Preserving the Harvest (Wood Fired Dehydrator in Action!)

[@leesteele666]

Awesome an what a nice place you have 💕✋😊

[@rayshimalaya530]

Hello sir.. You are doinv great job..

[@adrianianna2868]

I have to keep finding new & inventive ways to preserve & use what I grow. Hate wanton food waste. I live in a house of 6 but we can't get the kids to eat vegies without hiding them. I now make sure I consult the cook before growing anything ! Lucky I have a large 300 + ltr freezer that also has to hold a fair amount of fish etc We make lots of tomato sauce , rhubarb ,pickeles , relishes . My wife is not looking forward to the chokoes coming on. We also have a big crop of Queensland blues being picked now. All in a moderate northern Sydney back yard. I have to give a lot away.

[@homesteading]

Your garden sound great! Chokos are good - so much production - but most people aren't that excited by them. Have you found any good preservation methods?

[@adrianianna2868]

@@homesteading mostly we eat them steamed or baked & the rest pickled . I work with a lot of Philopinos who will take just about all I can take in. Made the mistake of giving some sprouted ones away. Don’t know if I will be able to get rid of so many this year!!

[@GunShot101]

green tomato pickel verry good

[@LK-3000]

I found your channel from a recommendation from an old video on the Self Suficient Me's channel. I'm not off-grid but having options in case there is no power is awesome. I'm going to check out your other video about your dehydrator. It's a brilliant idea.

[@droac3]

I dehydrate mango. I use a mandolin to make thin slices and then put on baking paper on the trays. Works out really well. Works much better than blending and making fruit leathers or roll-ups. A great snack.

[@rickmihalec2035]

Wonderfull. It is so good to see that there are people like you living this way. hopefully there might be a lot more in time to come. Thank you for putting on all your videos.

[@DungeonMiser]

I learned that I probably need one twice as big or double the dryers

[@sylviahufer7019]

I dehydrate tomatoes often , they taste great as a snack , or I powder them when dehydrated to have on hand to add to casserole or make tomato paste . Don’t forget to condition your dehydrated produce

[@littlemogocreek]

Good to see you back again John and thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience.

[@shiningone3538]

Thanks John another interesting video... With Satsuma plums excess I destoned and just stewed... Then put on baking paper in my dehydrator... A very good and useful result... I stopped when it was still flexible and store it in the freezer... I didn't want to find out it would go moldy if I didn't add sugar.... Such a great snack to have..... Satsuma's plums are the number 1 plumb by a long shot

[@tassiegirl1991]

John that was very interesting to see your dehydrator is working, I didn’t realise you were off grid, well done. Hope those tomatoes come through it sure has t been the best of seasons here in Tas.

[@hevvab8151]

Hi John and thanks for the video. Regarding cool storage; just wondering if you've ever considered a "root cellar" or similar in ground storage system for your produce? Seems Tassie would be ideal for that. Cheers, Heather.

[@homesteading]

Yes, a root cellar is on the "to do" list!

[@danielmcarthur6200]

Now i know what todo with a 50's styles kero fridge i was given

[@moho5790]

I dehydrated my blood plums this year too...i cut mine thinner than you did & took a lot less drying time.

[@homesteading]

Yes, the smaller you cut the faster it dries!

[@gardeningperth]

I did not know you are offgrid. Where do you get your water from?

[@frankenstein3163]

Did you have to shuffle around the items in the dehydrator on each rack ? Like the center items need to be moved to the outside of the rack ? Also do you have info on how you made the drying box ? I love you fire barrel shortening idea. No welding required :)

[@alisonburgess345]

Drying is a great way to go - well done on making your own dehydrator - does it have a little fan of any sort? I had a Prune D'Agen plum once and they dried magnificently. Great idea to dry zucchinis - I was a bit swamped by them this year to the point that I'm totally sick of them now, but next year I'll dry some as I go to avoid the problem. Nice video!

[@homesteading]

Thank you. Yes, Prunes are the best for drying, nice and sweet! It doesn't have a fan at this stage, may add one to see if it will speed things up and even temperatures.

[@Ckktopa]

Hey John, I've been watching for a couple of years now, and I cant believe that I didn't realise you were off grid for power. I'd love an overview of your solar setup if your interested in sharing. Thanks for all the content. Regards Chris

[@homesteading]

Will get to a solar video soon - hopefully!

[@pizzapilgrim6525]

Interesting 👍 and what brand of preserving jar are you using? how long do your rubber seals last? G'day from down the Huon haha

[@homesteading]

We use the Fowlers bottling jars (second hand ones with new Stainless Steel lids) - they recommend the rubber seals for one use only, but I find most will work for a second use, though some get damaged on opening.

[@MsLindy777]

With vegetables, blanch them before dehydrating except for tomatoes and zucchini. They rehydrate a lot better this way, more true to veg.

[@homesteading]

Thanks for the tip, will give it a try.

[@AllMyHobbies]

Would a fan not help a lot? Will dry with a lot less heat energy. More dehydrated then slow cook.

[@homesteading]

A fan probably would help...something to add, but might be next season.

[@AllMyHobbies]

@@homesteading right. I don't know how you have time for what you do already very impressive.

[@denisebrady6858]

John do you ever make plum jam from your plums please. Are you ever tempted to throw some potatoes in there jackets wrapped in foil into those coals as I certainly would be. Great Video Thanks. Cheers Denise- Brisbane

[@homesteading]

Yes, we made plum jam and sauce this year as well as dried and bottled plums, so a good result. The next batch I actually did put potatoes in the fire, a good secondary product for immediate eating!

[@denisebrady6858]

@@homesteading Oh John well done & YUM !!!!!

[@mcca9017]

Don’t have to give ya corn away. Dry it crack it fatten your chooks up.

[@uppanadam74]

Is your place haunted?? Just saw an orb if you believe in that sort of stuff?? LOL!!

[@homesteading]

Probably just camera light effects!