The new dehydrator came in. I knew it would be bigger than my old one, but didn't realize that it would take up almost the entire top of the stove:
The old dryer could sit between two of the adjacent burners, so this one is much bigger. The one thing that I found odd is that the dial for controlling the thermoset is way in back. Not only do I have to have my reading glasses on, but I have to be standing tippy-toe to lean over and get a look. Not really a horrible thing, especially since my old dryer only had one heat setting, I just would have thought that they would put it toward the front.
9 Shelves! My old dehydrator had 7 shelves, and they had holes in the middle to allow the heat to rise so the footprint wasn't totally useable.
Saturday morning I cut up a bunch of Roma-type tomatoes to try out the dehydrator. Now keep in mind, I have never dried tomatoes before, so I was unsure what to expect. I cut up a big mixing bowl-full of slices and used only 5 racks (and that with generous spacing). I would have used all of the racks (and maybe more) of my old dehydrator.
I started the drying process about 6 AM and by 5 PM, I had some respectable "sun-dried" tomatoes. When I pulled out the shelves, they looked fairly empty compared to when I put them in!
The effect is much better when I put them all in a pile on one shelf:
The only "sun-dried" tomatoes I remember having has been on prepared foods that I have bought. I tasted one of these and was pleasantly surprised. Without any salt or oil (as most commercial dried tomatoes have), these are outstanding in taste. I managed to get just under a quart jar full. I think I'll be drying more so they will be ready for stews and to perk up pizzas and tacos.
Next up for experimentation: Green Beans.
Bogie--Great job!
It's really too bad that your mother never fed you sun-dried tomatoes. Shame on her! It's only been within the past 10 or 11 years that I have tried sun-drieds. They really add an intense flavor. (I bought them in a celophane pack, rather than seeped in oil, and I've used the last of the pack within the last several months.)
Posted by: Cop Car | September 19, 2010 at 11:29 AM