Dehydrating herbs is a quick and helpful way to store your garden's bounty. Your own herbs are always fresher than anything found in a jar or baggie at the supermarket. You are also saving a lot of money if you grow your own. To dry your herbs at home, it is helpful to have a dehydrator. Getting the herb from garden to storage as fast as possible, helps ensure that the quality is preserved.
What To Look For In A Dehydrator
There are many varieties of dehydrators available. Some offer fans, thermostats, removable(and washable) trays, timers and a variation of all these features. How do you know what is most important? Do you need all the bells and whistles to have your dehydrator work properly?Contruction-Purchase a unit that is approved for home use. It should be easy to clean and the trays should be removable without knocking the herbs around. There are many varieties of dehydrators. Choose one that fits on your counter, or wherever you plan on using it. If it is too heavy or bulky, you will not make the effort to move it in and out of storage.
Capacity- Buy a dehydrator that is big enough. If you harvest a little each day, the common 4 tray dehydrator may be enough. If you harvest arm loads of herbs at a time, a larger unit would be best. Herbs deteriorate very quickly when they are fresh and just sitting around.
Heating element-Often, for less expensive units, the heating element is inadequate or non existant. Check out if your desired unit has one and plug it in before buying, to see of it is working properly. Often, used dehydrators have burned out heating elements and they can not always be replaced.
Fan-Although not considered necessary, a fan is really the heart of the operation. Keeping the air moving, the moisture evaporating and the heat rising is the essential reason that a dehydrator is desired in the first place. If there is no fan, the trays will have to be moved by hand to ensure even drying of all the herbs. If you have a choice, choose a unit with a fan.
Thermostat-A thermostat is more than a fancy addition to a dehydrator. Herbs are delicate, and their essential oils(providing flavor and in some cases medicinal value) can easily be burned off, at too high a heat. You do not want to cook the herbs. At the same time, too low of heat, or not enough heat, can simply promote decay, right in the dehydrator. Check that your unit has one and if possible, check it for accuracy.
Trays-Trays should be removable and washable. They should be sturdy but lightweight, especially since you will be loading them with your harvest and then have to move them into the dehydrator. Trays should be made from a product that is considered food-safe, and easy to clean. I recommend plastic mesh sheets. They are bendable and help transfer dried herbs easily into containers. They are easy to wash, and weigh almost nothing.
No matter what brand you are considering, these factors remain the same. Find a unit that fits your needs, and you will find yourself using it all year round.
