How to choose a dryer for vegetables and fruits
Miscellaneous / / August 06, 2023
The main characteristics, design features and features that you should pay attention to.
Select type of dryer heating
Convective
A simple dehydrator design in which hot air from a heating element is distributed by a fan throughout the chamber. At the same time, the content dries evenly without additional operations - you do not have to change the position of the trays or turn the products over.
Models with a convective heating element are the most common. It is worth noting that the fan of such a dryer will make noticeable noise. The device can distract you with its sound throughout the day. If you are not satisfied with this state of affairs, then choose a dryer with a different type of heating.
Heating
This option is similar to convective, but the design does not use a fan. Hot air is distributed gradually by itself through the chamber of the device. Such a dryer will not distract you with sound, but on food processing will take noticeably longer.
Infrared
In infrared dryers, the content is processed using radiation. These models work faster than convective ones and at the same time spend
less electricity. They are less common and often cost more than other types.Infrared dryers allow you to save a more presentable appearance and aroma of products. In addition, more useful elements remain in vegetables and fruits.
During operation, infrared dehydrators do not make noise, but may not process the contents very evenly compared to convective ones. Therefore, sometimes you have to rearrange and rotate sections for the best result.
Which dryer to buy
- Convective dryer Kitfort KT‑1911, 15,890 rubles →
- Infrared dryer Gemlux GL‑IR500, 15 829 rubles →
- Heating dryer LUMME LFD‑107PP, 1,643 rubles →
Learn about types of blowing
Vertical
This is more common in budget dryers. The heating element in the design is installed from below, and the hot air heading up the chamber. An alternative option is models with a heating element in the lid. In this case, the distribution of the hot flow occurs from top to bottom towards the products.
The vertical blower type is better suited for dryers with a small number of pallets and the processing of homogeneous contents.
Horizontal
In the design with horizontal blowing, the heating element is installed on the rear wall of the dehydrator. The distribution of hot air occurs parallel to the trays. This option is less common than the vertical one. It is more often used in large appliances with a large number of sections.
Horizontal airflow is optimal for drying different vegetables and fruits on pallets. In this case, you do not have to rearrange or rotate the contents, and the smells almost do not mix.
Which dryer to buy
- Dryer with horizontal blow Rommelsbacher DA 900, 26,005 rubles →
- Dryer with horizontal airflow VIATTO VA‑DG10SS, 22 815 rubles →
- Vitek VT‑5056 vertical blow dryer, 6,199 rubles →
Check model capacity and number of sections
It is worth choosing the number of sections and the volume of the dryer chamber in accordance with how often and in what quantity you will prepare food. If you do not have a very large family and you are not going to consume dried vegetables and fruits in large quantities, then it is better to buy a compact device for rare use. And if you plan to stock friends and relatives, it will be more difficult to manage without a large model.
Pallets differ not only in quantity, but also in their design. Sections can be small with low sides or large with additional walls. The former are only suitable for placing thinly sliced \u200b\u200bproducts in one layer, and in deep stands it will be possible to arrange various whole fruits.
The maximum load of dryers can be divided into several categories:
- Up to 3 kg - suitable for a small family that rarely prepares food. In such models, three sections are usually placed.
- Up to 5 kg - compact devices with three to five pallets. They are suitable for lovers collect mushrooms and for those cases when you need to dry the products bought in the store.
- From 4 to 7 kg - medium capacity models with four to six pallets. Sections can vary in height and fit different types of products.
- From 7 to 15 kg - dryers of medium volume. Some of them allow you to add new sections as needed.
- From 8 to 20 kg - larger appliances for large families who regularly harvest vegetables and fruits from their garden and orchard or buy them in large quantities.
- From 15 to 25 kg - large devices for harvesting a whole crop in 10-15 sections.
- From 25 to 60 kg - large dehydrators for those who are going to fully provide themselves with blanks and sell all the remaining volumes.
Which dryer to buy
- Dryer Kitfort KT‑1910 with 30 trays included, up to 30 kg, 27,030 rubles →
- Dryer RAWMID Modern RMD‑07 with seven pallets included, up to 25 kg, from 17,911 rubles →
- Dryer Garlyn D‑11 with 10 pallets, up to 30 kg, 5,897 rubles →
Check case material
Dryers made of plastic are usually light in weight. You can find many models that differ in shape and design. They do not cause problems during transportation, unless they are huge devices for commercial procurement. But plastic elements pick up scratches and can shatter when dropped.
Metal devices are stronger and more reliable in operation. Of course, they weigh more, they are more difficult to transport, and they do not come in a variety of shapes. During operation, they can become very hot, therefore, to protect against burns heat-resistant plastic elements are used in the case.
Which dryer to buy
- Dryer Oberhof Fruchttrockner C-72 with stainless steel housing, 28,790 rubles →
- Dryer Redmond RFD‑0157/0158 with a plastic case, 5,990 rubles →
- Dryer Marta MFD‑505PS with a plastic case, 2,616 rubles →
Rate power for optimal performance
An efficient device must have such power that, with its volume, evenly dry products in all sections. The worst option is a large low power dryer that will not do its job up to par. In a compact device with high power, the contents can become very dry if the setting is incorrect. The range is approximately 100 to 1000 watts.
The power of vegetable and fruit dryers can be divided into the following categories:
- Up to 350 W are low power devices that are suitable for thin workpieces of small volume. chopped products.
- From 350 to 500 watts - a universal power option that will suit most families.
- 500 W and above - large appliances with a large number of sections for drying a bulky supply of food.
Which dryer to buy
- Dryer Ezidri Ultra FD1000 Digital with a power of up to 1,000 W, 26,395 rubles →
- Dryer Oberhof Fruchttrockner B-53 with a power of up to 800 W, 19,490 rubles →
- Dryer GARLYN D‑09 with power up to 500 W, 13,896 rubles →
- Dryer GFGRIL GFD‑010 with a power of up to 700 W, 12,990 rubles →
Explore additional features
The dryer can be equipped with an electronic or mechanical control system. The digital controller allows you to fine-tune the operating temperature, but is less reliable in operation. Mechanical control is more durable, but offers fewer parameters for regulation and does not have high accuracy.
The temperature controller is needed to select the mode for different products. Typically, the setting range is from 30 to 80 °C. For example, for dried fruits, a regime of about 50 ° C should be maintained, for meat near maximum temperature is required. For sensitive products with beneficial properties, it is necessary to maintain almost the minimum level of heating in the available range.
A timer with a display will help you set the automatic shutdown of the device so that the products do not dry out. This feature is commonly found in dehydrators with electronic management.
Automatic overheating protection is important for situations where the device heats the chamber above the set value. The device will simply turn off in this case. This feature, in conjunction with the timer, is useful if you are not going to constantly monitor a long drying process.
Things to remember when choosing a dryer for vegetables and fruits
- Decide on the type of drying: convection, heating or infrared. The first is more common, but noisy. The second is a variation of the convection type without a noisy fan, but with a slow impact. The third is the most efficient and quiet, but expensive.
- If the dryer has a blower system, but choose vertical or horizontal type. The first is more common in compact home appliances, the second in large models for industrial blanks.
- Estimate how much dryer and how many pallets you need. Take the optimal one, do not overpay for extra capacity.
- Look at the case material. Durable models plastic will suit most buyers, but if necessary, you can also find a massive metal dehydrator.
- Choose the optimal power of the device for your needs. When in doubt, look for a universal option with an average.
- Do not forget about additional features like a timer, digital control, overheating protection and other chips.
Please note: prices are valid at the time of publication of the article. Stores can update the cost of goods during the day.
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