What are you dehydrating?

[Arzosah]

Hi there! I'd like to ask a couple of questions, if I may:

- grinding to a powder? How do you do it, in a mortar and pestle or a liquidiser? And do you chop up first into *very* small pieces? I'm sure stuff would take up even less room if I did that, and I'm mostly thinking of ingredients for sauces anyway.

- kilner jars with clip tops. How do you sterilise them/clean them well enough for storage for dried goods? Other stuff, I just run it through the dishwasher, but thats not really good enough long term.

- the orange rubber type seals. Are they nearly all the same size? And are they *really* single use, or do people try to eke them out and use them two or three times? Surely if they've been doused in Milton liquid they'd be okay for a second go, at least?

[Decaff]

Hi there! I'd like to ask a couple of questions, if I may:

- grinding to a powder? How do you do it, in a mortar and pestle or a liquidiser? And do you chop up first into *very* small pieces? I'm sure stuff would take up even less room if I did that, and I'm mostly thinking of ingredients for sauces anyway.

Hi Arzosah, I grind mine up in the nutribullet, once finished on the dehydrator most things are quite brittle so crush nicely, bigger things like mushrooms I do a bit at a time then when all done give it a final blitz. Mortar and pestle takes a blinking long time, I have weak hands so lack the strength to do it like that, you can do in a blender too.


- kilner jars with clip tops. How do you sterilise them/clean them well enough for storage for dried goods? Other stuff, I just run it through the dishwasher, but thats not really good enough long term.

Boiling water to sterilise the jars and the orange rubber seals, I add in oxygen absorbers if storing long term.

- the orange rubber type seals. Are they nearly all the same size? And are they *really* single use, or do people try to eke them out and use them two or three times? Surely if they've been doused in Milton liquid they'd be okay for a second go, at least?

You check each time for splits and Nick's, as long as they are pliable they are reusable. They do come in different sizes though

[redskies]

We use a smoothie thing to grind. Works pretty well. I think we've got maybe two kilner type jars, everything else is reused jars from jams etc. We can vacuum seal those too, if we want to, just as long as they have the safety lids, the ones that 'pop' when you open them. They get a good soak and scrub in very hot water and either rinsed in boiling water or put in the oven if they're being used for long term storage, if it's daily use stuff, then it just gets a good wash as it's not so much of a bother.

[Arzosah]

Thanks for the feedback. I've got plenty of tight-seal ordinary jamjars, and some screw-on kilner jars too, so I'll stick with those for the moment, investigating the different sizings of the orange seal is beyond me at the moment, thats got to be put on the back burner.

I have weak hands too, Decaff, so I think it'll be a question of getting to know the blender attachment on the mixer - a like-new purchase on the bay of e

[Deeps]

I've got a couple of pineapples drying at the moment, I don't know if its just me having a crappy dehydrator but they seem to take ages.

[Decaff]

I've got a couple of pineapples drying at the moment, I don't know if its just me having a crappy dehydrator but they seem to take ages.

They do take an age but soooo worth it! I find the tinned chunks are quicker for some reason?! Maybe due to them being under pressure in the can? No idea but it's strange, also bonus of fresh frozen pineapple juice ice cubes, perfect for keeping cool and adding into chicken dishes

[Deeps]

I've got a couple of pineapples drying at the moment, I don't know if its just me having a crappy dehydrator but they seem to take ages.

They do take an age but soooo worth it! I find the tinned chunks are quicker for some reason?! Maybe due to them being under pressure in the can? No idea but it's strange, also bonus of fresh frozen pineapple juice ice cubes, perfect for keeping cool and adding into chicken dishes

That's them out (3 trays of mushrooms in to replace them) and you're right, they're braw, I've been helping myself to some as I was putting them in the jar. I'll try the tins next time, thanks for the steer Decaff. I'm all inspired now, I think I'll do mangoes if I can get them at a good price and they also go well with chicken..... I'm getting hungry now.

[redskies]

Try mango fruit leather, it's gorgeous. The kids scoff it down like it's going out of fashion!




Side note; I cooked off, rinsed & dehydrated minced beef. Then I put it in a reused jar with a safety button on the lid, heating it in the oven for ten minutes first. When it cooled, it vaccum sealed itself! Easier than the method I found for resealing on YT, we're just watching to see what it does now.

[Decaff]

Potatoes are going on the trays tomorrow, got a big bag full and we're not going to get through them before they go off so will dehydrate slices instead. Nice for the tops of shepherds pie, or baking in a cheesy garlicky sauce.

[Decaff]

Very pleased with the potatoes! I have a nice batch of lovely white crisp potatoes, not a single one turned brown which meant I removed the starch properly, a bit fiddly putting them on the trays but worth it. I need to get more and am keen to try sweet potatoes also.