Drying for mushrooms and fruits: advice on choosing and reviewing the best models

Drying naturally takes a large amount of time, which significantly saves the technical device. His indispensability in everyday life has been appreciated by many housewives. The drying for mushrooms has the following advantages:

• High speed of the drying process, especially in comparison with the natural method;
• There is no need to wait for sunny and warm weather;
• Do not have to look for a large area to accommodate all the dried products;
• Rotting of products for drying is excluded;
• Observance of hygiene, as insects or dust are completely excluded;
• The ability to adjust the drying temperature, its time and ventilation, which are different when drying a variety of products.

Until recently, the oven was used for quick drying.

But after such a method, products of burning can remain on pieces of food, inexperience can be dried or even cooked.

Drying for mushrooms and fruits - a device

Electronic devices, in which the drying of mushrooms and fruits, as well as other products, is very diverse, manufacturers introduce their additional functions into the device, change its appearance, equip various regulators. But the principle of operation remains the same. To understand the types, you need to know approximately what is needed for a particular consumer.

The general scheme of such a device consists of a heating element and a fan. Usually it is a pallet, on which products are placed. It does not come into contact with the heater, and the fan pushes the flow of warm air into the food. Close devices are very popular, because they are more hygienic. Apparatus can be either round or square, with a different number of tiers. Drying of white mushrooms occurs in this apparatus much easier, preserving the aroma and taste.

The dryer operates as follows. Prepared fruits are cut and stacked on pallets. Then the heated air dries the food. The fan speeds up the process. All products are processed evenly.

Varieties of apparatuses

The main difference between drying for mushrooms is the heating element installed in the apparatus. It is on it depends the temperature of heating the air. This principle distinguishes two types.

Convection

The device uses a heating element that generates a high temperature. Such devices are more economical and effective. The only downside - hot heating helps to destroy useful elements and vitamins in foods. The drying temperature of mushrooms should not exceed 60 degrees, so it is worth paying attention to this fact when choosing a dryer.

Infrared

The heater has an infrared device, which makes the device itself a little cumbersome, and the process is longer. But such equipment will give a better result, preserve the original color of the products, and will not destroy vitamins.

The choice of a dryer for design features

The shape of the drying machine can be different - it all depends on the consumer's preferences, although the form does not influence the process itself, which can not be said about the material, size and internal elements.

The housing, which has a drying for mushrooms, is made from two types of materials: stainless steel and plastic for food purposes. The first option is reliable and durable. Often it is supplemented with a transparent door, which makes it more stylish. But steel increases the weight of the whole apparatus, and accordingly the cost. The second option is more economical and easy, it is convenient to disassemble and wash.

Visually assess the capacity of the dryer can be by its size. If such a device is not used often, and dry it will be a small number of products, it makes sense to consider compact options. For those who often collect berries, it is better to find a three-dimensional construction with a large number of tiers, so that they can be accommodated as much as possible.

The location of the fan and heater is important for volumetric devices. Trays are better blown when finding the elements from the side, but for small models this is of no fundamental importance.

Trays that are attached to the dryer must meet the requirements of the consumer. If it is a question of universality, it is better to choose models equipped with different height containers or having height adjustment, with a fine or large mesh, as well as a flat and solid sheet for pastilles.

Select a device by technical data

It is important to know the following technical characteristics that will be useful in the use of the device:

• Power . The value of this parameter is from 165 to 1000 W. It all depends on the purpose for which the device is purchased. With a 3-5-level design, a power of 300 W is sufficient, whereas for 6 and above it is required up to 600 W. The average value is optimal when drying for mushrooms and berries is needed. The greatest value is suitable for drying meat or large vegetables.
• Temperature . This option is not always available. Often, one range is set from 50 to 55 degrees, while only turning the unit on or off is possible. If this function is provided, there can be three options: 35 degrees - gentle drying, 55 - the most optimal option (Medium), 60-75 - high temperature for meat or fish (High).
• Additional functions . Such options are not always mandatory, but they can play a role in the selection. For example, protection against voltage drop. It will allow the device to serve much longer. Drying for mushrooms can be equipped with a timer, without the need to monitor the process. The thermostat will provide the desired temperature, and the backlight will help to monitor the drying level without opening the device.

