Orange Pomanders

[Ploppymoodypants]

Hello, can anyone advise me of how to successfully make organge pomoanders dry out.
I have stuffed mine with cloves and tried the following.
Slow cooker for 2 days on low
Oven on low for 8 hours
Weeks and weeks in airing cupboard
Weeks and weeks in cool dark dry shed

And they have ALL gone mouldy !

What am I doing wrong?!!!

I have tried sever times too and can’t seem to get them dry enough before the start to rot. I have managed to dry out slices but not whole ones 😥

Ooh not just me then. How did you do the slices?

Airing cupboards worked great in the old days because they were the hottest place in the house. Nowadays with lagging jackets they’re not all that warm.

I pop mine on the radiator in a dry room (ie not a bathroom or kitchen) and turn them daily.

Only store in paper or cardboard, never in a plastic bag or box.

I do the slices in my oven on a very low heat but last year I borrowed my mums aga which drys them out perfectly, I lay the slices on grease proof paper, leave them in the oven for around 4-5 hours (longer in the aga).

Yes put them into the oven on about 70 degrees. On a grill rack. Turn once or twice in the 4/5 hours.

I then put them onto an oven tray and on the heated airer until they're totally dried out.

Works a treat.

Never tried whole oranges, mind you.

You used to sprinkle them with some kind of powder. Isinglass perhaps?

Have you put lots of cloves in? That helps. Mine survived years after my wedding.

You need to seal it in a bag with orris root and other spices to preserve it.

orris root

If you're really having trouble you could use polystyrene, or florist oasis balls. I made some with these and they've lasted years. We only used to use oranges fresh, then discard. Slices we dried in the oven.

Okay, so going to have a go at the slices tomorrow. Will make for an aromatics roast 😁
Thank you everyone

Thank you for this post! Mine always go mouldy when I try the whole oranges. I'll give the slices a try!