Blog, Page 5

A quality dehydrator can dry fruit, vegetables, herbs, crackers, jerky, and much more. However, a few well-chosen accessories can make dehydrating easier, expand the types of foods you can prepare, and simplify cleanup.

Here are the accessories we recommend most often for getting the maximum value from your dehydrator.

Non-Stick Drying Sheets

For many dehydrator owners, non-stick drying sheets are the first accessory they purchase.

Standard dehydrator trays work perfectly for solid foods such as sliced fruit, vegetables, or jerky. However, they are not suitable for liquid or sticky mixtures.

Non-stick drying sheets allow you to make:

• Fruit leather
• Yogurt snacks
• Vegetable crackers
• Raw cookies
• Energy bars
• Pureed fruit snacks

Simply spread the mixture onto the sheet and place it in the dehydrator. Once drying is complete, the finished product peels away easily.

For many users, drying sheets quickly become one of the most-used dehydrator accessories.

Silicone vs Premium Non-Stick Sheets

Different types of drying sheets are available depending on your needs.

Premium non-stick sheets are excellent for everyday dehydrating and are often the most economical choice.

Silicone drying sheets are highly durable, reusable, and particularly useful for sticky foods that may be difficult to remove from standard trays.

Both options make cleanup easier and greatly expand the range of foods you can prepare.

Stainless Steel Trays

Many dehydrators use plastic trays, which are lightweight and effective. However, some users prefer stainless steel for food-contact surfaces.

Stainless steel trays offer several advantages:

• Durable and long-lasting
• Easy to clean
• Odor resistant
• No concerns about food touching plastic
• Suitable for frequent use

For certain Excalibur models, stainless steel replacement trays can be used as an upgrade from the standard plastic trays. This can be an attractive option for users who plan to use their dehydrator regularly for many years.

Mesh Screens for Small Foods

Small foods such as herbs, sprouts, berries, and tiny vegetable pieces can sometimes fall through standard trays.

Mesh screens provide additional support while still allowing excellent airflow.

They are particularly useful for:

• Fresh herbs
• Small berries
• Sprouts
• Finely chopped vegetables
• Delicate foods

For anyone who regularly dries herbs from the garden, mesh screens can be a very useful addition.

Closed Trays for Liquids and Soft Foods

Some dehydrators offer solid trays that work similarly to drying sheets but with added structure.

These trays are ideal for:

• Fruit purees
• Yogurt mixtures
• Soft crackers
• Foods that may drip during drying

They can also help keep dehydrators cleaner by containing liquids that might otherwise run through the trays.

Transparent Doors

A simple upgrade that many users appreciate is a transparent door.

Being able to monitor drying progress without opening the dehydrator helps maintain stable temperatures and allows you to check foods at a glance.

This is particularly useful for long drying sessions that may last overnight or throughout the day.

Which Accessories Should You Buy First?

If you're just starting out, we usually recommend the following order:

1. Non-stick drying sheets
2. Stainless steel trays (if available for your model)
3. Mesh screens
4. Closed trays
5. Transparent doors

These accessories offer the biggest improvement in versatility and convenience for most users.

Small Upgrades, Better Results

The right accessories can transform a dehydrator from a simple fruit dryer into a versatile food preparation tool. Whether you want to make fruit leather, dry delicate herbs, prepare raw snacks, or reduce food contact with plastic, a few carefully chosen accessories can help you get much more from your dehydrator.

A dehydrator is a simple way to preserve food naturally. It removes moisture while preserving flavor, texture, and most nutrients. The result is long-lasting food with minimal waste.

These are the key principles for getting consistent results at home.

Use a horizontal airflow dehydrator

For the most even results, horizontal airflow is the preferred design.

• Even heat distribution across all trays
• No need to constantly rotate trays
• More consistent drying across different levels
• Better performance with mixed loads

Horizontal airflow systems are widely considered the most reliable option for home food dehydration.

Dry similar foods together

Always group foods with similar drying requirements:

• Fruits with fruits
• Vegetables with vegetables
• Meat (jerky) separately

This improves consistency and ensures safe, predictable results.

Slice food evenly

Uniform thickness is essential.

• Use a mandolin or sharp knife
• Keep slices consistent in size
• Avoid mixing thick and thin pieces

Even slicing leads to even drying.

Prevent fruit browning

Some fruits oxidize quickly after cutting.

• Soak in lemon water for a few minutes
• Pat dry before placing on trays

This helps maintain natural color and appearance.

