Working w/o a dehydrator

[Rick2009]

Greetings,

I am trying to upgrade my food prep skills. Develloping a repertoire of recipes that are nutricious and delicious is my goal. I use the best of knives and kitchen utensils. A good blender, a centrifugal ( I know its not the best.. but I blend mostly) juicer and a great food processor.. Is a dehydrater a must ?

All good,

[Veganforlife]

It was a must for me...but not a must for everyone. Depends on how fancy/gourmet you wanna go...

[EZ rider]

Is a dehydrater a must ?
I'm just over two years raw and I don't have a dehydrator and don't see one in my future.

[Rick2009]

Thanks for the feedback,

Makes sense.

PS. I do find blending is great fun, and can be so creative.. a person could do a new smoothie every day for years and years. Dr Cousens author of the "Rainbow Green Diet" was interviewed on the radio and said " you need a blender'' but I don't think he mentioned any other equipment.

[HereAndThere]

If you want to get into things like raw bread, crackers, leathers and the like, a dehydrator is a must. If not then it's not needed at all. It all depends on your uncooking style and what works best for you.

[Vegansara]

I'm about three weeks into raw and got a dehydrator. I looove crackers and bread, and I also have a hard time gauging how much produce I'll go through - having dried stuff on hand helps me not overbuy/waste on fresh produce. But I second what others have said - it all depends on you and what your body wants.

[klomasius]

There are a HUGE range of foods you can make using good knives, non electrical appliances, a blender a juicer and/or a food processor!

Dehydrators allow a bit more freedom and the chance to make bread and cracker foods, but aren't necessary.

I go for long periods not using my dehydrator, but then pull it out and use it for a week at a stretch, but have lived happily without deydrated foods.

If you have a friend who has a dehydrator, you could always try foods made with one to see if you like them, or order some online or buy them at your local wholefoods to try them out. And buying a cheaper round dehydrator might be best for someone on a budget at first if you do decide to get one.

[mizmoo]

I've had some results from putting the oven on the lowest setting and propping the door open a crack. It never gets so hot in there that I cannot touch the metal. In fact its only a bit hotter than body temperature. Of course everything takes hours as with a hydrator.

[margoss]

I don't have one but would like one. I've used the oven a few times with the temp very low. With the oven, I have to stay at home.