topic Re: Do you use a dehydrator? For what? in Kitchen

Do you use a dehydrator? For what?

AnnMarie-1 — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 12:38:23 GMT

I am thinking it would get me to have healthier snacks, kale, turkey jerkey, mostly I would dry out veggies

Re: Do you use a dehydrator? For what?

Gram W — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 12:53:40 GMT

My son just bought one. He is hoping that using it together will encourage his 8 year old son to eat more fruits, etc. So far they have done fruits and potatoes. So far so good. We are waiting to see if the novelty wears off. Their family decided to try a garden this year. My grandson helped start the plants from seed. We will find out how he is at weeding, etc. This year we have had less than an inch of rain in June. We normally have over 3. Not much expected next month. This might make having a garden a real challenge this year. He also lives in the country and has a well. To date our water tables are fine.

Re: Do you use a dehydrator? For what?

jaxs mom — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 12:57:14 GMT

I have an Excalibur 9 tray with timer. I use mine for a variety of things. The usual dehydrating vegetables, herbs and flowers but also for fermenting yogurt and raising bread. You can remove some of the trays for extra room and then fit a half sheet pan on top of trays to raise rolls and breads. The timer is really convenient too because it turns it off so you don't have to worry about over dehydrating. They're currently 10% off on their website.

Re: Do you use a dehydrator? For what?

brandiwine — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 13:11:06 GMT

I use mine mostly for jerky, herbs, fruit and veggie snacks. When our son was little it made the best fruit rolls (before they were ever massed produced). I've used it to dry lemon, orange, and lime peels to used in baking. You can also dry lavender to make sachets for gifts or for yourself.

Re: Do you use a dehydrator? For what?

deedeewar — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 13:21:21 GMT

Where do they sell them??? I know a few years back they were very popular on TV .Im intrested in dried fruit, the store bought dried fruit is loaded with sugar.

Re: Do you use a dehydrator? For what?

momtochloe — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 13:36:37 GMT

@deedeewar wrote:
Where do they sell them??? I know a few years back they were very popular on TV .Im intrested in dried fruit, the store bought dried fruit is loaded with sugar.

@deedeewar it's the Today's Special on Evine today. I believe it's around $40 and you can also order some interesting pieces that would give you even more capabilities.

Re: Do you use a dehydrator? For what?

AnnMarie-1 — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 13:54:11 GMT

Thanks all, yes, I am eyeing the one on Evine, I think I might get it, I am a snacker & need to find low calorie, less sallty snacks, I do think it would help to lose weight

Re: Do you use a dehydrator? For what?

PamelaSue72 — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 14:06:50 GMT

I've had my dehydrator now for about four years, I think.

Zucchini, pineapple, grapes (wonderful raisins!), jerky, onions, bananas, apple slices and apple chips, mushrooms. I love dried blueberries and strawberries. The onions can get really smelly for a while, but the odor doesn't bother me. I really like dehydrated tomatoes, too.

I dry the skins from tomatoes to make tomato powder. I use the tomato powder in soups and stews, sprinkle on roasts, etc. I use the powder to make tomato sauce, if I don't have any on hand and don't feel like running to the grocery store.

When I have fresh oranges, lemon, and limes on hand, I will dehydrate the peels, then grind them and use them for a bit of extra seasoning.

Starting around mid-July, I have the dehydrator runnning pretty much every weekend for something.

Re: Do you use a dehydrator? For what?

AnnMarie-1 — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 14:18:25 GMT

@PamelaSue72 makes me have hope I will use it! What do you mean by tomato skins? How are you doing tomato powder? You grinding up the dehydrated tomato slices?

Re: Do you use a dehydrator? For what?

hopi — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 14:20:20 GMT

@AnnMarie-1

Dehydrating fruit intensifies the sugars and makes the more in calories and carbs.

Once you dehydrate your fruit and veggies they are processed.

Re: Do you use a dehydrator? For what?

PamelaSue72 — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 14:48:58 GMT

@AnnMarie-1

There are times when I need to slip the skins from the tomatoes, if I'm making puree or vegetable soup for the freezer, for example. I use those skins, lay them onto the dehydrator trays and dry them. Once the skins are completely dry, then I'll throw them into my grinder and grind them to a powder. I can also use a food processor, but the powder won't be really powdery; it will have (what looks like) wee little squares of tomato. Still perfectly fine to use and it still makes sauce. You can still sprinkle it into soups and stews, etc.

