Dehydration concentrates the natural flavors and sugars in food. For example, a raisin seems sweeter than a grape because most of the water has been removed and the sweetness is more prominent. This is ideal for those who would like to decrease the amount of refined sugar in their diet, but still crave sweet snacks. When you dry foods in your own home, you can be sure that no chemicals or sweeteners are used in the drying process.
Dehydration is also great for preserving food to store for future use. This can be as casual as making a soup mix for use in a pinch or as elaborate as drying several weeks worth of meals in anticipation of a Year 2000 crisis! Because dehydration removes 95% of the water contained in food, the process inhibits the growth of bacteria and other spoilage microorganisms which thrive in moist environments.
There are hundreds of items that can be dried using a standard home dehydrator and fruit is just the beginning. Dried vegetables can be used in soups, dips, or eaten as a snack. The dehydrator can also be used to dry several non-food items. If you use dried flowers in craft projects, you can dry the fresh blooms on the dehydrator trays. This method is quicker than hanging them in a closet or pantry and can also be used for drying herbs.
There are many different brands and price ranges in the dehydrator market. Many good machines cost upwards of $200.00. For this reason, the first place I would recommend shopping for a dehydrator is in your basement or garage. Remember that wedding gift from Aunt Gertrude? It was a food dehydrator and it has been sitting in the box since your honeymoon.
If you've searched the attic and there is no dehydrator to be found, the next step is to ask all of your friends and neighbors if they have one in their garage or crawlspace. Most people would jump at the chance to lend or give an unused appliance to a loving home. Remind them that their generous donation counts as cleaning house!
Finally, if it's either Spring or Fall, there are probably several garage sales going on each weekend. Search thoroughly and if you don't see it, ask. It's worth the bargain you might get to be a bit forward. If you're really aggressive you may wish to offer hypnotic regression so they can remember all of their wedding gifts. I purchased my machine from a yard sale in my neighborhood for three dollars. For such a small cost, even if I tire of food drying, I didn't sink much of my hard-earned money into equipment.
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