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Off the Grid/Homesteading Skills:  Dehydrating Food  |
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FarmDream
True Blue Farmgirl
1085 Posts
Julie
TX
USA
1085 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 10 2012 : 8:36:30 PM
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Tonight I'm using my dehydrator for the first time on apple slices. I soaked them for 2 minutes in lemon juice and they should be ready in the morning.
Is anyone else dehydrating? Has anyone made an outside dehydrator? Any good recipes or tips?
~FarmDream is Farmgirl Sister #3069
Live Today, Cherish Yesterday, Dream Tomorrow
http://naturaljulie.etsy.com
http://julie-rants.blogspot.com |
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22angel
True Blue Farmgirl
498 Posts
Pam
Manitoba
Canada
498 Posts |
Posted - Jan 10 2012 : 8:44:37 PM
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I've decided I want a (small-ish) dehydrator for my apartment. I think it would be a good thing to have, but we'll see. It would be better if I had actual fruit & veg & meat at my disposal - or at least a lot that I could gather at the right times & be able to dry it. Have fun experimenting!
Oh, one thing we liked when Mom first started using hers was the fruit roll-up stuff. Very yummy!
Life isn't about finding yourself. It's about creating yourself.
"When I grow up, I want to be dirt." seen on a box through construction in Wyoming 2010 |
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vegetarian farmer
True Blue Farmgirl
249 Posts
Jane
Freedom
pa
USA
249 Posts |
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FarmDream
True Blue Farmgirl
1085 Posts
Julie
TX
USA
1085 Posts |
Posted - Jan 13 2012 : 5:20:26 PM
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I read your post, Jane. Thank You! I especially like the part about spreading instructions around to give the appearance of following them. Our summer temps typically reach 100 or frequently higher so I think this is a good idea I should try.
I was not so happy with the apple slices. They dehydrated great but the flavor was marred by the lemon juice. I'm thinking of soaking them in the fruit fresh next time.
~FarmDream is Farmgirl Sister #3069
Live Today, Cherish Yesterday, Dream Tomorrow
http://naturaljulie.etsy.com
http://julie-rants.blogspot.com |
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22angel
True Blue Farmgirl
498 Posts
Pam
Manitoba
Canada
498 Posts |
Posted - Jan 14 2012 : 06:14:06 AM
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I heard/read that you were just supposed to brush or spray (or dunk, I guess would be the easiest) the lemon juice on the fresh fruit, to keep it from browning. I've never heard of soaking it...
Life isn't about finding yourself. It's about creating yourself.
"When I grow up, I want to be dirt." seen on a box through construction in Wyoming 2010 |
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ceejay48
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm/Sharpshooter
13618 Posts
CeeJay (CJ)
Dolores
Colorado
USA
13618 Posts |
Posted - Jan 14 2012 : 06:53:24 AM
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At the height of harvest season we dehydrate a lot of different things. We usually have lots and lots of wonderful tomatoes and we dehydrate those . . . I'll never can tomatoes again! We use them in everything and, depending on what you're using them in, you can soak them a bit in some water or a bit of olive oil. Some of the things we've done that we like the best are pitted dark sweet cherries, zucchini, crookneck squash and apples (we just sprinkle with Fruit Fresh). Some other things we have done that we weren't all that pleased with were apricots and plums . . . too dry and not very flavorful. But we haven't tried these since because the crops have gotten frozen every year since. If we get to that point we'll look at different ways to do them. So far we juse use our American Harvest dehydrators with several trays and they work well. Haven't got to the outdoor dehydrator project stage yet.
CJ
..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665.
2010 Farmgirl Sister of the Year
Mother Hen: FARMGIRLS SOUTHWEST HENHOUSE
From my Hands - www.cjscreations-ceejay.blogspot.com
the "Purple Thistle" http://www.ceejay48.etsy.com
From my Heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
Through my lens - http://ceejayscamera.shutterfly.com/
From my Hubby - www.aspenforge.blogspot.com |
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Montrose Girl
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm
1360 Posts
Laurie
Montrose
CO
1360 Posts |
Posted - Jan 14 2012 : 07:09:32 AM
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Julie, I dry a lot of apples. We have an orchard and I never use lemon juice or fresh fruit. It is only to preserve the color, but I find that if I get them on the dryer immediately they stay light apple color and taste just great.
