How to choose a dryer?

Even in ancient times, people were engaged in drying fruits and vegetables, not yet knowing what conservation is. But over time, this occupation was forgotten, and only after the appearance of popular devices for the manufacture of dried fruits, they were again talked about. Of course, you can make preparations for the winter using an oven or the sun, but this is not very convenient, it requires a lot of time and effort. Today in stores you can find special devices - effective, easy to use. In this article, we will describe in detail how to choose a dryer for all kinds of vegetables and fruits.

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The device and principle of operation of dryers

In fact, this device is not much more complicated than the usual grandmother's baking sheet, only the prototype needs to be exposed in the sun in order for berries or fruits to wither. In dryers, moisture evaporates thanks to an electric heater.

Important! Such devices are equipped with several trays for whole or sliced ​​fruits, which are covered with a large lid on top to maintain the required temperature and microclimate.

To make blanks quickly, you need to perform a number of simple steps:

1. Put pre-washed, chopped products on the trays.
2. Install pallets on the device case.
3. On the control panel, select the most acceptable temperature mode.
4. Turn on the dryer.

After that, the heating element built into the device will begin to heat the air inside the chamber, drives the fan through special holes in the trays, which significantly speeds up the drying process.

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What are the dryers?

Before choosing a dryer for vegetables and fruits, you should understand their variations.

Management principle

Depending on the type of control, they are divided into mechanical and electronic models:

• The mechanics are inexpensive, simpler to use, reliable, but its capabilities are much less than those of an electric dryer.
• Network-powered devices allow you to choose the optimal temperature regime, have great functionality, which, of course, affects their price.

Operating principle

Depending on the heating element used, they are divided into convection and infrared. We will now consider each option separately.

Convection

The devices have a built-in fan, therefore, are in great demand. Convection apparatuses are heated to the required temperature due to the electric heating element.

Important! The liquid released by the fruits under the influence of hot air currents simply evaporates.

Benefits:

• A wide range of models.
• Possibility of drying fish or meat.
• Capacity up to 6 kg.
• Affordable cost.

Disadvantages:

• Work too long and noisy.
• Heat destroys nutrients and vitamins in foods.
• After processing, the fruits change their smell and color.
• Significant energy consumption.

Important! Such devices can be found without a fan, that is, they use natural convection. Despite the fact that they are cheap, it is better to refuse such a purchase, because their processing speed and efficiency are low.

Infrared

The most modern type of fruit drying devices are infrared emitter models. In a separate article, we prepared rating of the best models. 

Important! Evaporation of water occurs with the help of infrared rays, which are identical to solar heat.The maximum camera warms up to 60 degrees.

Benefits:

• Due to the low temperature, 80-95% of vitamins in fruits and vegetables are preserved during processing.
• Color, aroma of products do not change.
• Economical power consumption.
• In comparison with the convection apparatus, drying here occurs twice as fast.
• Long shelf life of blanks (up to 2 years).

Disadvantages:

• High cost.
• Only pre-cut foods lend themselves to drying.
• Nuts do not dry well.
• Minimum load.

As it turned out, a rather complicated device is drying for fruits and vegetables. How to choose it, taking into account the most important factors, we now will figure it out.

Important! There are cheaper models on sale - tablecloths. They are universal, because with their help it is possible not only to dry products, but also to heat rooms. Inside them, graphite paths are soldered between the layers of the film, directly through which electricity is passed. Graphite is heated due to the arising resistance, then it begins to radiate heat in the infrared spectrum. The only drawback of such models is a small work surface, that is, many fruits can not be laid on it.

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Basic parameters for choosing a dryer

As when choosing any other household appliance, you should be guided by the main parameters that affect the quality, speed of the devices, and the duration of their operation. How to choose a fruit dryer? The main parameters are as follows.

Power

It affects the volume of products that can be processed in one cycle and the drying speed:

• Dryers with heating elements and infrared models are not designed for a large number of fruits, since their energy consumption is only 150-250 watts. That is, they are not suitable for winter harvesting.

Important! To prepare several servings of dried fruits or chips, their power is enough.

• Universal can be called devices with a consumption of 350-600 watts. They easily cope with voluminous multi-level bookmarks.

Important! It is important to buy such a device if you are regularly engaged in harvesting, process a lot of fruits for the whole family or relatives.

Material

More often dryers are made of plastic or steel:

• Metal models look stylish, are durable, durable, reliable. But at the same time they weigh a lot, have high thermal conductivity.
• Plastic devices are more popular today - they are not demanding in care, lightweight. The case itself almost does not heat up.

Capacity

Now sold units equipped with both a few and a large number of trays. This figure can vary from 2 to 20. Depending on the shape and size of the dryer, one tier can hold from 0.5 to 2 kg of food. In multi-storey devices, several varieties of fruits can be dried simultaneously.

Important! During the selection, pay attention to the possibility of adjusting the height of the trays. This function is sure to come in handy if you often have to dry large or whole fruits. Well, if the kit also includes trays for making pastille, dried fish, meat, drying flowers and herbs.

Location of the heating element

It can be located in different models from the side, at the bottom or at the top:

• Dry fruits of the device with the lower heating element as evenly and quickly as possible. But if a drop of juice falls on the heater, the network may close.
• Upper TENU is not afraid of anything, it serves longer. But the heated air often does not reach the lowest trays.
• In many models, the heater is located on the side, due to which it effectively blows evenly all the trays with hot air.

Functions and Modes

The most expensive high-quality devices are equipped with special temperature conditions:

• gentle, which heats the fruit to 35 degrees;
• medium processing fruit at a temperature of 55 degrees;
• the highest, suitable for drying fish and meat, reaching 80 degrees.

Additional functions only increase their versatility, make devices as convenient as possible. For instance:

• Using the timer, you can set the operating time so that you do not stand for hours on the dryer.
• The internal illumination of the trays will not be superfluous, allowing you to monitor the degree of product readiness.
• Automatic protection against overheating is also useful because it can protect the device from damage.

Important! Do not want to spend money on the purchase of equipment? The dryer can be made with your own hands! Look for the best tips in our posts:

• DIY fruit and vegetable dryer;
• DIY mushroom dryer.

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Stock footage

You now have all the necessary information to choose a dryer for vegetables and fruits, the main thing is not to miss anything, take into account each parameter, carefully think through everything.