Dehydrator question

[Rawma]

I was wondering if it's ok to use my oven which will go as low as 101. My friend bought me a Dehydrator at a yard sale thinking she was doing a great thing(which she was) except that I think that it only dehydrates at 133! I am waiting to order the Excalibur for Christmas but I was wondering if in the meantime I could use my stove and does anyone have any hints or tips to do this!
Thanks for your help
Lisa

[MoniDew]

It is unlikely that the internal temperature of the food would ever reach 133o, even if the machine is preset to that temp. Use a food thermometer to check. Viktoras Kulvinskas says that he always starts food at a high temp, for several hours then lowers the temp, otherwise food just molds and ferments rather than dehydrates. Lower temps breed bacteria. So, start your food in your new dehydrator, moniter your temp, then, remove the lid (rotate your trays frequently, too) and let the heat dissapate out the top of the unit (heat rises.) You'll have to check with your thermometer to see how much heat you lose without the lid on, but it should be enough to avoid "cooking" your food.

[Rawma]

MoniDew,
Thanks so much for your reply. That is encouraging news. I printed out your reply and I will try it out on Friday when I get it!
Thanks,
Lisa