Simplify Food Dehydrating: The Only Tools You Need

Food dehydrating doesn't have to cost a lot to get started. There are ways to get dehydrators inexpensively, and only a few tools that you need! Come find out and get started preserving your food today!
LINKS MENTIONED:
Excalibur Dehydrators: excaliburdehyd...
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Budget Dehydrating tools
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All the info you need to learn to dehydrate - plus keep an ongoing record of all of your projects!
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🍳 DEHYDRATING & PRESERVING TOOLS I LOVE 🍳
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👉 My Excalibur Dehydrator: amzn.to/3wTb7nn
Cosori Dehydrator with coupon codes! thepurposefulp...
Tray Liners: amzn.to/43be0Mp
Grinding Powder Option: amzn.to/48NTR0n
Jar Opener: amzn.to/3V74Q1C
Handheld Vacuum Sealer amzn.to/4c4piGx
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TIMESTAMPS

[@annsamsel1720]

Been listening to you for years. Love your u tube. One thing I learned from was to to dehydrate my veggies at 125 degrees instead of the recommended 135. Such a big big difference. Noticeably such a difference in color.😊

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Low and slow!

[@bevospics]

Thank you so much Dehydrating BFF 😁‼ You are a wealth of information & I appreciate you very much‼ Many blessings & Happy Memorial Weekend 🇺🇸🙏✝️🙏🇺🇸

[@ginger7102]

I bought my first stackable from a 2nd hand store. I used it for years. I still use it along with my cabinet. Love them both! Thank you for all your tips!

[@Mardi-LovetheLandHomestead]

Same here and bought 2 more from Markeplace

[@RoguePreparedness]

My air fryer says it’s also a dehydrator and I’ve been wanting to test it out. This a great beginners guide to knowing everything we need to get started!

[@LS-lb7pw]

You're the best dehydrating queen of all time. I've learned so much from you over these last few years. My pantry has never been the same! Thank you for another great video. 😊

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

But YOU put in the work!!!

[@CrazyCatLady-dx8uj]

You have been my dehydrating BFF and mentor for about 3 years when I discovered you!! I have a Nesco and I love it! Works great and perfect for the small space I have.

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

That is awesome!

[@mayra_m767]

Recently got a cosori for my 40th! Barely learning about dehydrating, fermets, milling own flour.. but the extra time put into all this is so worth it! I'm so happy I came accross your channel! Thank you for all the info and wisdom you share! Also! I ordered your book/journal. Can't wait for it to get to me!!! 🤗

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

You can do it!!!

[@FGM013]

I started out with a hanging mesh bag about six years ago. I live in the desert so this worked perfectly. After two years the sun deteriorated the mesh so I bought an Excalibur which I love. However, electric bills in the summer are through the roof now. I bought another mesh bag this week and will be using it during our warm/hot season and go back to the Excalibur during the cool season. I vacuum seal my food in quart and half gallon canning jars. I originally started with the Food Saver attachments but added a brake bleeder and the sealer I saw on your channel. I found your channel around the same time that I got the Excalibur and it has been invaluable. Thank you!

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

You are welcome!!

[@rodiona8781]

Why not get a small solar panel and a battery? It might take a few days to charge the battery with a very small solar panel but it might be cheap enough to offset the amount that you use it?

[@FGM013]

@@rodiona8781 The hanging mesh bag costs about $15 and can be used 8-9 months out of the year in my climate. The cost of even a small solar panel and battery would far exceed the cost of using my Excalibur the rest of the year. Although I do plan on obtaining solar panels and battery storage in the future, solar panels are not a viable option in the condo community I currently live in.

[@madelinehall8944]

Blessings from Chicago. I'm happy to see you are doing well. I just received your newsletter on herbs. Do you know that majoriam and savory are very hard to find. Most farmers at the market tell me they are concidered old herbs, not in demand. I'm still looking.❤❤Be well

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Can you not grow them yourself in pots?

[@denagarcia6628]

Look for the seeds. They can be grown in pots if you don't have room in your garden.

[@maryjomadray1749]

You answered a lot of questions I had. I appreciate that you tell details and tips for successful dehydrating. Thank you.

[@tammybrazeau1213]

Girl, great video, but you forgot to tell everyone about your dehydrating book. It's my Bible, and everyone should have one. I'm glad to see your back, and it looks like you're a little better . Keep on keeping on.

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

It's not a necessary tool ;) But it's always listed in the description box if folks look.

[@lcm0578]

Something else to consider when choosing is the weight of your machine if you need to move it. I need to carry mine through the house because I have to store it in the garage. I tend to go big when in doubt, I love mine but it is heavy!! Thanks for all your tips Darcy! I just ordered more mesh for herbs. Great idea of getting the next layers ready by having extra!

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Yes!

[@lilac2484]

I have the stackable, the nesco. Oh can go up to 12. What my book tells me. I also found a UNESCO at a second hand store. It was 12 dollars. But I got it for 7 due to internet problems at the time. Can not wait to start using both.

[@wildrosetreasuresva1837]

Hi, Darcy! Thank you for sharing. 😊

[@GGsGarden]

Thx for great video. Also, thx for answering my questions on the live earlier today. Have canned for years, but never dehydrated. Plan to at least try with a few garden items this year.

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Hope you love it!

[@jenmag0313]

Thanks for giving great tips/tricks on making dehydrating fun and simple to do. I appreciate your advice when it comes to my dehydrating journey.

[@sueelliott3206]

Thanks for all the great information.

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

My pleasure!

[@TUKByV]

Thanks.

[@marygallagher3428]

Great comprehensive video!

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Thank you!

[@dollmom3597]

This was very helpful. What temperature do you dehydrate kale or spinach or arugula ?

