Anyone here using their oven as a Dehydrator? I'm not so sure about this...

[Jen Rose]

I really need a Dehydrator and I'm willing to save up for one, but my friend told me about this method of using a work light and a 60 watt light bulb with an extension cord in her oven...

Does anyone know how safe this is? I would think bacteria could grow on the food or something. Has anyone done this or know anything about it?

Thanks! :confused:

[Morn]

I have a Jenn-Aire and it goes as low as 100 degrees and has a drying and convection mode so I never bought one. Check to see how low your oven goes. If it goes low enough you won't need one.

Good luck

[RawTruth]

I really need a Dehydrator and I'm willing to save up for one, but my friend told me about this method of using a work light and a 60 watt light bulb with an extension cord in her oven...

Does anyone know how safe this is? I would think bacteria could grow on the food or something. Has anyone done this or know anything about it?

Thanks! :confused:Dehydrating requires air blowing across the surface of the food. That's why standard ovens don't work. You can get a very affordable round dehydrator (American Harvester or something like that -- there are a bunch of thread about this if you search) that many beginning raw people use. I think Rawkinlocs used one for a long time.

[Revvell]

I think this has become the most asked question here now:

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17996&highlight=oven+dehydrator

[Conscious Midwife]

I warm in the oven even when eating sad, but I don't use as a dehydrator.

[Jen Rose]

No, my oven doesn't go low enough...I'll do more research on here for some answers tho.... :)

Thanks for all your responses!

[susall]

I used my oven as a dehydrator "back in the day" -- I used to make turkey jerkey years ago. It works just fine. Keep it to 100 degrees.

-sulu

[Jen Rose]

The lowest temp it goes to is 150. I put a thermometer in there and it actually burns hotter than that.
I also tried unscrewing my oven lightbulb and it won't come out. It looks like the socket is too small anyway.
I'm going to try the work light thing I guess.