Many people enjoy dehydrating mushrooms so they can add them to their favorite recipes such as soups and stews. Other people enjoy having dried mushrooms as a healthy snack option. Whatever the reason for dehydrating mushrooms, it is key to have the best dehydrator that fits your budget.
When it comes to the best dehydrator for mushrooms, it is important to choose one that is not only affordable, but also one that dries evenly throughout the process. The Gourmia GFD1680, with its six trays and adjustable temperature settings fits the bill for most people.
Using a great dehydrator can make all the difference when it comes to creating dried foods of all kinds. Keep reading to learn more about the best ways to dehydrate mushrooms and other considerations to get the results you want.
Do You Need a Dehydrator for Mushrooms?
Although there are alternatives to dehydrating mushrooms, most experts recommend that a dehydrator is best. This is because using a dehydrator is an easier, more efficient process to get the best results for your mushrooms.
When using a dehydrator to dry your mushrooms, the process becomes as easy as slicing and loading them in the machine. No matter how you plan to dehydrate your mushrooms, ensuring that you are slicing them correctly is the key.
Since mushrooms will shrink naturally during the dehydration process, it is best to make sure you are not slicing them too thin. It is suggested that cutting them to about ¼ of an inch is the best way to ensure your mushrooms are a decent size when finished.
Another thing to keep in mind when dehydrating mushrooms is that for a better outcome it is recommended that you do not mix mushrooms with other foods. This is because mushrooms require a careful process that can be compromised with the wrong temperature.
When it comes to saving time, nothing makes dehydrating mushrooms easier and more efficient than using a good dehydrator. This is because once you have sliced them, it is easy to load them into the machine and then let it do its job.
You will need to be mindful as you put your sliced mushrooms into the dehydrator to make sure they are spread evenly. Putting them too close together can cause them to not dehydrate properly.
There are some people who believe that dehydrating mushrooms in the oven is a better and cheaper process. While this can be done, there are many things you will have to consider and look into before choosing this method.
Dehydrating mushrooms, or any other food item, requires a specific type of screen or rack so the mushrooms do not fall through the cracks. Before you put them on your regular oven rack, you will need to check that the spaces are not too wide.
Additionally, it is important to keep in mind that since an oven runs hotter than a dehydrator, you will want to ensure that yours has a fan that cycles for the best airflow. Keeping the mushrooms at a consistent temperature and airflow gives a better result.
If your oven does not have a fan, it will be necessary to move the rack and your mushrooms around frequently to give them the best chance of dehydrating properly. In addition, keeping the oven door cracked is another way to give them the best airflow.
As you can see, while you can dehydrate your mushrooms in the oven, the process is much more complicated. This is why using a dehydrator is the best way to have delicious dehydrated mushrooms.
How Long Will Dried Mushrooms Last?
Dried mushrooms can last anywhere from six months to a year or two, if they are stored in an airtight container. It is also important to either keep them in a cool, dark place or freeze them for better storage results.
The biggest concern with purchasing mushrooms from the store is how long they will last in the refrigerator before they need to be tossed. In most cases, this happens much faster than most people are able to use them in their recipes.
To keep this from happening, many people use a dehydrator for their mushrooms to ensure they will last for a long time. This allows them to store their mushrooms in a safe way so they will have them when they are ready to use them.
Mushrooms that are stored in a container that is not airtight can cause moisture to seep in and begin to rehydrate them. As a result of this, the mushrooms can go bad at a much faster rate than they normally would.
Keeping dehydrated mushrooms in an airtight container is only one part of ensuring that your dried mushrooms will stay in their best condition. You will also need to make sure that you are storing them in a place that works best for them.
Some experts believe that storing dehydrated mushrooms in a cool, dark space is the best way to keep your mushrooms in good condition. With them in the airtight container, you can place them in the back of your pantry, or cabinet that is not opened frequently.
Other dehydrator enthusiasts recommend freezing the mushrooms once they have come out of the machine. Once you have placed the mushrooms in a container that is airtight, you can store them in the freezer for up to a year or two, if needed.
While many agree that placing dehydrated mushrooms in an airtight container is best, some achieve this in a variety of ways. Using a food saver to vacuum seal the mushrooms is another great way to ensure that moisture does not make its way into the package.
The vacuum seal process removes the air from the package, thus creating an even better way to keep moisture out of the mushrooms. Using this process can help to extend the shelf life of your dried mushrooms for up to a one to two years, if stored properly.
Another way to store your dried mushrooms is to place them into a mason jar, or other glass jar that has a lid that is airtight. Mason jars have been used for many years to store food after canning, so using them for dehydrated mushrooms just makes sense.
Overall, depending on your storage method, your dried mushrooms can last quite a while. This makes the process of dehydration much more appealing and will require the need to do this less often.
Do You Blanch Mushrooms Before Dehydrating?
Most experts recommend that mushrooms do not need to be blanched before dehydrating. This is because the blanching process can cause more moisture that can interfere with the dehydration process.
While there are many schools of thought on whether you should blanch mushrooms before dehydrating, you will want to consider all sides to create the best situation for your final product. You will need to keep in mind that mushrooms require a delicate touch for most ways that you choose to use them.
In most cases, when using mushrooms for recipes, blanching is recommended to get rid of the harmful bacteria that is commonly found in them. The quick process allows the high heat and the moisture to kill the bacteria to make it safe for eating.
There are some experts that suggest that while blanching is not necessary before dehydrating mushrooms, they should be cooked before you actually consume them. This is because of the bacteria that can be passed through consumption when the mushrooms are raw.
In the case of dehydrating, however, the blanching process can cause more moisture in the mushrooms therefore resulting in an improper dehydration process. Since the goal is to dry out the mushrooms, any added moisture will cause the length of time to be extended.
Putting the carefully cut mushrooms in the dehydrator while they are raw will give you the opportunity to allow them to dry to the recommended texture. Most people believe that the best dehydrated mushrooms are those that are as dry as crackers.
Considering all the facts about dehydrating mushrooms, it all boils down to having the right equipment and process to create the best outcome. Knowing that it is not about buying the most expensive dehydrator that will result in the best dried mushrooms, but also knowing the method it takes to ensure your mushrooms are in the best possible condition to last as long as possible.