Food dehydrator tips

[booboobutt]

My food dehydrator seems brilliant at first, but things don't seem to stay dehydrated.

I'll vacuum seal, then notice that a) there are pockets of air forming and b) things that seemed very dry are now sort of rehydrating. I tested it with some pineapple recently and sealed them in a mason jar rather than a vacuum sealed bag and they also went sort of moist within a day. They are supposed to last 25 years!

Am I not dehydrating for long enough? I usually put it on for 24 hours, longer for things like banana and pineapple.

My dehydrator is a VonShef and the bags and sealer I use is this one (pic attached)

Any tips would be very much appreciated.

Thank you!

I always add an oxygen absorber and a moisture absorber (food safe one). Cheap off Amazon.

Oh, I'll get some - thank you!

Not saying you won't have some fails for reasons that are hard to fathom. I try and wrap food in parchment paper before I vacuum seal. To try and create a barrier between the plastic bag and the prickly food.

That's a good idea. I'm determined to get this right so I'll try all those things, thank you.

I don't have a dehydrator....yet, but I found this. I wonder if you need to condition the dried fruit?

www.thespruceeats.com/how-to-store-home-dried-foods-1388331

Thanks @perhapstomorrow . I usually soak the item in water with a quarter teaspoon of citric acid before I start the dehydration process.

Eddie is that you?

Well hi there Chandler

I don't think you're dehydrating them enough. I do pineapple all the time and then keep it in tupperware boxes. it lasts for ages without doing anything more to it.

Leave the fruit in for longer than you think you need to and see whether that helps. It shouldn't be the texture of for example raisins or the dried apricots you buy in packets, it should be much drier than that before you store it. Also then make sure its completely cooled before you vacuum seal it.

Eddie flies again! I've just dehydrated some white cabbage. It's bloody gorgeous. Just wanted to share ....

Oo I did some cabbage too @bellinisurge along with some kale. I'd got myself a replacement dehydrator, it worked great. I also bought some oxygen absorbing packets as per your advice too. Thanks 

Currently got some basil leaves on the go in the dehydrator! Gotta make that gruel taste nice.

Basil? I meant bay.

And today while I'm off work some watermelon! My dd demolished some the other night so I've made some more. Lovely intense flavour. I store it in a sterilised jar (boil for then mind in water) with a moisture absorber and an oxygen absorber. Cheap off amazon. Just saying....

Then mind? Ten minutes.