According to studies, it was known that since the early 12,000 B.C.E., ancient men preserved food through the process of drying. This allows them to store food for a longer term to be used anytime in the future. Preserving food by drying means removing the water content of the food to ensure no bacteria can grow. Here are the methods on how to dry foods.
Food dehydrator Purchase an electric dehydrator which is completed with electric elements, fan and vents. Make sure your dehydrator has an adequate capacity as well as sturdy trays; as for consideration, try Excalibur 3900 which has 9 sturdy trays that allow you to dry many kinds of foods at the same time. You will need to leave sufficient space between items you dry with the machine to ensure proper drying. Check the user manual and find out the length of time needed to dry different items like fruits, jerky, etc.
Smoking To preserve meats, you can get a commercial smoker to dry them. It is made of metal units within which you can use either charcoal or wood chips to burn and produce smoke which will later dry the meat. You will need thermometers to measure the air temperature of the smoker as well as the meat to ensure it is dried and cooked properly. The times needed for various cuts and types of meat may vary, therefore you need to check your manual for it. Also take precautions in handling the meat when using this method. You need to avoid spreading food-borne illnesses by washing your hands and the utensils properly, also thawing the meat if frozen, and cooking the meats at the proper temperature to insure its doneness, and refrigerating or freezing the meat after it is removed from the smoker.
Oven You can also use an oven to preserve your favorite foods. Simply place the items you wish to dry on cookie sheets in the oven and set the temperature to 120 to 145 Fahrenheit degrees. The time needed to dry the food may take up to 12 hours. As for larger items, you also need to use the racks to ensure they dry evenly.
Hanging This is typically performed to dry garden herbs, spices, and vegetables like dill, basil, and green beans. The items are hung in a dry and airy location for up to 3 days and need to be kept out of humid conditions, such as rain or night air, to reduce the chance of spoilage due to moisture.
Sun-drying This technique normally applied on drying fruits or vegetables using the sun light. The method is used when the air is dry with the temperature of about 100 Fahrenheit degrees. Using screens or racks with cotton sheeting on them, the fruits or vegetables are placed on the racks and dried for about 4 days. You must make sure that the air circulates on both sides of the racks or frames and that humid conditions are avoided. If you choose this method to dry the food, prior to sun-drying you should either freeze or heat the items you wish to dry to destroy any insect eggs which may collect on them. Also make sure you dont use metal frames without a cheese cloth cover on them; because without this cover, the food may get contaminated or spoiled.
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