Food Dehydrator- An Overview

'The store dehydrated food contains artificial colors and sweeteners, is there an option?'

Question- Which is the healthiest way to preserve food?

Both these questions have one answer- Food Dehydrators. These have got to be the best alternative. They are fast becoming a popular method of food preservation. Why so? Its a cost effective method of preserving food without the harmful preservatives. Sounds too good to be true, then read on...

What is a Food Dehydrator?

It is a small electric appliance to dry food. Any kind of good, from fruits to vegetables, to meat and fish. It even works for flowers, if you are interested in a dry flower bouquet. Its like a home-made option to canned food or frozen food.

It runs on electricity and has specific times to dry fruits, vegetables and meat. Its handy and completely natural way of making your own dry fruits, be it grapes, oranges or even dried strips of fish.

How does it work?

Ofcourse, like all home appliances, it runs on electric power. Its looks like a box with trays or stacks inside to place the food. The stacks vary from 4 to 10, so choose the size according to you. When you plug it in, warm air starts circulating around the stacks or the trays. You could switch it on before you go to bed. In time it sucks out the water from the food, reducing them in size and making them concentrated with natural flavors. Its easy to understand, use and eat straight from the tray.

Whats great about Food Dehydrators?

The whole appliance is very compact, like a square shaped box, sometimes rectangle. Apart from being a good storage option, it will fit in easily even into a small kitchen. Just open the tray and feed.

If you eat from cans or the freezer, you now have a better option. Unlike canned food, food from Dehydrators do not contain any additives or preservatives. So they are healthy and natural. Further, you made yourself them so you know what you are putting in your mouth. And how many of us run out of freezer space, apart from having to go through the trouble of defreezing.

You can be assured of the same taste of the original fruit or vegetable, as the flavors just get concentrated when you put them in a Food Dehydrator. You do not lose anything and nothing gets added. Just the fruit as it is!

The other benefits are..

* It works as you sleep and cost cents to run.

* Its small, portable and easy to handle.

* Many models and options are available. You could pick one to suit your preference and budget.

Buying a Food Dehydrator is not the end, the resultant product from these have a great shelf life too. So if you have any excess left, you could store them in jars or plastic bags.

Will it work for me?

If you are a homemaker or a gardener or a sportsmen or a outdoor person or just love to eat, it will work for you. You can even make your own potpourri and hide those cake decorations away!

If you are a gardener growing heaps of a vegetable or a person with seasonal favorite fruit, it will work for you. You will have an endless supply of those fruits and vegetables throughout the year, no matter hail or sunshine or where you live.

Some of us who love gardening with a veggie patch in the backyard or a window sill herb garden, are often left with more than we consume. Do not be sad that you have think of ways to get rid of all your hardwork, because they are fading or rotting. Just buy yourself a Food Dehydrator. Be it herbs or tomatoes or apricots, Food Dehydrators can do all. They seem like an ideal solution.

Sounds perfect for a homemaker to enjoy those off season recipes. It can also work if you run your own small business like a bakery or home made sauces. You might end up saving a lot of cost as they come in different sizes and models.

For whatever reason, some of us have special dietary requirements. We either consume more of a single food or have to eat the same food every day of the year. You could be a sportsman or someone needing constant medical attention. Food Dehydrators make life convenient, really helpful and you could get addicted to them for life. Nothing harmful, its all natural as all the nutrients of the food is retained. Good for you, good on your wallet too. What about the shopping time you save!

How do I choose one?

If you get a chance to hit Food Dehydrators on your search bar, you will realize that there is a huge market out there. Sunbeam, Excalibar, Harvest Saver are some of the famous brands. They differ in price, size and drying times, so check out your options and choose what works for you. Some also come with digital settings and automatic timers. The trays inside come in chrome, non stick and stainless steel. Thanks to technology, the choices are endless with one available for every household and wallet.

You may be able to find one in your local home appliances store or supermarket. If you are not happy with their range, get online, there are heaps of overseas manufacturers. You may end up with a good bargain.

If you consume a lot of dried food, its worth investing in a good one. There seems to be absolutely nothing bad about the whole concept called Food Dehydrators.

What do people say after using one?

'The food is delicious!'

'The food from the food dehydrators last for 1-2 years, if you store them carefully like in vacuum packing'

'I make fruit rolls which are just great for kids lunch snacks'

'We hardly get any sun in this part, so forget about sun dried tomatoes'

'We love travelling, they are so convenient and portable'

'I have come across a small farmer with a room full of dehydrators'

'I did not know such a thing existed'

'I have a dietary condition and it works just right for me'