In summer and autumn, the shelves of markets and shops are filled with cheap and healthy seasonal fruits and vegetables; I want to save abundance for the winter, when the same products will cost many times more. Summer residents at the same time are faced with the problem of processing their own crops. In preserving fruits for the winter, a practical device will help - a dryer for fruits and vegetables. Installing a dryer at home or in the country will not be difficult: even a child can handle it.
Dried fruits, herbs, vegetables, seafood
How to choose a dryer
Choosing the best dryer for fruits and vegetables is not at all easy for those who first decided to purchase this device. A huge assortment of dehydrators is presented in equipment stores, which, at first glance, are not too different from each other. The principle of their operation is approximately the same: each of them has a heating element and trays for drying. During the drying process, heated air circulates inside the pallets with chopped fruits (with or without a fan) and evaporates the water.
Housing with heating element and air holes
Despite a similar action algorithm, there are a number of differences that will tell you how to choose the right dryer for fruits and vegetables for specific needs. To make the dryer useful and serve for many years, you should pay attention to the following parameters:
- the price of the product;
- manufacturer;
- power;
- type of heating;
- air direction
- type of management;
- capacity of pallets;
- side height;
- case material;
- availability of additional features.
Dryer price
The cost of dryers starts from 700 r. for the simplest devices with low power from unknown Chinese manufacturers and comes to 60,000 p. for powerful machines for harvesting fruits and vegetables on an industrial scale (for food production). For home use, do not save too much and purchase the cheapest dehydrators: most likely, they will be disposable and will last no more than 1 season. But too expensive devices are not needed for ordinary families. Often the overpayment goes for the brand, and not for increased power or the presence of additional features. Dryers of the middle price category will satisfy all the needs of an ordinary family of 2-5 people.
Manufacturer
Most often, dehydrators of the following manufacturers are found in stores: Polaris, Scarlett, Oursson, Vitek, Supra, Steba, Rommelsbacher, Scarlett, Moulinex, Tefal, Axion. Most firms have production in China. Exceptions: Axion (Russia) and Oursson (Korea).
Drying power
Drying power is the most important parameter for choosing a dryer model. Dehydrators with power from 150 to 1000 W are on sale. 150 W is a very weak dryer for small drying volumes. The best power for home use is 300-600 watts. It will allow for a short time to process large volumes of fruits. With power from 600 to 1000 W, the device can be used for industrial purposes. For the house, such strong drying devices are bought when it is additionally planned to dry fish and meat in them.
Dry-cured meat
The capacity of the dryer also depends on the capacity of the dryer. The larger it is, the more powerful it must be. For 3-5 pallets, 250-350 W is enough power.When buying a dehydrator with 6-8 pallets, you need to pay attention to the power not less than 400 W, otherwise dehydration will be of poor quality.
Action type
All dryers are divided by type of heating into 2 types:
- Convection dryers. A tubular electric heater works in such devices: it heats the air in the trays to a high temperature (up to 60-70 degrees), and the fan evenly distributes the hot air flow into sections for more uniform drying. This drying method is not without drawbacks - products in convection dehydrators darken, not all vitamins are stored at high temperature, the device consumes a lot of energy.
Convection apparatus
- Infrared dryers. Heating in them occurs due to infrared rays, which penetrate into the product, and evaporate moisture already at 40-60 degrees. At this temperature, the maximum amount of vitamins and minerals is preserved. The color of dried fruits and vegetables does not change.
Device with infrared heating type
Infrared dryers are more practical, but they cost more and are less common on sale. Therefore, most consumers choose convection dryers.
Air direction
Air in dehydrators can be distributed in 3 ways:
- from above;
- from below;
- on the side.
All options have their drawbacks. If the fan is located below, there is a danger of it becoming clogged with food crumbs or dripping liquid. The fan on top warms up the upper pan faster: as a result, the fruits on the top dry out, and in the lower pallets they may remain damp.
With lateral air supply, heat is supplied evenly, which facilitates simultaneous drying in all compartments at once. An additional plus - the smells of the products do not mix, and on different pallets when using the dryer with a lateral direction of heat, simultaneous drying of fruits, vegetables, herbs, mushrooms, berries is allowed.
Side air supply
The disadvantage of such dryers is the high cost. Typically, this feed mechanism is used in large industrial dehydrators.
Type of control
Dryers can be controlled both mechanically (by buttons) and electronically (using the control display). Mechanical control is more common on cheaper models with a minimum set of additional functions. Expensive models are equipped with electronic displays that regulate the temperature and cooking time. Digital control is more convenient, but more prone to breakdowns than button-operated appliances.
Digital display
Pallet capacity
The capacity of the dryer depends on the number of pallets, their diameter and the height of the sides. Most home dehydrators are made with 3-8 pallets. Usually for a family of 4-5 people, 5-6 pallets are enough. On average, from 0.5 to 2 kg of fruit fits on 1 section of the dehydrator. The capacity of the apparatus is affected by the diameter of the pallet: dryers with a diameter of 25 to 35 cm are on sale. Do not buy an oversized dryer for an ordinary family of 4-5 people. The volume of blanks will not be too large, and money for extra capacity will be wasted. In addition, too voluminous devices have increased power and consume a lot of electricity.