I have an old Cuisinart coffee grinder that I use for grinding spices to make my own rubs. It doesn't hold a lot of skins, but I've used the grinder for making tomato powder. Most often, though, I use my food processor.

You can buy tomato powder at places like The Spice House in Chicago and that's where I got the idea. I figured I'd give it a shot. I like using it, so it works well for me. I keep it in a pint Mason jar in my pantry. I have also sprinkled my tomato powder into homemade bread as I've mixed it up in my mixer.

You know, now that I'm thinking, I wonder if I could add some green/red pepper chips to the powder, for a bit of extra flavor? I may have to try that!

If you think you would enjoy using your dehydrator, I think it's worth a shot for you. I had five trays and added two more because I use the dehydrator that much.

The dried pineapple is delicous! Good luck!

Re: Do you use a dehydrator? For what?

wagirl — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 14:49:19 GMT

I bought one for my MIL but she never used it so I got it back and I hardly used it. Got rid of it finally. Just don't see me getting into that again. My fam doesn't like dried fruit much and altho the beef jerky would be interesting, don't think I'll buy one. I do dry my excess herbs but use the mirco wave for that.

Re: Do you use a dehydrator? For what?

AnnMarie-1 — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 14:49:59 GMT

@hopi wrote:
@AnnMarie-1
Dehydrating fruit intensifies the sugars and makes the more in calories and carbs.
Once you dehydrate your fruit and veggies they are processed.

Thanks Hopi, I knew it intensifies the sugar in fruit, maybe I should re-think my purchase as it would only be used for veggies....what do you mean by processed?

Re: Do you use a dehydrator? For what?

hopi — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 15:00:36 GMT

@AnnMarie-1 wrote:
@hopi wrote:
@AnnMarie-1
Dehydrating fruit intensifies the sugars and makes the more in calories and carbs.
Once you dehydrate your fruit and veggies they are processed.

Thanks Hopi, I knew it intensifies the sugar in fruit, maybe I should re-think my purchase as it would only be used for veggies....what do you mean by processed?

You have changed the original nutrients that being said eating more veggies is better for you anyway you look at it. If you could try fresh smoothies or a pure juicer for one meal a day that helps with health benefits and weight control.

Re: Do you use a dehydrator? For what?

AnnMarie-1 — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 15:07:07 GMT

Thanks everyone, keep the comments & ideas coming, I flip back & forth on this one ha ha

Re: Do you use a dehydrator? For what?

hopi — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 15:21:45 GMT

@AnnMarie-1 wrote:
Thanks everyone, keep the comments & ideas coming, I flip back & forth on this one ha ha

@AnnMarie-1

I do not want to deter you because being a kitchen gadet addict it is always fun to try something new. There is alot of prep time with dehydrators. I just stay away from dried fruits because of the high caloric intake. They have a saying that no one ever got fat from eating fresh fruit. I have read some articles on baked apples (crock pot) where they say the pectin is enhanced and makes the apple easier to digest so it is excellent way to eat fruit but once I do that I except crust, granola or ice cream on it.

Re: Do you use a dehydrator? For what?

phoenixbrd — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 00:25:30 GMT

Yes. for all my raw recipes that require "cooking"....I use a Sedona and love it. It is a staple along with a high powered blender. A staple that I make in the dehydrator is kale chips ...totally decadent and very creamy. Nonvegans love them. I would only spring for a dehydrator if you are dedicated to a lifestyle that supports the use. It is pricey and takes up space in the kitchen. For me, it is an essential. If I was deciding to buy one, I would reflect on the types of foods that I eat. If I would use it only on a rare occasion I would probably pass. You might want to google foods to make in a dehydrator to test the waters. Have fun and enjoy!

Re: Do you use a dehydrator? For what?

ECBG — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 05:32:33 GMT

Someone gave me one and I don't eat dried fruit!

Anyone is welcome to it!

....

debic — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 13:10:31 GMT

While jerky taste good I wouldn't call it a healthy snack.

Mine is a magicmill, I don't think they're even in business anymore, but my wheat grinder is the same brand.

Any kind of vegetables for soups. My brother does tons of onions and stores them in jars. I've blended tomatoes and cooked them down for a day and put them in trays and dehydrated them. Those go into jars as well. Very handy. Fruit leather is always good to me.

Re: Do you use a dehydrator? For what?

pinkmochi — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 01:22:34 GMT

I made raw almonds tossed in Tamari. That's it. Super yummy snack!