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Here's how to dehydrate foods in even the most average of ovens. Drying Rough Cut Lumber
Dehydration is one of the easiest ways to preserve food. You don't need to buy special jars, preservatives or special equipment. You don't even need to buy a dehydrator. Your oven, whether it be full-sized oven or a toaster oven, can dehydrate food perfectly in the same amount of time.
The tools for dehydrating food in your oven are simple and you probably already have them in your kitchen. You'll need:
How you prep foods depends on what you are dehydrating. Here are some tips for the best results:
The temperature of your oven is key for proper dehydration. Too hot and your foods will scorch or burn. You'll want the oven's temperature to be under 200 degrees Fahrenheit (93.3 Celsius) for the best results. Unfortunately, most ovens won't give you many temperature options under 200 degrees. Don't worry. Simply set your oven to "warm" and you'll be all set. If you do have temperature options, 120 degrees F (49 degrees C) to 140 degrees F (60 degrees C) is usually optimal for a wide range of foods.
In the beginning of the drying process, you can speed things along by cranking the heat up to 150 degrees to 160 degrees F (65 degrees to 70 degrees C) until the surface moisture has evaporated. As soon as the surface of the foods seem dry, lower the heat to 120 degrees F (49 degrees C) to 140 degrees F (60 degrees C).
Drying Wood In Oven There are a few things to remember while you dry foods in the oven: