The Ultimate Guide to Excalibur Dehydrator Times: Fruits, Vegetables, and Jerky

Ready to preserve flavors and snack healthy? Look no further than your Excalibur dehydrator! Whether you’re a seasoned food preserver or just starting out, this guide will take you through the basics of dehydrating fruits, veggies, and jerky with your Excalibur. We’ll cover the science of drying, Excalibur dehydrator times, and tips for best results. Let’s get started and explore the world of food dehydration!

The Drying Process

Before we get into dehydrating times for specific foods, let’s understand the basics of the drying process. Excalibur dehydrators are famous for their innovative features that make them a favorite among food preservers.

Parallexx Horizontal Airflow: The Secret to Even Drying

One of the best features of the Excalibur dehydrator is the Parallexx Horizontal Airflow. This genius design allows air to flow evenly over each tray, resulting in faster drying times and better nutrient and flavor retention. Unlike vertical airflow systems that can cause uneven drying and require tray rotation, the horizontal airflow in Excalibur dehydrators gives you consistent results across all trays.

The fan at the back of the unit blows air across each tray at the same time. This even air distribution is key to uniform drying, especially when you’re using a full 9-tray load. Whether you’re dehydrating delicate berries or thicker slices of meat for jerky, you can be sure each piece will get the same amount of air.

Hyperwave Technology: Preserves Enzymes and Nutrients

Another Excalibur dehydrator innovation is Hyperwave Technology. This food drying technology keeps the food temperature low enough to preserve enzymes and nutrients in the food being dehydrated.

Hyperwave Technology works by fluctuating the air temperature. As the air temperature rises it draws moisture from the food. Then as it falls the cooler air sweeps the moisture away. This fluctuation creates the perfect environment for efficient drying without compromising the nutritional value of your food.

Factors That Affect Drying

While the Excalibur dehydrator’s features help with the drying process, several external factors also come into play:

1. Temperature: The dehydrator’s temperature can be set from 95°F to 165°F, giving you precise control over the drying process. Different foods require different temperature settings for best results.
2. Humidity: The ambient humidity in your environment affects drying times. Higher humidity means longer drying times or slightly higher temperature settings.
3. Food Type: The type of food being dehydrated makes a big difference in drying time. Fruits with high water content like watermelon will take longer to dry than denser vegetables like carrots.
4. Slice Thickness: The thickness of your food slices affects drying time. Thinner slices will dry faster and more evenly than thicker ones.
5. Air Circulation: Proper spacing of food on the trays ensures good air circulation which is key to even drying.

Now that you understand the basics of the drying process, let’s get into dehydrating fruits and vegetables. These plant-based foods are perfect for dehydrating, packed with nutrients and flavor in a convenient, shelf-stable form.

Fruits: Nature’s Candy

Dehydrating fruits is a great way to preserve the harvest or make healthy snacks for on-the-go munching. Here’s what you need to know about dehydrating fruits in your Excalibur dehydrator:

Drying Times and Temperatures

Fruits typically take 6-12 hours to dry, depending on the type and thickness of the fruit. The recommended temperature range for drying fruits is 135-155°F. This range preserves the natural enzymes and nutrients while ensuring food safety.

Here are some popular fruits and their drying times:

• Apples: 7-15 hours
• Bananas: 6-10 hours
• Berries: 10-15 hours
• Cherries: 13-21 hours
• Grapes: 22-30 hours (for raisins)
• Peaches: 8-16 hours
• Pears: 8-16 hours
• Pineapple: 10-18 hours
• Plums: 8-15 hours (for prunes)

Remember these are just estimates. Actual drying time may vary based on the factors we discussed above, humidity, and slice thickness.

