So, I just received a couple of random checks in the mail and upon pondering the best investment for this windfall, a food dehydrator and vacuum sealer popped into my mind.
I don't have an enormous amount to spend but I still want to get appliances that work well.
Any suggestions on which ones are the best?
I need a dehydrator that is good for making jerky as well as drying fruits and veggies. Both appliances seem to range in price from $25 to over $100 so, any direction from those with experience would be helpful.
I also intend on seeing if we can develop a network of people that can process the extra produce and store food for family and neighbors. God must love crazy people, 'cause He made so many of them!
"Imagination is more important than knowledge" - Albert Einstien
excalibur food dehydrators, do NOT get a plastic one
vaccum sealers, seriously, look at the ones from ziplock, i love them, cheap cheap cheap and you can reuse them When peaceful revolution becomes impossible, violent revolution becomes inevitable.
"Hard pressed on my right. My center is yielding. Impossible to maneuver. Situation excellent. I am attacking."
Looks like the ONLY models that aren't constructed with plastic are the commercial ones that sell for $6,000.00. With all due respect, I'll stick with the $250.00 9 tray Excalliber that I have thanks.
I do like excalibur - and I can afford the $159 one. But, where do you even get a ziploc vacuum sealer???
I'm still searching online - never seen one in our local stores - live in the 'boondocks' ya know. God must love crazy people, 'cause He made so many of them!
"Imagination is more important than knowledge" - Albert Einstien
I HAD A RONCO YEARS AGO. I LOVED IT! MY HOUSE BURNT DOWN AND IT WAS RUINED. I BOUGHT ONE AT WALMART, BUT DIDN'T LIKE IT AND TOOK IT BACK. I BOUGHT ANOTHER RONCO.IT WORKS GREAT.NEVER WILL I GO BACK TO ANOTHER ONE.
So, I just received a couple of random checks in the mail and upon pondering the best investment for this windfall, a food dehydrator and vacuum sealer popped into my mind.
I don't have an enormous amount to spend but I still want to get appliances that work well.
Any suggestions on which ones are the best?
I need a dehydrator that is good for making jerky as well as drying fruits and veggies. Both appliances seem to range in price from $25 to over $100 so, any direction from those with experience would be helpful.
I also intend on seeing if we can develop a network of people that can process the extra produce and store food for family and neighbors.
Quoting: Rev. Stargazer
i use american Dehysdrators round tyope and tilia food sealers... we seal fish, jerky meat and all sorts of stuff...
the amercian hassock types have extendable trays are are pretty cheap.
Recently I converted an old wine refrigerator into a giant dehydrator 8 feet tall... I used a couple of 12 volt fans and some heating elements, but plant to build a solar collector for it...
I don't know how much time we have left but, as long as I've got electricity, I'm going to dehydrate and store as much food as humanly possible!
Still debating on the excalibur - I can get a sanckmaster express from Walmart for only $44/ it's got great reviews.....decisions, decisions.... God must love crazy people, 'cause He made so many of them!
"Imagination is more important than knowledge" - Albert Einstien
So, I just received a couple of random checks in the mail and upon pondering the best investment for this windfall, a food dehydrator and vacuum sealer popped into my mind.
I don't have an enormous amount to spend but I still want to get appliances that work well.
Any suggestions on which ones are the best?
I need a dehydrator that is good for making jerky as well as drying fruits and veggies. Both appliances seem to range in price from $25 to over $100 so, any direction from those with experience would be helpful.
I also intend on seeing if we can develop a network of people that can process the extra produce and store food for family and neighbors.
i use american Dehysdrators round tyope and tilia food sealers... we seal fish, jerky meat and all sorts of stuff...
the amercian hassock types have extendable trays are are pretty cheap.
Recently I converted an old wine refrigerator into a giant dehydrator 8 feet tall... I used a couple of 12 volt fans and some heating elements, but plant to build a solar collector for it...
I do like excalibur - and I can afford the $159 one. But, where do you even get a ziploc vacuum sealer???
I'm still searching online - never seen one in our local stores - live in the 'boondocks' ya know.