Use lean meat for jerky

For best results:

• Choose lean cuts
• Remove all visible fat
• Slice thin and evenly

Fat does not dehydrate well and reduces shelf life.

Separate meat from other foods

For hygiene and food safety:

• Always dry meat separately
• Clean trays thoroughly after use

Use liners for sticky foods

For fruit leather or purees:

• Use non-stick sheets or parchment paper
• Or dedicated drying sheets if available

This makes handling and cleaning easier.

Pre-treat vegetables when needed

Some vegetables benefit from light steaming:

• Especially carrots, beans, and similar types
• Helps preserve color and texture

Dry thoroughly before loading into the dehydrator.

Infrared drying (advanced gentle drying)

Some modern dehydrators also use infrared heat, which adds an extra layer of efficiency and control.

• Helps food dry more evenly from the inside out
• Can reduce overall drying time
• Preserves natural color and texture
• Works especially well for fruits, vegetables, and herbs
• Often combined with traditional airflow for best results

Infrared drying is considered an advanced feature and is available in select dehydrators, including models like the IR D5 and upcoming Sana dehydrator systems.

Dryness matters more than time

Do not rely only on timer settings.

Food is ready when:

• It is completely dry to touch
• No soft or moist centers remain

Store properly

Proper storage is essential for shelf life.

• Cool food before storing
• Use airtight or vacuum containers
• Keep in a dry, dark place

Final note

Successful dehydration depends on airflow, consistency, and proper storage. With the right setup, you can preserve food efficiently while maintaining quality and flavor.

Freshly milled flour offers exceptional flavor, aroma, and freshness that simply can't be matched by flour that has spent weeks or months on a store shelf. A home grain mill allows you to grind flour exactly when you need it, giving you complete control over your ingredients.

But which grain mill is right for you?

First, Decide What You Want to Make

Before choosing a grain mill, consider how you plan to use it.

If your goal is to make fresh flour for bread, pizza, pastries, and baking, an electric grain mill is the best choice. Modern grain mills can produce everything from coarse meal to ultra-fine flour, making them suitable for a wide range of recipes.

For most households, a grain mill quickly becomes an essential part of the kitchen, providing fresh flour whenever it is needed.

Consider How Much Flour You Need

One of the biggest differences between grain mills is capacity.

If you bake occasionally or prepare one or two loaves at a time, a standard-capacity grain mill will easily meet your needs.

For larger families, frequent bakers, or those who regularly prepare several loaves at once, a larger-capacity mill with a more powerful motor can make milling faster and more convenient.

Higher-capacity mills typically feature:

• Larger grain hoppers
• Faster milling speeds
• More powerful motors
• Greater output for larger batches

Stone Milling Matters

Quality grain mills use specially designed millstones to produce flour at low temperatures.

This gentle milling process preserves the grain's natural flavor and allows you to create flour ranging from coarse meal to exceptionally fine baking flour.

Modern ceramic-corundum millstones are extremely durable and designed to provide decades of reliable performance with minimal maintenance. 

A Grain Mill You'll Be Proud to Display

Unlike many kitchen appliances that spend most of their lives hidden in a cupboard, grain mills are often kept on the countertop and used regularly.

Many premium grain mills are crafted from solid hardwood, combining natural beauty with exceptional durability. A well-made wooden grain mill can become a permanent fixture in the kitchen, offering both practical performance and timeless design.

For many home bakers, appearance is an important consideration. A beautifully crafted grain mill not only produces fresh flour, but also adds warmth and character to the kitchen.

Electric or Manual?

Most home bakers prefer the convenience of an electric grain mill.

Electric mills offer:

• Fast milling
• Consistent results
• Easy flour texture adjustment
• Minimal effort

Manual grain mills and flakers remain a good option for those who prefer a traditional approach, but most households appreciate the speed and convenience of an electric mill for everyday use.

Process a Wide Variety of Grains

Modern grain mills can process far more than wheat.

Depending on the model, you can mill:

• Wheat
• Spelt
• Rye
• Barley
• Oat groats
• Buckwheat
• Millet
• Rice
• Quinoa
• Corn
• Dry legumes

Many home bakers enjoy experimenting with different grains to create breads and baked goods with unique flavors and textures.

Which Grain Mill Is Right for You?

For most households, a high-quality electric grain mill offers the ideal balance of convenience, performance, and versatility.

If you bake regularly and want fresh flour for everyday use, a standard-capacity grain mill is usually the perfect choice.