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Please check out this post so that you can print off a copy of the temperatures that I follow. 95F/35C is my answer for this one, but you will always have it available. www.thepurposefulpantry.com/temperature-to-dehydrate/

[@charlenereed7813]

Thank you for this video was so helpful.

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

I'm so glad!

[@MS-yt2tg]

I purchased the handheld jar vacuum!! can you tell me, since no instructions come with, how long I am supposed to run it? Does it shut off automatically? Thank you!

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

You can do that, or you can pay attention to the pitch of the machine. As it seals, the pitch increases...once it has stopped that increase, I give it a little more time and then it's done. And if you cannot get the lid off with your fingers, it's sealed.

[@marylindsay6241]

Great to know

[@debscrats55]

I just bought an almost new Cosari 6 tray at a yard sale for $15 and it came with extra hard plastic mesh trays which would have cost that much on Amazon. This is my third dehydrator and I blame you for my addiction.

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Those plastic trays aren't really worth much...just use them to line the bottom of the machine to help keep it clean. Those things warp pretty easily and then are useless for drying fruit leathers, etc.

[@trudyhoffmann6405]

Hi Darcy! Glad you're back. I have a off the subject question. I have honey that is starting to crystalize. I want to move it from the original that has a small opening into a qt jar. Vac seal or just air tight container?

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Just airtight - it needs nothing else.

[@cc-camper-lady]

Hi, I'm enjoying your channel. I'm about to go cross country in my campervan for a few months. I really don't want to bring breakable jars. Can I put the meals in ziplock bags or some type of vacuum bags. The camp food available in stores has way to much sodium for me. Thank you! 🌻

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Yes - jars is just my preference for storage.

[@cc-camper-lady]

@@ThePurposefulPantry Thank you!

[@kcconaty5270]

Just found this channel 👍 Thanks for sharing 🙏🏽Sub’d

[@tc12487]

❤

[@BrittaDamgaard]

What is the name of the exalibur you are using. The one with the glas on top . Would like one .. Varm and gentle greetings from Denmark . Love your videos a lot

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

My Excalibur Dehydrator: amzn.to/3wTb7nn (an affiliate link).

[@BrittaDamgaard]

@@ThePurposefulPantry thank you so very much

[@Lee_Proffit]

I would steer clear of the stacking oblong ones, as no one seems to make sheets for them and the shape is a real pain to try and cut out of silicon. Or maybe this is just a UK problem 😞 When do you get back from your break ?

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Today - this was a new video ;) You can cut sheets for those machines out of mesh silicone easily - but fruit leather sheets are a little harder.

[@Lee_Proffit]

@@ThePurposefulPantry "Easily" is very subjective - you forget that I'm a male 😞 Fruit leathers are nigh on impossible. Welcome back ❤❤

[@wyyeti4004]

Quick question…I’ve seen a few people store dried goods in soda pop bottles…the plastic ones. Small soda bottles for dry herb mixes. Your thoughts?

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Soft plastic are air permeable over time. For short-term, it's not a big deal. I wouldn't do it for long-term in my pantry - what they do in theirs is their choice.

[@wyyeti4004]

@@ThePurposefulPantry Thanks. We use canning jars.

[@lisapop5219]

We have been using the same stackable since 1993.

[@ShieldWolf1]

I was wondering why you dropped the Cosori brand from your recommendation list? I had purchased one based on an older recommendation. Is there a problem that I should be aware of?

[@cathysosalla]

Sorry, did not intend to hit the thumbs down!

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

No. I prefer my Excalibur (I buy machines to test out for the channel, and if I find one I prefer, I'm going to switch it out).

[@OperativeRex]

Hi Darcy! I have a quick question of you don't mind. I just bought a dehydrator with the intention of making my own jerky. I like a thinner, dryer jerky. Once I make my batch, I intend on putting into a Mylar bag with moisture absorbers. Do i still need to store it in the fridge? I don't intend on keeping the jerky past a week or week and a half. Cold jerky doesn't sound too appetizing to me. Thank you!

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Jerky stored outside of the fridge/freezer that isn't cured is short-term only. You can store on the shelf, I just can't tell you if it will mold/turn rancid in that time.

[@margaretbreard4287]

Is it safe to use 304 stainless steel woven wire mesh in a food dehydrator to catch small pieces? Since this is so fine, would food stick to it?

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

I don't recommend using anything that isn't considered food grade. You can use parchment paper, 100% cotton fabric, dehydrating mesh, etc.

[@lisaarthurs4784]

can use use your oven at the lowest temp to dehydrate?

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Yes, and if it only goes down to 170F, it's helpful to prop the door open a bit to let the heat and moisture escape.

[@janicehatton2762]

I am dehydrating and just got a freeze dryer. Can I take my dehydrated sour cream and reprocess in freezer? I really I wanted to do cheese. Milk and products that are not really shelf stable dehydrated.

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

I don't know - I've never tried to dehydrate sour cream let alone try to rehydrate it and then freeze dry it. It's in my list of don't dehydrate products, so I've not tried.

[@lindabuice1756]

Can you dehydrate meat for long term storage ?

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Not reliably. You can do it, but you will get varying amounts of assured time based on fat quantity, the storage temp, etc. So we can't say it should last ___ long, but I'm going on 9 months with my dehydrated ground beef - this is anectdotal.

[@brendadodd1075]

Thank you. My husband got me an Excalibur 9 ntrY FOR MY BIRHDAY. last year. he didn't like see all my herbs all ovet the house either hang or on my countettops and table.

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

And now - you can do so much more than just herbs!!!

[@rebeccataravonschleinitz]

All of this is excellent advice and reflects my own experience (25+ years). Tip: I wash my silcone tools in my washing machine with just washing soda and a vinegar rinse. WAY easier than washing by hand, and the dishwasher never gets them clean (at least not for me).

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Great tip!