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How long does it take to dehydrate food?
It is impossible to give exact drying times because there are so many factors
that effect drying time. These factors include:
• The moisture content of each food
• The thickness or size of the prepared food
• The humidity and temperature in the room where the dehydrator is
operating
• The density of the food
The food you choose also plays a part. The age of the food, where and how
the food was grown, how it has been stored along its journey to you, and
other factors all affect how long it might take to dehydrate.
But don’t worry. With a little experience you will soon be able to tell
when you are slicing the foods just about how long it will take, and which
foods will dry soonest and which will take the longest.
Here is a good example: tomatoes are normally quite juicy. Their high
moisture content will make them take longer to dry than many other foods.
On the other hand cabbage, which has a relatively low moisture level will
take a much shorter time to dry. Citrus fruits like oranges will generally take
longer than apples for the same reason.
So how do you know how long to let the foods dry? After the dehydra-
tor runs for a while remove the trays and examine the foods. Don’t be afraid
to “peek”! This will help you learn about the drying process and how long
it takes. For foods with higher moisture levels like fruits and meats, check
them periodically after about the first four hours of drying time. Foods with
a lower starting moisture content like herbs and leafy vegetables or chopped
and shredded foods may dry sooner so need to be checked after about two
or three hours and more often after that. You will soon get the “feel” for
how long foods take to dry.
Don’t worry, though. It is better to over dry the food then leave too
much moisture in it. Moist foods are more likely to spoil during storage.
If foods have been over dried and seem brittle or slightly browned they are
still usable for soups or most baked goods. They may take slightly longer
to reconstitute and require additional water, but their flavor and quality is
generally not impaired.
