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DISCLAIMER AND TERMS OF USE AGREEMENT

You are entitled to give the Your Guide to Dehydrating & Buying a Food Dehydrator to your family and friends as long as no part of the guide is changed. You MAY NOT sell this guide. If you own a website, you can offer it to your visitors as a free guide. The author and publisher of this Guide have used their best efforts in preparing this guide. The author and publisher make no representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy, applicability, fitness, or completeness of the contents of this guide. The information contained in this guide is strictly for educational purposes. Therefore, if you wish to apply ideas contained in this guide, you are taking full responsibility for your actions. The author and publisher disclaim any warranties (express or implied), merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose. The author and publisher shall in no event be held liable to any party for any direct, indirect, punitive, special, incidental or other consequential damages arising directly or indirectly from any use of this material, which is provided as is, and without warranties. As always, the advice of a competent legal, or other professional should be sought. The author and publisher do not warrant the performance, effectiveness or applicability of any sites listed or linked to in this Guide. All links are for information purposes only and are not warranted for content, accuracy or any other implied or explicit purpose. This Guide is copyrighted by avegetariandiet.net and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws, with ALL rights reserved. No part of this may be copied, or changed in any format, sold, or used in any way other than what is outlined within this Guide under any circumstances without express permission from avegetariandiet.net

This Guide is Copyright 2012 http://whydehydratedfood.com

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Table of Contents
WhyDehydratedFood.com Other Resources .................................................................. 4 Our Dehydrated Food Website........................................................................................ 4 Receive Daily Good Food Ideas sent to your inbox .................................................. 4 Good Food Forum ............................................................................................................... 4 Latest Version of this Guide ............................................................................................... 4 Why Dehydrate? ...................................................................................................................... 5 Dehydrating & Your Health ............................................................................................... 5 Why Not Just Buy Dried Fruit & Vegetables? .................................................................... 6 The Price & Your Budget ........................................................................................................ 7 Types of Dehydrator ................................................................................................................ 8 1. Horizontal Dehydrator .................................................................................................... 8 Pros: ...................................................................................................................................... 8 Cons: .................................................................................................................................... 8 2. Vertical Dehydrator ........................................................................................................ 9 Pros: ...................................................................................................................................... 9 Cons: .................................................................................................................................... 9 3. Convection Dehydrator .................................................................................................. 10 Pros: .................................................................................................................................... 10 Cons: .................................................................................................................................. 10 4. Solar Dehydrator ................................................................................................................ 11 Pros: .................................................................................................................................... 11 Cons: .................................................................................................................................. 11 Other Extras .............................................................................................................................. 12 Dehydrator Warranties ......................................................................................................... 13 Dehydrator Reviews .............................................................................................................. 13 Tips to Dehydrating ................................................................................................................ 13 Is It Time To Dehydrate? ....................................................................................................... 14 Hidden Dangers of Processed Foods ............................................................................... 14 Frequently Asked Questions ................................................................................................ 16 3|Page

WhyDehydratedFood.com Other Resources

Our Dehydrated Food Website

http://whydehydratedfood.com provides information on nutrition, good

food, dehydrating food, recipes and more.

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We have organised a free Vegetarian Ideas newsletter. Subscribe to receive good food Ideas delivered to your inbox. We will send ideas, recipes and other interesting information you way.

Good Food Forum

Communicate with others interested in good food, good health, vegetarianism, dehydrating, nutrition on our website forum.

Latest Version of this Guide

The latest version of our Your Guide to Dehydrating & Buying a Food Dehydrator is available on our website right here.

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Why Dehydrate?
Using a Dehydrator is a great way to prepare for healthier living. By appropriating the removal of water from the food by the dehydrator, people can essentially lock in all the healthy vitamins, nutrients and enzymes that make foods good for the body. Enzymes that are useful to the human body found in raw food require a certain temperature range to complete their chemical reactions and by dehydrating foods instead of cooking them, make it a great way to utilize the activity of the enzymes found in raw food.