Pam, If you get a dehydrator make sure it has a temperature control. I have found the ones with out are too hot. Maybe the others have better luck, but I turn mine down a bit and dry a lot of things with no issues.
Laurie
http://www.inntheorchardbnb.com/ |
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naturemaiden
True Blue Farmgirl
2569 Posts
Connie - Farmgirl #673
Hoosick Falls
NY
USA
2569 Posts |
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alterationsbyemily
True Blue Farmgirl
686 Posts
Emily
Thomasville
PA
USA
686 Posts |
Posted - Jan 14 2012 : 09:25:39 AM
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I love my dehydrator and now with my new vacuum sealer coming from amazon I am going to have trouble controlling myself. Do searches on craigslist, I got mine on there for $10
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Farmgirl #2951
No longer renting, offical farmgirl. |
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emsmommy5
True Blue Farmgirl
1547 Posts
Angie
Buckley
WA
USA
1547 Posts |
Posted - Jan 14 2012 : 10:46:23 AM
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Just finishing up 10 pounds of mushrooms today. I started dehydrating ALOT along with my canning this past year. It's wonderful to have so much food in such a small space! I rarely do anything to my fruits and veges... just cut and dry. Maybe they'd look "better" if I did, but so far, I have not worried about it.
I put up a bunch of squash, zuchinni, onions, peppers, mushrooms, carrots, etc. Trying to have various types of storage besides the freezer and jars (although, that's my favorite).
I bought a jar of "mixed veggies" to throw into my cooking which I really like. I am working on making my own mixtures, but it's still a work in progress...
Do what you love, love what you do. |
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FieldsofThyme
Farmgirl Guide & Schoolmarm / Chapter Leader
4928 Posts
USA
4928 Posts |
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Farmer Judy
True Blue Farmgirl
433 Posts
Judy
North Aurora
IL
USA
433 Posts |
Posted - Jan 15 2012 : 11:26:13 AM
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DH doesn't think we need a dehydrator. I would love one, I want to need to go to the farmers market every saturday.
God bless,
Judy
Farmgirl #3666
Born a city girl but a farm girl at heart!
http://farmtimes.blogspot.com/ |
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FarmDream
True Blue Farmgirl
1085 Posts
Julie
TX
USA
1085 Posts |
Posted - Jan 15 2012 : 6:55:48 PM
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Laurie, I followed the instructions that came with the dehydrator I bought. I will try it without the lemon juice next time. I also want to make vegetable chips and beef jerky.
~FarmDream is Farmgirl Sister #3069
Live Today, Cherish Yesterday, Dream Tomorrow
http://naturaljulie.etsy.com
http://julie-rants.blogspot.com |
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countrymommy85
True Blue Farmgirl
898 Posts
Krystle
MT
USA
898 Posts |
Posted - Jan 16 2012 : 9:16:11 PM
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I did apple slices dipped in cinnamon and sugar ;) It was an extra sweet treat in the winter! I saw in one of the past MaryJanes Farm magazine there was a recipe for dehydrated cantaloupe! I want to try that out this coming summer!
Mothers are those wonderful people who can get up in the morning before the smell of coffee. ~Author Unknown
http://countryrenaissance.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SunflowersAndHoney |
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naturemaiden
True Blue Farmgirl
2569 Posts
Connie - Farmgirl #673
Hoosick Falls
NY
USA
2569 Posts |
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FarmDream
True Blue Farmgirl
1085 Posts
Julie
TX
USA
1085 Posts |
Posted - Jan 18 2012 : 10:18:09 PM
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*BIG TIP*
ALWAYS fill up the entire dehydrator. It doesn't matter if you are drying 1 or 4 shelves, it takes the same time. Don't waste your energy.
I was testing dehydrated banana slices, plain, cut, and straight to the dehydrator. I used one and half shelves and it took the same amount of time if I had used all 5 shelves. Lesson learned.
BTW, the bananas, nothing added, taste wonderful! Crunchy, full flavored snack chips that would have otherwise been bananas going in the trash.
