This article explores a key issue of food preparation for food dehydrators and how a few simple steps can create perfect results with any dehydrator. While there are many different foods that can be dried, focus here will concentrate on those foods that require some sort of slicing, fruits, vegetables, and meats, being the most common.

Uniformity is key to having food dry in a consistent manner. Getting your food to a consistent thickness therefore, allows for uniform drying, and that means food comes out of the dehydrator properly dried, and ready to eat. The emphasis here, is on properly dried. Meat is a good example of making sure your food cuts are uniform. A piece of meat three quarters inch thick on one side, and one quarter inch thick on the other, will not dry properly in any food dehydrator.

Uniform thickness pays dividends with food storage also. Whether you use a vacuum sealer, air tight jars, or freeze it, the more consistent the thickness of the food, the easier food storage becomes.

A food slicer is a great tool for consistent food prep. There are many available designed for home use. However, you can do a good job with a sharp knife. I prefer a Chef’s knife as the large blade provides stability when making individual slices. Additionally, it is a great help to partially freeze food, especially meat, to the point of good stiffness, yet not frozen hard, before slicing. You do not get good results with uniform slices if meat is frozen hard and you attempt to slice during the thaw-out phase. Understandably, not all fruits and veggies can withstand even partial freezing without sustaining damage.

A good way for fruits and vegetables to be prepared for the food dehydrator is running them through a food grinder. Snacks, rollups, and nut bars loaded with great nutrition can easily be dried with the issue of thickness solved when prepared with a food grinder then spread out evenly on a non-stick drying sheet.

In summary your food dehydrator will perform better by preparing food that is cut with uniform thickness, whether done with a food slicer, or a good sharp knife. While food dehydrators may work different on an individual basis, consistent thickness in food preparation remain key, to the results you are looking for.