Dehydrator - Is it a must?

[ness.123]

Hello There,

I was just wondering if any of you out there do not use a dehydrator? I am currently reading Alissa's book and looking to change my health. I have not started eating raw yet. I know a dehydtrator is recommended, but I am on a tight budget - but do you have to have a dehydrator or are there other methods you can use?

Thanks
Vanessa:)

[Rawmommie]

You absolutely don't need one! It's fun in the beginning to experiment with recipes, but as you are raw longer, most don't use it often. I use mine only on holiday's, I think xmas was the only time I used mine last year.

[Frugal Raw]

I prefer nondehydrated dishes and simpler fare. I think THE most important tools to own are a good food processor (I have a kitchen aid) and a high powered blender - (we have a vitamix). It is not necessary to own a vitamix - if all you have is a standard blender, you can make many of the softer dishes fine in one of those. Just don't go putting hard heavy stuff in it or you'll burn out the motor, and that also goes for the $20 food processors...something I learned with one of those, when trying to make a nut butter!

However, my hubby, who is a raging bread addict will need for us to buy a dehydrator for him to successfully make the transition.

Try the nondehydrated recipes first, and see how you feel about them. The banana papaya pudding is deelish - and last week, I subbed blackberries for the papaya and increased the banana. Soooooo yummy! I just got the book last week, and am anxious to try a number of the nondehydrated recipes:D

[GlimR]

I use mine mostly for crackers, enchiladas and pizza and the occasional ( every 3 months or so) batch of macaroons. In the cooler months I want "heavier" foods on occasion and love flax crackers with guacamole.

BUT...it is by no mean necessary for doing raw~

[GoingtoRAW]

A food dehydrator is definitely not necessary. I have had mine for almost 2 yrs. now and it is still in the box I'm embarrased to say!!!:o The longer I eat raw the simpler foods I desire. When I want something more "processed" (which is very rare now), I go to my local raw food store/restaurant to get it. :)

[MiahTay]

I started in November 1, and do not have a dehydrator. I would love one, but I am making sure my commitment is true before I make the investment and I've had no problem finding all sorts of beautiful recipes that do not require a dehydrator. But I believe it will be necessary if I want my children to transition to closer to 100%, some breads, crackers, etc.

Heather

[RawHeaven]

I've been raw since June '07 and I don't have a dehydrator. I was lucky to live near raw restaurants and a great food co-op that stocked raw dehydrated goods at great prices when I started. If I needed flax crackers or anything like that, they were easy to get. Earlier in my raw journey, I really enjoyed the heavier crackers and pizza crusts. Now I can live without them, but I still like having flax crackers and guac every once in awhile.

I would eventually like to get one though to make some of the gourmet recipes.

Hey GoingtoRaw if you ever want to part with your dehydrator, if you don't think you'll ever use it, I'll buy it from you! :o Is that terrible?! lol. I'm just resourceful. :cool:

[GoingtoRAW]

Hey GoingtoRaw if you ever want to part with your dehydrator, if you don't think you'll ever use it, I'll buy it from you! :cool: Is that terrible?! lol. I'm just resourceful. :o[/QUOTE]

No it's not terrible!:p I will keep that in mind. I am still thinking that there are a few things that I do want to try, like onion bread and crackers, BUT I can be kind of lazy when it comes to doing things in the kitchen. The simpler the better for me. I'll let you know.....seriously - I may be looking to part with it!:o

[RawSweetie]

I've been pondering this one...I am still transitioning myself, was at about 80% raw w/o a dehydrator and then....I sprained my ankle, broke out in a mysterious and severe rash on my torso (detox? stress?), winter hit with a vengeance here in new england-two storms in a row, and I'm going through a very tough breakup, sooo.....on my slower, gentler journey back into raw, I am feeling that the experience is harsher without dehydrated foods at this point in time. It is COLD outside and I am in a low place emotionally. It seems that relying on dehydrated foods for this time will help me in the *long haul* to succeed.

Just my thoughts. :)

But, before all of this, I was thinking I didn't care if I had a dehydrator, because I was enjoying the simple foods so much and it was such a no-brainer way to eat!

[Carlsbad]

You definitely don't need a dehydrator, but it does come in handy when you want things that are warm or that mimic cooked food. I bought a cheap one off Amazon for about $50. It works just fine. I don't use it a whole bunch, but it's nice to have. I didn't have a dehydrator for the first four or five months raw, and I was fine, though I did order some flax crackers from an online raw source.

I would bet you can find a cheap or even free dehydrator on craigslist or at garage sales. SAD eaters don't really have any use for them, so a lot of people give them away.

[RawHeaven]

Hey GoingtoRaw if you ever want to part with your dehydrator, if you don't think you'll ever use it, I'll buy it from you! :cool: Is that terrible?! lol. I'm just resourceful. :o


No it's not terrible!:p I will keep that in mind. I am still thinking that there are a few things that I do want to try, like onion bread and crackers, BUT I can be kind of lazy when it comes to doing things in the kitchen. The simpler the better for me. I'll let you know.....seriously - I may be looking to part with it!:o


Sweet and thanks! Just let me know. It's nice knowing it came from a raw home, I promise I'll take good care of it. hehe.

[Vivafree2]

I don't have it yet - i think it would be great to adopt one as the receipes are amazing and closer to sad food so for cravings transition and special moments it could help, but - i can also go to the local rawstaurant to have a feast! So it is not necessary.

[ness.123]

Wow, that's a good eye opener. I am glad to hear that it is not mandatory. I wanted to start with the more simple dishes etc to transition myself off a SAD. Good to know it won't break the bank either. I do have a really good food processor (which is still in the box - not for long) and a good blender so I should be ok....thanks for the input:)