The main function of a food dehydrator is singularly straightforward, however, the benefits of food dehydration are many. A food dehydrator is designed to remove a significant amount of water from food. The water content of food is typically between 80% to 95% for various fruits and vegetables and 50% to 75% for different meats. Removing the moisture from food inhibits various bacteria, yeasts and molds from growing and spoiling it while also reducing the weight of the dehydrated food by approximately the amount of its water content pre-dehydration. Thus, food dehydrators are ideal tools for the preservation and storage of food.

Enthusiasts use food dehydrators and dehydrate and preserve food because:

• The dried food retains most of its nutrients and taste.
• Unlike canned food, dried food is not subjected to extremely high temperatures, thus more nutrients are preserved.
• The weight and size of the food is reduced, thus making the food more portable and easy to store.
• Unlike frozen foods, there is no need for electricity, thus dehydrated foods are a good emergency food supply.
• Storing dehydrated foods is energy efficient. There are no refrigeration and electricity requirements.
• Dehydrated food becomes more energy dense.
• Dehydration concentrates a food’s natural flavor, sweetness and aroma. Natural sugars in food become more concentrated as moisture is removed, thus dehydrated foods are naturally sweet.
• Dehydrating is easy. Once the food is placed in the dehydrator, there is no need for constant attention or required actions.
• Dehydrating can be done overnight.

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Published 8/12/2011 12:00:00 AM

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