Dryer for vegetables and fruits: operating principle, how to choose and use

How the device works

In the summer-autumn period, there is a need to process a large number of fruits and vegetables in order to preserve them. Classic methods of such processing are pickling and salting. But there is an alternative method that allows you to preserve more vitamins in products - drying.

A dryer for products of plant origin is a device in the body of which there are many pallets (trays) on which chopped fruits are placed. Each tray holds approximately 1 kg of fresh product.

The device is equipped with a heater, often with a fan. The dehydrator is covered with a special transparent lid with holes (slits), which facilitates the free movement of warm air inside the device.

During operation, the device dehydrates the fruits using uniform distribution of warm air. Thanks to this processing method, they can be stored for a long time without losing their taste.

When dried, the fruits practically do not change in appearance, only slightly decreasing in size. Due to the fact that drying occurs by circulating warm, not hot air, it is possible to prevent the evaporation of all useful elements and “preserve” them.

Types of dryers for vegetables and fruits

Electric dryers can be divided into two main types, the difference between which is the type of built-in heating element.

Convection dryer

The operating principle of such a device is based on the generation of heat by a heating element. The process is carried out using a built-in fan, which evenly distributes heated air throughout the drying chamber. Uninterrupted circulation of warm air helps remove moisture from products and further dry them.

The complete drying process takes a little time. Devices of this type are small in size and do not take up much space.

There is a thermostat on the body of the convection-type device, which allows you to set the required temperature in the dryer chamber. The main disadvantage of such dryers is their significant energy consumption, since the device can operate throughout the day.

Infrared dryer

The device for drying vegetables and fruits has a built-in infrared emitter, which facilitates the drying process of products. With the help of infrared rays of a certain range, which penetrate the structure of the cut fruits, the process of evaporation of moisture from them and further drying occurs.

Low heater temperatures allow you to preserve the natural color of fruits and vegetables, as well as a significant part of the beneficial elements they contain. The drying process when using an infrared type device lasts quite a long time.

An infrared type dryer is not as compact as their convection types, but their cost is several times higher.

Tips for care and use

Vegetable and fruit dryers are very easy to use. They often resemble a regular toaster. In order for the unit to operate smoothly for a long time, and for the fruit to be prepared properly, several rules must be taken into account:

Before laying out the products, you need to cover the bottom of the container with paper or cloth, this will protect the electrical mechanism from clogging;
drying begins with the highest temperatures, then the heat is reduced to a lower level;
The drying procedure must take place within a strictly allotted time. You cannot do it longer so that the beneficial properties of the products do not disappear;
You should not dry different products at the same time, otherwise each type will have a mixed smell;
Containers are cleaned after each use.

Borscht with mushrooms is one of the most beloved and popular dishes that simply requires dried vegetables.

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Following the rules for operating the dryer and regulating the modes for each category of products will allow you to eat high-quality, vitamin-rich vegetables and fruits every winter. The correct choice of dryer and its careful use guarantee long-term operation of the device.

Criterias of choice

To make the right choice when buying a dryer, you should pay attention to the following criteria:

Device capacity

This indicator directly depends on the number and diameter of trays:

for a small family, a device with 3-5 levels is suitable: it will make it possible to dry several kilograms of food in one session;
for people who are accustomed to stocking up on vitamins for the winter-spring period on a large scale, there are models with 6-8 tiers or more;
you can find devices that can accommodate 15-20 trays for fruits and vegetables: they are capable of processing up to 15 kg of fresh produce.

Power

Depending on the model, power characteristics can vary from 170 to 1000 W. The speed of fruit processing depends on this indicator: the higher it is, the faster the process of drying fruits and vegetables will take place. But in this case, power consumption will be greater than that of less powerful dryers.

For full operation of a device with 4-5 pallets, a power of 350-450 W is sufficient.

Material

Vegetable and fruit dryers can have a plastic or metal body.

The first one is light in weight, which is very convenient for transportation. If you decide to buy a device made of plastic, then you need to choose a model whose material is of high quality and made of food-grade synthetic material. Low-quality plastic can have a negative impact on health due to the content and release of toxic substances during use.

The metal case is more durable, but the weight of such a device, as well as the cost, is much higher.

