Dryer for vegetables and fruits

We often say that the most effective way to preserve nutrients and vitamins in products when harvesting for the winter is drying.

Without special tools, especially in apartment conditions, only herbs can be dried normally. Let's try to figure out what the technology market offers us today - dehydrators and dryers for vegetables and fruits.

You should start, as in any business, with a goal. And what do we actually want? If you have somewhere to get a supply of natural products in the summer, then you just need a good device that allows you to save all this pleasure and health for the winter. If the goal is only to dry herbs or some individual vegetables or fruits in a small amount, then this is a different task.

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What is the difficulty of drying vegetables and fruits?

The complexity of drying vegetables and fruits lies in the choice of speed (blowing force), temperature and their ratio. At too high a temperature, enzymes in food die - indispensable enzymes for easy and quick digestion of the product. If it is too low, bacteria and fungi multiply up to the formation of mold. During drying, the temperature of the product is always lower than that of the air due to the effect of moisture evaporation. On average, the difference is 10-11 degrees. By the end of drying, the temperatures have evened out.

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Dryer classification

In the direction of air supply

There are two main types of dryers for vegetables and fruits (dehydrators). One type - with a vertical air flow, the other - with a horizontal one. Among the vertical ones, there are options with a fan at the top or bottom.

Good heat distribution gives a vertical type with a fan at the bottom. However, its disadvantage is that the fan is then difficult to clean from all that has dripped onto it. After all, some products, especially berries, can give juice during drying. A vertical dryer with a top fan eliminates this problem, however, drying is very uneven - the top tray dries faster.

Horizontal airflow dehydrators primarily prevent the mixing of odors between trays of different products. In addition, they provide fairly uniform heating between the trays and it is more convenient to wash such a dryer. Another advantage of this type is that they are rectangular rather than round and, accordingly, use the space on the table more efficiently. But a horizontal airflow dehydrator tends to cost more.

Size is also important depending on how much volume you need at one time. Some types of dryers have outer walls with trays that can be removed and inserted. These types are ideal if you are going to dry the entire planned volume at one time.

Some dehydrators have stackable trays.The good thing is that you can purchase additional trays if you want to expand the capacity instead of having to buy a new dehydrator.

According to the principle of action

All existing types of dryers for herbs, mushrooms, fruits and vegetables can be divided into two large categories according to the principle of operation:

• Convective.
• infrared.

Each variety has its own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages, which should be considered separately.

Convective dryers: principle of operation and nuances

Convection machines were the first to appear. The principle of operation of such household appliances is based on the circulation of hot air. This leaves its mark on the finished product. Dried fruits or vegetables are covered with a dry crust, a kind of film, since the first thing moisture evaporates from the surface, and only after that the pulp begins to dry. Thus, the dehydration process is quite long.

If we compare fruits dried in the sun with fruits dried in a convective dryer, then differences are noticeable to the naked eye, color, and taste characteristics are different. Special mention deserves the fact that hot steam "kills" vitamins, respectively, only part of the nutrients is preserved.
Electronics experts also note that convection requires impressive energy costs.

Infrared dryers: features of work

Infrared dryers came later, but almost immediately became the most promising option for working with fruits, vegetables, herbs and mushrooms. The principle of operation is similar to the work of the sun. The impact is carried out exclusively on the water component of the products. Infrared radiation treats plants in a gentle mode, usually the temperature does not exceed 60 degrees, which is incomparable with hot steam.

The biggest advantage of IR drying is that the finished product retains most of the nutrients, including vitamins, which are destroyed at high temperatures.
Specialists in household appliances focus on the low energy consumption of such appliances.

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Criteria for choosing a dryer for vegetables and fruits

There are many parameters to consider when choosing a dryer for fruits and vegetables. Before placing an order in an online store or buying a device on the market, it is worth analyzing existing models, manufacturers and the latest innovations.

After that, each hostess will easily understand which device will be ideal for her kitchen. Consider the important parameters of dryers for fruits and vegetables.

capacity

“Each housewife should take into account that if she has few fruits and vegetables for drying, then you should not choose very powerful and roomy household appliances, as they will consume extra electricity”

The volume of vegetables and fruits that can be placed in the drying device should be as large as possible. This is what every housewife who wants to prepare more healthy products for the winter thinks. But here it is also worth considering that extra baking sheets (empty) must be removed. The drying capacity depends both on the number of pallets that exist and on their dimensions.

It is important that it is allowed to put any vegetables and fruits on each baking sheet at the same time, but the main thing is that they do not have a strong smell that can mix.

According to the capacity, dryers for vegetables and fruits are distinguished from 0.5 kg per pallet to 2 kg.Manufacturers suggest putting this weight on one baking sheet so that all fruits have access to the rays of light and dry easily. Each housewife should take into account that if she has few fruits and vegetables for drying, then you should not choose very powerful and roomy household appliances, as they will consume excess electricity. A gas stove is also suitable for drying, but it consumes more electricity.