Quoting: Rev. Stargazer
I got one at Target of all places....really easy to work!
also
just remember that an electric dehydrator pulls ALOT of electricity....unless there are better ones out there that don't....in which case, I'd like to know, TOO!!!
Vacuum sealer? Probably better off buying a small vacuum pump you can use for a variety of stuff and a TEW heatstrip sealer.
Quoting: Lester 631315
Thanks Lester.
Though I've been debating due to price - if God gifted me this money for a reason, perhaps you and Malu are right - go with the better product with more trays. If I need more funds, He will provide. God must love crazy people, 'cause He made so many of them!
"Imagination is more important than knowledge" - Albert Einstien
I do like excalibur - and I can afford the $159 one. But, where do you even get a ziploc vacuum sealer???
I'm still searching online - never seen one in our local stores - live in the 'boondocks' ya know.
I got one at Target of all places....really easy to work!
also
just remember that an electric dehydrator pulls ALOT of electricity....unless there are better ones out there that don't....in which case, I'd like to know, TOO!!!
Quoting: OneAngryMom
We don't have Target stores here - looking to see if they do mail order....otherwise, I'd have to fly to Oahu. And, no stores on the island have any kind of dehydrators in stock - was already out searching this morning.
Electricity cost is no issue at the moment for me. God must love crazy people, 'cause He made so many of them!
"Imagination is more important than knowledge" - Albert Einstien
I've got a Food Saver vacuum sealer. Works well as long as you don't over heat the bag when sealing. I usually set it on the middle heat sealing setting. The bags are pretty rugged, you can throw them into boiling water to heat items. They are quite pricey however.
Here's another tip...I usually double seal both ends of the bag. Seems to work well that way.
it is a hand operated pump, with a special ziplock bag, been getting them fairly cheap, use and reuse
any major grocery store, $5 to get started
Quoting: malu
LOL! We do have one - Safeway in Kapa'a - about 1 1/2 hours away - I'll check it out next time I go that way.
Also - I just found a source for loads of free noni and am planning on making "noni leather" - awesome medicinal properties and can be eaten as well as using as a natural, antiseptic bandage.
I'm going to see how it goes first and then maybe offer it for GLPers that want it. God must love crazy people, 'cause He made so many of them!
"Imagination is more important than knowledge" - Albert Einstien
revstargazer (at) hotmail.com
Anonymous Coward User ID: 617526 3/9/2009 10:17 PM
I wanted dried mushrooms but my dehydrated foods people wanted to back-order them. Naw, no thanks. I broke out my ancient (1977 model) dehydrator on Friday past, and dried two boxes of sliced mushrooms. It's been a while since I used the unit. On Saturday, I dehydrated 2-lbs of frozen whole kernel sweet corn. Tonite, I'm dehydrating 3 1/2 lbs of broccoli florets (it will take a long time).
I didn't use my FoodSaver vacuum sealer. I had some extra oxygen absorbers, and a box of glass jars with lids, so I put the mushrooms in one and the corn in another. Turned out GREAT!!!
Anonymous Coward User ID: 284886 3/9/2009 10:19 PM
I use a food saver vacuum sealer all the time and buy a lot of meat at bulk and it works out great,I wash out the bag with soap right away and reuse have never had any trouble,you might be able to find one on craigs list
Anonymous Coward User ID: 626877 3/9/2009 11:30 PM
But, you don't need a dehydrator. Chances are you have one right there in your kitchen - your oven.
Use what you have at your disposal now rather than buying gadgets that you will not be able to use in a few months anyway.
Before I get into how to use your oven, I'd like to talk about the types of foods you should be dehydrating. Now jerky is fun and delicious but it takes a lot of time to prepare safely and the shrinkage when it's done can be demoralising. Minced (or ground) meat is the best, most cost-effective dead flesh ever to be thrown into a dehydrator. You don't even need premium grade beef - just get the nasty stuff and pull out any gristle - we'll be making this meat extra lean.
Here's how you prepare your mincemeat:
Cook it in a large pot or pan - add whatever spices or herbs you want - I like my micemeat hot so I add chilli. Avoid any oily marinades or anything like that. Just use herbs and spices.
Once the meat is cooked, empty it into a collander and run BOILING water over it three times. What this does is removes the bulk of the fat - that's why we can use grade Z micemeat.
