Proper Dehydrator for Mushroom Drying: from Budget to Premium

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I prepared a quick & simple overview of mushroom dehydrators you can buy on Amazon. Also, here you will find basic rules for proper drying process (yes, it's easy to spoil shrooms)

First of all, there are no "dehydrators built particularly for mushrooms" (especially, for actives). People usually buy such devices to dry fruits and vegetables at home.

Basic robust dehydrator costs around $40. Next come bigger appliances for $70-100. Massive premium models are sold for $150++.

Let's figure out the differences between them and, the most important thing: do you actually need a special device to dry mushrooms?

Complete list of products you can find at the end of this page.

The goal is to store shrooms for a long period of time (1-2 years), and retain their potency / flavor properties.

To do so, we must remove moisture from them, i.e. dry 'em out.

God bless the smart people who invented such machine as Food Dehydrator which allows us to dry easily not only herbs / berries, but active / gourmet mushrooms as well.

Most dehydrators have the following features out of the box:

1. Adjustable temperature, ranging from 95°F to 158°F (35°C to 70°C).

2. Efficient air flow for even heat distribution during the drying process.

3. Working time: 1-24 hours, which is more than enough for mushrooms.

I highly recommend to get dehydrator with temperature control. Otherwise, probability of fried dinner significantly increasing

In my opinion, it's better to buy basic dehydrator with °t control and save some cash. Maybe, it won't look so fancy, but definitely enough for occasional use

The first 5 dehydrators from the list have plastic BPA-free trays that can be stacked to save space.

Dehydrators with transparent windows are more convenient for monitoring progress

The last 2 dehydrators are more expensive due to their higher-quality materials, larger drying space, LED displays with digital control panels, precise temperature control and timers. These premium options are ideal for families and those who frequently dehydrate various types of food.

However all the options are versatile, suitable not only for mushrooms but also for drying fruits, veggies, berries, herbs etc. They are excellent for a healthy food lifestyle.

Temperature and time to set on dehydrator for drying mushrooms

Recommended temperature to make crunchy dry shrooms is 122°F (or 50°C). Higher temp may burn and eventually spoil them.

Drying time depends on the weight and size of the mushrooms. Typically, it takes from 5 to 12 hours. You can start with 5 hours, check the results and decide to continue or not.

Can you dry shrooms without dehydrator?

Yes, you can. With heat fan, in oven, on radiator, using heater - so forth and so on. Every method has own features and defines different drying time.

For more details, visit complete guide on How to Dry and Store Mushrooms

However, dehydrator provides some major advantages: more control over expected results, convenience, and ability to use it for different types of food. Buying this device or not depends entirely on your goals and, of course, budget.

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