Side height
The choice of the height of the sides of the pallets depends on what will in most cases be dried in a dehydrator. If the device is purchased for drying small berries, mushrooms, herbs, apple chips, a height of 10-15 mm will be sufficient. High sides (15-30 mm) are suitable for drying medium fruits (plums, apricots, berries and large mushrooms, coarsely chopped apples, pears). In some dehydrators, the height of the sides can be adjusted to be able to stack large pieces or whole fruits. Too large fruits or their slices should not be used for drying, even if they are placed on a pallet. There is a danger that the fruit will dry outside while remaining moist inside.This will cause the dried product to mold.
Body material
Manufacturers produce metal and plastic dehydrators. Metal devices are not very convenient: they are heavy, they are difficult to move, with prolonged use they overheat, which negatively affects the motor. Plastic devices are easier, easier to transport, easy to wash. If the plastic is transparent, there is no need to look inside to control the drying process, making it easier to maintain a uniform heating temperature.
However, the metal case is more reliable and environmentally friendly. It happens that due to overheating, plastic pallets melt. In cheap plastic dryers, plastic can be of poor quality, which can harm health when using the device - during dehydration during heating, harmful toxins can be released.
Metal device
Additional drying functions
In more expensive units, in addition to the basic function of drying fruits and vegetables, there are additional functions that will help the dryer replace other kitchen appliances and add variety to the menu. These functions include:
- dried meat and fish;
- preparation of fruit and berry marshmallows;
- fermentation of natural yogurt;
- drying nuts.
Cooking pastille
There are also additional parameters that make the work more convenient. Dryers can be equipped with:
- adjusting the height of the pallet in order to fit fruits of different heights;
- adjustable thermostat to select the optimal drying mode for different products;
- electronic timer for counting the time of the drying process;
- sound signal of the end of work;
- protection against overheating, protecting the device from engine breakdown, as well as from fire;
- additional trays for the preparation of certain types of products (fish, meat, fruits with a high juice content).
Each customer, in search of a dryer, compares these parameters, choosing what is more important for him: large capacity, reliability, a well-known manufacturer, a reasonable price or a large number of additional functions.
Popular models of dryers
From inexpensive models of dryers (costing up to 2000 rubles), we can distinguish:
Polaris PFD 2205D
This convection dryer does not have a very high power (240 W). There are no additional functions (including temperature control), but it is reliable and easy to use. It has a mechanical control type. There are 5 pallets with a diameter of 23 cm and an adjustable height of the sides, so the apparatus can accommodate a large number of fruits. Thanks to transparent plastic the degree of readiness of products is visible.
Marta MT-1944
The dryer also does not have a high power (250 W). Type of convection heating. It has electronic control, the heating temperature is regulated (from 35 to 70 degrees), in the presence of a timer and automatic shutdown of the device. The dryer is spacious - up to 8 liters are placed on 5 pallets. The height of the sides is adjustable.
Among the devices of the middle price category (from 2000 to 7000 p.) The following models are popular:
Polaris PFD 1405D
The power of this device is higher than that of cheap models - 350 watts. It has a digital display for adjusting temperature and time. There is a timer and a sound signal about the end of work. Because the case is made of transparent plastic, you can follow the drying process. The package includes 5 trays with a diameter of 32 cm, the height of the side 2.5 cm.
Tefal DF100830
Powerful dryer (525 W), with convection heating. It has a mechanical type of control, reliable, durable, easy to use. There are 3 temperature modes: 40 ° C, 60 ° C, 75 ° C. Sections 5, with a diameter of 28 cm and a relatively small height of the sides (1.5 cm). There is a flexible removable pallet for juicy fruits.
Popular expensive models (more than 7000 p.):
Rommelsbacher DA 750
Spacious dehydrator: height of pallets 3 cm, diameter 34 cm. Power consumption - 700 W, which allows you to dry meat and fish.The pallets are not mesh, but solid, so you can cook pastille. There are 3 temperature settings and drying time adjustment.
Oursson DH2400D / OR
In this dryer there is an opportunity to cook fermented milk products, dry meat, fish, pastille. The package includes 6 roomy sections 4.5 cm high and removable rugs for them, which are easily removable and washable. The dryer has a Filter Pro air filtration system that protects products from dust and other contaminants. The power of the device is 550 watts. The temperature and cooking time are adjustable.
Oursson DH2400D / OR
Dryer Guide
Using a dryer is easy - it does not require special installation.
- Before use, you must electrically connect the dryer and leave it for several minutes to heat the air.
- Pre-cut products are laid out in the trays.
- If the dryer has a function for adjusting the temperature and time, you must configure them specifically for the type of dried fruit.
- It is advisable to spread the sliced pieces at a distance of at least a few millimeters from each other for better evaporation of moisture.
- After that, you need to insert the pallets into the case and leave for the number of hours necessary for drying.
To choose the best dryer, it is advisable to know the main criteria by which they differ from each other. Not always the best choice - the most expensive model; at an affordable price you can purchase a product in which there will be all the necessary functions.
