dehydrator?

[jomuir]

I bought that $20 model at Aldi's yesterday. I usually do sweet potato chips (evolved from jerky recipe I think I found here) in the oven but just couldn't bear to turn on the oven in this heat. Saw the ad & picked one up. I was skeptical, but the results were great, def. equal to the oven. Normally I'm opposed to large single-duty appliances but this one is worth stowing away in a closet. The smell from the sweet potatoes wasn't strong at all, barely noticeable.

Now when I make chicken or fish treats, that puppy is going to get plugged in the garage for sure.
I took some pics, will try to post later....

 

[jomuir]

The Crofton dehydrator is cheap but it worked for me. I plan on using it mainly for dog treats, possibly vegetables for us also. The sweet potatoes I did took 12 hours just as the manual said. My first thought was to return it, the results are exactly the same as in the oven. But thinking it over, I usually hold off on making dog treats due to the long time in the oven & smells I don't like as much as the dogs do

We don't have much room so it'll be in its box in a closet, but I think I'll keep it, just for the convenience of set it & forget it. And I can start making meat jerky, which I wasn't keen on in the oven.

 

[Shelby's mom]

When I did my research I found the recommendation to be as long as it has heat and a fan it will work just fine. Price didn't mean a thing. I can't wait to try sweet potatoes!

 

[mbfrench]

The Crofton dehydrator is cheap but it worked for me. I plan on using it mainly for dog treats, possibly vegetables for us also. The sweet potatoes I did took 12 hours just as the manual said. My first thought was to return it, the results are exactly the same as in the oven. But thinking it over, I usually hold off on making dog treats due to the long time in the oven & smells I don't like as much as the dogs do

We don't have much room so it'll be in its box in a closet, but I think I'll keep it, just for the convenience of set it & forget it. And I can start making meat jerky, which I wasn't keen on in the oven.

I'm excited to get mine. your sweet potatoe chews look 100% better than ones done in the oven.I threw mine away that I did in oven. I threw them away! I would'nt feed them to any dog.
Mine has been shipped,so I am excited. I used to do loads of venison,beef jerky years ago married to first hubby. He hunted alot.
I even did fruit rollups for my boys! Talk about delicious

 

[hrcarol]

I bought the $20 dehydrator from Aldi and I'm looking forward to trying it out. Did you guys blanch the sweet potatoes first or just cut them up?

 

[Emmasmom]

Mom had a dehydrator that she used for drying her celeriac and celery leaves. I pulled it out today for sweet potato treats Tip: rotate the racks -bottom to top etc. I am going to find her dial-a-matic as this will give even slices. I didn't think of it until I was cutting up the potatoes; at least, I think I still have it?!

 

[k9kreationz]

Michele,

Which one did you end up getting? I saw your photos of you making some yummy treats! Was just wondering how everyone's is doing.

 

[mbfrench]

Gee..it has come up in price,I only paid 37.00 for it when I ordered & free shipping. It works GREAT!
It does have a fan,so do kow that,and you can hear it. But I certainly did not find it a problem. It works awesome~

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003I4F7AS/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00

 

[mbfrench]

Mom had a dehydrator that she used for drying her celeriac and celery leaves. I pulled it out today for sweet potato treats Tip: rotate the racks -bottom to top etc. I am going to find her dial-a-matic as this will give even slices. I didn't think of it until I was cutting up the potatoes; at least, I think I still have it?!

Yes,if you have a manolin or some sort of slicing kitchen gadget it would make slicing alot of stuff easier. I have a mandolin & also one of those cheaper versions of a mandolin. I do use it. But I slice my sweet potatoes on the long side,as I want something bigger for my dogs.

Slincing thinner & possibly in half again would make some great small treats for smaller dogs.
Yes rotation,even in my new one is important,anything at the top closer to the fan/heat source is going to get done quicker.

Please if you are new to dehydrating,do read the "doneness" parts of your user manual.As anything not done,especially foods high in fats or sugars will rancid if not done all the way thru.

For fruits or veggies,take a slice that is dry, and tear it. If you see moist spots,or soft areas,it is not done.
In meats,pay close attention to droplets of fat & shiny areas,as this means it is not done.