Drying is the best way to prepare vegetables and fruits for the winter. If you do this at the right temperature and air circulation, you can preserve the maximum of nutrients, smell and aroma in them. The fruits decrease in volume, are convenient to store, and are practically not susceptible to mold and putrefactive microorganisms. There are dehydrators for vegetables and fruits for this purpose: you load them with slices and within a few hours you get a semi-finished product for soups and compotes. When choosing such a device, you only need to decide on its performance, price and functionality.
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.
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:
Conventional or infrared heating element
There has been an increased interest among buyers in infrared dehydrators. Some models have such a heating element as an addition to the main one. It is believed that infrared radiation has a beneficial effect on food quality and human health, although there is little verified data on this. These rays heat fruits and vegetables much like the sun does.
The infrared emitter heats the food, but not the air inside the chamber, so it is believed that IR heating is more economical. But the cost of a dehydrator with an infrared heating element is higher than that of models without it. But the user can choose whether to dry their products “in the shade” or “in the sun” by turning the IR emitter on and off.
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.
Control type
The touch keys and electronic control display are reliable: they allow precise adjustment of all indicators. The mechanics are more practical. Also related to the type of control is the principle by which the trays are arranged. Vertically standing trays are found in convective models. The heating system is located at the top or bottom of the device. Horizontal pallets are typical for professional units. They are put forward according to the principle of opposites. This design is convenient for drying large items and products intended for fermentation.
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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