How to Buy a Dehydrator

As your granny would say, "Waste not, want not." You can follow that bit of wisdom by drying your own vegetables, meats and fruits. Choose a dehydrator that will fit your lifestyle and the size of your family.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Dehydrators

1. Request product information from various dehydrator manufacturers. Read about materials, construction, size, heating elements, fans and guarantees.
2. Make sure the trays are well-spaced (1 inch apart) and easy to remove.
3. Consider the size of the dehydrator and how much space you have on your counter to accommodate it.
4. Choose a dehydrator with special trays, such as fruit leather or herb trays, if you plan to dry those things.
5. Buy a dehydrator with a side-mounted or horizontal fan if you can.

Tips & Warnings

• Side-mounted and horizontal fans dry food more evenly, without your having to rotate trays. Bottom fans require you to rotate trays because food in the bottom trays dries faster than food near the top.