Electric Food Dehydrator

Probably the single most important tool in the "gourmet" raw kitchen is the electric food dehydrator. Without it, certain recipes could not be prepared with only raw plant matter. Raw food chefs use dehydrators for more than just dried fruit and vegetable chips; this tool allows raw food to be 'baked' in a sense, to create breads, crusts, and cookies that taste great and have a texture similar to cooked food without robbing it of all the vital nutrients it contains.

Furthermore, dehydrated food lasts a long time. It is the water content in food that allows mold and bacteria to grow, and that water is removed in the electric food dehydrator. This allows fresh food to be bought in bulk without fear of spoil because it can be dehydrated and eaten now or later, reducing waste. Whether you enjoy lots of highly refined gourmet recipes or your tastes are simple and traditional, having an electric food dehydrator will enhance the lifestyle of consuming a raw food diet.

Food dehydrators work by mimicking older methods people used to dry foods in the sun and open air, except faster and in more contained, sanitary environment. There are usually heaters and fans contained within food dehydrators that work in conjunction to evaporate moisture and then remove it. The heater slowly dries the food by filling the containment unit with a low but consistent heat. Over time, as the moisture evaporates in this heat, the fan draws it out and releases it in the air outside the containment unit. This process is extremely slow, with simple dried products taking a minimum of 4 to 5 hours to prepare and more complex recipes taking as long as 36 hours to fully 'cook'. The end result, however, is well worth the time spent.

You can get a great, 5-tray food dehydrator for your raw kitchen, usually, for less than $100, and sometimes for as low as $50. Popular brands and models in this price range include:

• Aroma food dehydrator
• Magic Chef food dehydrator
• Back to Basics food dehydrator
• Nesco Snackmaster food dehydrator

All of these food dehydrators are round and have five trays so that you can either dry different foods together or prepare dried food in bulk.

One more high-end option is the Sunbeam Excalibur food dehydrator. This model comes in 5-tray and 9-tray versions, and has a box shape. Instead of placing the heater at the bottom of the unit, Sunbeam created a rear-mounted heating system for a more even flow of heat. These appliances often run from $120 to over $200, but if you plan on using your dehydrator often and for bulk drying, they may be the better option.

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