Place it on a baking tray in a single layer and sprinkle on any dried herbs or spices that you want to - NO OIL.
Set your oven to about 200 Deg F (that's around 85 Deg C) and place the tray on the middle rack. Use a wooden spoon or similar to wedge the oven door open a little and leave for about 6 hours.
Check it after 6 hours. When the mincemeat is ready, it will easily crumble into a powder. If it doesn't, leave it in for another hour and do the crumble test again.
Depending on the response this post gets, I'll go into further detail on SHTF dehydrating.
But, you don't need a dehydrator. Chances are you have one right there in your kitchen - your oven.
Use what you have at your disposal now rather than buying gadgets that you will not be able to use in a few months anyway.
Before I get into how to use your oven, I'd like to talk about the types of foods you should be dehydrating. Now jerky is fun and delicious but it takes a lot of time to prepare safely and the shrinkage when it's done can be demoralising. Minced (or ground) meat is the best, most cost-effective dead flesh ever to be thrown into a dehydrator. You don't even need premium grade beef - just get the nasty stuff and pull out any gristle - we'll be making this meat extra lean.
Here's how you prepare your mincemeat:
Cook it in a large pot or pan - add whatever spices or herbs you want - I like my micemeat hot so I add chilli. Avoid any oily marinades or anything like that. Just use herbs and spices.
Once the meat is cooked, empty it into a collander and run BOILING water over it three times. What this does is removes the bulk of the fat - that's why we can use grade Z micemeat.
Place it on a baking tray in a single layer and sprinkle on any dried herbs or spices that you want to - NO OIL.
Set your oven to about 200 Deg F (that's around 85 Deg C) and place the tray on the middle rack. Use a wooden spoon or similar to wedge the oven door open a little and leave for about 6 hours.
Check it after 6 hours. When the mincemeat is ready, it will easily crumble into a powder. If it doesn't, leave it in for another hour and do the crumble test again.
Depending on the response this post gets, I'll go into further detail on SHTF dehydrating.
Quoting: Anonymous Coward 626877
duh....I never thought of that and am feeling a bit Moranish....hehehe
guess it's a good idea to do this while I can!
THANKS
and yes, any additional info would be great!
But, you don't need a dehydrator. Chances are you have one right there in your kitchen - your oven.
Use what you have at your disposal now rather than buying gadgets that you will not be able to use in a few months anyway.
Before I get into how to use your oven, I'd like to talk about the types of foods you should be dehydrating. Now jerky is fun and delicious but it takes a lot of time to prepare safely and the shrinkage when it's done can be demoralising. Minced (or ground) meat is the best, most cost-effective dead flesh ever to be thrown into a dehydrator. You don't even need premium grade beef - just get the nasty stuff and pull out any gristle - we'll be making this meat extra lean.
Here's how you prepare your mincemeat:
Cook it in a large pot or pan - add whatever spices or herbs you want - I like my micemeat hot so I add chilli. Avoid any oily marinades or anything like that. Just use herbs and spices.
Once the meat is cooked, empty it into a collander and run BOILING water over it three times. What this does is removes the bulk of the fat - that's why we can use grade Z micemeat.
Place it on a baking tray in a single layer and sprinkle on any dried herbs or spices that you want to - NO OIL.
Set your oven to about 200 Deg F (that's around 85 Deg C) and place the tray on the middle rack. Use a wooden spoon or similar to wedge the oven door open a little and leave for about 6 hours.
Check it after 6 hours. When the mincemeat is ready, it will easily crumble into a powder. If it doesn't, leave it in for another hour and do the crumble test again.
Depending on the response this post gets, I'll go into further detail on SHTF dehydrating.
Quoting: Anonymous Coward 626877
Thanks - I don't have an oven right now but have plenty of electricity. Others however will appreciate your suggestion. God must love crazy people, 'cause He made so many of them!
"Imagination is more important than knowledge" - Albert Einstien
revstargazer (at) hotmail.com
Anonymous Coward User ID: 550600 3/10/2009 12:10 AM
mine was at costco about 250. i still think the single most important thing to get is a good water filter. berkey or aquarain. buy two or three about 400 each but trade one or two for whatever you need. these will be in super high demand. way better than gold.
