Michigan
State University Extension
Preserving
Food Safely - 01600531
10/13/97
Temperature plays a key role in the drying process. If
the temperature is too high, food may case harden; that is
cook and harden on the outside while trapping moisture on
the inside.
Other variables to consider when timing foods in a
dehydrator include: the amount of natural water in the
food, the size and thickness of the food, the relative
humidity of the air and the efficiency of the dehydrator.
Vegetables may take as little as 3 to 4 hours or up to about
14 hours to dry, depending on the above variables. For
example, sliced mushrooms will probably dry in an average of
4 hours, while beets may take as long as 12 to 14 hours to
dry.