The question of which dryer to choose for vegetables and fruits is especially relevant in the autumn. When there is a lot of harvest and you want to make more reserves for cold times.
The dryer will also be useful in another season, because it is perfect for any plant products. Its design is designed in such a way that the product is dehydrated while retaining its beneficial qualities - vitamins, etc.
In this review, we will talk about how to choose the right dryer for vegetables and fruits, based on its design, types and characteristics.
What types of dryers are there?
The process of processing raw materials in a dryer for vegetables and fruits affects which one to choose:
- Convective.
- Infrared.
A convection dryer operates simply and is less expensive than infrared models. It has a heating element and a fan that circulates the heated air, which in turn draws water out of the food.
Also read: Instructions on how to properly use the oven
There are other models - without a fan with natural convection, but in them the processing process is longer. If a model with a fan has a day, without it it can take several days, depending on how much water is in the product.
If you choose a convection dryer for fruits and vegetables, be aware that the food may become covered with a film. But they are completely usable.
An infrared dryer acts on raw materials with infrared rays. They penetrate the product by 6-12 mm and arrange its molecules differently.
Water drains quickly at 40-60 degrees. But at the same time, the product remains healthy, contains vitamins, minerals, and does not change its color or taste.
How to use a dryer correctly
This unit is quite easy to use. After connecting to the network, just press the start button and the drying process will begin automatically. Some models provide automatic shutdown - after the device has been working, for example, for three days without a break, it will automatically turn off.
Rules for using a dryer can be divided into three categories:
- food preparation;
- drying;
- washing and storing the device.
The quality of work and service life of the dryer largely depend on how competently it is used. The rules of use are the same for most of these devices.
Preparing for drying
Before using the equipment for its intended purpose, it must be checked and tested. The purpose of such an operation is to exclude the possibility of the products drawing in foreign impurities remaining after the manufacture of the unit. Before laying pieces of vegetables and fruits to dry, you should perform a number of manipulations:
- Remove the device from the packaging and wipe the trays. Remove any existing stickers.
- Arrange the pallets. They must fit tightly to each other - the presence of gaps is unacceptable.
- Plug the cord into the outlet and start the unit without food for 30 minutes by pressing the corresponding button.
- Turn off the dryer and let it cool. At this stage, you need to act extremely carefully - after operation, heated air will accumulate inside, which can cause serious harm to the skin of your hands and face.
- Remove and wash all trays.
After all the above steps have been completed, you can begin cutting and placing food on pallets. In this case, it is equally appropriate to display both the same fruits and vegetables and assorted ones. But we should not forget that products have the ability to absorb neighboring odors.
Drying
Fruits and vegetables are carefully cut into thin pieces and placed on trays in one layer. It is important that the cuttings are not very small - in this case, they may fall down after passing through the basket. Too much thickness is also not advisable - this will cause the food to dry much longer.
The surface on which the unit is placed must be level and hard. After installing the motor unit, you need to do a number of actions:
- Ensure the required placement density on the lower control unit.
- Close the device with the lid.
- Put the dryer into operation. Do not remove the cover while the device is operating.
- After the operating cycle is completed (approximately 15 hours), the unit must be turned off. It is worth remembering that you need to systematically monitor the condition of the dried products. It is not recommended to allow them to dry out. Pallets can be rearranged as necessary.
Important! It is forbidden to remove the cut food immediately after turning off the appliance - hot air has accumulated inside, and such an act can lead to burns.
Design of dryers for vegetables and fruits
To choose the right dryer for vegetables and fruits, it is worth understanding how it works.
Let's look at the main elements:
- Without the heating element, the dryer would definitely not be able to function; it is this element that provides hot air. The number of heating elements varies. If the dryer has a fan, there is only one. If it is not there - two. The heating element is located at the top or bottom of the structure.
- Thanks to the engine, the heating element and other elements work.
- The thermostat makes it possible to set degrees and keep them at the same level. Sometimes, for the comfort of users, manufacturers show temperature levels.
