Determining “doneness” when dehydrating

One of the most frustrating parts of learning how to dehydrate is the realization that this isn’t baking and there is no perfect recipe, dehydrating times can vary from batch to batch and definitely vary from one kitchen to another. Dehydrating time in a recipe is merely a suggestion, as you’ll need to learn the signs of doneness to determine when your homemade snacks are ready to be removed.

To know if something is properly dehydrated, you will look for a few key indicators.

Texture Test:

Dehydrated food should be dry and firm. It should not have any squishy or soft spots.Most foods will feel leathery or brittle.

Snap Test:

Bring food to room temp, then try breaking the dehydrated item. Properly dehydrated snacks should generally snap and break easily, though some items like jerky will be firm and leathery.

Moisture/Weight Test:

Dehydrated items will lose up to 75% of their weight during the drying process. If the pieces feel heavy, it may not be dry enough.

Appearance:

Dehydrating mutes and fades the colours of the foods being dried. Some food become significantly darker in colour. Vibrant colours may indicate retained moisture.

How do I store dried foods?

Dried pet snacks should be left at room temp in an open container for 12 hours. Store in paper bags or in an airtight container with an oxygen absorber/desiccant pack.