Drying, as a method of food preservation, probably pre-dates civilisation. In hot climates it is so easy, just leave whatever you wish to dry on a stone in the sun. Even today, fishermen in hot countries dry their catches by simply hanging the fish on lines in the sun and wind.
Drying Herbs
Drying works by simply dehydrating the food. Removing the moisture from the food prevents the growth of bacteria and moulds. Although properly dried food is safe from microbial action, there’s still the risk of insect and even rodent damage. Storing in air-tight jars or tins will generally prevent this.
Keeping your dried foods at a temperature below 21°C (70°F) will also help with insect damage as many of the tiny insects that like to dine on our foods prefer it warm.
Light, especially direct sunlight, can bleach dried foods, especially herbs, so store in dark glass jars or keep in a dark cupboard or store room
Drying Methods
Air Drying
This is simple, needing no equipment, and just involves hanging the food to be dried in somewhere warm with a decent amount of airflow. We dry our chilli peppers in this way.
Commercial Drying Machine – Dehydrator
Commercial Dehydrator
There’s a wide range of machines on the market with varying capacities and features.
They used to be quite expensive but in recent years low cost models have appeared on the market. They are controllable, efficient and effective.
Home Made Drying Cabinet
You can build a simple drying cabinet for next to nothing at home if you have a little skill.
Build from wood (thin plywood or whatever you have to hand) a box or even use a stout cardboard box.
Completely seal it except for a few holes in the sides towards the bottom under the heat source and at the top to allow ventilation. Obviously, some sort of “door” needs to be allowed for placing whatever you are drying inside.
A heat source is also needed and electricity is most convenient and safe. We found the heat from a 60 watt light bulb gave the right temperature for a box of about 2 ½ feet by 1 ½ feet (75 cm x 45 cm). The bulb needs to go in the bottom, protected from any dripping juices by a perforated piece of wood, thin metal sheet or cardboard suspended above it.
Unlike the commercial bought dryers with their thermostats and timers, you need to use your judgement as to when things are ready.
Solar Dryer
Effectively a box lined with reflective aluminium foil with ventilation holes at the base at the rear and through the top at the front with wire shelves and a glass front. The concept is that the sun heats the chamber, drawing in cold air at the base, passing it trough the cabinet and out through the top. Problem is lack of sun in the UK.
Oven Drying
You can use an ordinary oven to dry foods but the oven needs to be capable of working at a very low temperature, 50°C (122°F). Electric fan ovens that will work this low are great, followed by solid fuel ranges with cool ovens and finally gas. Gas ovens tend to be more humid so are not recommended.
With a solid-fuel, wood or oil fired oven like an Aga or Rayburn, the heat remaining after cooking sessions can be utilized. This may mean that the drying process is not continuous and has to be carried out over several days but this should not affect the quality of the finished product. Use the simmering oven in solid fuel cookers drying and do allow for adequate ventilation.
When drying either fruit or vegetables in the oven, check the temperature occasionally during the drying process. It can be very hard to check such low temperatures, even with an oven thermometer, but a guide to the right temperature is to put your hand in the oven un-gloved – you should be able to keep it there in comfort for at least 30 seconds
Microwave Drying
You can use a microwave for drying herbs successfully but we’ve not tried drying other foods and doubt it would work for them.
