Post by Pam on Feb 5, 2011 17:59:06 GMT -5
I have been dehydrating for some time now. I thought I would pass on this information to any of you who are interested.
Your fruits and vegetables MUST be 95% or more dehydrated.
You must use an oxygen absorber in your package or jar. If you place your items in jars, you cannot store them long term. They will last for awhile but not 15 - 30 years. They will end up absobring moisture from the air and get moldy.
You cannot dehydrate meat for long term.
You cannot store nuts or anything greasy long term as the oils will go rancid.
To store long term (15- 30 years), place dehydrated item in a vaccum seal bag along with an oxygen absorber and seal. Place sealed bag inside of a mylar bag with another oxygen absorber, and seal.
Dehydrated goods must be kept away from light. That's the beauty of mylar bags. You can also place your bags inside of a dark plastic tote. If you place your stuff in canning jars, make sure they have oxygen absorbers and place in a dark area.
Enemies of dehydrated food: light, air, moisture
Oxygen absorbers do not last forever. Each time you open a jar, it allows air in and the absorbers can only absorb just so much air. You will need to replace the absorber after opening the jar a few times.
The way to tell if your absorbers are no longer working: after awhile, canning lids will snap down like they do when you're canning but are easily removed but lifting them with your thumb. (The lids can be reused to can since they do not tighten onto your jars). If the lid (or seal) does not flatten out onto your jar after an hour or so, then your absorber is probably no good and you will need to replace it.
A great place to get dehydrated goods and oxygen absorbers is www.honeyvillegrain.com.
A great web site to learn all about dehydration is
www.dehydrate2store.com
Pam
Your fruits and vegetables MUST be 95% or more dehydrated.
You must use an oxygen absorber in your package or jar. If you place your items in jars, you cannot store them long term. They will last for awhile but not 15 - 30 years. They will end up absobring moisture from the air and get moldy.
You cannot dehydrate meat for long term.
You cannot store nuts or anything greasy long term as the oils will go rancid.
To store long term (15- 30 years), place dehydrated item in a vaccum seal bag along with an oxygen absorber and seal. Place sealed bag inside of a mylar bag with another oxygen absorber, and seal.
Dehydrated goods must be kept away from light. That's the beauty of mylar bags. You can also place your bags inside of a dark plastic tote. If you place your stuff in canning jars, make sure they have oxygen absorbers and place in a dark area.
Enemies of dehydrated food: light, air, moisture
Oxygen absorbers do not last forever. Each time you open a jar, it allows air in and the absorbers can only absorb just so much air. You will need to replace the absorber after opening the jar a few times.
The way to tell if your absorbers are no longer working: after awhile, canning lids will snap down like they do when you're canning but are easily removed but lifting them with your thumb. (The lids can be reused to can since they do not tighten onto your jars). If the lid (or seal) does not flatten out onto your jar after an hour or so, then your absorber is probably no good and you will need to replace it.
A great place to get dehydrated goods and oxygen absorbers is www.honeyvillegrain.com.
A great web site to learn all about dehydration is
www.dehydrate2store.com
Pam
