Dehydrators, the good the bad and the ugly

[Bodhihermit]

Heres an amazon link for the Andrew James one

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Andrew-James-De ... hydrataors

[jansman]

Bumping this thread on , I am interested in one of these machines as it could be useful for adding to our food storage. Especially as I grow so much food.
I have to ask, though. How energy efficient are they. Is it like a slow cooker, using the energy of a lightbulb? Or is it like a kettle being on for nine hours, meaning you need your own powerstation?
I am sure those of you who use a dehydrator will have practical experience of energy input.

[Plymtom]

I've got an Excalibur Jansman the answer is somewhere between the 2, remember it takes the moisture out and puts it into the air, I've often thought a dehumidifier in the same room would improve efficiency and therefore be in the long run cheaper, but I haven't used it enough to test this.

On the scale I think you're talking about I'd look into making a solar one for yourself, with bought ones when I bought mine the talk and reviews said you get what you pay for.

And finally there's a reason dehydrated food is so expensive, that is it is energy wasteful, you wont need telling traditional preserving methods and seasonal foods are perhaps better, except for jerky of course, then if you dehydrate that, then freeze it like salami it will last as long as if would have before you froze it after it is defrosted.

[jansman]

Thankyou for that Plympton. Most helpful.

[rik_uk3]

http://www2.westfalia.net/shops/househo ... _nr=521419

I've used two of these for about eight years now with no problems. I plug them into a timer socket.

[PreppingPingu]

Just been given a round Andrew James one so I will have a go with some apples that are in danger of becoming past their best and see what happens.