Heated air supply method

There are two feeding options: horizontal and vertical:

the first type device evenly dries trays of fruits and vegetables;
devices with a vertical feeding method require periodic movement of trays.

Horizontal type devices are considered more versatile, high quality and, accordingly, more expensive.

Control type

Can be mechanical or electronic control type. The first is simple and reliable, and the dryers themselves with similar controls are not too expensive. An electronic control system is installed on expensive models.

Additional functions

Additional options for the device for drying vegetables and fruits make the process of its operation easier and more convenient:

Overheating protection will extend the life of the device and make the operating process safe;
the presence of an auto-shutdown timer will help to automatically deactivate the dryer after a predetermined time has elapsed, which will prevent overdrying of the fruit;
the possibility of preparing marshmallows, drying fish or meat will make the device more versatile;
the presence of a temperature regulator will help preserve the maximum amount of vitamins and beneficial elements in the fruits.

It will help you decide on the final choice of the video, which describes the principle of operation and the main characteristics of the device:

Unobvious opportunities

We have already talked about marshmallows and marmalade. This is possible if the dryer has a special tray for marshmallows with a mat. Many people have it.

In addition to drying and drying vegetables and fruits, drying herbs and mushrooms, the dehydrator can:

Make homemade pasta. If you are fond of Italian cuisine and have a pasta machine at home (without it you won’t be able to make spaghetti or tagliatelle; you need to roll out very elastic dough very thinly and evenly), then the dehydrator will dry out the pasta or lasagne layers.
Dry meat and fish. If your dryer maintains a temperature above 70 degrees, then you can dry venison and dry roach in it.
Help raw foodists. As you know, raw foodists do not eat anything that has been heat-treated. But if the product was heated to no more than 40 degrees, then this is not considered heat treatment. Therefore, dehydrators that begin drying at a temperature of 35 degrees are very popular among raw foodists.

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In the dryer, a raw foodist can make his own pizza dough from soaked seeds, grains and legumes. Cook the porridge, soak the grains and then heat them at low temperature in the dryer, prepare raw food chips, kozinaki.

Defrost the dough. If you remove several trays for drying vegetables, or even all of them, you can melt frozen dough in the dryer. For example, for Easter cakes. Due to the large amount of baking, it is very difficult to fit. You need to defrost at a temperature of no more than 40 degrees, but it is better to limit it to 35.
Make yoghurts. The milk with the starter can be left in the dryer at low temperature overnight. This makes a great thermostatic yogurt in the morning.
Cook the cheese. Young soft cheeses like suluguni or mozzarella also require low heating temperatures. You can also use a dryer for them.

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Rating of the best dryers for vegetables and fruits

Our TOP presents the most popular dryer models.

Zelmer ZFD2050W

This device will not only dry vegetables, fruits, mushrooms and herbs, but will also preserve the aroma and all the vitamins and beneficial elements they contain. This is a fairly spacious dryer that can handle a sufficient amount of fruit thanks to four trays and 11 liters of volume.

The model has electronic control. Its power is 520 W. This will allow you to dry the required amount of food relatively quickly.

Two temperature conditions and a convective drying system - for fruits with high humidity and dry ones - open up the possibility of choosing a more optimal option for drying a particular product. Zelmer ZFD2050W is equipped with an overheating sensor, which will ensure safe operation of the device and extend its service life.

The cost of the device is within 4000 rubles.

Ezidri Snackmaker FD500

The device from a New Zealand company is ideal for the average family. The convection type device is equipped with a fan, which is located in its lower part. A power of 500 W will provide energy savings without affecting the quality of the original product.

The 5 pallets included in the package will allow you to load 7 kg of products at a time. If necessary, the number of trays can be increased. Their maximum quantity is 15 pieces.

The case material is high-quality environmental ABS plastic, which does not heat up during operation of the device. The device has a touch control for heating modes.

Among the disadvantages of the model, the lack of a timer and switch is noted.

The price of the dryer is from 12,000 rubles.

Voltaire 1000 Lux

The convection type dehydrator has a rated power of 1000 watts. The capacity of the dryer is quite large: 5 trays will allow you to dry up to 20 kg of fresh food. The device has a built-in thermostat that allows you to set the temperature in the range from 30 to 70 degrees.