Dehydrating & Your Health

There are many health advantages to dehydrating food especially raw foods. Raw foods or living foods contain no animal products and are usually organic and uncooked. There are highly nutritious and contain all the essential vitamins and minerals needed for good health.

Dehydrating your vegetables, fruits and herbs can make them last for up to a year Canned foods are heated to high temperatures which results in a loss of nutritional value in the foods Removing the water in food makes it resistant to most forms of food rot All of the nutrients, vitamins, enzymes and flavors are preserved when dehydrated Reduced weight and volume of dehydrated foods make them easier to store Dehydrated food is useful in making natural juices and smoothies Dehydrated food is relatively easy and convenient when going on outings or picnics Season has no impact on your choice of fruits or vegetables as dehydrated foods can be stored all year round Combining your own home-grown foods and dehydrating can be a profitable business venture A fantastic way to use outside space around your house by growing your own vegetables and herbs to dehydrate Packing food for a future disaster is simple as food can be prepared months in advance
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You control all things that enter your body by focusing on the things you dehydrate rather than processed foods

Why Not Just Buy Dried Fruit & Vegetables?

That is a good question to ask as many of us today are looking for convenience and ways to save time. When you decide you need to look at a few things to make sure you want to buy store dried fruits and vegetables or dehydrate your own with a food dehydrator. The first factor is most store bought dried fruits and vegetables contain added sugar and also trans-fat. Sugar is added into fruits during the drying process as the fruit can become tart tasting due to the water content being removed. The added sugar also increases the calorie content contained in the fruit. The other ingredient, Trans fats are variants of unsaturated fats, and these fats are known to be chemically modified. A diet high in Trans-fats can increase the cholesterol levels in the blood which can impact overall health. To retain the color and taste of dried fruits especially commercially prepared dried fruits an ingredient called sulphur dioxide or sulphites is added. Sulphur dioxide has been known to trigger asthma in many individuals. If you have allergies it is best to check the label before consuming any dried fruit. Often dried fruit can be treated with a solution high in vitamin C just before dehydration so it is also best to check the label if you suspect you may suffer from allergies of any kind. Sulphur dioxide is also added as a pre-treatment to preserve Vitamins C and A however this destroys any thiamine within the fruit and vegetables decreasing the overall nutritional content of the dried fruits.
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The Price & Your Budget

Your budget is a consideration when youre thinking about purchasing a food dehydrator and also how often you will use the dehydrator. If you plan on dehydrating food often you may want to consider buying a high quality dehydrator that will last the duration. It's often better to buy quality than to go for the less expensive brands which may in the end effect the outcome and quality of your fruits and vegetables. If vegetarianism is your preferred life choice then a dehydrator is a worthy investment towards your health and if you go for a quality dehydrator it should last you many years. Many people go for low quality products only to find they need to replace them after a short period of time and often they don't function as good as products of quality. Below you will find a general price guide for the most popular and well known dehydrators. Horizontal dehydrator: $95.00 to $2799.00 Vertical dehydrator: $29.00 to $435.00 Convection dehydrator: $299 to $1000.00 Solar dehydrator: $40.00 to $500.00 The most expensive dehydrator may not be for you but it is highly recommended that you opt for a quality dehydrator, quality which you wont find in the cheaper priced models. Going for quality means you don't have to be disappointed or frustrated later on.
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If youre still undecided we can help you. Once you work out which type of Dehydrator you want, we will show you various dehydrators in those categories under various price ranges. That way you'll be able to purchase the dehydrator that best suits you and your budget.

Types of Dehydrator
There are 4 varieties of dehydrators

1. Horizontal Dehydrator

With a horizontal dehydrator the fans inside the unit move air horizontally across the trays. One advantage of this type of dehydrator is that it prevents the different flavors from the food mixing from one tray of food to the next. As the heating element is at the back of the unit it also eliminates the need to rotate the trays at different intervals during the drying process. As the heating element is also at the back it may cause some temperature variation as the air cools towards the front. Pros:

Horizontal Dehydrators are more space efficient and cheaper than the other models of dehydrators. Evaporated water does not drip into the heating elements as the fan is located on the back of the racks. You do not have to rotate the trays in order for the food to be serviced on one side and then the other.