Hey Rev. Stargazer, great thread. I was wondering if you would maybe consider changing your subject line to start with "Recession Proof GLP" so that it comes up in the topic? Such a great thread, would hate to see it get lost for all time :-)
Anonymous Coward User ID: 550600 3/10/2009 12:12 AM
Hey Rev. Stargazer, great thread. I was wondering if you would maybe consider changing your subject line to start with "Recession Proof GLP" so that it comes up in the topic? Such a great thread, would hate to see it get lost for all time :-)
Quoting: mercury2
Great idea - done! God must love crazy people, 'cause He made so many of them!
"Imagination is more important than knowledge" - Albert Einstien
Recently I converted an old wine refrigerator into a giant dehydrator 8 feet tall... I used a couple of 12 volt fans and some heating elements, but plant to build a solar collector for it...
As you might remember, we've been hollering for 2 years that people need to be stocking up and preparing for the economic "downturn" (trust me...I see it coming to MUCH worse than a little downturn).
I've been putting aside food, of course. I have been mixing it up...canned, bottled, dry, dehydrated, freeze-dried. I wanted MORE dehydrated and freeze-dried because it's lightweight, but it was getting spendy.
On Friday, I went on a Google hunt for "how to dehydrate." I stumbled upon a YouTube series that lit a fire under me like you wouldn't believe!
I already own a clunky old dehydrator. Its metal cabinet is avocado green, if that tells you anything. I bought it NEW, and that gives my age away. Heeheehee. I used it for a long time, but mostly for making jerky or preparing fruit roll-ups for the kids when they were little. However, I really didn't know how to USE it, if you get my drift.
The YouTube series on dehydrating taught me tons, and I started using my ancient machine right away. Since Friday, I've dehydrated 1-lb of sliced mushrooms, 7-lbs of frozen sweet corn kernels, 3 1/2-lbs of frozen broccoli florets (that took 24 hours...but it worked!), and as I sit here I'm dehydrating 5 1/2-lbs of baby carrots.
At this point, everything I'm dehydrating will be stored in glass jars (with a fresh oxygen absorber in each jar).
I've been saving the Mason jars that my "Classico" Spaghetti sauce used to come in (they changed bottles this past month...dangit). Previously, they used regular canning jars. I'll still buy the "Classico," but I just won't be able to can in the new jars. However, I can use the new jars for dehydrated foods; I also save other GLASS jars with lids.
Jars aren't necessary. I just have them, ya know? I know of some people who use those funky new zip-lock baggies that have the vacuum seals, and they swear by them. I haven't tried them. I have a FoodSaver vacuum sealer and I use it for meats, etc.; I might switch to using it for the dehydrated goods if I come up short on jars (mind you, I have cases of jars now).
The woman who did the instructive dehydrating videos (linked below) did more to encourage me than anyone has in a long time.
[link to www.youtube.com] How to dehydrate and store food PART 3 "Until you are willing to organize your friends and neighbors and literally shut down cities - drive at 5mph through the streets of major cities on the freeway and stop commerce, refuse to show up for work, refuse to borrow and spend more than you make, show up in Washington DC with a million of your neighbors and literally shut down The Capitol you WILL be bent over the table on a daily basis." Karl Denninger
[link to www.youtube.com] How to dehydrate and store food PART 6 "Until you are willing to organize your friends and neighbors and literally shut down cities - drive at 5mph through the streets of major cities on the freeway and stop commerce, refuse to show up for work, refuse to borrow and spend more than you make, show up in Washington DC with a million of your neighbors and literally shut down The Capitol you WILL be bent over the table on a daily basis." Karl Denninger
[link to www.youtube.com] How to dehydrate and store food PART 10
(ps: I use the Honeyville Grain products...they are great!) "Until you are willing to organize your friends and neighbors and literally shut down cities - drive at 5mph through the streets of major cities on the freeway and stop commerce, refuse to show up for work, refuse to borrow and spend more than you make, show up in Washington DC with a million of your neighbors and literally shut down The Capitol you WILL be bent over the table on a daily basis." Karl Denninger
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