Using A Dehydrator
To Dry Herbs, Fruits and Vegetables

There's no strange magic about using a dehydrator and how it works. Simply put; these machines push warmed air around your herbs, fruits, vegetables or other foods to dry the water out of them. This gives you the ability to store them longer (as opposed to refrigeration or freezing) and requires much less effort than canning. We all want to eat things that are as fresh as possible, and I strongly suggest using as many methods as you can to 'naturally' preserve foods. Consider this method of food preparation as another for your long term storage. Dried herbs become your spices and medicines. Dried fruits become healthy snacks and wonderful additions to cooking and cereals. Dried vegetables can be added to stews, soups and salads.

Temperatures

Just for your knowledge most craft projects are dried at 115° F / 46° C, and most meats, fish or jerky making is done at 155° F / 68° C.

I was gifted with a wonderful box of green bell peppers and tomatoes. After taking out what I need for meals I've decided to use the rest to share how to use a dehydrator.
Everything you dry should be washed and prepared while the herb, fruit or vegetable is still fresh. Do all your cutting and lay things out on the tray so that air can circulate around the plant.
You actually can combine 'like' types of foods at the same time. So you can do all your leafy plants together, than do all your fruits and vegetables, etc. Don't mix things that need different temperatures (see chart above). NEVER put non-food items (like crafts) in with food items. And things with strong oder (like mints, onions, or garlic) should always be done separately as well.

Both the tomatoes and peppers are crisp and perfectly dried. They are ready to go from dehydrator into storage. And WOW they are bursting with FLAVOR!

This is the machine that I use. The brand is Nesco / American Harvest. I've tried other brands and none of them made me happy. Just make sure, when you get a Dehydrator, it has both temperature control and a fan that circulates air. Not all machines have this.

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