Dehydrator recipes
Dried tomatoes
Concentrated tomato pieces for sauces, soups and side dishes.
Start with sound produce free from mould, prepare it by the method for that exact food and arrange it without overlap. Dry at the temperature in the process card, then judge completion only after cooling a sample.
Ripe tomatoes retain a vivid aroma after gentle drying without oil or unsupported additions.
Ingredients
- tomatoes 900 g
Preparation
- Wash ripe tomatoes and discard fruit that is split, mouldy or decayed.
- Remove the stems, peel after brief scalding if desired, and cut the tomato flesh into even pieces.
- Blot excess tomato juice with a clean towel without crushing the flesh.
Drying steps
- Arrange the prepared food in one layer with clear gaps for unrestricted airflow.
- Select the temperature in the process card and do not overload the trays.
- Near completion, cool a separate piece before testing; remove pieces individually as they reach the endpoint.
A verified recipe-specific value is not available yet.
Temperature
- Dehydrator stage: 60 °C / 140 °F
How to check doneness
Once cooled, pieces should be dry, brittle or crisp as appropriate for the food, with no visible moisture inside. Elapsed time alone does not establish completion.
Safety first
Use clean hands and utensils and only sound produce without mould or decay. Dehydration cannot make spoiled food safe.
Cooling and storage
Cooling
Cool the food completely before packing. Store it airtight in a cool, dry and dark place, and check for condensation or mould.
Serving ideas
Rehydrate for soups, sauces or braised vegetable dishes.
Compatible WetAir models
Sources
- Colorado State University Extension — preparing and drying vegetables
- University of Minnesota Extension — blanching and cooling vegetables
- National Center for Home Food Preservation — packaging and storing dried foods
- University of Minnesota Extension — home food drying fundamentals
- WetAir instructions for the large steel dehydrator
- WetAir instructions for the compact steel dehydrator
Frequently asked questions
Can time alone tell me that the food is ready?
No. Moisture, preparation and load alter the duration, so test a cooled sample by its physical condition.
What should I do if condensation appears after packing?
Remove and dry the food further if there is no spoilage. Discard the whole affected portion if any mould appears.