- The fan distributes warm air.
- The tray resembles a plastic plate with holes at the bottom through which air flows to the top. There can be five or more plates.
- The kit also includes a plastic lid covering the tray. It has a hole at the top through which steam escapes.
The presence of other elements determines which fruit and vegetable dryer you choose. There is often a timer showing the process time.
STARWIND SFD3630
- Power: 500W
- Number of pallets: 6
STARWIND SFD3630 is a high-power dryer (500 W) with six 34 cm diameter round trays that can accommodate a lot of food. The body and shelves are made of durable plastic, so they are not afraid of accidental falls. The pallets can hold up to 6 kg of various vegetables and fruits. And due to the large number of holes, the products will dry quickly and evenly.
It is convenient to observe the drying process through the transparent walls of the grates. This will allow you to complete dehydration in time and not dry out delicate foods like tomatoes. The operating temperature of the device is set using a mechanical regulator - you can select a value in the range from 35 to 70°C. This is enough for processing all types of vegetables and fruits, as well as drying herbs and mushrooms.
In addition to the main drying racks, the set includes three trays for preparing fruit pastilles. At the same time, the model has an affordable price - it can be purchased for an average of 4,300 rubles.
Characteristics of dryers for vegetables and fruits
When choosing a good dryer for fruits or vegetables, you should pay attention to the following characteristics:
- Power . It affects how quickly fruits or vegetables are processed. The more powerful it is, the faster the dryer works, but at the same time it consumes more electricity. If you don’t plan to make workpieces often and your family is small, a model up to 350 W will be enough. When the family is larger, they make more supplies, and a dryer of up to 450 W is needed. Everything above is worth buying for someone who prepares not only for themselves, but also for sale, or shares with relatives.
- heating element. When choosing a dryer for vegetables and fruits, it is important to find out about the heating position. It can be located on the side, at the top of the structure (the best option, since water does not reach the heating, but such drying is more expensive), at the bottom of the structure (less practical, since water flows down and can damage the heating element).
- Air circulation . It can be forced or natural. In the first case, the fan runs, so the evaporation process itself occurs faster. But the beneficial properties of the raw materials are preserved. Natural circulation for those dryers that do not have a fan. Products will take longer to process.
Also read: How and how to clean a refrigerator at home: the best ways
- Number of pallets . The capacity of the dryer is judged by the pallets, so it is also important to take it into account when deciding which one to choose. If you are planning large workpieces, buy the model with more pallets. Usually there are about 5 pieces.
- Loading . This is a characteristic that indicates how many products can be processed at a time. As a rule, one plate can hold 1 kg.
- Products. When choosing a good dryer, keep in mind that you can process not only fruits and vegetables, but also fish, mushrooms, cereals, nuts, herbs and flowers.
To better understand the set of characteristics and choose a dryer for vegetables and fruits, read user reviews
Classification of dryers
Air supply direction
There are two main types of fruit and vegetable dryers (dehydrators). One type is with vertical air flow, the other is with horizontal air flow. Among the vertical ones, there are options with a fan at the top or bottom.
Dehydrator for vegetables and fruits
Good heat distribution is achieved by the vertical type with a fan at the bottom. However, its disadvantage is that the fan is then difficult to clean from everything that has dripped onto it. After all, some foods, especially berries, can produce juice during drying. A vertical dryer with a top fan eliminates this problem, however, drying is very uneven - the top tray dries faster.
Vertical drying of vegetables with top airflow
Dehydrators with horizontal air flow primarily prevent odors from mixing between trays of different products. In addition, they provide fairly uniform heating between the trays and such a dryer is more convenient to clean. Another advantage of this type is that they are rectangular rather than round and therefore make better use of desk space. But a horizontal air flow dehydrator tends to be more expensive.
Dehydrator with horizontal airflow
Size is also important depending on how much you need at one time. Some types of dryers have outer walls with trays that can be removed and inserted. These types are ideal if you are going to dry the entire planned volume at one time.
