The food dehydrator drying times required to properly dehydrate various food depends on several factors including:

• The Type of Food and the Amount of Food - The type and amount of food being dehydrated will obviously influence how long it takes to dry. Below is an index showing ranges of required dehydration times for common fruits and vegetables.
• The Foods’ Water Content – Water content is the percentage of a food’s weight that is comprised of water. The water content of fruits and vegetables is typically 80% to 95%. The higher the water content of the food being dehydrated, the longer the drying time.
• The Thickness or Thinness of the Food Slices - The thinner the slice of the food being dried, the quicker the drying time.
• The Dehydrating Temperature - The lower the temperature that food is dehydrated at, the longer the drying time. Typical temperatures for dehydrating fruits, vegetables and nuts, are between 115-120 degrees Fahrenheit (46 to 49 degrees Celsius). This range of temperatures achieves the best dehydrated food product, avoids case hardening and helps preserve enzymes and nutrients within the food.
• The Relative Humidity - The higher the ambient humidity, that is the more moisture in the air, the longer the drying time.
• Personal Taste – Do you want your dehydrated food softer and more pliable or more crispy and crunchy? Crispy and crunchy requires more dehydration time.

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Published 5/18/2009 12:00:00 AM

Tags: Water Content, Drying Time, Fruit Leather, Fruit Roll Ups, Dried Fruit, Dried Vegetables