Don't have a dehydrator...

[lamount03]

can I use my oven on really low temps if I don't have a dehydrator????? And if yes, what is the highest temp I can use. I just purchased a vitamix so the dehydrator isn't in the budet right now.... :( I'm obviously new to this... I'm waiting, not so patiently, for Alissa's book to show up at my door. :)

[lore-ah]

I'll trade you my dehydrator for your Vitamix!

(sorry I don't have an actual answer)

[Carol K]

I don't either. I tried the oven last weekend. I used a temperature sensor - Cooper - you can get it from stores that sell kitchen gadgets. About $20 here. Had to keep turning the oven on and off when the temp went down, but it worked! Maybe others can tell you a good temp, because I have read different temps in different books. I kept mine under 115 degrees.

[MysticTree]

use a temp guage and leave the door open/part open???

Georgina

[Lilly the Naiad]

If you add flax to your recipes they will dry up a little by just letting them sit.

[Dakini]

I had the same question just a couple of weeks ago! Yes, save your money, you have an electric oven? Does it have a convection feature? Then you're all set.

I'm thinking/hoping that it will actually be more energy efficient than a portable dehydrator because electric ovens are so well insulated.

The only downside I can come up with is with capacity, the stand alone dehydrators can come with a bunch of trays.

I found some air insulated pans which I line with parchment, so far everything I've made (tacos, flax crackers, burgers) have all turned out fine.

[solongng00dnite]

I am new to this also. Using the oven would be much more feasible. What kind of special trays and such do you have to use if you opt to use an oven instead?

[veganbear]

Lots of recipes on www.goneraw.com that don't use a dehydrator just while your waiting for Alissas book to come through...

Bear. x

[TheAvocadess]

Running a dehydrator costs a penny a day. I wonder what the cost is to run an oven? I bet it's more. Plus it would be really difficult to monitor the temp. I guess you could be a thermometer, but in the long run, I think a dehydrator is easier, healthier, more green/enviro friendly, & eventually pays for itself.;)

[Dakini]

TheAvocadess is right, from what I just read an average electric oven runs on 5000 watts, the largest Excalibur runs at 600 watts. Even at a low setting, that's going to influence the electric bill. I'd be interested to see what an watt meter would read.

[lamount03]

Yea, I was thinking that if I decided to go the dehydrated route the actual dehydrator would be the way to go.. from my electric bill to the environmental standpoint. :) We'll see how long I can go w/o crackers... if I want the whole family to go raw i will definitely need the dehydrator... my 16 month olds are OBSESSED w/ crackers.. whoops!

[solongng00dnite]

Well after being on this site the entire day at work:eek: I decided to buy a dehydrator. I wasnt looking to spend hundreds of dollars so i read a bunch of reviews and ended up buying the "Nesco American Harvest FD-75PR 700-Watt Food Dehydrator"

I hope it works well. It was only $70 on amazon, free shipping.

[lamount03]

Cool! Let us know how you like it!

[luckitri]

I have seen people here write that they are happy with their American Harvest.

When using the oven there must be some tricks. I used cookie sheets and the stuff really stuck to it in a bad way. I did not want to use oil or "Pam" non-stick spray. So there is a technique to it that I do not know.