~FarmDream is Farmgirl Sister #3069
Live Today, Cherish Yesterday, Dream Tomorrow
http://naturaljulie.etsy.com
http://julie-rants.blogspot.com |
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StrawHouseRanch
True Blue Farmgirl
1044 Posts
Paula
Holt
Missouri
USA
1044 Posts |
Posted - Jan 19 2012 : 05:37:30 AM
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I've just added an American Harvest dehydrator to my Amazon wishlist. Now that I'm thinking a lot about our gardening plans for the upcoming season, this will be a great way to preserve so much of our harvest. Thanks girls for adding this thread and providing the great tips!
Paula
Farmgirl Sister #3090
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery, and Today is a Gift.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/StrawHouseDesigns |
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naturemaiden
True Blue Farmgirl
2569 Posts
Connie - Farmgirl #673
Hoosick Falls
NY
USA
2569 Posts |
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naturemaiden
True Blue Farmgirl
2569 Posts
Connie - Farmgirl #673
Hoosick Falls
NY
USA
2569 Posts |
Posted - Jan 25 2012 : 2:44:10 PM
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ok, so i got my new dehydrator! just a bit of bragging here. Wanted to share pics of it. I am going to start using it this weekend. It's the Nesco American Harvest FD-80. It comes with 4 trays and it upgrades to 8 trays. I got everything on amazon.com. This dehydrator has great reviews. I love the fact that the lid has info....makes it easier. I am going to start with drying fruit. it was a good price considering the other model i looked at (the gardenmaster) would of cost 500.00 buying the extra trays it needed..and it upgraded to 30.
I will be back soon with results.
 
http://www.naturemaiden.com/ - Soap & Candle
http://modern-day-laura.blogspot.com/ -My Personal Blog
http://www.prairiefarmherbs.com/ -Herb Plants for the Home Garden
http://www.thriftyfarmgirl.com/ -My Online Thrift Shop
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naturemaiden
True Blue Farmgirl
2569 Posts
Connie - Farmgirl #673
Hoosick Falls
NY
USA
2569 Posts |
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CountryKim
True Blue Farmgirl
66 Posts
Kim
Pflugerville
Texas
66 Posts |
Posted - Jan 29 2012 : 06:40:33 AM
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I received an Excalibur Dehydrator for Christmas. I am excited to use it. I am now following your blog Connie, to see how your dehydrating goes!
Forever farmgirl
http://throughethelseyes.blogspot.com/ |
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StrawHouseRanch
True Blue Farmgirl
1044 Posts
Paula
Holt
Missouri
USA
1044 Posts |
Posted - Jan 29 2012 : 07:41:16 AM
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Connie, I'm anxious to know how everything turned out. The apples and bananas on your blog looked yummy. Can't wait to get my dehydrator.
Paula
Farmgirl Sister #3090
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery, and Today is a Gift.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/StrawHouseDesigns |
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naturemaiden
True Blue Farmgirl
2569 Posts
Connie - Farmgirl #673
Hoosick Falls
NY
USA
2569 Posts |
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lindagwynn
True Blue Farmgirl
246 Posts
Linda
Deming
Wa.
USA
246 Posts |
Posted - Jan 29 2012 : 12:37:03 PM
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Kim, I also got a 9 tray Excalibur for Christmas and I have been having a great time with dehydrating things. My problem right now is I do not have an abundance of vegetables. I have been getting good books from the library on dehydrating. One was "Food Drying with an Attitude" by Mary Bell. It was very helpful. Right away I ordered the fruit roll up trays for the racks.
With lots of hugs and smiles, have a great day. |
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naturemaiden
True Blue Farmgirl
2569 Posts
Connie - Farmgirl #673
Hoosick Falls
NY
USA
2569 Posts |
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CountryKim
True Blue Farmgirl
66 Posts
Kim
Pflugerville
Texas
66 Posts |
Posted - Jan 29 2012 : 7:25:35 PM
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Linda, I am so glad to hear it! My dad e-mailed me the other day saying they had a little hiccup with theirs when they used it the first time. Apparently, the thermostat went out after 5 minutes!! Hopefully, I'll some time this weekend to experiment with Bananas or apples. :)
Forever farmgirl
http://throughethelseyes.blogspot.com/ |
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Off the Grid/Homesteading Skills: Dehydrating Food |
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Dehydrating Food
