Dehydrating Food at Home:
The Smart Way to Reduce Waste

Say Goodbye to Spoiled Food & Hello to Long-Lasting Goodness!

Are you into dehydrating food at home? If not, I'll guess that your fresh fruits and veggies are turning into mush before you get a chance to eat them!

If you're tired of tossing spoiled produce, it’s time to start dehydrating food at home—a simple method to preserve food, reduce waste, and save money.

This time-tested technique not only locks in flavor but also keeps your pantry stocked with healthy, ready-to-use ingredients. Let’s dive into the why and how of food dehydration!

The Food Waste Problem (And the Easy Fix)

You reach into your fridge, only to find mushy strawberries, wilted spinach, and potatoes sprouting like a science experiment. Sound familiar?

Before you toss another spoiled item in the trash, know this: dehydrating food at home is the best solution to your fresh food waste. It extends their shelf life, and turns perishable foods into convenient, long-lasting ingredients for soups, stews, etc.

Why Our Ancestors Had It Right

Dehydrating food at home not only offers satisfying food preservation but also symbolizes a nostalgic charm that sparks those pioneer woman feelings!

Long before refrigerators existed, our ancestors mastered the art of drying food. They relied on the sun, air, and fire to keep food from spoiling.

Fast forward to today, and modern dehydrators make the process so easy. No preservatives. No artificial additives. Just pure, naturally preserved food.

Dehydrating food at home brings that same pioneer spirit into your kitchen—minus the campfire.

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Why You’ll Love Dehydrating Food at Home

Though dehydrating foods at home might test your patience, making that first batch of tangy apple chips or savory mushroom slices is well worth it.

From beef jerky to a sweet and chewy fruit leather, dehydrating food halts food wastage.

The energy consumption concerns you might have regarding running a dehydrator for hours at a time, is offset by the savings in food cost ((less waste).

Plus think about all the extra space gained in your refrigerator and freezer so you can organize those appliances better!

Heck why not sell the spare refrigerator that is in the garage?

How to Get Started (It’s Easier Than You Think!)

Watch: Dehydration in Action!

Dehydrating Methods: Oven vs. Dehydrator

You don’t need fancy equipment to start—your oven can do the job. Just spread food on a baking sheet, set it to the lowest temperature, and prop the oven door open for airflow.

But here’s the catch: Oven drying is slow, uneven, and can heat up your house.

💡 The better option? A food dehydrator. It’s designed for even drying, uses less energy, and it's convenient.

Popular models like Nesco and Excalibur shown below are beginner-friendly models and are built to last. (I've been using mine since 2010!)

Put Dehydrating Food at Home "On Auto"

Starter models are surprisingly affordable and last for years.

Check out this page about Nesco and Excalibur dehydrator models (an overiew).

To learn more individual deets about Nesco Dehydrators click here, or for Excalibur Dehydrators click here.

Safety First: How to Prevent Spoilage & Bacteria

When it comes to dehydrating food, safety is super important! Make sure the foods are adequately dried and stored properly to avoid bacterial growth. The food needs to be 95% dehydrated for safe long-term storage. It's the removal of water that makes it all work.

Storing dehydrated foods in airtight containers in a dark space takes care of the "three biggest enemies"... namely:

🚫 AIR

🚫 LIGHT

🚫 MOISTURE

Tip: Every fruit and vegetable has an ideal drying time. In my guides on how to dehydrate fruit and vegetables, you'll see the average length of drying time it takes to fully dehydrate them - and what the expected texture outcome is.

Yes, You Can Dehydrate Meat Too!

I also cover meats such as chicken, turkey, and beef, inside Easy Food Dehydrating & Safe Food Storage book (eBook, or Paperback).

And you can learn about pork and seafood directly on our site (click those links to read about those items as they were added to this site after the book was released).

How to Keep Your Dehydrated Foods Fresh for Years

To aid in storing your dehydrating goodies, use Oxygen Absorbers. These little oxygen packs absorb oxygen, as their name implies.

REMINDER: We add an oxygen absorber inside our vacuum sealer bag BEFORE vacuuming out the air. Learn all you need to know about the different sizes of oxygen absorbers here.

Creative Ways to Use Your Dehydrated Goodies

Once your food is dried, the possibilities are endless:

🍲 Throw dehydrated veggies into soups & stews. Check recipes here!
🍓 Blend dried fruits into smoothies or yogurt.
🥩 Snack on homemade jerky for a protein boost.
🥣 Rehydrate for quick, easy meals without extra shopping.

And the best part? Less waste. More flavor. More convenience.

Get Your Free Guide to Dehydrating Like a Pro!

Don't forget to grab your free Six Simple Steps eBook! It’s packed with tips for dehydrating everything from fruits and veggies to dog treats. Get it here.