How long does dehydrated food last?

[Linder]

Hi all,
I'm going to buy a dehydrator. Since it can take up to 10 hrs to dehydrate stuff, I was hoping to make some things at the beginning of the week and then have them for the next 7 or so days to eat.
My question is.. how long does dehyrated food last? Does it go bad? Should I keep it in the fridge?
Thanks for your help!
Linder

[siempresam]

Most of the stuff I have made seems to last a good while (of course I am referring to dried fruits and veggies). As far as some of the recipes are concerned, I am not entirely sure how long they last since several of the recipes call for some things to not be dehydrated completely. I would think they would be fine for a few days.

[Revvell]

That would depend on what is being dehydrated. For crackers, they can last weeks done thoroughly. Fruit? Pretty much the same. Something like lasagne though, I don't keep longer that 3-4 days ~ in the fridge. Some folk here do like to freeze stuff. I don't. Something to consider though. Thaw in the a.m. then eat when home ~ or for lunch?


Revvell

[tracyinfo]

I keep my dehdrated items wrapped up in the refrigerator. I don't know that I have kept anything longer than 1 week. I really try to make only what I will eat within several days.

Blessings.

[Linder]

Thanks for the info. Yeah, I guess I was thinking of crackers and small things I can snack on for the week. I've tried going raw before, but didn't stick to it. So I'm trying again, I thought it would help me stay on it if I had S.A.D.- like food to eat from the dehydrator.
I took a class with Alissa a few years ago and even though I didn't stay with it, it's always been in the back of my mind. I know that this is the healthiest way to eat and I'm really excited about starting it again.
I've made a list of all these stupid little ailments I have right now, I can't wait to see them all disappear with raw food! None of them are dangerous, but all of them together are quite annoying.

Another question - you mentioned freezing dehydrated food. Has anyone done that? Does it defrost ok and taste the same?

[rawpriestess]

I dehydrate lots of foods, and freeze them, when I want them to defrost, I just pop them back in the dehydrator and they are warm in about 15 minutes.

When I do burger patties, I place them in a zip lock baggie, after I get them wet under th faucet, just enough to wet them then I dehydrate them IN the baggie, to warm and rehydrate them, if they are too wet, then place them on a dehydrator sheet for a few minutes to dry up.

OR if they are frozen slightly wet, you can just place in a baggie or straight on the dehydrator stray.

It's up to you, anytime you want you can have warm food.