Power

“Optimal dryer power for domestic use from 300 to 500 W”

All dryers for fruits and vegetables use an electrical network for operation. There are models with power from 100 W to 1000 W. The higher this indicator, the faster the fruit will dry. At the same time, the maximum power used is indicated, since if the temperature is set to 40 degrees, then less electricity will be consumed, and if 60, then more. The optimal power of the dryer for domestic use is from 300 to 500 W (like the brands Saturn, Supra, Bosch). If this figure is lower, then the apparatus will not be able to dry large fruits.

Housing material

Modern drying is carried out from two types of material:

From metal. Such models are prone to overheating, which contributes to the incorrect implementation of the drying mode of the products. The weight of such equipment is quite heavy, which is not very convenient with frequent rearrangements and moving.

From plastic. This version of the manufacture of dryers is more acceptable. It is lighter and perfectly maintains the temperature during all stages of the drying regimen. Models made of transparent plastic are also convenient because you can control the process without opening the lid.

Such openings lead to a drop in temperature and the cost of additional power and time to raise it. You need to be careful when choosing plastic dryers. You can purchase a model made of low-grade material, which will not only emit an unpleasant odor when heated, but also release toxins. Therefore, it is correct to buy equipment only with certificates and a warranty card, with the help of which it will be possible to make a return or exchange.

Location of the heating element

The heating element in the dryer can be either at the top or at the bottom. Manufacturers rarely use side placement, because with this arrangement the size of the device will increase, and no one needs it. It is believed that more durable dryers with the location of the heating element at the top, because. it does not get water, moisture and possible juice from the fruit. At the same time, the hottest air will be on the upper layers, and only then it diverges into the rest of the pans.

Temperature regulator

The most advanced models of dryers are equipped with a temperature controller that allows you to set the value with which it is worth drying vegetables and fruits. A whole cherry should be dried at a temperature of 40-45 degrees, and a pitted apricot at 50-60 degrees. Cheaper models of dryers do not have such a regulator, but they have an optimal value of 45-50 degrees, which allows you to dry all the fruits, leaving a maximum of vitamins in them. Mulinex, Atlant, Thermmix brands have such models.

Timer

It is very important in the preparation of dried vegetables, fruits, berries to take into account the time of their preparation, so many manufacturers mount timers in their equipment. Using this element, the hostess can put all the fruits, turn on the device, set it to work for 1 (3, 5, 7) hours and leave on her own questions.After the scheduled time has passed, the dryer will automatically turn off and wait for the next appointments.

In cheap versions of such devices, there are no timers, so the owners will have to turn off the dryer themselves at the end of cooking.

Safety

“The manufacturer rarely lists safety information on the device, but the detailed instructions should have this data”

Since the vegetable and fruit dryer is an electrical appliance that can work for a long time, it is important that it has overheating protection. Such a safety measure will not only save the fruits from overdrying, but also extend the life of the correct service of the equipment. The manufacturer rarely indicates safety information on the device, but this data should be in the detailed instructions. When choosing a dryer, it is worthwhile to carefully analyze the description of the safety parameters in order to understand what risks exist. Dryers operate in the range of 220-230 volts.

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Useful tips and tricks

Using an electric dryer will be pleasant and beneficial for the family if the owner immediately reads our helpful tips. There are not many of them, but they make it easier to work with the device, suggest how best to arrange the products inside the dryer:

• With the trays in the dryer upright, consider whether it is possible to take out several trays if there are not enough fruits for them. Good models are those for which this modification is available.

• There are trays with holes (lattices) and without them. The first devices are more convenient, since the air to the fruits in the dryer comes from both above and below. This will ensure quick drying of vegetables and fruits.

• The round or rectangular shape of the dehydrator does not matter much when drying. But most manufacturers produce models with rounded edges, since in such devices all the fruits are dried at the same time.

• In the newest models of dryers, there may be a function for making yogurt. This is done by removing several trays and inserting a special container with a lid into the machine. Milk with sourdough is poured into such a device and, due to the presence of a low temperature, yogurt is prepared in a matter of hours.

• If a dryer model with a fan at the bottom of the machine was chosen, then fruits, berries and vegetables should be placed separately on the table, and only then the appropriate tray should be installed. This will protect the mechanism from moisture and water.

• The dryer in operation makes a little noise, as if the fan is on. Such a sound will constantly accompany the mechanism, but it is unobtrusive.

• When buying, see if there are trays for preparing marshmallows and other dishes. In addition to the dryer, there may be a book with many recipes.

• Do not dry fish and other foods with a strong smell together with fruits and vegetables, as the latter will acquire a specific smell.

• Mushrooms are allowed to dry together with fruits and berries. The optimum temperature for them is about 40 degrees.

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Conclusion

When choosing even the most expensive and versatile dryer, do not forget about the golden rules of operation and safety. Only if they are observed, your device will last a long time, and dried foods will turn out tasty and healthy.

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