| To put it simply a food dryer or dehydrator is in fact | | | | other types of natural snacks. |
| a low temperature oven with fan. They are made up | | | | As well as dehydrators being used to preserve food |
| of a container in which the food can be placed a fan | | | | this is a piece of equipment that is popular with craft |
| that distributes the air that has been heated by an | | | | enthusiasts who like to create dried flower or pot |
| element within it. Certain dehydrators push the | | | | pourri arrangements. As the process for drying out |
| heated air around the container horizontally whilst | | | | the plants is very gentle much of the essential oils |
| others do it vertically but all will allow different | | | | within them are preserved and so the scents are |
| amounts of foods to be placed in them. | | | | retained for longer. Also such equipment is used by |
| Preserving as much of the nutritional value of the | | | | hunters in the Arctic Norway and Canadian Rockies |
| foods that they eat by gently drying with a | | | | to help preserve meat. Whilst dried wild mushrooms |
| dehydrator or food dryer is important to some | | | | which you gather for nothing can also be placed in to |
| people especially if they lead very active and healthy | | | | a home food dryer. |
| lifestyles. However, for the raw foodists among us | | | | Having food that is packed with lots of nutrients but |
| who wish to avoid damaging their food through | | | | doesn't take up too much space is crucial to Arctic |
| excessive heat this has been a standard piece of | | | | Explorers and Dog Mushers like Gary Rolfe. These |
| equipment in their kitchens for some considerable | | | | people regularly burn the same daily amount of |
| time. | | | | nourishment as a marathon runner when away. Such |
| As well as the people we have already mentioned | | | | men like Gary use the American Excalibur dehydrator |
| using dehydrators so do people who grow their own | | | | to allow him to take protein rich and calorie loaded |
| produce and gardeners. At the most important time | | | | meat jerky on his expeditions along with lots of good |
| of the year (harvest time) they use these to | | | | quality preserved fruit and vegetables. But it isn't just |
| preserve what they have grown and allow more | | | | people like Gary who uses dehydrators to help meet |
| room in the freezer and also reduce the amount of | | | | their dietary demands when involved in extreme |
| food that they waste. Plus a vast number of chefs in | | | | adventures so do mountaineers and expedition |
| the world are finding dehydrators useful when | | | | groups. In fact it is important to have a good |
| preparing certain dried delicacies, garnishes and | | | | nutritional diet when in extreme conditions as it could |
| seasonings they incorporate into their recipes. Also | | | | make the difference when it comes to you living or |
| when you want good quality dried food for when | | | | dying. |
| walking outdoors or on an expedition preparing your | | | | The American made Excalibur dehydrator is popular |
| own rather than purchasing dried foods from stores | | | | because the company has built a reputation over the |
| is your best bet. | | | | last 30 years of making these good quality home and |
| Yes energy prices are rocketing, but it will still prove | | | | industrial stainless steel dehydrators that are of good |
| more economical for you to prepare your own dried | | | | quality. However, in recent years the popularity of |
| food with an electric food dehydrator rather than | | | | the Swiss made Stockli which is an expandable food |
| purchasing readymade. Most people who own a | | | | dryer has increased because they are seen as being |
| dehydrator tend to use it for drying out various | | | | reliable. |
| types of fruit including the more exotic varieties such | | | | During the 21st Century nutritional health is a hot |
| as banana and mango. Certainly if you have children | | | | topic and we are all learning about the benefits to |
| and want them to eat more healthily then fruit | | | | eating foods which have been naturally preserved. In |
| leathers or rolls made from fresh dried fruit purees is | | | | the UK if you want to learn more about where to |
| a great option. | | | | get the Dehydrator kits and more information on |
| When it comes to what nutritious foods can be | | | | drying food then there are specialist health retailers |
| made in a dehydrator there are plenty. Of course we | | | | online such as UK Juicers that can help you. When it |
| have already mentioned leather fruits and rolls, but | | | | comes to learning more about the subject of food |
| for outdoor enthusiasts they can make complete | | | | dryers the most important book you should be |
| dehydrated meals or trail mixes and snack bars. For | | | | purchasing is published by the manufacturers of the |
| others they can use it to preserve fruits and | | | | Excalibur dehydrator and is called "Preserve It |
| vegetables including tomatoes grown in their gardens. | | | | Naturally". Also if you want to learn more about this |
| They can also use it for making vegetable crisps, | | | | topic in relation to outdoor activities then there is a |
| mango or pineapple slices and of course not | | | | book by Linda Frederick Yaffe called "The Backpack |
| forgetting chewy or crispy banana chips. Plus some | | | | Gourmet" that you will find extremely useful. |
| people use it for making meat jerky and a number of | | | | |