Storage for Dehydrated Food?

[Cumbria]

I have not completed Alissa's book yet and she may address this there, but can someone tell me how to store food that has been dehydrated? I was so excited when I saw Alissa's DVD that I bought a dehydrator and got started before I knew everything. I've made banana leather, pizza bread and sweet potatoe chips and don't have a clue what their shelf life is or how to keep it fresh.

I would sure appreciate some help if anyone knows.

Thank you.
Cumbria

[rawererin]

sorry i don't know the answer, but i want to find out so i'm bumping up the thread!

[Damzlfly]

I have pizza bread and banana leather in the freezer and the sweet potato chips will last a week or so in a ziploc...no worries! When you take them out of the freezer you may need to re-dehydrate them a little though.

[sweet pepper]

So, freezing doesn't kill the enzymes? And tomatoes? Do we need to freeze dehydrated tomatoes? I love dried tomatoes!

Sweet Pepper

[Damzlfly]

If you get all of the water out of the tomatoes, I wouldn't bother freezing them. i leave mine in the cupboard. I have tons of stuff in the freezer, I think its fine. A lot of people freeze their own fruit and pizza's etc. I wouldn't worry.

[puffysmom]

I made onion bread at least two months ago and it is in the fridge and is still good. In fact better than when it was fresh. I like it better as the flavor has melowed. I also have some other crackers in the fridge and they r real hard and crunchy. Works great for those times u need something to nibble on.
I am trying to put as much as I can in glass as I feel that plastic leeches out toxins that is not good for us. I still have some in plastic but i use wax paper for on top of containers of say cut up pineapple and things like that. good old rubber bands hold anything in place. In fact i even wrap raw cut veggies in wax paper. For me i find it keeps the food better than plastic wrap does. Maybe cause it lets some air in.

[RowanC]

I go to yard sales and thrift shops and buy glass containers with tight fitting lids. I store my cookies, veggie chips, in those. I have square plastic (I know, not great) containers that I keep my crackers in and I've gone to cutting them so they fit just inside and stack nicely.

All of my nuts are in glass containers and stored in a cool dark closet (not refrigerated). Same with my dehydrated fruits, seeds, and grains. Some of my stuff is dry-pack canned at the local LDS Bishop's Storehouse (free) so it's good for long term.

[rawererin]

so i could store my flax crackers on the counter if they're in a good container then?
how do you know when they've gone bad?

[Naiad]

Speaking of onion bread... my mom has the dehydrator and makes lots of goodies. I store my onion bread in the fridge, in a covered container thing. The problem is, it gets sort of moist.

Should I keep it wrapped in some paper towels? Or just leave it out at room temp for an hour or so... which is hard when you want to make a quick sandwich after work/school/etc :rolleyes:

Is there some better idea than that? TIA!

[RowanC]

so i could store my flax crackers on the counter if they're in a good container then?
how do you know when they've gone bad?

My flax crackers stay in their container on my countertop up to 2 months with no problems yet. They are in a cool area.
My onion bread is in a glass jar on the same countertop.

I do not refrigerate my dates, dried fruits, nuts, seeds, honey, vinegar, crackers or breads.
The only fruit I refrigerate is my pineapple once it has been cut.

I refrigerate my dishes once they're made.
All else lives either on the cool countertop or in a cool, dark cupboard on a LOWER shelf (cooler).

I've had no problems.

[Regen]

If flax crackers were bad you'd probably (with your enhanced raw sense of smell) be able to smell a musty/mouldy smell when you take the lid off the container and perhaps even see fur growing on them!

I keep my crackers in a beautiful red round italian biscotti tin and they are fine for months. They may go soft so then I put them in the dehydrator when I want them for a meal. Onion bread doesn't last long enough but I share my stash with my mum and she puts it in teh freezer wrapped in foil and takes out a piece on the morning she wants it.

[rawererin]

great! thanks for your help guys!