trays can fit inside it. Using five separate pans, you may simultaneously dry various foods without worrying about their flavors blending.
It may be set to any temperature between 95 and 155 degrees Fahrenheit. You can dehydrate a range of foods thanks to the adjustable temperature option. Fruit rolls, herbs, and even yogurt may all be prepared at home!
You may prepare herbs at home using the herb trays that are included uniform heating
Pros
· Users do not have to rotate trays
· Adjustable temperature
Cons:
· Fixed capacity.
· Lacks a timer.
Best Commercial Dehydrator
Ivation 10 Tray Commercial Food Dehydrator Machine
Ivation is a three-in-one commercial food dehydrator, so you can use it to transform farm-fresh fruits, herbs, and veggies into wholesome, delicious snacks at a commercial level.
But this product’s adaptability doesn’t end with those additional applications; because of its temperature control dials, it can also function as an oven.
Ivation provides many options, so it will satisfy anyone looking to upgrade their kitchen all at once!
If you want to dry more than herbs, this is my top pick.
Because of the amount that I like to dry, I run out of space quickly. What I also appreciate about this model, is the shape. For fruit leathers, jerky etc, a rectangular shape is better.
It also has stainless steel trays and helps to keep your food free from toxins. It is more bulky then other models, so keep that in mind.
Conclusion:
For sure, Food dehydrators have made life easier. Using a dehydrator at home to dry herbs ensures that you preserve premium plants.
Additionally, it enables you to precisely manage the drying temperature and duration, preserving your herbs’ medicinal properties, aroma, color, texture, and flavor while minimizing damage and spoilage. The best food dehydrator will depend on your specific needs.
The Nesco FD-75PR Food Dehydrator is an excellent, budget-friendly choice for dehydrating herbs at home. If you want to dry herbs commercially, or for your large family, the Ivation is a better choice.
FAQ
1. What does a food dehydrator do?
Food Dehydrators work by increasing the airflow around the food. It is much like a convection oven. The air passes over the food at a high velocity and removes most of its moisture. Depending on how long you leave it in, you can control how dry or moist your food gets.
2. Will drying food destroys the vitamins and minerals?
Drying Foods does not destroy nutrients. Dehydrating foods can also preserve nutrients. Dehydration removes most of the water from the food and concentrates all the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients into smaller portions. Dried fruits are one of the most nutritious foods you can eat.
3. Are all dehydrators the same?
No. Dehydrators come in many shapes, sizes, and styles. Many modern dehydrators have built-in timers so you can set your machine to turn off when you want it to turn off or a specific period that you determine is required to achieve your desired results.
There are also variable temperature controls and a fan on a few models that ensure the food gets evenly dehydrated. Some models have a fan built right into the unit; some have to be plugged in, but they all work in the same basic way.
4. How do I wash my dehydrator trays?
The trays are dishwasher safe. Remove and wash them by hand or in your dishwasher on the top rack to clean them.
Check the care instructions on your specific machine for details, such as how long you can put it in your dishwasher and what types of dishes you can use to avoid mold, warping, or peeling problems.
5. Is it safe to dehydrate meat?
Yes, all food is safe to dehydrate. Meat, seafood, fowl, and even tofu can be dried.
6. How long will my food stay fresh?
A lot depends on the food you are using, but most foods will stay fresh for up to 12 months or longer by dehydrating them properly.
This varies widely depending on how you plan to use the dried food. For example, your sun-dried tomatoes that have been left out on your counter in full sunlight will not last as long as if they were dried and stored in a dark cupboard, even if the jar of tomatoes was sealed up the same way in both cases.
7. What are the benefits of dehydrating?
Dehydrating foods has many benefits, including:
– Reduces spoilage from bacteria, mold, or yeast.
– Eliminates the need for preservatives or growing and harvesting storage space by preserving food before it spoils.
– Makes travel with food easier and more convenient for camping, road trips, and vacation.
8. What temperatures do I use for drying meat?
For meat, you can dry it at a low temperature (140 degrees F up to 170 degrees F) until there is no sign of redness in the center and the temperature registers 165 degrees F on the thermometer probe.
-This will help to eliminate bacteria and make the meat safer to eat.
9. What is the difference between a dehydrator and a food dehydrator?
Both are the same thing, but dehydrators usually refer to those made for home use, and food dehydrators refer to those designed for commercial use.
These items can cost anywhere from $50 to the thousands depending on how much power they produce, how many trays they have available, how long they can run without switching it off, etc.
10. How do I use a food dehydrator?
Using a food dehydrator is easy. You place the food you want to dry in the trays, set your machine to the temperature and time you specify, and then turn it on.
At the end of its cycle, your machine will shut off automatically. It is recommended that you rotate the trays at least once a day to help ensure even drying. Some machines have an automatic rotation feature that may be available at extra cost.
11. Do I need to check my food dehydrator?
Yes, it is recommended to check your machine daily to make sure that it is working properly. It should not be left unattended while in use.
We also recommend that you clean your machine between uses by removing the trays and washing them in warm, soapy water, then allowing the trays to dry before putting them back into their slots on the dehydrator.
Many dehydrators come with a built-in brush that you can use for cleaning. You must clean out any excess food particles that may have accumulated between the machine’s fan and the sides of the unit itself.
12. How do I prevent my food from smelling bad?
It is important to keep the air flowing in your machine. This is why it is recommended that you rotate the trays at least once a day.
You should also check your machine to ensure no food particles have collected around the base or between the fan and other areas of the unit. This can attract bugs or rodents, leading to a nasty smell.
13. What temperature do I need for meat?
For meat, 170 degrees F up to 200 degrees F will result in a very dry piece of meat. Once the meat reaches its final temperature of 165 degrees F, please remove it from the dehydrator and allow it to cool completely before packaging.
Do not use any cold water to cool your meat. Hot water or air will dry out and shrink your meat.
14. What kinds of foods do I need to dehydrate?
You may have heard that you can only dry certain vegetables when you use your food dehydrator, but that is not true. You can dry almost any food using a food dehydrator if you choose the right recipes suited for that particular type of machine.
15. How do I store dried foods?
There are many different ways to store dried food. You can use containers, jars, vacuum-sealing bags, and even air-tight plastic bags with little to no special instructions for preserving your food. The most important thing is to ensure the seal is tight on the containers or bags you choose to use.