Should I get a dehydrator? Questions, questions.

[ReallySpicyCurry]

I am seriously thinking about getting the cheapo dehydrator from Amazon, the £40. We're on a low budget and I'm starting to get a bit edgy about the situation in January, plus am in the middle of a garden fruit and veg glut. Low budget means I really absolutely cannot waste money as I'm trying to clear my overdraft before Christmas, but the money is there if it's an investment in the long term.

Are they worth it? What do you dehydrate and how do you use the food afterwards? Can I not do the same thing in the oven?

Hello. I have a dehydrator (also from amazon and about the same price) I've got as far as taking it out of it's box, and downloading a book about dehydrator recipes on kindle.
Word of warning: mine came without any instructions, and I bought the book thinking it would help, but it only has recipes.
What I know about dehydrating has thus mostly come from these threads (notably @Bellinisurge posts) I think there is more info about them on the Brexit board, where there are some stockpiling threads. Worth a search.
In theory I think they are a good idea. Saves waste and good emergency food.

Did you get one in the end? I am considering this one as it is cheap at Aldi at the moment, but not sure if it will just become another unused gadget. If you did get one, how are you getting on?

www.aldi.co.uk/ambiano-food-dehydrator-10l/p/705803419936500

Following for advice, my brother asked for Christmas gift ideas for me last week & it's been vaguely on my mind. I'm finding that the more prepared I am, the less stressed I am about the world atm, so this sounds like a sensible option. Thanks for the link too @DennisTMenace

@OhYouBadBadKitten dehydrated stuff in the oven so may be able to help.

So far I have worked out you need citric acid to keep the colour and air tight jars for storage.

@BlackeyedSusan I haven't considered the oven for dehydrating as it sounds like it would use a lot of energy having it on for hours. It is which use the slow cooker instead of the hob for stews, curries etc. That and being able to safely leave the house without ruining the food / fire risk.

I've bitten the bullet & ordered it 👍

I came on here today to ask the same question, particularly if the Aldi one is any good!