Vegetable and fruit dryer with insert trays
Some dehydrators have stackable trays. The good thing is that you can purchase additional trays if you want to expand the capacity, instead of buying a new dehydrator.
Drying with stackable trays
According to the operating principle
All existing types of dryers for herbs, mushrooms, fruits and vegetables can be divided into two large categories according to the principle of operation:
- Convective.
- Infrared.
Each variety has its own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages, which are worth considering separately.
Convection dryers: operating principle and nuances
Convective devices were the first to appear. The operating principle of such household appliances is based on the circulation of hot air. This leaves its mark on the finished product. Dried fruits or vegetables are covered with a dry crust, a kind of film, since the moisture first evaporates from the surface, and only after that the pulp begins to dry. Thus, the dehydration process is quite lengthy.
Convective dryer for vegetables and fruits
If you compare fruits dried in the sun with fruits dried in a convection dryer, the differences are noticeable to the naked eye; the color and taste characteristics are different. What deserves special mention is that hot steam “kills” vitamins, and accordingly, only part of the beneficial substances are preserved. Electronics experts also note that convection requires significant energy costs.
The operating principle of a convection dryer for vegetables and fruits
Infrared dryers: operating features
Infrared dryers appeared later, but almost immediately became the most promising option for working with fruits, vegetables, herbs and mushrooms. The principle of operation is similar to the work of the sun. The impact is carried out exclusively on the water component of the products. Infrared radiation treats plants in a gentle manner; usually the temperature does not exceed 60 degrees, which is incomparable to hot steam.
Infrared dryer for vegetables and fruits
The biggest advantage of IR drying is that the finished product retains most of the nutrients, including vitamins, which are destroyed at high temperatures. Household appliances specialists focus on the low energy consumption of such devices.
The infrared dryer has low power consumption
Additional characteristics of dryers
The presence of additional functions determines the model of fruit and vegetable dryer you choose.
Manufacturers offer:
- Air speed regulator. With its help, you can adjust the circulation speed, focusing on the raw materials and their weight.
- Timer. Using it, you set the operating time of the device, that is, you can say “stop the process” after a certain hour.
- Auto power off. A safety function that turns off the device if there is a risk of overheating. This increases the service life of the heating element.
- Indication . As a rule, there is electronic control. Allows you to see the time, temperature on the panel. The mechanics have a light bulb instead.
Advantages and benefits of drying nature's gifts
Dried vegetables and fruits contain a lot of fiber and slow carbohydrates, which are not destroyed during drying. Dried gifts of nature contain a minimal amount of fat. When drying, unlike other methods of preparing these food products, the maximum amount of vitamins and minerals is preserved.
Since harmful bacteria begin to multiply very quickly in a liquid and humid environment, when canning the risk of developing botulism increases several times. The development of botulism in dried vegetables and fruits is possible only when they can be restored, and after that they are not used for a long time.
Do not forget that various fungi, bacteria and other microorganisms that spoil food are constantly present everywhere: they can be found in soil, water, and air. Therefore, during drying it is necessary to strictly observe sanitary and hygienic standards and rules.
Vegetables and fruits should not only be properly dried, but also stored. Store them in dry containers, otherwise they will grow harmful fungi. Dried gifts of nature with mold cannot be used for food purposes, so they should be thrown away immediately.
Garlyn D-08
- Power: 500W
- Number of pallets: 8
The Garlyn D-08 electric dryer has received more than 100 positive reviews on Yandex Market, which means it definitely deserves attention. This model is suitable for processing large volumes of products, as it has as many as 8 levels with a diameter of 32 cm and a useful volume of 32 liters. In addition, the device can be used to prepare marshmallows and yogurt - for this, additional accessories are included.
In this dryer you can adjust the height of the trays - three of them are collapsible. This will allow you to dry larger pieces of vegetables and fruits. The temperature is regulated in the usual range of 35 - 70 °C using a round switch with a scale. The cost of the model, due to its large size, is above average - about 9,500 rubles.
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