dehydrator substitute

[Guest guest]

Does anyone know if I can use another appliance (besides the oven) as

a dehydrator and how I'd do it? I have a crockpot and a rice cooker

(no yogurt maker - I use my oven for that).

If I were to use the oven, what temperature would I set it to and how

long should it take?

Trying to avoid purchasing yet another bulky appliance!

Thanks,

Cindy

[Guest guest]

>

> Does anyone know if I can use another appliance (besides the oven) as

> a dehydrator and how I'd do it? I

Cindy,

OVEN DRYING

Everyone who has an oven has a food dehydrator. By combining the factors of

heat, low

humidity and air current, an oven can be used as a dehydrator. An oven is ideal

for

occasional drying of meat jerkies, fruit leathers, banana chips or for

preserving excess

produce like celery or mushrooms. Because the oven may also be needed for

everyday

cooking, it may not be satisfactory for preserving abundant garden produce. Oven

drying

is slower than dehydrators because it does not have a built-in fan for the air

movement.

(However, some convection ovens do have a fan.) It takes twice as long to dry

food in an

oven than in a dehydrator, and it uses more energy.

To Use Your Oven: First, check your dial and see if it has a reading as low as

140 °F. If

your oven does not go this low, then your food will cook instead of dry. For air

circulation,

leave the oven door propped open 2 to 6 inches. Circulation can be improved by

placing a

fan outside the oven near the door. CAUTION: This is not a safe practice for a

home with

small children. Because the door is left open, the temperature will vary. An

oven

thermometer placed near the food gives an accurate reading. Adjust the

temperature dial

to achieve the needed 140 °F.

Trays should be narrow enough to clear the sides of the oven and should be 3 to

4 inches

shorter than the oven from front to back. Cake cooling racks placed on top of

cookie

sheets work well for some foods. The oven racks, holding the trays, should be 2

to 3

inches apart for air circulation.

Carol F.

Toronto, Celiac, SCD 5 years