I love that you’re a woman of faith. I enjoy your videos they’re so informative and especially the Bible verses that correspond with your day. I’m eyeing those dehydrators. My son has one I can borrow but I want one for myself (just have to pinch pennies). I’m going to make him some cloth covers for his because he has the plastic as well. Have a blessed rest of your day and week to come. God bless.
Ok....Ok....I think it's time for Mr. Rain to build you a solar dehydrator considering my experience with such an item. HE WILL GET IT! I just know he will. Metal cabinet..........Mrs. Rain will be sooooo happy with it. just my friendly thoughts. :)
Pretty happy with the set ups I have right now, he made the dryer I use in the winter time for me and the electric ones I use on solar when we are getting plenty of collection
I love your channel for a couple of reasons. First your quick, efficient and to the point. Second you give us the little secrets and helpful hints. It is those secrets and helpful hints that really help because we are going to have problems. You give us the solutions to the problems so we are prepared to take on these tasks and not give up on them. I am sure many have tried and given up completely. They saw influencers do a project and make it look simple but they didn't tell you what to do if it goes awry. You give us all the info. The third reason is you ARE living the lifestyle of homesteading and living simple. You are Blessed.
I used my 100% cotton that was the cheapest when I purchased it for my tray covers. I made some for my Excalibur as well as my nesco. Yes. They stain but I don't care. I wash them with my whites so stains don't matter. Best thing about the cloth is I can pick up the cover carefully when all is dried & it usually just slides right into the jars.
As usual Heidi you're the best! I'm dehydrating grapes...soooo many variables! Thanks for another great video! @Sandra D yes Heidi's videos have been so timely!
I live in the Arizona desert and I made beef jerky for this first time last summer. I did it outside using a hanging, mesh dryer made for herbs. Since COVID I’m expanding my storage and don’t want to rely on freezer storage. I’m expecting an electric dehydrator this month so these tips are timely. Thank you for sharing and I am learning so much from your videos.
I love your cloth cover idea! I immediately tried this, after seeing the cloth cover video. I also use one on top of the top tray, if I'm doing fruit, as I've found fruit flies can get into the dehydrator, if I'm not careful.
Thank you for this video. You answered a lot of questions that I had about dehydrating herbs and veggies. I love the wood stove dehydrating rack. I have never dehydrated so many items as I have this year.
Thank you. Just received the Feverfew and Marshmallow seeds I ordered. They came quickly and also I appreciate the information sheet enclosed. Your neighbor to the south in Kingston, WA.
Thank you for all the great information you give out!! Want to make my own dehydrator covers!! Never have liked the plastic touching my food!! Love your channel!
Really love all the practical info. Just started watching this summer, so maybe you've said this, but John at Growing Your Greens says that enzymes start dying at one hundred, seventeen degrees F, so you are right on target for that too. Lastly, if I have a spare tray, I put an empty one on the top of the stack to prevent flyaway. Keep up the good work!
Heidi, More great information and for the ideas that you share of how you do it. Hey, I am not getting of your No Notifications of any of my youtube channels. I unsubscribed and I subscribed again and hit the bell and nothing is being sent to my g mail???? Yes the fan is in the back of the Excalibur and I have had mine for over 20 years. Thank you so much for all the time you invest for us that watch you.
I never know what the issue is when it comes to notifications. I personally choose not to get any emails like that because it is just too much but when it comes to the notifications here on youtube, I only get half - if even that much - of the ones for comments and replies. It is especially frustrating when it comes to replies because if I do not get a notification, I have to remember to go hunting to see if people replied to any questions I had to their comments.
Heidi, I bought reusable food grade silicone seals for leak proof mason jar lids. I have found another use for them. I use instant coffee for us in the morning. Mom & I only drink 1 cup each. The jars are tall & mason regular mouth lid fits on top. The regular food saver accessory doesn't have a way to sit on the jar to seal. That is where the gasket comes in. I put it down on the jar's too narrow sides @ top. Food saver accessory rests on it. I use my brake bleeder to vacuum seal. Now I have a set of pretty yellow lidded jars that I can sit on the counter to use out of. This gasket also works with other jars that a regular lid fits. That means I can recycle jars. The ones I bought are Litorange. Whoops forgot to get Amazon info. Be right back. Sorry about that. It is wide mouth seals 20 pcs if anyone is interested. God bless.
This is excellent as I have jars I think I could reseal with the food saver if only they were a tad bigger so the foodsaver top would fit better. I need to try this as I also have some silicone seals of both sizes!
I have a lot of muslin that I cut up for fitting my Nesco trays. I find the nasturtium flowers take a long time to dry due to the green stems that hang off of them. I have been drying consistently almost every day this summer. Thanks for your insight. God bless.