Cons:

There can be large temperature ranges between the trays as the fan may not reach the food stuffs in equal amounts. Not as much room as other dehydrators to place racks and trays due to their size.
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Stronger dehydrators require a larger amount of watt usage, which when dehydrators are run for a fairly long time, could increase your electricity bill quite substantially.

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2. Vertical Dehydrator
With a vertical dehydrator the fan is either positioned at the top of the unit or at the bottom of the unit. Vertical dehydrators tend to be cheaper and more compact than most other dehydrators. They are made up of stack-able or removable shelves which consist of many small holes. These holes allow the air to circulate in and around the shelves to help in the drying process. This kind of unit can cause irregular drying due to the position of the fan and also can cause flavors to mix. it may be necessary to rotate the shelves to help with these issues.

Pros:

Stack-able shelves means for a more efficient drying process as you can select the amount of space that is affected by the fan. These are more space efficient than other forms of dehydrators and allow for easier cleaning. The hole in the middle allows for the fans air to circulate around the food placed on the trays.

Cons:

Due to the whole in the middle of the trays, a sizable amount of drying space is used up. If the fan is mounted on the bottom of the trays, there is the possibility of water damage due to droplets falling down.
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Food closer to the fan will dry out more quickly so you must rotate the trays through the drying process for an even finish.

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3. Convection Dehydrator

Convection Dehydrators use a bottom mounted heating element which allows the air to rise over the food. They normally use less electricity and are virtually silent when in operation as they don't use fans. With the absence of the fans, the food is potentially risk free of dirt that can get stuck to the spinning fans. Convection dehydrators usually require a longer drying time than the vertical and horizontal dehydrators and this may result in a loss of flavor in the fruits and vegetables, especially bulky foods like tomatoes.

Pros:

Cleaner than other dehydrators as dirt that can stick to the fans is removed due to having a different heating element. Practically silent when it is active as it doesn't use a bulky fan, and uses less electricity than most dehydrators. Stack-able trays makes for a more efficient build for the dehydrator

Cons:

May require double the drying time due to its heat source not being fan based.
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Potential loss of nutrients and flavor from its prolonged drying period, and there is a risk of decontamination from bacteria. There is a risk of not being able to process larger, bulky type foods due to the small space available.

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4. Solar Dehydrator
Solar dehydrators are the oldest method of dehydrating fruits and vegetables. In early times they consisted of only a tray left out in the sun. These days however they have improved considerably and many people choose to make their own. Solar dehydrators often have a black outer casing which is used to gather heat from the sun. With solar dehydrators fruits and vegetables take longer to dry than standard horizontal, vertical and conventional dehydrators and may even take days or weeks, which means they most certainly will lose a lot of the flavor they once had. Compared to standard dehydrators they are rather inexpensive. As they use the sun to dry you need to watch for humidity which will cause the fruit or vegetables to mold.

Pros:

Zero cost on electricity as it uses solar power panels on the top of the dehydrator. No switching of trays needed as air currents are even throughout the drying process if the air outside is still.

Cons:

Initial cost can be quite large due to the solar panels being quite costly.
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Air currents from outside can potentially upset the air flows in solar dehydrators giving an uneven finish. Very space costly due to the large amount of space between racks needed by solar dehydrators.

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Other Extras

Fruit Roll Trays: A solid tray that is used to dehydrate liquids such as stews, thick soups & fruit purees. These trays are built to clean easily & have a small, 3 finger hole in the middle of the tray for easy removal. These are a great way to prepare a healthy fruit roll up as an addition to a salad or for lunch. Mesh Trays: A tray that has several crossings of fine wire mesh that allows for the dehydrating of smaller types of dehydratable foods such as ground meats and chopped vegetables. Bulkier type foods that lose their water volume through dehydration fall through the regular drying trays which are why Mesh Trays are fantastic as they stop food blocking the bottom of your dehydrator. Paraflexx Sheets: A flexible, non-stick solid sheet used for the drying of foods in square dehydrators. These sheets can be rewashed, reused and are easily cleaned. Made with fibreglass, these sheets will last for years and they bring durability and usability when preparing dried foods in your food dehydrator. Can be used as a mesh tray and a fruit roll tray at the same time.

