Victorio VKP1006 Instruction Manual download pdf (Page 9)

Determining Dryness of Fruits

Since dried fruits are generally eaten without being rehydrated, they should

not be dehydrated to the point of brittleness. Most fruits should have about

20 percent moisture content when dried.

To test for dryness, cut several cooled pieces in half. There should be no

visible moisture and you should not be able to squeeze any moisture from

the fruit. Some fruits may remain pliable, but are not sticky or tacky. If a

piece is folded in half, it should not stick to itself. Berries should be dried

until they rattle when shaken.

After drying, cool fruit 30 to 60 minutes before packaging. Packaging food

warm can lead to sweating and moisture buildup. However, excessive delays

in packaging could allow moisture to re-enter food.

Conditioning Fruits

When dried fruit is taken from the dehydrator, the remaining moisture may

not be distributed equally among the pieces because of their size or their

location in the dehydrator. Conditioning is a process used to equalize the

moisture and reduce the risk of mold growth.

To condition the fruit, take the dried fruit that has cooled and pack it

loosely in plastic or glass jars. Seal the containers and let them stand for

seven to ten days. The excess moisture in some pieces will be absorbed by

the drier pieces. Shake the jars daily to separate the pieces and check for

moisture condensation. If condensation develops in the jar, return the fruit

to the dehydrator for more drying. After conditioning, package and store

the fruit.

Drying Vegetables:

The following information was adapted from the University of

Georgia’s So Easy to Preserve, pp. 334-335.

Preparing Vegetables

To prepare vegetables for drying, wash in cool water to remove soil and

chemical residues. Trim, peel, cut or slice the vegetables. Remove any

brous or woody portions and core when necessary, removing all decayed

and bruised areas. Keep pieces uniform in size so they will dry at the same

rate. A food slicer or food processor can be used. Prepare only as many

pieces as can be dried at one time.

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Victorio VKP1006 Instruction Manual Page 9