dehydrator temperatures
I just bought a nesco dehydrator. Used it a few times with good results. Yesterday I sliced up some fresh pineapple and placed it over 4 racks. I let it run at 140-145 for 6 hours. The thinner slices were dehydrated but still moist.
My question is, how does the temperatures affect how food is dried? One would assume that the higher the temperature, the faster the drying. Obviously that isn't the case...or is it?
Best Answer
The higher the temperature the faster the drying but also the more damage will be done to the food. As high as 140 and it is being cooked. For something like pineapple this is fine but for delicate things like basil that is not ok.
If you live in a dry climate the heater might not be necessary at all but it will save time.
I don't know exactly why your pineapple didn't turn out but here are a couple notes:
1- Things that are thick or very moist take much longer than usual. 6 hours is not a long time. Obviously pineapple is both. Try letting it go overnight.
2- Really really sugary things are so hygroscopic that they have a hard time drying completely and staying dried.
3- Commercial dried fruits are usually candied and chemically altered before being dried in equipment that I can't reproduce. This shouldn't discourage you by any means but don't expect your product to always be exactly like commercial dried fruit.
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Quick Answer about "dehydrator temperatures"
A food dehydrator is a small electrical appliance for drying foods indoors. A food dehydrator has an electric element for heat and a fan and vents for air circulation. Dehydrators are efficiently designed to dry foods quickly at 140 °F.Is 170 too hot for dehydrating?
Too hot and your foods will scorch or burn. You'll want the oven's temperature to be under 200 degrees Fahrenheit (93.3 Celsius) for the best results.What temperature do you dry fruit in a dehydrator?
Set the temperature between 125\xb0F and 140\xb0F. Dehydrating at 125\xb0F will result in a more evenly dehydrated end product, while setting the temp to 140\xb0F will make everything go a bit faster.Can you dehydrate at 100 degrees?
All that you really need to dehydrate your own fruits and vegetables is airflow and low temperatures. The best temperature for dehydrating is around 100 degrees. Many ovens do not go quite that low, so make sure you prop open the oven door so that it does not overheat.Can you dehydrate at 160 degrees?
What temperature should I set my dehydrator to make deer jerky? Before you dry your strips, heat the jerky to 160\xb0F for beef jerky and 165\xb0F for turkey or chicken jerky until it reaches the proper temperature for safe storage and consumption.RECOMMENDED DEHYDRATING TEMPERATURES: DRYCEMBER - Learn to Dehydrate for beginners
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