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Food experts have outlined that the best and healthiest methods of food preservation to add up extra variation and quality to a diet, is by using a food dehydrator; which have become common among many consumers in the recent years. Indeed, the best food dehydrator convey a variety of health benefits which can help your body to resist certain harmful toxins and chemicals. When looking for the best dehydrator, it's important to consider factors such as size, shape, heat, air passage, portability, material quality and above all, the price.
Getting the best dehydrator means finding the most simple food preservation method to make your diet even better, healthier and tastier.
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Drying vegetables, animal proteins and fruits among other foods is a way of preservation. So, what is a dehydrator? It is a device designed to remove moisture from food and help to preserve it. It uses heat source as well as an air flow system that aids in reducing water content in foods.
In most vegetables and fruits, water content is usually about 80-90 percent and 50-75 percent in meat. When water is eliminated from food, bacteria that spoils food cannot grow. Also, the removal of water helps to lessen the weight of food. Therefore, food dehydrators are generally used for food preservation to extend the shelf life of different foods.
There are some food dehydrators that require heat using solar or electric power as source of energy and their form ranges from large scale dehydration schemes to commercial appliances for home usage. Basic commercial food dehydrators usually consist of parts such as fan, heating element, air vents to enhance circulation of air and food trays that food is laid upon. Vents, fans and the heating element in a dehydrator works concurrently to eliminate moisture from various foods. The heating elements of the dehydrator warms food to release its moisture, the fan blows the moist, warm air out of the device through air vents and this process continues until food is totally dried.
Not so many are familiar with process of food dehydration and how the appliances works. Generally, food dehydrators removes moisture and air content from certain foods like fruits, vegetables and meat to help preserve them. When food is dehydrated, it can be eaten in that state or else rehydrated and preserved for future use. However, various models of food dehydrators operates differently to achieve the maximum results.
Common food dehydrators uses the heating element, trays and air vents in the process of food dehydration. Within the dehydrator unit, there is a tray where food is laid on and can be either fixed or removable. Some devices feature rotating trays to facilitate even better drying. The heating element heats the food to allow moisture to be released from food then the fan propels and pushes the moisture through the air vents which releases the moisture out of the dehydrator.
The three basic component works together to circulate air and eliminate all the water content from your food. In the best rated food dehydrators, air circulates either horizontally or vertically. The vertical airflow food dehydrators have their fans on top or at the bottom of the device. Horizontal airflow dehydrators usually features a rear mounted fan to push excess moist out through the vents.
One of the most powerful tools you can have in your kitchen is a food dehydrator , as it is the most popular device for drying your fruits, vegetables and even meat. Individuals who use food dehydrators are able to quickly and easily make things like kale chips, fruit rolls and enjoy many other nutritious dehydrator recipes to enhance a healthy living. Definitely, food dehydrators helps you to live a high quality life free from harmful toxins and chemicals in undried foods.
You don’t need any chemicals additive or preservatives when using food dehydrators. The food you are drying is the only ingredient you need, thus producing 100 percent natural food product. Also, food dehydrators help to enhance storage by reducing both weight and size of the food. Dehydrators are also cost effective because you can buy food in bulk and preserve for future use.
Food dehydrators helps to make food at temperatures less than 115° F which is the ideal temperature for maintaining nutrients and enzymes. Additionally, when food is dehydrated, it helps to save for future use those that would otherwise go to waste. Drying food is practical and fun and has unlimited possibilities as you can extend the quality and life of your food for future.
If you have made up your mind to get the best rated food dehydrator, there are some important features you must consider before purchasing one. Some of the most expensive models are designed in a special way with features that makes the drying process easier and faster. However, a basic food dehydrator only helps you to get the job done without all the extra features. Here are some of the features and things to consider when looking for the best rated food dehydrator as outlined in most of the food dehydrator reviews:
Typically, dehydrators are meant to dry your fruits and vegetables and to help preserve it for a longer time. Formerly, people used pickling and canning methods in preserving their foods. Dehydrators come in vertical and horizontal airflow systems and both have their good and bad sides.
The fan in a vertical airflow dehydrator is positioned at the lower end of the machine (Bottom). The device has both up and down orientations plus a heated base which is usually mounted at its bottom. Some of the most affordable dehydrators with vertical airflow systems include Waring Pro DHR30 and Presto 06300.
Dehydrators with the vertical airflow systems are cheaper than horizontal airflow dehydrators. Additionally, they are best for items that are delicate such as fish, peaches, herbs, strawberries and raisins. If you remember to rotate their trays, you can expect perfect results.
However, they have been noted to be giving uneven heat distribution because the fan is mounted at its bottom making it even harder for certain food items to dehydrate uniformly. For instance, meat jerky, bananas or chicken.
The horizontal airflow systems are found on stackable models such as Excaliber Stainless Steel dehydrator and the Nesco Gardenmaster dehydrator. They are most suitable for individuals with rather busy routines. While using horizontal airflow dehydrator, you can just turn it on, then sit back and wait for your food to dry.
The good thing about these appliances, is that they offer an even and uniform heat distribution across each and every tray. It takes much less time drying food with horizontal airflow dehydrators than other types. It can be used to make steamed walnut leaves and fruit leather rolls.
What holds people from acquiring these appliances is the price which is much expensive than those with vertical airflow systems.
People use dehydrators for various purposes, some use them to spruce up gardens and their homes. Others use these devices to dry food that help in cutting off extra weight. Several individuals use dehydrators to preserve food for future use, but regardless of what you do with your food dehydrator, it equally important to know the best dehydrator on the market. So, going by brands, what is the best dehydrator to buy?
It dries all the content of its trays evenly. Its dehydration process focuses on and maintains the natural sweetness, flavor as well as the fragrance of your food. Excalibur 9-tray food dehydrator offers a 15 square feet drying space making it the biggest and the best dehydrator on the market. It is ideal for larger families, sportsmen, craftspeople and larger gardens. It has a 26 hour timer system, an adjustable thermostat (105°F – 165°F) and is safe for drying fruits, vegetables raising bread, herbs, art and crafts and meat. Its trays are removable.It features a stainless steel panel which is interleaved into a black case. The case interior is made of polycarbonate while the exterior made of stainless steel. It is also designed in a horizontal air-flow system as well as HyperwaveTM fluctuation technology which provides the most efficient food drying combination on the market. It has a 26 hour timer system which allows you to set it, sit back and forget as it does its work. It also has 9 15”X15” stainless steel trays and an adjustable thermostat (105°F – 165°F) and when it’s in use, the system starts automatically.
It is one of the newest food dehydrators in the history of Nesco/American Harvest products. It features 700W drying power generating the maximum speed and quality required to dehydrate foods such as fruits, beef jerky, vegetables and venison jerky. It works in a matter of hours, unlike the ordinary dehydrators that take days. The model comprises of 5 drying trays, 2 clean-A-Screens, 2 fruit roll sheets, 3 original jerky spice packets and it doesn’t mix flavors when drying different foods.
Many of the dehydrators highlighted here can help you dehydrate your foods, and get the job done pretty well. But we find that the Excalibur line is certainly an excellent choice for you to consider when it comes to selecting the best food dehydrator.
As you continue to explore this wonderful world of food dehydration, you can explore your goals further, and easily decide on the specific product that is ideal and perfect for your needs. Determining the exact set of requirements and choosing the best food dehydrator based on them, will help you to significantly enjoy your device and the dehydrating process.
