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Food Dehydrators
backpacking.
You just cut up your foods to be dehydrated, lay them in the racks of the machine, turn it on, and let it do its magic.
Backwoods Home has a great article on the differences between foods and how to become an expert quickly.
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Quick Picks
(Based on reviews from
Epinions.)
What to Look For
Your needs will probably be dictated by three factors:
* '''Price''' Do you want to spend $100 or $1,000? What's the difference? Usually the factors below:
* '''Size''' Do you want a countertop model to make snacks or a freestanding machine that will dehydrate your crops? Check the square footage of the product to figure out how much it stores.
* '''Function''' Will you be drying everything from flowers to yeast to cloth or just fruits, veggies and meats? If your needs are simple, get a simple machine.
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Other Important Features to Look For
* Double wall construction of metal or high-grade plastic.
* Enclosed heating elements.
* Countertop design.
* Enclosed thermostat ranging from 85 to 160 degrees.
* Fan or blower.
* 4 to 10 trays made of sturdy plastic.
** Some vertical models can be expanded with additional trays available from the manufacturer.
* Fruit-roll sheets
** Special inserts to prevent fruit sauces from dripping so you can make fruit rolls.
** Can also be used to make yogurt snacks or to dry soups and sauces for backpacking.
Why Dehydrate?
* Dehydrating your fruits, vegetables, herbs and meats can preserve them for a year.
* Dehydrated food does not rot easily microorganisms that cause decay cannot live without water.
* The nutrients, color, and flavor are preserved.
* Reduces weight and volume, making packing, shipping, and storing much easier.
* Safer, easier, and more reliable than hoping for proper weather conditions.
* A great way to turn your home-grown foods into a possible business.
** Also just a great way to preserve your backyard garden's harvest. if you have a bumper crop, you can save it so you don't have to try to give it away.
* A realistic way to prepare for a disaster. You'll have more food in your home in less space with a longer shelf life.
* You can control what goes into your foods and support local agriculture.
If You Own a Farm
If you own a farm and intend on dehydrating on a masspub/dehydrate.html'>here.
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