Dehydrator

A dehydrator is a kitchen device for the gentle drying of food by removing its moisture with a flow of warm air at a low, precisely controlled temperature (usually 35–70 °C). Unlike an ordinary oven, it dries evenly and delicately, preserving the nutrients, enzymes, and colour of the product.

The classic use is preserving: dried fruit, berries, mushrooms, vegetables, aromatic herbs, and also jerky and fish, which thanks to dehydration keep for months without spoiling. Removing moisture at the same time concentrates flavour: a dried tomato or plum becomes richly sweet. In modern and molecular cuisine the dehydrator is a tool for creating textures: with it one makes crisp vegetable and fruit crisps, thin lacy tuiles, fruit leather, crisp meringues, decorative elements, and powders. The device consists of several mesh trays through which heated air circulates. The dehydrator is especially loved by adherents of healthy eating and raw food, since the low temperature preserves the goodness of the products.