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How Long Does it Take to
Dehydrate Food?
It is impossible to give exact drying times because there are so many factors that
affect drying time. These factors include:
• The moisture content of each food
• The thickness or size of the prepared food
• The humidity and temperature in the room where the dehydrator is operating
• The density of the food
The food you choose also plays a part. The age of the food, where and how the food
was grown, how it has been stored along its journey to you, and other factors all affect
how long it might take to dehydrate.
But don’t worry. With a little experience you will soon be able to tell when you are
slicing the foods just about how long it will take, and which foods will dry soonest and
which will take the longest.
Here is a good example: tomatoes are normally quite juicy. Their high moisture
content will make them take longer to dry than many other foods. On the other hand,
cabbage, which has a relatively low moisture level will take a much shorter time to dry.
Citrus fruits like oranges will generally take longer than apples for the same reason.
So how do you know how long to let the foods dry? After the dehydrator runs for
a while remove the trays and examine the foods. Don’t be afraid to “peek!” This will
help you learn about the drying process and how long it takes. For foods with higher
moisture levels like fruits and meats, check them periodically after about the first four
hours of drying time. Foods with a lower starting moisture content like herbs and leafy
vegetables or chopped and shredded foods may dry sooner so need to be checked
after about two or three hours and more often after that. You will soon get a “feel” for
how long foods take to dry.
Don’t worry, though. It is better to over-dry the food then leave too much moisture
in it. Moist foods are more likely to spoil during storage. If foods have been over-dried
and seem brittle or slightly browned they are still usable for soups or most baked goods
They may take slightly longer to reconstitute and require additional water, but their
flavor and quality is generally not impaired.
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