In the simplest of terms, dehydrating food is removing the
moisture content from the food. This will inhibit the growth of microorganisms
which are the primary contributing factor in the decaying process. So drying
the food and removing the water will prolong and preserve the life of the food.

Dehydrating food is becoming more popular as the world’s
fickle climate has begun changing the growing seasons and food production. The
increased number of natural disasters around the world coupled with the
worldwide financial instability has caused people to realize that their futures
are not as secure as they once were and are taking steps to insure against the
growing storm of unrest and instability around the globe. Food storage and
emergency supplies are starting to catch on with people who once mocked those
who had warned of the thing to come: “…the end of the world as we know it!”

In addition to food storage many are investing in
alternative sources of food preparation: camp stoves operated on propane or
kerosene, and various models of solar ovens. Another popular survival tool is
the solar dehydrator kit or sun oven dehydrator kit. Like most dehydrators on
the market, they require electricity. In the event of a manmade or natural
disaster, electrical power grids are the first energy sources to be affected.
Solar sun ovens and solar dehydrator kits which operate on the inexhaustible
energy of the sun are catching on for good reason.

Dehydrating or drying food is not difficult. You simply
place the food you desire to dehydrate into the solar dehydrator and the hot
circulating air does the rest. The most important thing to remember is that the
temperature should never exceed 200 degrees F. or your food will begin to cook
rather than dry out.

Why dehydrate foods?

•     Dehydrated
foods will last longer because they do not need refrigeration. Even canned
goods, if not eaten right away, will spoil without refrigeration after they
have been opened.

•     You can take
advantage of your own garden or locally grown produce rather than fruits and
vegetables that have been picked early while green to allow for the time needed
to ship and stock.

•     You are
assured the food is free of pesticides, etc., because you know where it came
from.

•     You are
able to take advantage of the specials on seasonal produce by saving money on
purchasing larger quantities than what you are able to use while the food is
fresh.

•     Dried
food takes up a fraction of the space that frozen or canned food does.

•     Dried
food is good for the environment because it eliminates the energy and materials
used in the processing and packing process.

•     Dried
foods are delicious, more fragrant and colorful, nutritious, easily prepared,
lightweight and easy to carry and store.

What about the nutritional value?

Dehydration affects the nutritional value of the food
minimally. When compared to canning or freezing food, dehydration is the least
destructive food preparation process.

•     During
the drying process, vitamin A is retained. Because vitamin A is affected by China ceramic igniter heater
light, it is best to store these type foods in dark places or dark containers.

•     Only a
small amount of vitamin C is lost when the cut surfaces are exposed to the air.

•     Calories
remain the same, even though some fruits such as pineapple and bananas seem to
taste sweeter, because with the water removed the natural sugar content is
concentrated.

•     Carbohydrates
and fiber are unaffected in the dehydration process.

•     Dried
fruits and vegetables are low in fat and the mineral content is not affected by
drying.

Dehydrated food tastes best if used within the first year of
drying; however, if stored in airtight containers in a cool dark place,
dehydrated foods can last for several years. Follow the rule of first in/first
out and be sure to rotate the product on the shelf always using the oldest food
first. Be prepared and store up for the unexpected. Procrastination could
shorten your lifespan.