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Dehydrator Warranties
Having your dehydrator under its manufacturer's warranty is a very welcome feeling when dealing with a variety of different brands. Quality dehydrators offer a 10 year, 7 year or 5 year warranty. Checking the reviews for each type of dehydrator gives an insight of the dehydrators quality and its effectiveness in performing dehydration. Make sure the manufacturer you side with respects the warranties they offer.

Dehydrator Reviews
To help narrow down your choices it's a great idea to look at Customer reviews for the various food dehydrators. You may find out:

The noise level of the fans How simple it is to clean or wash the dehydrator Accessories you may need for the various dehydrators Whether customers were happy with the overall price Which type of fruits and vegetables you are able to use Whether the dehydrator can be used for other tasks Availability of accessories Whether it requires the trays to be rotated Consistency of drying Whether recipe or instructional book included Cooperation from the manufacturer should you need replacement

Tips to Dehydrating

Dehydrate fruits and vegetables that are at the peak of flavor and ripeness to get the most out of them. Lightly coating fruits like apples and pears in a lemon or orange juice will help stop the oxidization of the outside.
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Take care not to use too high of a temperature when dehydrating as it can damage or destroy helpful enzymes. Practice makes perfect when preparing raw food. Test out the time it takes your food items to finish the process before you start full scale. Powdering several types of fruit can lead to a healthy and delicious smoothie or juice when combined. Maximize the flavor with different combos. Grow your own healthy produce in your very own backyard. The most sure-fire way of directing exactly what enters. into your body

Is It Time To Dehydrate?
Dehydration doesn't have special seasons or a specific time that its best to dehydrate, as the food you prepare can easily be prepared a year in advance. Preparing mango slices during summer allows you to preserve them throughout the whole year giving you an all-round pro for dehydration. Serving friends and family with off season fruits and vegetables can be a great way to encourage them to invest their own time into the art of dehydration. Plus you dont consume any of the hidden dangers in processed foods when you dehydrate your own food.

Hidden Dangers of Processed Foods

In America over 80% of food consumption is processed foods. Processed foods from Processed frozen food, dried food, chilled food, prepared meals Snack foods, candy & sweets, Canned food, Container foods & drinks, bottled drinks, canned drinks Dairy food Bakery food Condiments, sauces, dressings

Processed foods are foods that have been altered for safety or convenience reasons in a particular way to alter their natural state. Some of the methods used to make processed foods are Aseptic processing, Canning, Drying, Freezing, Irradiation, Refrigeration,
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Bleaching, Coloring, Stabilizing, Emulsifying, Texturizing, Preserving, Sweetening, Flavoring etc

During these processes certain additives and preservatives are added to the food all of which have side effects detrimental to your health ARTIFICAL COLORANTS POSSIBLE SIDE EFFCTS hyperactivity, cancer, allergic reactions, ammonia poisoning, anaphylactic shock, liver damage, stomach distress ASPARTAME, SACCHARIN, SUCRALOSE POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS Headaches, seizures, mood changes, panic attacks, weight changes MONO SODIUM GLUTAMATE (MSG) PRODUCTS - Condiments, Sauces, Pickles, Soups, Confectionery POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS allergic reaction, headaches, dizziness, chest pains, hot flushes, depression, mood swings, possible neurotoxin, diarrhea, blurred vision, palpitations, asthma QUININE POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS birth defects, hypoglycaemia, confusion, rashes, hearing issues, chest pain, chest bleeding, seizures, vision issues, nausea SODIUM NITRATES POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS increased cellular degeneration, carconagenic, dna damage, gastric cancer, oesophageal cancer, colorectal cancer, STEVIA POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS low sperm production, candida, tooth decay, diabetes, hypoglycemia, increased triglycerides
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If you want to read the full article entitled Common Additives and their dangers

