Having problems dehydrating apples

[Roger121]

Hi guys

I have my own orchard and have started making fruit leathers. I've found the best way is to chop and cook the apples until soft, blend in a food processor with some lemon juice and cinammon. Nothing else. Then spread on a silicone sheet 0.3in deep. They go in my Excalibur 9 tray dehydrator. I usually run it at 135F (57C) for 10hours as recommended but I find 99% of the time the leather is simply too tough and thin. For some bizarre reason, I did one variety once (i forget which one it was), same procedure and it came out perfect. Not too much moisture that it will mould when stored, but nice a soft enough to be pleasant to chew.

I tried large apples vs small, and several different types (golden delicious, braeburn, gala, pink lady, worcester pearmain) to see if variety changed the outcome, but it didn't.

One person suggested I put apple sauce in with the blended apples, but I want to keep this super simple and not to have to make apple sauce. My plum leathers came out fine, and as i say, I somehow managed it once but not sure how as I can't repeat it.

If I run it for less hours, say 8, it' not dry enough. I know it will go mouldy.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

Do you have an airing cupboard/hot press? If yes, I would cover it with a tea towel or sheet, shove it in there and walk away. Check occasionally. The heat is really gentle in there from memory.

Otherwise, shut in a room with a dehumidifier. Slow and steady is probably the way forward here.

I am not from or in a country with an airing cupboard. I am more likely to spread them on the back seat of my car and put that in the sun. Job done. So, I hope this helps.

If your leathers come out too tough then they are overdried so spread them thicker, lower the temperature and test them earlier.
I prefer to dry at a much lower temperature, even if that means they need to be in for longer. It doesn't cost any more to run the DH on low because you aren't running the heating element.

@Roger121 how do you rate your dehydrator?