Dehydration is one of the most simplest, least expensive and most effective methods of preserving food. Food stays fresher longer because moisture is removed, retaining nutrients and flavor. The most common methods for drying food are with a food dehydrator or an oven. There are advantages and disadvantages to each, and you must know which is right for you.
Also read: Drying Food: Should You Use an Oven or a Dehydrator?
Table of Contents
- What is Food Dehydration?
- Pros and Cons of Food Dehydrators
- Pros and Cons of Oven Drying
- Cost Efficiency:
- Dehydrator vs. Oven
- Right Approach?
What is Food Dehydration
Food drying is a method of food preservation that involves removing moisture from food to prevent the growth of bacteria, yeast, and mold that might cause spoilage. This technique preserves the food for longer, and the texture and flavor benefit as well. Fruits, vegetables, herbs and meats such as jerky are common dehydrated foods.
The purpose of dehydration is to preserve nutritional value while guaranteeing food safety, so that the food lasts for long-term storage. You can do this in an oven or with a food dehydrator, though they do this in unique ways.
A food dehydrator uses low heat and a fan to dry ingredients evenly, while an oven uses heat and sometimes convection fans — to evaporate moisture. But which of these methods is better for you? So let's take a look at the pros and cons of each to see. Learn More
Pros and Cons of Food Dehydrators
A food dehydrator is a home appliance for drying food. They are popular among those who frequently preserve large quantities of food.
Advantages of Dehydrator
- Temperature Control
You can set the dehydrator to a precise temperature, helping you get the most out of various foods.
- Energy Efficient
Out of ovens, dehydrators use less energy during extended drying periods.
- Uniform Drying
Dehydrators have several trays and built-in fans for good airflow throughout the cavity, often eliminating the need to rotate trays.
- Big Capacity
Some models, like Septree's 10-Tray or 18-Tray Food Dehydrators, allow users dry large amounts of food at once.
Disadvantages of Dehydrator
- Single Purpose Appliance
A dehydrator is specifically designed to dry food, and may not be beneficial for all homes.
- Initial Cost
While economical in the long run, buying a good dehydrator comes with an upfront cost.
If you plan on dehydrating often or in bulk, something like Septree's dehydrators is worth the investment. Get your dehydrator here to start preserving your favorite foods efficiently.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Oven Drying
Ovens are one of the best versatile kitchen tools, so much so that we can also use them for drying food. They're not intended for this, but can still be adequate for occasional users.
Advantages of Oven
- Accessibility
Most households have an oven, which removes the need for additional equipment.
- Versatility
Ovens are capable of doing more than just drying food.
- No Additional Cost
If you rarely dehydrate food, using an oven saves you the expense of purchasing a dedicated appliance
Disadvantages of Oven
- Increased Energy Usage
Ovens consume more electricity as they have a higher wattage and longer operating times.
- Variable Outcomes
If there's no airflow or temperature is erratic, foods won't dry out evenly.
- Labor Intensive
Oven drying often requires you to rotate trays and monitor.
Ovens are fine for one-off small dehydration projects, but probably not going to be effective or efficient for larger amounts. Although using an oven for small or occasional dehydration jobs can be more of a hassle than anything else, inaccurate results and small samples mean that this is not an ideal solution for larger projects.
Cost Effectiveness: Food Dehydrator Vs Oven
Cost is one of the key aspects when it comes to preparing a food dehydrator vs oven drying. So while ovens seem cost-effective upfront, as they are already available in most kitchens, their energy use thereafter tells a different story.
- Oven Costs
While ovens are more expensive to run because they usually require a high wattage and run longer when dehydrating, Improper temperature control can also lead to wasted energy or spoiled batches if foods are over-dried, or burned.
- Costs of a dehydrator
Dehydrators are energy-efficient machines made for long-term use. Although they require an upfront purchase (such as Septree's affordable models), their lower energy consumption saves money over time.
For more serious users or for those who plan on big dehydration projects, a dedicated dehydrator is much more economical over time.
Convenience and Practicality
There is a big convenience factor when selecting between both these methods. Let’s compare how each fares in terms of ease of use:
Food Dehydrator
Most manufacturers of dehydrators are user-friendly. Adjustable temperature settings, timers and multiple trays make them easy to operate, with little oversight needed.Once set up, you can leave the machine running without constant monitoring.
Ovens
Ovens are multipurpose in the kitchen, but when it comes to dehydration they demand more focus. Keeping the temps low can be tricky, since most ovens aren’t set up for such things. Frequent rotation of the trays is also required to ensure the product is evenly dried. When it comes to convenience, a dehydrator makes things far easier than oven dehydration can. To delve deeper on efficient alternatives, check out Septree’s variety of premium dehydrators.
How to Decide Which Method to Go With?
The decision to use a food dehydrator or dry your food in the oven is based on your needs:
- Weigh the options
How often you dehydrate: If you dehydrate often or large batches, a dedicated dehydrator is a smart investment.
- Kitchen Space
If you have limited counter space or dehydrate foods infrequently, an oven may be enough.
- Budget Takeaway
Ovens are free to use (if you have one), but they are a larger energy hog too, so over time their ability to keep utility costs down is much less than a purpose-built, energy-efficient dehydrator.
- Desired Results
When it comes to achieving that same great quality with the least effort, food dehydrators beat ovens hands down.
If you're serious about preserving seasonal fruits and vegetables or making healthy snacks such as dried fruits and jerky, investing in a high-performance appliance like Septree's 10-tray food dehydrator will take your experience to another level.
In conclusion
Both methods have their merits depending on your needs and your lifestyle. You can dehydrate food using an oven is fine for occasional use, but the oven isn't efficient, and it doesn't have a lot of temperature precision like a food dehydrator.
For a set-it-and-forget-it approach with reliable results over time, a good dehydrator is the winner. How to Do It: Ready to elevate your food preservation skills? You really need a dehydrator today!