For larger families and enthusiastic home bakers, a high-capacity mill can make processing larger quantities of grain faster and more convenient.

And if you enjoy fresh oat flakes for breakfast, grain flakers can be a useful addition to your kitchen. If you own a Sana horizontal juicer, the oil extractor attachment can also make oat flakes.

A Long-Term Investment in Better Baking

A quality grain mill is a tool that can serve your kitchen for decades. By choosing a model that matches your baking habits and household needs, you'll enjoy fresh flour, better flavor, and greater control over your ingredients every time you bake.

Once you've experienced the aroma and flavor of freshly milled flour, it's difficult to go back to store-bought alternatives.

A food dehydrator is one of the most versatile appliances you can add to your kitchen. It allows you to preserve fruits, vegetables, herbs, mushrooms, meat, and many other foods while maintaining flavor and extending shelf life.

Modern dehydrators can do much more than make dried fruit. They are also popular for preparing fruit leather, crackers, granola, yogurt, pet treats, jerky, and other homemade foods.

But with so many models available, how do you choose the right dehydrator?

What Do You Want to Dry?

Before comparing specifications, think about how you plan to use your dehydrator.

If you occasionally dry herbs or small batches of fruit, a compact dehydrator may be sufficient.

If you harvest produce from a garden, prepare large batches of snacks, make jerky, or regularly dry seasonal fruits and vegetables, you'll likely appreciate a larger machine with more drying capacity.

For many users, the biggest regret is buying a dehydrator that is too small.

Horizontal Airflow vs. Stackable Designs

One of the most important differences between dehydrators is how air moves through the machine.

Stackable dehydrators typically place the fan and heating element above or below the trays. Air must travel through each layer of food before reaching the next tray.

Horizontal airflow dehydrators place the fan at the back of the machine and move air evenly across all trays.

Benefits of horizontal airflow include:

• More even drying
• No need to rotate trays as frequently
• Better consistency from tray to tray
• Easier drying of mixed foods

For frequent use and larger batches, many experienced users prefer horizontal airflow designs.

Drying Capacity Matters

When choosing a dehydrator, total drying area is often more important than the number of trays.

A larger drying area allows you to process more food at one time, reducing the number of batches needed.

Larger dehydrators are especially useful for:

• Garden harvests
• Apples and other seasonal fruits
• Herbs
• Mushrooms
• Jerky
• Bulk food preparation

If you regularly prepare food for a family or enjoy preserving seasonal produce, investing in additional drying capacity can save significant time.

Stainless Steel or Plastic Trays?

The tray material is another feature worth considering.

Many dehydrators use food-grade plastic trays, which are lightweight and economical.

Other models offer stainless steel trays, which are popular with customers looking for maximum durability and easy cleaning.

Benefits of stainless steel trays include:

• Long-term durability
• Easy cleaning
• Resistance to staining and odors
• No concerns about plastic coming into contact with food

For many users, tray material comes down to personal preference, but stainless steel trays are often viewed as a premium feature.

Analog or Digital Controls?

Basic dehydrators typically use simple analog controls, while more advanced models offer digital operation.

Digital controls often provide:

• More precise temperature settings
• Built-in timers
• Automatic shutoff
• Greater convenience

For occasional use, simple controls may be perfectly adequate. For frequent use or overnight drying, many users appreciate the convenience of digital programming.

Look for a Timer

A timer may seem like a small feature, but it can make a significant difference in everyday use.

With a built-in timer, you can start a drying cycle and allow the dehydrator to switch off automatically when finished.

This makes dehydrating more convenient and helps prevent over-drying delicate foods.

Advanced Drying Programs

Some premium dehydrators offer multi-stage drying programs.

These programs can automatically begin with a higher temperature and then switch to a lower temperature for the remainder of the drying cycle.

This approach can speed up drying while still producing excellent results and reducing the need for manual adjustments.

For users who frequently dry a variety of foods, advanced programming can be a valuable feature.

Which Dehydrator Is Right for You?

For occasional use, a compact dehydrator may provide everything you need.

For most households, a horizontal airflow dehydrator with a timer offers an excellent balance of performance and convenience.

If you regularly process large quantities of food, look for a model with generous drying capacity, durable trays, and digital controls.

Preserve More, Waste Less

A quality dehydrator allows you to enjoy seasonal foods year-round, reduce food waste, and create healthy homemade snacks with minimal ingredients.

By focusing on airflow design, drying capacity, tray material, and control options, you can choose a dehydrator that fits your kitchen and your lifestyle for many years to come.