I recently purchased an Excaliber dehydrator. I’ve been very excited! I have wanted one for a long time, and finally had the opportunity to get one!
My purpose for the dehydrator is 2 fold – mostly, I wanted it for preserving food. When I was little, my mom would dehydrate all kinds of food – mostly fruits. I think my favorite were the apples – she would dry them, and then freeze them. Dehydrated apples fresh out of the freezer – so good! I want to be able to dehydrate produce from my garden, and extra fruits and vegetables I have around my kitchen! I also wanted to be able to make kale chips in the dehydrator, and other raw foods!
Check out the method my husband invented for drying the mesh screens – ingenious!
Yep, hanging them in the shower! He used a hanger, and clothespins to keep them separated. It works!
The first thing I made was Janet’s Flax/Hemp Seed crackers! Delish!
Then this last weekend, I had a huge bag of apples to use, so I decided to dehydrate them.
The first thing I did was soak the apples in a lemon juice/water mixture. Mix one cup lemon juice with 1 cup water in a medium bowl.
I worked in batches, cutting apples, and soaking them in the lemon juice.
Then, I placed them on the dehydrator trays.
I wanted my apples to be slightly chewy, but dry. Each batch of fruit is unique. Some have more water/sugar/acid than others – dry until they feel dry to you. I dried them at 135 degrees F, and kept turning them every 2-3 hours.
These apples really take me back to my childhood. To me, this is the perfect snack!
I also dehydrated some strawberries – I had gotten a bunch and I didn’t want them to go bad!
Check out Veggie V – she also recently got a dehydrator!
This is linked to the Carnival of Home Preserving, and the Homestead Barn Hop.
Yahoo! Way to go on getting a dehydrator! I dehydrated so many apples last year, it was nuts. I did them all au naturel, though, no lemon juice, just slice and dehydrate! Glad to hear you liked the crackers. Can’t wait to see what you make next.
janet @ the taste space recently posted..Creamy Green on Green Pasta (aka Raw Kelp Noodles and Broccoli with a Creamy Lemon-Basil Whipped Avocado Sauce)
Thanks Janet! The crackers were really good
Hi Jane, thanks for this informative post. I always wander if those dries work. When I was little, my grandma use to dry a lot of fruits, some she dried on the sun (apples, apricots) and some she used hot coals (prunes and pears). Oh dear, it was delicious! Jane, how many hours (average) it takes to dehydrate apples?
Marina@Picnic at Marina recently posted..Cold Summer Soup: Okroshka
Awesome Marina! It took my apples about 8-10 hours I think, I wasn’t really keeping track, I just kept checking them! It really depends from fruit to fruit though … some take longer, some are done quicker!
And sorry I spelled your name wrong! It’s been a long day
Hi Jane! I dried strawberries this week too. Looks like you have the same dehydrator I have. I dry my screens on my clothesline.
Jane recently posted..HELLO AGAIN!
Would that I had space for another appliance. Your apples sound delicious and I’d love to be able to do the same. Have a great day. Blessings…Mary
Mary recently posted..Fast, Fresh and Figure Friendly Summer Vegetable Crepes
Very true — I still don’t have a place for my dehydrator, so it is sitting on a table! lol!
I love dehydrating fruit as well. You should try bananas, those are my favourite!
Denise and Laura recently posted..CHOCOLATE BROWNIES!
I am going to try bananas next! I always have extra bananas around too, and I don’t have any right now!!
Oh my gosh, yet another kitchen toy I’ve been wanting forever. Yumm, I love dried apples. But have learned the terrible lesson of eating too many…
Allie recently posted..What (Moroccan) Food I Ate Wednesday
I should totally get one of these–it’s expensive to get fresh produce in the winter, and this would be a great way to preserve some of the summer bounty.
Cucina49 recently posted..Summertime Blues
Exactly – that is why I have wanted to get one for so long! I’m sure it is more expensive for you though in Alaska!
Thanks for sending people my way, Jane! I love playing with my new dehydrator, too
I just dry my screens and paraflext sheets in the unit. I turn it on full blast for a few minutes, and they’re nice and dry.
Veggie V! @ Veggie V’s Vegan Adventure recently posted..Raw Blueberry Buckwheat Bagels
Yummy! I have never dehydrated my own things before. I’m lazy. lol
Brittany (Delights and Delectables) recently posted..I Like it Hot
hahaha, I always tried to do kale chips in the oven, and they did turn out ok, but I love the convenience of the dehydrator!
I love my Excalibur! I have a 9 tray one. One of my favorite things dehydrated is dried apples and dried strawberries. Love to snack on them.
Thanks for linking up at the Carnival of Home Preserving!
Laura @ Laura Williams’ Musings recently posted..Carnival of Home Preserving #17 – Come Link Up!
Thanks Laura! I have the 9 tray one too, and I am so glad I got it! At first I didn’t think I would use all 9 trays, but I already have!
How cool is that! Now I want some dehydrated apples!
Farrah recently posted..June Foodie Pen Pals
They are yummy!