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long can I store my dehydrated food? A: Depending upon the methods used to dehydrate the food, some can last for up to 1 year when stored correctly. Vacuum packing greatly extends shelf life of dried foods. Refrigeration or freezing can double or triple the storage life. Q: What is meant by Dehydrating? A: Dehydrating is a method of water extraction to preserve food and inhibit the grown of microorganisms that can rot the food. By dehydrating instead of heating you can drastically increase the nutrient value of the food you eat and dehydrating can dramatically increase storage life for food items. Q: What is the best way to store dried foods? A: It is best stored in air-tight contains like jars or plastic snaps. Reduce the exposure to light, air and humidity to extend the storage life of the dried goods and keep in a cool, dry location. Q: How long does the dehydration process take? A: Different types of dehydrators can take longer or less time than others, and it also depends on what type of food you are dehydrating and how much of it there is. Refer to your Dehydrators Guide. Q: If I powdered my dried vegetables, what can I use them for? A: Powdered onion and garlic can be a great seasoning or rub for sauces and meats. Tomatoes that have been powdered can be reintroduced into tomato sauce, paste, juice or soup. A blender will give
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you the finest texture when preparing your powdered vegetables. Store in an air-tight container to preserve the product. Q: My pears and apples have changed to a rusty-brown color while drying. Can I still eat them? A: Yes, They are still edible. Fruits that have turned changed to a brownish color are still safe to eat. Many fruits like pears and apples will oxidize when the flesh of the fruit is exposed to oxygen through the air. By pre-treating fruits, oxidation is reduced. Q: The banana chips I made don't look or taste anything like the chips in the store. What do I do? A: Banana chips bought in store are usually deep friend and have additional preservatives and ingredients added to them. Dehydrating them yourself allows you to control the nutrients and ingredients in the chips.

Q: What kinds of foods can you dehydrate? A: You can dry meats, flowers, fruits, herbs, vegetables and almost anything that contains a significant amount of water. You can even dry out bread for breadcrumbs. Q: Will dehydrating my food destroy its healthy nutrients? A: Removing the water through dehydration causes a small loss of nutrients, but if done the right way that loss is quite trivial. You retain roughly 90% of the vitamins and minerals when dehydrating. When using increased temperatures, foods will dehydrate faster, but this does result in a higher nutrient loss. Q: Will food and fruit flavors mix if I dry different types of foods together in the same dehydrator? A: If you dry foods in the same dehydrator, such as fruits with other fruits and vegetables with other vegetables, the flavors shouldn't mix. We recommend drying onions separately as the onion can affect other foods. Q: Do dehydrated foods make for a quality camping and hiking options? A: Taking dehydrated foods while camping or hiking is a good lightweight option as you can carry more food in you backpack. Q: What are some methods that are necessary to pre-treat foods before dehydrating them? A: Pre-treating can enhance the flavor and sometimes color of certain foods, but is generally not necessary when dehydrating. A few Pretreatment methods are marinating, dipping and blanching.
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Q: My fruit sticks to the dehydrator trays. How do I prevent this? A: Thinly sliced vegetables and sometimes fruits may stick to your trays as the residual water fuses to the tray. You may want to purchase Clean-AScreens to put on your trays to prevent these items from sticking. Q: What are the benefits of food drying? A: There are many benefits of drying food. Here are some:

You are in control of the food and the ingredients you eat. You will save large amounts of money when buying in bulk. You can take advantage of supermarket specials. You can create a snack that is full of nutrients and vitamins. You can take advantage of your own garden by drying your own fruits and vegetables to be used all year round.

Q: Why should the surrounding edges of my fruit be thicker than the centre? A: With fruit, the edges of the mixture tend to dry first. To have a more even dryness for the fruit, the edges should be a deal thicker than the centre or you run the risk of ruining the fruits integrity. Q: How do you know when the food items are completely dry? A: Check the food to see if it is still sticky or slightly moist. If the item is leathery or pliable, it is usually ready. However, foods that are over dried may become brittle and turn brown.

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