We did it… we now have a dehydrator. I have been wanting one for years, especially since last year when I borrowed a dehydrator for my placental encapsulation process but there were things that I wanted/needed more that needed to be crossed off the list first… Now the time had come for it to be at the top and we went for it and I am so happy!
I went with the Excalibur 3900 and I am glad I did. It might be big, but we fill up the 9 trays easily.
I have been having so much fun finding things around the house to dehydrate… Apples, Oranges, Strawberries, pineapple, herbs etc…
The kids of course are having a blast eating it all…
One of the finds in the back of my cupboard was some Plum-Vanilla Apple sauce that I had made 2 years ago. I mixed in a bit of blueberry syrup that a friend gave me and I poured it out onto the trays and made the greatest Fruit roll ups!
Khéna is really enjoying the apples… He is not a big fruit eater, so if he will eat more like this, I have no problem making a new batch every few days especially because I found a permanent place on my counter for the dehydrator (Not an easy task with the size of that thing)
I loved the Pineapple and Wilhelmina is enjoying the strawberries….
There are so many things that I can’t want to try… Next time I make a creamy soup, instead of freezing the leftovers and forgetting about them, I am going to try dehydrating it and storing it within arms reach for a quick homemade cup of soup… I can also make flax crackers… and jerky…
There are so many possibilities!
Do you have a dehydrator? What are your favourite dehydrator treats!
My father bought me one 2 years ago. He said it was a thank you gift for quitting smoking. *aw*
I LOVE mine. My girls would not eat boughten dried fruit and veg. Now that I’ve tried home made stuff, I know why! The flavour and texture are so superiour to those of the grocery store.
I make flax crackers and fruit roll ups, Kale chips are easy and amazing. My kids adore kiwi and strawberries and one of my favourites is spiced zucchini chips. So. darn. good.
I’ve never done jerky.
If you do try it, I’d love to see your process and hear how it turns out.
ps.
your baby girl is stunningly gorgeous. those eyes.
Spiced Zucchini chips sound amazing!! I have to try that! I usually make Kale chips in the oven but next time I find some I will try it in the dehydrator.
We bought our Excalibur from a neighbor that was moving and I don’t use it as much as I should. We dry fish and jerky in it every year. I also do fruit leather. I’ve made some spice blends and “veggie powder” that I throw into everything. I just made my first batch of yogurt in it this week. I really need to use it more!
I have a dehydrator but it’s been delegated to placenta preperation over the past year. So I’m looking at getting another one soon.
I love making dehydrated tomatoes and banana chips. And kale chips are yummy in there too!
I love our dehydrator. We need to upgrade this year for bigger. Ours usually runs from June through October pretty much non-stop. We dehydrate fruit, veggies, herbs. All to store overwinter. I also love dehydrating fruit to make trail mixes, granola, etc. SO YUMMY!
waw seems so cool.
does it keep the nutritious value of food more than other ways to preserve or store (fridge, cooler etc)?
Joanna, from what I have read and heard the nutrition stays pretty much intact. Dehydrating is often used by raw foodists for that reason…
Wow … the possibilities! I think I’m sold to the idea now! Can I ask where you bought it? Have you found a place in Montreal, or did you order it online?
No, it isn’t sold in stores… not the quality ones any way… I am LOVING it and though it was a bit expensive it is so worth it… especially when you start dehydrating things that are
I bought it from here: http://www.upayanaturals.com/3900_Excalibur_Dehydrator_9_Tray_Large_Black_p/ed-3900b.htm and I got 7 of the non stick sheets.
We spend so much on dehydrated camping food anyways, I’m sure it will be repaid by the end of the summer… Thanks a lot for the info!