Preparation Tips

To get the best results when dehydrating fruits consider these tips:

1. Wash and dry: Always wash your fruits thoroughly and pat them dry before slicing.
2. Even slicing: Cut your fruits into uniform slices for even drying. A mandoline can be helpful for getting consistent thickness.
3. Pretreatment: Some fruits like apples and bananas benefit from a pretreatment bath of lemon juice or ascorbic acid to prevent browning.
4. Spacing: Arrange fruit slices on the dehydrator trays with some space between each piece for good air circulation.
5. Rotation: While Excalibur’s horizontal airflow reduces the need for tray rotation, you may still want to rotate trays once during the drying process for extra evenness.

Storage and Uses

Properly dehydrated fruits can be stored in airtight containers for 6-12 months. They’re great as a snack on their own, and can be added to trail mixes, used in baking, or rehydrated for use in recipes.

Vegetables: Nutrient-Packed Preserves

Dehydrating vegetables is a great way to preserve your garden’s harvest or take advantage of farmer’s market deals. Here’s what you need to know about dehydrating vegetables in your Excalibur dehydrator:

Drying Times and Temperatures

Vegetables typically take 3-6 hours to dry, depending on the type and thickness of the vegetable. Like fruits, the recommended temperature range for drying vegetables is 135-155°F.

Here are some popular vegetables and their drying times:

• Carrots: 6-10 hours
• Broccoli: 10-14 hours
• Sweet potatoes: 7-11 hours
• Onions: 4-8 hours
• Bell peppers: 4-8 hours
• Zucchini: 5-9 hours
• Green beans: 8-12 hours
• Corn: 6-10 hours
• Mushrooms: 3-7 hours

Again, these are just estimates and may vary based on conditions.

Preparation Tips

For best results when dehydrating vegetables consider these tips:

1. Wash and dry: Clean your vegetables thoroughly and pat them dry before cutting.
2. Even cutting: Cut your vegetables into uniform pieces for even drying.
3. Blanching: Many vegetables benefit from blanching before dehydrating. This helps retain color, texture, and nutritional value.
4. Spacing: Arrange vegetable pieces on the dehydrator trays with space between each piece for good air circulation.
5. Herbs: Delicate herbs like basil or parsley can be dried at lower temperatures (95-115°F) to preserve flavor and color.

Storage and Uses

Properly dehydrated vegetables can be stored in airtight containers for 6-12 months. They can be used in soups, stews, casseroles or rehydrated for use in recipes. Dried vegetables are also great for camping trips or emergency food supplies.

Jerky in Your Excalibur Dehydrator

One of the most popular uses for the Excalibur dehydrator is making homemade jerky. This protein-packed snack is not only tasty but also a great way to preserve meat. Here’s what you need to know about making jerky in your Excalibur dehydrator:

Types of Meat for Jerky

While beef is the most popular type of jerky, you can make jerky from other meats too:

• Beef (lean cuts like top round, bottom round, or flank steak)
• Turkey breast
• Chicken breast
• Pork loin
• Game meats like venison or elk

Temperature and Drying Time

For food safety reasons jerky should be dried at a higher temperature than fruits and vegetables. The recommended temperature range for jerky is 160-170°F. This higher temperature will kill any bacteria that may be present during the drying process.

Drying time for jerky is 4-6 hours depending on the thickness of the meat slices. But check the jerky regularly towards the end of the drying time to prevent over-drying.

Preparation Tips

To make the best jerky in your Excalibur dehydrator follow these tips:

1. Choose lean cuts: Fat can go rancid during the drying process so choose the leanest cuts of meat possible.
2. Slice against the grain: For tender jerky slice your meat against the grain. Aim for slices about ¼ inch thick.
3. Marinate: Marinate your meat slices for 6-24 hours before dehydrating. This adds flavor and can also contribute to food safety.
4. Pat dry: Before placing the meat on dehydrator trays pat the slices dry with paper towels to remove excess marinade.
5. Spacing: Arrange meat slices on the dehydrator trays without overlapping for even drying.
6. Safety first: For added safety, you can preheat the jerky in the oven at 165°F for 10 minutes before putting it in the dehydrator.

