Monday, July 18, 2016

New Toy

Well I went out and bought myself a new TOY today!  I hardly ever do that.
I usually think about things for so long, that I talk myself out of them.

I bought a dehydrator, extra trays and a book about drying food!  WOOHOO!!!!!  It really wasn't that expensive, and I figure all the food that I can save will pay for it in no time.  I can look for deals at stores as well.

I looked at WM and then at Rural King.  WM only had one cheapy model and I didn't like the brand of it.  There really must be a craze happening with drying food.  Rural King usually has about 6 different kinds in stock - and today they just had one.  I nabbed this one for a decent price, and IF I LOVE it, well maybe I will get a bigger one someday.


 
Do you dehydrate?  Let me know what kinds of things you dry.  I'm excited to get  started.
 
HAPPY MONDAY!

13 comments:

  1. Hello Cheryl, I have only recently bought my first dehydrator also! I hope you have fun experimenting. :) I couldn't get over how huge it was (ordered mine online) and good idea on buying the extra trays and book. I must do that also. Enjoy! Kaye xo

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    1. KayeB - thanks. I look forward to drying away!!! I hope you enjoy yours as well. Check back in and let me know what you have been drying.

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    2. the extra trays are nice to have,just like Kaye said! Some have an herb screen so the smaller pieces like thyme don't fall through. Of course, you can leave them on the stem and strip the stem off later. We do it over a piece of opened up newspaper and then can fold the paper up and 'funnel it in' to the container afterwards.

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    3. the extra trays are nice to have,just like Kaye said! Some have an herb screen so the smaller pieces like thyme don't fall through. Of course, you can leave them on the stem and strip the stem off later. We do it over a piece of opened up newspaper and then can fold the paper up and 'funnel it in' to the container afterwards.

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  2. Good morning!. I have a Nesco dehydrator also. I mainly use it for drying herbs. Someday, I'd like to get up the nerve to do jerky. Our oven went out after 25 years (they just don't make things to last the way they used to! LOL!) Our new oven also is a convection oven. I'm
    wondering how that would work on dehydrating things.

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    1. Speaking of which -- I just happened to see this article. http://www.21stcenturysimpleliving.com/?p=2915 I tried banana chips a couple of years ago in the Nesco dehydrator and wasn't impressed. They didn't taste like the ones we used to get at Sam's Club years ago. Maybe I just didn't leave them in long enough because they seemed "rubbery" versus crisp. And then again, they may have tasted different because I didn't have all the "weird things" in them that was listed on the ingredient label. I may try again using this recipe.

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    2. Kris I have heard that banana chips never get like those you buy, because those are actually deep fried after dried. I don't know - but that is what I have read.

      I have never had a convection oven, so not sure how that would work.

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  3. Hi Cheryl, we have a dehydrator and like Kris use it for herbs, really nice considering the price in stores for herbs! We also dry our hot peppers in it, and I have tried zucchini too, really nice when rehydrated in soups. On the zucchini, cut them into smaller pieces, whole slices get a little soft and gummy when rehydrated. Some do onions but I haven't yet. I have tried fruit leathers...good tasting but a lot of work for very little.

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  4. Oh yes, apple snitz are really good for snacking, remember to treat them if the apples brown (lemon juice or citric acid), some varieties brown up more than others.

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    1. Thanks for the tip on zucchini. I will be doing some this year. I want to do onions and bell peppers too.

      I currently have some apples in the crisper that I don't like for just eating and I think I will give that a try.

      Currently I have basil in the dehydrator. First trial run!!!!!

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  5. I have that same book. It's really a good reference.
    Happy Dehydrating!

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    1. It is a very good book. Lot's of ideas. I am anxious to try a lot of things.

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  6. Oh you are going to have so much fun with your new toy! I have the same books also. :)

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