Heidi when dehydration by hanging or like you do by your stove or another option that I’ve heard is in a vehicle...dash or just inside how do you/would you gage for doneness. Should a window or multiple windows be opened a bit? Would love some non-dehydrator tips and tricks to know how not to over dry and ruin precious greens, flowers...etc...thank you in adcance😃👍🏼. Also can you go over when harvesting greens, especially those in the mint family, I have found the leaves to have at time different spots on them brown, which like you mentioned could be bruising, but there could be other discoloration. Can you share a bit on what should be look for and should/is it okay to still utilize or should discard. Thank you again❤️
I'm really enjoying your videos. I've just started my medicinal or apothecary garden this past spring and bought a large (commercial) dehydrator from a friend of a friend who was moving across the country and didn't want to take it along. I paid about a third of what it sells for. It has racks like an oven except considerably smaller so I took your suggestion to use cloth. I went to Walmart and got the 100% cotton flour sack cloths in the kitchen area. They were less than 5 bucks for 6 or 8. Can't remember. I just have to cut in half and hem the cut side. I'm hoping they work.
I got lucky @ my local Rural King. Someone dropped a red soda & splashed all over the white kitchen cloths. I asked the manager would give me a good price. I paid $1.25 to $1.50 depending on size. I used fels soap bar & bluing. They came out so white. Made me so 😊. God bless.
Ive been missing a dehydrator! We keep getting rain showers and my big drying racks are outside . Maybe one day! They are hard to find second hand here in germany, and are expensive new.
If I'm Dehydrating Beef Jerky, for example, and I use four trays, halfway into my time I rotate the top two and the lower two. My heat source is on the bottom. I do my jerky at 155 Degrees Farenheit for 8 hours
This is helpful, thank you!! I've gotten frustrated with my dehydrators. I got one from my mother in law (which was so sweet) and it stopped working after 2 uses. Then my other one has been working on some grape tomatoes I halved to dry and after 2 days...still damp. Even on the top where they dry fastest. At 135 degrees. Driving me a bit bonkers since I've been backed up with veg coming in. I guess I shouldn't complain and just try to figure out what is wrong, lol.
I just got started last year dehydrating-:). A friend let me borrow one that she said she had gotten at a garage sale it was very basic just plug in and go. (4trays). I was excited to be able to get going😃👏🏼👏🏼. Then a relative I had asked found one exactly like the one she had for 20+ years at a garage sale for $20 and picked up for me. It had ten trays. I was so excited that I could start pumping out the produce. Well it would not be long, before the heat element stopped working 😩. I had been able to get quite a bit of items dehydrated including blueberries and some apple. This was disappointing but I still he he smaller 4-tray unit, so I was at least able to keep going. I also hung items that could be hung and such. Fast forward to this seasons items to be processed and the small 4-tray unit just stopped working one day. I went out to check on and did not hear anything, I thought had I shut off?? I checked he plug and nope it was still plugged in😧. Now at least for an actual dehydrator I was off-line. 😢. I’ve put it out there to friends and family that I am looking but it seems like I may have to go ahead and order new. Best of luck with you on your dehydrating journey. I really appreciate Heidi and all her helpful tips and experiences😃👍🏼❤️. I have and am learning a lot from her😃👍🏼
Hey Edie, Denise Girmer had a question on yesterday's yeast storage video about storing gluten free flours. If you get time, maybe you can help her out with that?
Hi Heidi, I was wondering about dehydrating fresh egg pasta. Wasn’t sure you had a video on using dehydrator for that and what temperature and time should I use. Also since it’s egg pasta is it safe to store in jars and bags? Thank you for your helpful advice! I’m making vinegars and have made my bathroom cloths already!
Yes, it is safe to dehydrate and store. I have done it before. If they are longer noodles like spaghetti or fettuccini you can simply dry by draping over anything, I use Patrick's pasta drying rack for that. If it is something smaller like farfalle or macaroni, you can dry flat on any surface or on your dehydrator. I very rarely ever turn my heat above 115° when dehydrating.
Heidi, Thank you so much for sharing all your knowledge and wisdom.💜 I am wanting to learn about dehydrating mushrooms and making medicinal tinctures. Do you have any advice for a new explorer?
Mushrooms are super easy to dehydrate and depending on the mushroom it may be best to keep the heat lower as you do for herb s as they do dehydrate up quickly. As far as tinctures and such, I do have a few different recipes here on youtube you can check out
I greatly appreciate your attention to my question. This is a calling for me to learn to make tinctures, I will dive deeper into your videos to see if you can assist further. Thank you for your time💜
QUESTION: Is it ok to mix garlic in with bell peppers to dehydrate them together, or do I have to do separate batches and then mix the ingredients when ready to eat? Thanks in advance for your help! Blessings and greetings from Chicagoland. From: "The Psalm 146 Lady" (Luis' wife)
It is possible the garlic flavor can get into other things drying with it so if you do not mind it in the peppers (I know it would not bother me) then yes, you can do that
Heidi, I am curious to know your opinion on cooking and preserving quick breads and cakes in canning jars. There are varying opinions on this and I am on the fence as to its safety. Since I respect your opinion and experience I am asking you ( and Mary's Nest lol) what you think about this. Thank you for your time and God bless you and Mr. Rain
Since I have never done it because I simply have never seen the need to, I do not have much of an opinion other than I know many people have been doing it for many years and I have yet to hear of anyone getting sick from it. I think like most things, there tends to be a lot of unwarranted fear involved in preserving foods.
Still catching up lololol I can’t get a good look at your dehydrator but it looks like you have sections dividing your tray 🤔. If so what brand or how did you do this? Hope this makes sense as my TBI is having a few issues today😤 👵🏻👩🌾❣️. Ahhh, found it 👍
I have a total of four Nesco dehydrators. The fist one I got for a great price and at auction and it was brand new. The second one I bought new as a back up and to have more trays. The other two were picked up at garage sales for $3 and $5. The motor in one just recently gave out and the bottom stand on my first one finally gave out last year so really, I am down to three. Glad I picked up those garage sale ones as back ups. Also, several of my trays have broken pieces on them, they are still good though but I am thinking of getting a Cosori with the stainless steel trays. I will keep the dehydrators I have just tossing out the bad parts or trays that are in the worst shape.
@@RainCountryHomestead Wish there were good garage sale here. Our small town is 3 hrs north or south from any sizable town . Not heard of Cosori (?) but I like the idea of stainless steel trays. I have 3 dehydrators also. Before the accident I would have all 3 going with something lolol. Have a great evening Heidi 👵🏻👩🌾❣️
Hi! I have a question: Do you dry and/or use honeysuckle flowers and/or leaves? I can't find much on how to prepare and use honeysuckle, but I just saw an article saying that there are benefits to it. Just wondering. Right now, I love smelling it, but my bush decided to flower again. Thank you for all of your videos, advice and information!
my honeysuckle is new this year so I have only just stared drying and saving it but from the time I got it I knew what I would use it for and that is an addition to my skin cream as it is very beneficial to skin health
I have been doing frozen vegs. They are already prepped. I am my mother's only caretaker so I have limited time. This has been a great help for me. God bless.
Hi Heidi thanks for making this video I'm new to this too ,any suggestion for buying a hydrated brand.Do you have a video in dehydrating fruits and vegetables?II don't have garden is it good to order herb leaves online and dehydrate them? Thanks
Hi Heidi! I'm still learning how dehydrate and would like to start doing meats. However I'm a little scared to try it. I have never done any kind of jerky or cooked meats. Can you tell me why they don't spoil after they are dried? Also how do I know they are completely dried? Is it the same as checking anything else you dehydrate? Sorry for all the questions. Lol
One thing about jerky that I believe helps it is that it is marinated. But like any fruit or vegetable, fully dried preserves it because there is not moisture to cause spoilage
I have a 4 tray and a 9 tray Excalibur. Just started drying herbs in them this year. The other day I put a thermometer in them to check the temp. Found out the small one runs cool and the big one runs hot. Anyway, when I dry on 95-105° it takes days for them to dry, even though it's in an air conditioned house. That seems a bit long, not sure what I'm doing wrong. Or is that normal?
I think I cover that in this video, if not this one, likely another in the same playlist: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-GEZUBetcHpw.html
Can you store your dried herbs and flowers in a plastic container or does it have to be glass? My dehydrator doesn't have a temperature setting or a fan so I will just have to check it frequently. I do plan on making some of the tray liners like you have, what a great idea. Thank you.
@@RainCountryHomestead Thank you for getting back to me. I just ordered a dehydrator like yours, my other one wasn't working right, can't wait to get it.
@@RainCountryHomestead Thank you! I was worried they might be a bit bitter if I didn't blanche them first, but I'm trying that, plus sterilizing them in syrop, plus making apple & quince juice - I can't get out of the kitchen!! All the best!
Heidi, I hope you can save my season of dehydrated kale. After dehydrating I made kale powder. It is a bright green but when it is left in a glass of water for a few minutes the water under the kale is dark like coffee. Should I throw it all out. Thanks
Question please, my dehydrator won't go below 170* and neither will my electric oven. I hang mints but any suggestions. Any help much appreciated. Thank you
I would think following the same guidelines I laid out in this video by keep your herbs are far away from the heat source as you can should work and check frequently
Congratulations, I'm sure you will love your new one. I inherited my mom's on/off dehydrator and used it a few times. It worked but temperature control is important. I finally bought an Excalibur months ago but haven't had a chance to use it yet. My husband's company had to downsize so suddenly he had a choice of working only 2 days or taking the early retirement package. Obviously, he chose to retire 6 months earlier than we planned. So, suddenly, we are packing to move to our place in the country! I will be happy when we are settled so I can have time to get into dehydrating and canning. Now I just have to do a lot of planting. So much to do at almost 70 years old. I certainly don't have the energy I used to. Good luck with your preserving projects and may the Lord bless your efforts and your day.
I recommend you check out my herb playlist where I talk about the benefits of the different herbs and how I use them. Just scroll through to find the one that interests you: ru-vid.com/group/PLzVtTPDzFPKHPRMHwH8XG5QKLh-MBvTzv
Depends on the heat setting but I run mine most of the time in the months we have a good amount of solar power coming in, which is also when most of my herbs are coming in. The rest of the year I dry on a rack next to the wood stove.
Hi, thanks for all your beautiful videos, but could you do a video on how to find out herbs that are water soluble and oil soluble I mean herbs you can macerate in oil and herbs good through glycerite
I use all methods for any herb I use depending on what I am using it for. If you are concerned about which ones are used best in what way, one can look up each individual herb. I have many videos showing how I make medicinal extracts and infused oils using various different herbs according to what I am making it for
I have a question about vinegar. I strained mine this morning, it is very thick like a thin smoothie. Why is this? How do I know if its vinegar or safe? My other 2 are very thick and have fruit flies. It all evaporated about 1/4 percent.
I have some that turn out thicker than others but should not be real thick. Best way to tell is to taste and smell. You can also get pH strips and test that way to see if they have a pH of around 3.5
I mostly just use it for tea or as a poultice with other herbs when needed as it makes a great bandage, here is an old video I did on that: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-KjWf7aRvbTI.html
I notice you have comfrey drying. How will you use that? I love this valuable plant. My knee has still not swollen since my four day poultice treatment.
@@tinnerste2507 I just smashed in in my mortar and pestle and only used. It on my knee for around an hour for 4 days. I made a fresh positive every day. I actually documented it on my channel.
@@homesteadrewind3948 thanks, il have a look at your channel for sure! I always wondered how exactly to use it since its not an immediate effect kinda herb
I had a dehydrator given to me. It doesn't have a temperature adjuster and the heat source is at the bottom. How am I supposed to know how long to dehydrate things and what temperature is a 'typical' dehydrator?
Just like with the ones that do have the temperature adjustment, you simply need to work with it and check on your things frequently until you get a good idea one how fast different things dry. I do not know what the typical heat setting is but I am sure one can look it up
You could put a meat thermometer somewhere into it to get an idea how hot and go from there. I had a dehydrator without temperature gage and it had no heat, just a fan and vegetables often turned brown before they were done, it was a bit yucky.
@@blessed4hs higher wattage sucks more power so is you are using solar power it is just something to be aware of and higher wattage also means you CAN dry at a higher heat for things like meats. I do not know what the wattage of mine are as I have never paid attention to it
@@RainCountryHomestead that helps much, I wondered watts due to trying to decide a purchase of a dehydrator. I'm learning that less watts can work for most things. Found one out thrifting yesterday, cheaper brand, but great price and will get me started, thanks for all.
I'm surprised that you would put meats above veggies. Aren't you concerned at all that raw meat blood and juice might drip down onto whatever is beneath it?
The meat I dehydrate this way is NOT raw nor does it drip onto the vegetables. It is all precooked as can be seen if you watch my videos on dehydrating ground meats: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-AxgJbScesLE.html
Heidi when dehydration by hanging or like you do by your stove or another option that I’ve heard is in a vehicle...dash or just inside how do you/would you gage for doneness. Should a window or multiple windows be opened a bit? Would love some non-dehydrator tips and tricks to know how not to over dry and ruin precious greens, flowers...etc...thank you in adcance😃👍🏼. Also can you go over when harvesting greens, especially those in the mint family, I have found the leaves to have at time different spots on them brown, which like you mentioned could be bruising, but there could be other discoloration. Can you share a bit on what should be look for and should/is it okay to still utilize or should discard. Thank you again❤️
Check them the same way you would on any kind of dehdyrator, herbs should be crispy. Fruits and veggies should be dry but pliable. Some veggies, especially of thinly sliced can be crispy. Yes, it would be best if there was airflow in the vehicle for good dehydration to occur but that does not mean one needs to put all the windows all the way down, just have them open an inch or two