Seasoning Your Jerky

One of the best parts of making homemade jerky is experimenting with different flavors. Here are some popular jerky seasoning ideas:

• Classic: Salt, black pepper, garlic powder
• Teriyaki: Soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, garlic
• Spicy: Cayenne pepper, chili powder, paprika
• BBQ: Brown sugar, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder
• Herb: Rosemary, thyme, oregano, garlic

You can season jerky with any herbs and spices you like. Get creative and make your own signature flavor!

Troubleshooting and Optimization

Even with the best equipment and preparation you may encounter issues when dehydrating foods. Here are some common problems and how to fix them:

Uneven Drying

If you notice some pieces of food are drying faster than others it could be:

• Inconsistent slice thickness
• Overcrowding on trays
• Uneven air circulation

Solution: Make sure your food is cut to a uniform thickness, and not overcrowded on trays and rotate trays if necessary.

Over Drying

Overdried food can be brittle, lose flavor, and have reduced nutritional value. Signs of over-drying are:

• Extremely crispy or brittle texture
• Dark or burnt-looking
• No flavor

Solution: Check your food regularly towards the end of the drying time. Remove pieces as they reach the desired dryness.

Under Drying

Under-dried food can spoil quickly and can harbor bacteria. Signs of underdrying are:

• Moisture visible or felt when you touch the food
• Sticky fruits
• Bendy jerky (it should snap when bent)

Solution: Continue drying, check every 30-60 minutes until it reaches the desired dryness.

Tips

To get the best out of your Excalibur dehydrator:

1. Use mesh sheets or screens: These will improve airflow and catch smaller pieces of food that fall through the trays.
2. Rotate trays: Less necessary with the Excalibur’s horizontal airflow but rotating trays once during drying will give you even better results.
3. Maintain your dehydrator: Clean and maintain your dehydrator to keep it performing and lasting longer.
4. Keep a journal: Record your drying times, temperatures, and results to tweak your process over time.

Storage and Safety

Proper storage of your dehydrated foods is important to keep them fresh and safe. Here are some guidelines:

Storage Containers

Store dehydrated foods in airtight containers to keep them from moisture and pests. Good options are:

• Glass jars with tight-fitting lids
• Plastic containers with sealing lids
• Vacuum sealed bags

Storage Conditions

For the best shelf life store your dehydrated foods in a cool, dark, and dry place. Avoid areas with high humidity or temperature changes.

Storage Time

Properly dehydrated and stored foods can last from several months to a year or more. Here are some general guidelines:

• Fruits: 6-12 months
• Vegetables: 6-12 months
• Jerky: 1-2 months at room temperature, 6 months in the fridge

Safety Tips

To keep your dehydrated foods safe:

1. Always start with clean hands, equipment, and produce.
2. Properly pretreat fruits and vegetables as needed.
3. Make sure meats reach a safe internal temperature before and during drying.
4. Store foods in the right containers in the right environment.
5. Check stored foods regularly for any signs of spoilage.

Summary

The Excalibur dehydrator is a great tool for dehydrating fruits, vegetables, and jerky. By understanding the process and following the tips, you can get the best results and enjoy the benefits of dehydrating.

Dehydrating food not only preserves nutrients and flavor but is also a convenient and healthy way to enjoy your favorite foods all year round. Whether you’re preserving your garden harvest, making healthy snacks for your family, or preparing for outdoor adventures, your Excalibur dehydrator will do the job.

Now go, get started with your Excalibur dehydrator, try different foods and flavors, and happy drying!

Danny Content Writer

Hey there, since 2016, my mission has been to provide you with the information and guides you need to make food dehydrating simple and fun. Whether you're a newbie or a seasoned pro, my site offers helpful guides, reviews, and recipes to enhance your dehydrating experience. I take pride in only recommending products I believe in, ensuring my readers' trust. As an affiliate of various programs, including Amazon Associates, your support helps me continue providing quality content. Thanks for stopping by, and happy dehydrating!

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