Models overview

At the moment, electric dryers of both foreign and domestic production are available.

The simple device of the device leads to the fact that often the assembly of assemblies occurs in a poor quality manner or using cheap materials.

In order not to become a victim of low-quality equipment, it is better to pay attention to the models tested by consumers from different manufacturers. The list of the most popular dryers can be compiled as follows:

• Tefal DF 1008 , which has a power of up to 525 watts, has 5 removable levels and 3 modes - 40, 60 and 750.
• Zelmer 36Z011 has compact dimensions, power of 300 W, there are 4 pallets, there is control of electronic type with two modes, weight 3 kg, plastic casing.
• VES VMD-1 - has 5 departments, power 300 W, weight of the construction 2 kg.
• Scarlett SC-421 - has 5 tiers, a power of 250 W, a transparent plastic casing, there is a fan.
• "Veterok-5" - holds 5 pallets, power 500 W, weight up to 4 kg, has a function of temperature adjustment in the range of 30-70 degrees.
• "Sukhovei M" - holds 8 trays, power 500 W, weight - 4 kg.

The price range for dryers starts from 3000 rubles.

How to Dry Mushrooms in the oven

Dry them in several ways and in different instruments - from natural drying to a microwave oven. It is desirable that convection is provided in the latter. Drying mushrooms in it will not be a troublesome business.

Processing of white mushrooms does not differ from the drying process of other species. The first step is to prepare the products, that is, to clean them. It is better to do this without water, later it will be difficult to remove, since the product itself already contains a significant amount of moisture. Then they need to be cut. Pieces can be of different sizes - it all depends on moisture. The drier the mushroom, the thinner the chunk can be. It should be remembered that the drying time will be shortened if the pieces are small. Such small mushrooms, as mushrooms, are to be dried entirely.

The drying of white mushrooms in the oven can proceed as follows. String the prepared mushrooms on a string and hang near the oven door. Hook the thread can be on the adjacent drawer handles or other items. The door of the oven is slightly covered, so that the mushrooms are between it and the oven itself. Then turn on the heating plate for the smallest mode. The process will take a little over an hour.

Other ways of processing

There is such an option as drying mushrooms in an oven with convection. To do this, the prepared pieces should be laid on a baking sheet, pre-laid with several layers of parchment paper, so that the pieces do not touch. Then heat the oven to 60 degrees and place the mushrooms. Turn the convection mode on and wait about 30-60 minutes.

Another way is to dry mushrooms in a microwave oven. This process will take a lot of time and will require a lot of attention. It is necessary to clean and prepare mushrooms, to get wet with a napkin. Otherwise, the mushrooms simply weld. Next - put them on a plate covered with paper. On the microwave, set the lowest power and set the time to 15 minutes. At its expiration, it is necessary to ventilate the oven and leave the mushrooms for about 10-15 minutes. Then repeat the procedure 3-4 times.

Drying mushrooms in an electric dryer

The best option for their processing remains a special device. Freshly picked mushrooms are cleaned, but do not forget that you should not wash mushrooms before drying. Excess moisture will only slow the process. Then cut them into pieces.

The smaller they are, the faster the process will go. The thickness should not be more than one centimeter. After that each tier of the device is filled with forest gifts, and drying of mushrooms begins in the electric dryer. The temperature is not more than 60 and not less than 50 degrees. Time is from 2 to 6 hours. To speed up the process, you can change the trays in places, the lower one with the top one. To determine the readiness is very simple, the pieces should visually look dry, without breaking down, and slightly springing. If they are wet, then you need to dry it. When they break and are too hard, then the product is overexposed.

So, we found out how the mushrooms are dried.