Food preservation is a common practice that has been practiced since the ancient times that aims at ensuring that the shelf life of the given food is enhanced. The most common method of food preservation that is practised in almost all places in the world is food drying where the food is dried to prevent the growth of yeasts, bacteria or molds by removing water from the food. When drying food as a preservation method, one can dry it under the solar or can make use of the food dehydrators that helps extract moisture from the given food hence aiding in preservation. The device is used on almost all common kinds of foods such as vegetables, fruits as well as animal proteins.
Food drying through the use of a nutrichef electric countertop food dehydrator usually requires a source of heat and the air flow to help extract water from the food. There are a variety of energy sources that can be used by a food dehydrator including include electric power, solar power or even a biofuel. In a food dehydrator, there are a variety of essential components that enhance removal of moisture from the food and they may include the heating element, air vents that allow air circulation in the device, a fan as well as food trays where one can lay the food. The most effective components in food drying include the heating element, air vents that allow air circulation in the device and now a fan which work simultaneously with each other in removing moisture from the food.
The heating element usually warms the food which allows the moisture present to be released while the fan will blow out the moist warm air from the appliances through the air vents. The process usually takes place for a set period of time till the moisture that remains in the food is less than 20%. Depending on the kind of food that is being dried for preservation, the drying temperature will vary for example most foods are usually dehydrated at 1300F while for the meat jerky, the temperature has to be increased to about 1550 F. An adequate flow of air in the device and a constant temperature has to be maintained in the food dehydrator to ensure that the drying process is appropriate and the shelf life of the food concerned is enhanced. A suitable temperature that is not very high should be maintained to ensure that the food is not very dry and hard on the outside while it moist in the inside which makes it vulnerable to spoilage.
It is important to consider a variety of factors when purchasing a suitable food drier that one can use to preserve food for a longer period of time. The model of the dehydrator, the kinds of food to be dried, space one has to accommodate the food dehydrator as well as its cost are some of the factors that one can consider when purchasing a food dehydrator.
To know more, visit this link - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_drying