Some of you know (especially if you follow my Instagram) that I have been reeeeeally into adding more raw foods to my diet -to the extent that I my favorite cookbooks at the moment are uncook books of raw concoctions and creations.
One of the things that is pretty much a raw foodist necessity when making the really fun and intricate raw food dishes is a good dehydrator. Since hubby and I are also breeding meat rabbits now as well (first batch is due in a few weeks!) we really want to start making our own homemade rabbit meat jerky. So this luxury item has quickly become a kitchen staple in our home!
But ever since we started playing with our dehydrator (I mean play literally, it is hella fun!) we have realized that this is one of those items we never should have waited to own!
Here Are 5 Great Reasons to Own a Food Dehydrator
1. You are in control of the quality of food you eat.
Where was the food grown? Is it organic? Non-GMO? What the food gassed to ripen? How was it prepared? Does it have additional seasonings, added sugars, preservatives, artificial flavors? What it prepared on BPA free materials? There are just a fraction of the questions most of us cannot answer about our food when we reach for a bag of trail mix, dried fruit, snacks or jerky. I am a HUGE proponent of the slow food movement, where we renew the lost art of food prep in the kitchen, and take back control of the quality of the foods we feed to our families!
2. You will save money.
There is no question about it, making fresh homemade dried snacks costs a fraction of what a bag of the same would cost you at the supermarket. And the beauty of it is, once you plop your food items into the dehydrator, there is really no other work that needs to be done. It is easy, simple, and the foods dry quicker than you would think!
3. You can take advantage of in season foods and farmers market specials.
I deeply regret not owning a dehydrator when I was the manager of our local farmers market. I always had waaaay too many veggies and fruits on hand, and it was such a hassle trying to use it all or give it all away before it went bad. I did not anticipate how often I would use a dehydrator, not to make a specific recipe, but just to save food on the verge of passing its shelf life! Dehydrating inhibits growth of microorganisms and decay and dramatically increases storage life for food. The money you save in food you didn’t waste will pay for the dehydrator in no time!
4. You can create tasty snacks that are good for you.
No added sugars, no harmful or questionable preservatives, no high sugar fruits in the mix if you want… you cannot get much healthier than foods in their raw and whole state, and low temp dehydrating preserves around 90% of all the vitamins, minerals and enzymes of the raw food. It is a guilt free way to snack!
5. You can take advantage of your own garden by drying your fruits and vegetables to be used year round.
This is the one I am super excited about! We have a fig tree in the back that always leaves us swimming in excess figs, and in the spring, there are so many edible weeds in our region that make wonderful and flavorful teas… stinging nettle, milk thistle, clovers, etc. Not to mention, I am aching to try my hand at drying and powdering some of my home grown garlic! And then of course there is homemade and home raised rabbit meat jerky to make… Just thinking about it gets me crazy excited!
Nesco Professional 600W 5-Tray Food Dehydrator Review and Giveaway
The Nesco Professional Food Dehydrator (CLICK HERE to view the item on Amazon.com) is a newer model that is a step up from the popular Nesco Snackmaster Food Dehydrator, which enjoys a #1 Best Seller status on Amazon.com.
Just like the Snackmaster, the Professional model features Nescos patented Converga-Flow drying system to ensure even drying with an adjustable thermostat ranging from 95 to 160 degrees, which provides greater flexibility and better results. The 600 watts of drying power with top mounted fan means that there is no need to rotate the trays like many other brands require, and your food will dry in hours, not days.
This model also includes 5 BPA free trays that can expand up to 12 and the box includes a Fruit Roll Sheet, Clean-A-Screens and jerky spice and cure packets!
One of the neater features is that the whole unit is made with a contemporary granite Vita-Save exterior that blocks light, provides an excellent seal, and helps retain more vitamins and nutrients during the drying process. Oh! And it is not loud at all, I would say that the gentle hum is quieter than my microwave!
Hubby and I gave this unit a test run with some kiwis, bananas, and apples, and we were shocked at the speedy performance and even drying. While I prefer to see the food as it dries (especially when I am drying different batches in the trays) it makes it a little cumbersome to peek in on food when the unit does not have a timer, but what it lacks in the extra peeking, it makes up for in quicker drying times and even cooking.
I’ve never used a food dehydrator, but I think it would be fun to learn how to use one 🙂
You will looooove it! <3
I would dry tomatoes
Great post, it’s soo good!
Alessia
very interesting post, love fruit and vegetable dehydrator
would you like to pass from my blog?
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Sure thing sweetie, thanks for stopping by!
I really need one in my life!
Totally new product for me, such a wonderful gadget to have in your kitchen..
I have always wanted a dehydrator! Fruit is my favorite…PEACHES!
Hey, I know you!!! hehehe!!! Good luck on the raffle mother in love!! <3
I would make homemade yogurt
I’d like to make kale chips in a dehydrator.
Great selection!
Have a nice week-end!
Gil Zetbase
http://gilzetbase.com/
I would make homemade venison jerky.
Oooooh, I wish we had venison around here.. no real hunting areas in most of California!
I always wanted to make my own banana chips. That’s what I would try first.
Banana chips were the first thing we ever tried too! <3
I would like to make dried apples and strawberries.
I could make so many steaks, thank you soooo much for the great offer. I love your blog 🙂
Awwwwww thank you! Good luck on the raffle!
Wow I never knew about this product. It sounds great! Gemma x
http://www.jacquardflower.uk
I would love to make my own jerky!
Me toooooooooooooo! <3
I have wanted one for years! But now that I’m moving to the middle of nowhere I think this will be a must have. I plan on dehydrating strawberries, peaches, apples, raspberries, tomatoes and maybe I’ll try marshmallows hehehe
Marshmellows, whaaaat?!?!? Now I need to check this out!
I would definitely use it to dry fruit. I never eat everything I buy before it starts to turn and I’ve always wanted a dehydrator.
It is soooooooooo useful!! Good luck with the raffle!
I have never used one, but it sounds like a good investment, if I had the space for it.
xo
http://www.carinavardie.com
I’d make strawberry chips!
I would like to try to dehydrate apples.
First thing I would definitely make is plantain chips!!! mmmmmm!
Then beef jerky of course.
I don’t eat processed foods so convenience foods are out – so a dehydrator would come in really handy to have food I can take with me for a snack.
thanks!
We are moving to a strictly no processed foods diet ourselves, so I totally get it! <3 Good luck!
I would dry fruit
I used to make jerkey with one when I was little. My kids would love this for fruit chips and such. Thanks for hosting such a thoughtful giveaway.
Thank YOU for stopping by, and good luck!
Ive never used it but it look so nice and beautiful wow!
http://www.tessyonyia.com
I would make COCONUT JERKY and make some dehydrated raw bread. Ugh I can taste it alreadyyy
COCONUT JERKY?!?!??! Whaaaaaaaaaaaaat?!?!?! And yesssss, I am about to try making some batches of raw bread myself!
Jerky! I would make all kinds of jerky!
Thats my plan!!!!! Yum yum!
I have never had of a food dehydrator up until today. Quite informative post.
http://deffinatlyshaz.co.zw
That’s so cool, dear! I’ve never heard of a food dehydrator before. Would be awesome to have one in the kitchen! xoxo
I’ve always wanted a food dehydrator! (Must be from those Friends episodes…) XD
If I won I would be making apple chips all autumn long.
Hhahaha, omg.. so old school! <3 Good luck!
Hubby has been thinking of getting one.
Great for making up easy meals for camping/hiking. Or, like me, if you are single, you can still get a good variety of veggies on your plate every night
Yesssssssssssss! We plan on making our own trail mixes while camping!
I would love to dry some fruits and vegetables to snack on instead of the junk I eat now.
This would be great to dry my herbs.
I would dry bananas.
Your cosplay link goes to really well made costumes.
Awwww, thank you Hayley!! I love costuming, its so much fun!
I’d definitely make some kale chips. It’s a favorite around here. 🙂
Kale chips are one of my favorite snacks! <3
Would love to have this
After banana chips, I want to try making beef jerky
We want to make dried fruit (cheaper than buying in bags from the store).
I’d love to dry herbs since I grow a lot in my garden as well as dried tomatoes.
Those are sooo easy to dry! <3
I wonder if I slice it thin enough if I can make my own jerky? My son hunts (bleh from me, sorry) and I have no idea what to do with some of the stuff he doesn’t have made into sausage.
Yup! It actually specialized is jerky and the box comes with curing starter packs!
I have always wanted one. I would start off making beef jerky
I would love to make beef jerky.
I’m not sure, but would look into it on what to make with it.
If I had a dehydrator I would make vegetables and other ingredients for homemade soups.
Making some soup mixes is on my list of things to do this fall!
I want to make homemade fruit roll ups for the kids. They would get a kick out of that!
Yessss!!! With elderberry syrup so they are immune system boosters! <3
I would like to dry mango.
I would make zucchini and tomatoes and red peppers
I would love to make some banana chips!
Those are THE. BEST.
would make beef jerky
I would make dry fruit and beef jerky.
I love dried fruits!! I want!!
make some dried fruit but id make beef jerky the first and foremost thing
We are going to be making our own jerky soon!! <3
I would love to make dehydrated fruit so that my son has something new and different for school snacks and I have something yummy to snack on for work!
Sound yummy!! Good luck!
I would make homemade deer jerky !
Deer jerkey?!?! OMG, I wish we had deer here, I love venison!
some dried cherrys and beef jerky
I’d make banana chips! 🙂
I’d love to dehydrate some apple slices & also make banana chips!
id make some spicy jerky deer jerky
You guys are making me so jealous with the deer!!
I had a dehydrator years ago and tried to make pseudo fruit roll-ups. I’d like to try something like that again. I love snacking on them.
Did they come out okay? I have yet to try that!
I love to make own apricot chips
I would absolutely love to try this on my path to more clean eating
I would like to make dehydrated marshmallows and dehydrated fruits for snacks.
I would make banana chips.
I would dry some apples.
Stawberry chips!!
I would dehydrate apples and mango.
I would make beef jerky!
I love dried fruits & veggies so I would love to dehydrate an assortment of vegetables & fruits and also it might not be the healthiest option. but with checking out the kinds of food that can be dehydrated I saw a recipe for dehydrating marshmallows after that all I can think of is a bowl lucky charms with extra, extra marshmallows:)
I would love to make dehydrated fruit, like the strawberries already in cereal, so I can put them into the cereal. It would be so great to have any fruit that you want at the time.