Best way to preserve your dehydrated goods?

[PunkRotten]

Hi,

what is the best way to preserve your breads and crackers and other dehydrated creations as long as possible?

[AllergyGirl]

My crackers I just stored in plastic containers with tight fitting lids, and they've been fine for nearly a month so far. I'd prefer to store them in glass jars rather than plastic containers, but I haven't yet gotten my hands on large jars.

I just started playing around with bread recently, and the first batch I cut into pieces, put in a ziploc bag and put it flat in the refrigerator. It kept find, and hardly lasted long enough to go bad. I just made a second batch last night, and it's also stored the same way. In the future when school starts and I'm making bigger batches, I'm going to cut them up, put pieces of parchment paper or wax paper between the slices, and freeze them in freezer bags.

[DebB]

It all depends what it is that's dehydrated & its ingredients.

Crackers that are crispy crispy - I've had no problems keeping them for weeks in paper sacks in my cupboard.

Breads which are still moist, I store in the fridge. Or I'll put some in the fridge and the rest in the freezer.

If I were to make say, cookies - I'd store them in the fridge. I feel better safe than sorry, I don't want it to go bad.

I dehydrate my tomatoes completely - so they can store in glass jars on the pantry shelf. Most fruits I dehydrate though, I store in the fridge. *Ü*

[AllergyGirl]

Deb, since you brought up tomatoes, if you were dehydrating say roma tomatoes, and cut them into maybe 1/4" slices or something, how long do you think you might dry them for? I know it depends on a lot of factors - humidity, etc, but I'm just looking for a rough estimate.

[DebB]

Hi A.G. ~ I honesly don't know because mine are all different sizes and I'm always pulling out the trays and literally going over my tomatoes, almost one-by-one and pulling them off the tray as they're dehydrated.

But, I would definitely not cut them 1/4" thick - I'd go thicker than that or they'll deh. down too thin.

I wish I could give you a rough estimate, but I just didn't pay attention. *Ü*

[AllergyGirl]

That's helpful too - thank you. :D

[PunkRotten]

I have a question, do any of you own an Excalibur, specifically the 2900 model? Does your dehydrator door seem a little loose on the bottom or sides? Also is your temp knob a little flimsy or is it really firm?

[PunkRotten]

Is anyones dehydrator like I describe above?

[DebB]

I've got an Excalibur, but honestly don't remember the Model #. Mine is not as you describe - my temp. knob is firm. Yes, there's a little play in the door, I can wiggle it side to side just a little bit. *Ü*

[margoss]

my tomatoes have been in the 'd' since Wednesday. They still are not done. I do not have it real high bc I have other things in there.

[kjduf]

I just did a TON of dried tomatoes and it took me about 1-2 days to get them dried. I had my dehydrator set at 110. Because of the different thickness they dried at different times so I just kept an eye on them.

[DebB]

I just finished up with my first batch of dehydrated tomatoes so far this season. They finished at all different times depending on the thickness of the tomatoes.

The smaller ones I simply cut in half - those finished up last. The larger tomatoes that I sliced finished up first. I had to stop myself from eating every last one, they're so good! *Ü*

[betty boop]

I can chime in on the tomatoes, I slice mine thin between a quarter and half an inch, then take out the seeds and slimmy stuff. put them in overnight and they are always done by morning.
I usually just try to have one thing in the dehydrator at a time.

[PunkRotten]

I've made flax crackers, 2 different kinds of corn chips, I got some granola bars in right now made out of flax, pumpkin seeds, almonds, goji berries, cacao nibs, little agave and cinnamon. Ive dried zucchini, eggplant, ginger, celery, mushrooms, and apples. Next I am gonna try making some bread. Oh and I made some chicken jerky for a friend.

[PunkRotten]

I've got an Excalibur, but honestly don't remember the Model #. Mine is not as you describe - my temp. knob is firm. Yes, there's a little play in the door, I can wiggle it side to side just a little bit. *Ü*


About the knob, mine is a little flimsy, or atleast I think so. Its not firm like the knob on an oven. It seems alot more fragile than that. I guess I am just trying to figure out if what I have is normal or maybe its worn/damaged.