What is the Size of a Food Dehydrator?

Food dehydrator sizes vary, with some measuring 13.5 x 10.9 x 13.3 inches. Other products have measurements of 14 x 12 x 14 inches, 15 x 12 x 15 inches and more.

Overview

This home appliance is used for drying fresh food. Apart from the different dimensions, they also have unique capabilities. These are
frequently used for drying meats, vegetables and dry fruit.

How the Machine Works

These appliances function by lightly heating the air around it. The hot air is then blown in the area where the food is kept. The time it takes to dry food varies. Old models may require days, but modern devices only take hours or less. The drying time depends on how juicy the material is.

Depending on the food dehydrator sizes, the air will be blown horizontally from a heater on the side or from the bottom. The benefit of the horizontal approach is you can dry a lot of food without getting the flavors all mixed up. With this approach, you don’t have to worry about fruit juices getting mixed up with beef jerky flavors.

Benefits

These dehydrators are especially useful for gardeners. If you grow a lot of veggies, you can use the appliance to stock them up and keep them in good condition. You can have a steady supply even during the cold season. These appliances cost less than ovens and they consume less power.

Preparation

Before the food can be dried, the food has to be sliced. Sliced food will dry more efficiently. Usually these are placed on layers over tracking trays. There are vents so air can go through the food. The trays are placed inside the dehydrator.

The food will then be left to dry. There juiciness of food varies. That is the reason why the food has to be removed on time. If left too long, the food may get brittle.

The best way to deal with this is to keep juicy food separate from quick drying ones. You should group juicy fruits like citrus fruits and tomatoes together.

Food like carrots and tomatoes can be bundled together. Most of these appliances allow you to prepare meat jerky. Many of these appliances have recipe books and guides to help you get started.

Aside from the proper food dehydrator sizes, you need to make sure the appliance can heat the food properly. The temperature must be sufficient to kill any bacteria or bugs present.