The Voltaire 1000 Lux provides cold airflow; each of the existing trays has an individual outlet for air supply. This solution prevents mixing of flavors and ensures uniform processing of the fruit. It is also possible to install additional trays.

The cost of the device is 5000 rubles.

Concept SO-1030

This model is an electronically controlled dehydrator from a Czech manufacturer. The dryer is designed for processing fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, various herbs, fish and meat. The device combines reliability, quality materials, modern design and a relatively low price.

The device has a built-in thermostat. Comes with nine transparent trays and three additional ones.

Concept SO-1030 is equipped with electronic control, a digital screen with the ability to set the required temperature. The model also has 6 temperature settings. The device is equipped with an automatic shutdown option when overheating, which makes it safe for the user. The advantages of the device include low power consumption and low noise level during operation.

The cost of the dryer is 3000 rubles.

Atlanta ATH-1670

A budget option for drying vegetables and fruits. This device is simple and convenient to use. The dryer is equipped with a forced ventilation system. The presence of an operation indicator makes the Atlanta ATH-1670 more comfortable to use.

The device is equipped with the option of maintaining the required temperature. Has 5 removable trays and containers made of transparent plastic. The rated power of the device is 245 W.

This device is very easy to use. Thanks to transparent containers, the drying process can be monitored without interrupting the operation of the dryer.

The price is affordable and amounts to 1700 rubles.

How to choose a dryer for fruits and vegetables

When choosing a dryer for fruits and vegetables, it is necessary to take into account individual preferences and needs. When choosing, it is important to consider:

Infrared electric dryers act on the dried workpieces very carefully, preserving the maximum amount of vitamins and the attractive appearance of the finished product.
Convection dryers are less expensive.
The power of the dryer must be selected based on the expected intensity of use of the device. But it is important to take into account that the noise level during operation of the dryer will be higher, the greater the power of the device. For drying vegetables and fruits, experts recommend choosing models with a power of 350–450 W.
The construction material should be selected depending on which task is paramount: ease of maintenance or longevity of the device.
A transparent body or a transparent door will provide easy control over the drying process.
When choosing a model with a vertical arrangement of trays, it is more advisable to give preference to the device whose heating element is located on top. This will eliminate the possibility of juice or small particles of the dried product getting on it and, as a result, prevent damage.
Models with horizontal trays allow simultaneous drying of various products with bright aromas without the side effect of mixing them.
The number of trays depends on the expected volumes of dried products. For amateurs, experts recommend choosing models with 3–5 pallets.
The depth of the trays depends on the type of drying intended. Thus, a wide tray will allow you to dehydrate bulky products without pre-cutting.
A larger number of device operating modes will expand the range of its capabilities.
The electronic control panel is informative. Mechanical - easier to use and more reliable.
The presence of additional functions in the electric dryer will make operation more convenient and the quality of the finished product higher.

Rules for operating the device

When using the device, you must do the following:

remove all trays from the device;
turn on the device so that it warms up for a couple of minutes;
place chopped fruits or other products in the tray so that they barely touch each other;
set the required temperature depending on the type of product being processed;
place the trays back into the drying chamber, and place the apparatus itself in a well-ventilated place.

It is recommended to start the drying process at a high temperature and end at a lower temperature.

When purchasing a fruit dryer, you should first of all pay attention to its capacity and the amount of time the device requires to dry the specified volume of products. It is also worth checking the availability of additional options that will greatly facilitate the use of the device.

How to dry food

To properly dry vegetables or fruits in an electric dryer, you need to follow simple rules:

Wash and cut the food into thin slices or slices no more than 5 mm thick. This thickness allows the products to dry faster.
Apples can be soaked in acidified water to prevent them from darkening. They need to be dried before placing them in the dryer.
Sour berries can be soaked in syrup for a while (1 part sugar to 1 part water). After this, let the syrup drain completely.
If small berries fall out through the openings of the section, you need to place parchment under them. First make a few holes with a toothpick to allow the juice to drain.
Place the sliced products in a single layer on trays and set the required drying time.

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