Is a Dehydrator a healthy practice and can anyone recommend a particular one that they use and if they're happy with the results, have any complaints, etc ??
Thanks.

There is huge variability in the quality and cost of machines...  I bought some cheapies when I was experimenting with drying figs.  I think the dryers worked OK, but the figs I have are so wet that they mold before they dry, or they taste scorched.  Doesn't seem to be a happy medium.  I gave up and now can what I want to preserve and eat loads fresh when ripe...

I have a sunbeam one that is a moderate priced one... It works ok, I think it is a bit noisy; but then, I don't have anything to compare it to But I worry about the plastic heating up...
Btw there is another discussion thread in the forums re all this... if its any help

slice the figs thin, dehydrate in a single layer....

or make fruit leather.......spread the fig paste, turn over after a certain time.

I bought a dehydrator a few years ago. I have not used it much, I find that I prefer food that is either frozen or bottled.

Hmmm I think that I'll forget about the Dehydrator, doesn't seem to be popular nor successful. Thanks everybody, cheers.

Quoted from Lisalea

Hmmm I think that I'll forget about the Dehydrator, doesn't seem to be popular nor successful. Thanks everybody, cheers.

In a pinch you can use an ordinary oven as a dehydrator. For something like beef jerky it is just a matter of heating and drying the material.

(Idea compliments of Lloyd)

Quoted from Lola

slice the figs thin, dehydrate in a single layer....

or make fruit leather.......spread the fig paste, turn over after a certain time.

Thanks for the idea, Lola.  I will try that this year.  If I can get it dried well, it would be very concentrated nutrition in a handy, easily transportable package...

send a batch!
I can volunteer to do the tasting for you!

we have them. mom uses hers mostly for garlic and peppers. i have made jerky. havn't done alot of fruit mostly becuse the fruit we tend to get here is not worth preserving.   if they ever get  a decent bacht of magoes in i might make some dried mango this year. most of the time i just forget i have the drier.

I have one and gave it to my neighbor to use.. when I had the kids with me it was fun making stuff banana chips. sweet potaoes ok but for me alone it concentrates the sugars to much..    

what is good about BTD>> saves you money even in NOT buying all gadgets..

I like the bullet as a gadget... great for one person..  

I wonder if one could make YOGURT in the dryer???? never tried it.. but worth thinking about if its on your food list.. it's not on my list  boo hoo..  

no mom has a seperate gadet for that. unless you want to make some sort of dried yogurt sweety? i thought about making my ferrets yogi drops but decided it was esyer to just buy the little cans. they are loaded in suger (ferrets are carnavors and suger is BAD) so it IS ONLY A TREAT. one can can last months.

yogurt can easily be made in the oven. heat milk 1qt. to 180f. let cool to about108-110f mix a yogurt starter or a good fresh yogurt 1/4-1/2 cup. mix well put in glass jars with cover place in warm oven leave If the oven get to hot (over the 110) then turn off. and leave the oven light on. 4-10 hours depending on how you like, it should be done. The cooler it is the longer it will take.. You can also put in a wide mouth thermus. The little machine ran me about $25 several years ago. I've used soy milk and it worked fine, WH just didn't care for it. Someday I will try it with goat milk. Maybe tomorrow I'll try Almond milk never thought of doing that.