food dehydrator question

[randyt]

I ended up purchasing cabelas 80 liter commercial dehydrator. I figured I would give it a try and it was basically free due to a gift certificate.

However I run into my first problem. It's leek season and I want to dehydrate a batch. The mesh opening on the racks are to large and the leaks will fall through especially after I dice them up. There are some smaller mesh panels I have coming but is there something available that would work in the meantime? Leek season is short lived here.

[Ken]

You have a craft store nearby? They usually sell a plastic mesh.

[randyt]

Not sure but I think there is a hobby store in a nearby town. I'll check with them. I wonder if window screen would work. The local hardware may have something.

[Ken]

This is the stuff you'll find in a crafts store.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1280&bih=530&q=plastic+craft+mesh&oq=plastic+craft+mesh&gs_l=img.12..0i24.1301.7889.0.9581.18.15.0.3.3.0.8 8.1166.15.15.0...0.0...1ac.1.14.img.WIEgrAWDzXM#im grc=UTMLcv-g6ApM6M%3A%3Bn_8wWdVKTiw1wM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fw ww.craft.com.au%252Fimages%252Fproducts%252FPMSQ_L RG.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.craft.com.au%252Fi ndex.php%253Fmain_page%253Dindex%2526cPath%253D240 _244%3B640%3B480

[crashdive123]

I was thinking window screen as well RT.

[Winnie]

I often use baking parchment for the small stuff and for making leathers.

[Rick]

Parchment or Press and Seal. Press and Seal can also be used to dehydrate liquids if you don't have the fruit leather trays. Just make a lip around the outside edge so the liquid can't run off. Spray the parchment or Press and Seal with Pam to keep liquids or other foods from sticking. You don't have to use a lot of Pam. If you forget to spray them don't fret you can still get the food off it just takes a bit more work.

[hunter63]

I often use baking parchment for the small stuff and for making leathers.

That's what I use, didn't know exactly what y'all called it, but DW gave me some and I used it.

Tired plastic window screen works pretty well but sticks some times.(Pam?)

Never thought of Pam.....thanks for the tip.

Any one try just sun and air drying.....have had mixed results....mostly does a good job (done a lot)...but once in a while, tomatoes start to mold?

[Winnie]

I've tried sun and air drying over here several times, but it's just too humid to get consistent results. The biggest problem is, when it's hot enough to dry, the heat sparks a thunderstorm!

[randyt]

I found some brass window screen at the local hardware and picked up a few feet. What's baking parchment.

[hunter63]

I found some brass window screen at the local hardware and picked up a few feet. What's baking parchment.

Don't feel bad I didn't know either....DW just said, "Here use this"....So I asked, "Whats that?"...."She says Baking parchment.....Just use it".

So I said,of course....."Yes Dear"......
Truthfully I was worried about air circulation, but it has an internal heat source....worked just fine.

[Rick]

Randy - Baking parchment is baking paper. As the name implies, it's used in baking. It has a high heat resistance and is treated with some kind of oil so foods won't stick to it. I baked some bacon in the oven last week and used parchment to help the clean up of the cookie pan. I lined the pan with parchment then laid the bacon on the parchment. Instead of burning the parchment begins to carbonize. I used it at 350 F for about 30 minutes and the outer 4 inches were blackened but it didn't burn.

[Davidlastink]

This is not to be confused with Wax paper. You can get cases on the cheap from most food supply places.

[randyt]

Now for the million dollar question, what would serve serve my purpose, baking paper or brass screen?

[hunter63]

.....well as long as you have the screen......have to wash it once in a while, hard to get the dried juice out of those little holes........
I do like the paper....as long as DW still has some.

[Winnie]

Baking parchment gets my vote too.

[hunter63]

I have wondered if "smoking tomatoes" would work and how they would taste.
You always hear about "sun dried tomatoes" having a smoky taste?

Would keep the flies away I would think.....Use cheese cloth now.

[Winnie]

It might be worth having a go, if you have a smoker. I'd be interested in the results. Minced up they could make a pretty mean barbecue sauce hmm?

[Rick]

If you have access to Press and Seal I'd recommend it first. Since it's a plastic you can bend it a little easier to peel food off if it sticks a bit. You can also create shapes with Press and Seal like the edges I mentioned earlier plus it actually sticks to the tray so the dehydrator won't blow it around inside the machine.