The temperature used to dehydrate food varies according to the foods type and its water content. Dehydrating food is as simple as placing food in a tray and then placing the tray in a dryer. Don't Add Any Sugar. When using the back vent, you will need to rotate your food frequently to ensure even drying. You do not need to rotate the trays very often if you are using a Weston Dehydrators, but it doesnt hurt to move them around. If you are looking for a mid-range unit with capabilities of drying large batches of jerky, the Weston 6-Tray unit is the way to go. Made with a diamond reinforced nonstick coating that makes for simple searing and easy cleanups. What temperature do you dehydrate venison? . Kitchensnitches.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Dehydrating Tips - Excalibur Dehydrator When you consider the difference between running a 1000W dehydrator for 12 hours versus a 5000W to 38,000W convection oven for the same time period, the dehydrator wins out on energy use alone. Previously dehydrated food can be rehydrated by soaking the food in water or by pouring hot water over top it. Leave the vent closed if you are only using one tray to dehydrate. If you use a dehydrator and dont rotate trays, youre probably wasting a lot of time and money. If the dehydrator is an older model, it may be worth it to look at a new one. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Since 1898, OL has been a leading authority in testing and reviewing hunting gear, fishing tackle, guns and shooting equipment, and much more. Pro Tip If the lowest temperature in your oven is above 160 F, you can leave the ovens door slightly open to cool it down. ","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":" I only apply light smoke for 3-4 hrs. Looking for your manual? How long does it take a dehydrator to dry food? Thanks, Jim. Most fruits & veggies need about 125 deg for successful drying.