Mushrooms are one of the most widely used ingredients in cooking. As simple as they may seem, mushrooms come in different types which when used well give the food complex flavors. Are you familiar with portobello mushrooms? How about shiitake? These are some varieties of mushrooms. And since they have become the most available nowadays, all eyes are on them. Studies found out that these types of mushroom contain agaritine which when consumed at high amounts could become carcinogenic. That is the reason why these mushrooms need to be dehydrated first before you can eat them.
While dehydration is a tedious process, you will find why a dehydrator is a necessary kitchen must-have. Not only is it good for mushrooms but is also good in improving the shelf life of perishable goods. If you happen to be someone who is looking for a dehydrator, here are some of our recommendations for the best food dehydrator for mushrooms.
Top 5 best food dehydrators for mushrooms
Aroma Housewares Professional 6-Tray Food Dehydrator
You can now enjoy all your favorite dried foods, herbs and spices, and even a custom made potpourri for the bedroom and living room with this food dehydrator from Aroma Housewares. Reviewers love this food dehydrator because it is time-saving. How? It has six trays that are height adjustable, spacious and can support 1lb of food each so you can dry you’re a month-amount of ingredients in just one switch. As for the convenience, you will no longer have to rotate the trays because it has a circulating air flow.
Recommended for outdoor hobbyists, culinary enthusiasts and health conscious individuals, this food dehydrator promotes even drying without eliminating the essential nutrients from the food through its automatic fan. By ensuring that no overheating will take place, this automatic fan adjusts the thermostat which gives food a remarkable crisp that you will surely love. What’s more? It comes with a dripping tray for the reduced juices of the food, and one plastic and one mesh sheet for herbs and spices as well as nuts.
Excalibur 3926TB 9-Tray Food Dehydrator
you will surely understand why this food dehydrator has gotten nothing but love from reviewers. It comes with nine trays which provides you a 15square feet of drying space in a 26 hour timer for mushrooms, other spices and your favorite dried foods like beef jerky with just one switch using the adjustable thermostat. Aside from being spacious, each of the nine trays has an added poly-screen tray to prevent sticking. This ensures that your food comes out crisp and perfectly dried.
The Excalibur is a sure hit to camping enthusiasts and backpackers, as well as families and health conscious individuals. Why? Its adjustable thermostat ranges from 105degrees to 165degrees Fahrenheit. This range is very efficient at both extremes because it is low enough to preserve the natural nutrients found in vegetables and meat and at the same time high enough to meet the safety requirement of drying meat products. All you have to do is put the food in and leave them for drying. You don’t even need to rotate the trays while they are being dehydrated so you can do other things.
Gourmia GFD1950 Digital Food Dehydrator
This food dehydrator from Gourmia will just sweep you off your feet because of its exciting features. It comes with nine trays which are wide enough for you to dry your favorite fruit slices and to make chewy dried meat and jerky. The best part? It also comes with a fruit leather tray for you to indulge on fruit leathers perfect for the summer season.
You will understand why it gained a review rating of 4.5 over 5 in Amazon because of these other noteworthy features. It comes with precise digital controls which activates 360 degrees airflow for foods to be dried evenly without overheating. It has a maximum temperature of up to 158 degrees (F) but overall the thermostat can be controlled using its eight preset temperatures depending on the food that you will dry.
It offers maximum convenience because it comes with a dripping tray for the reduced juices from the dried foods. Most importantly, you can constantly monitor the food you are drying because it has a transparent door in which you could glance at every now and then when drying.
Nesco FD-75A
The Nesco FD-75A is a dependable food dehydrator that comes in a unique circular design. It has five 13.5 diameter trays and an adjustable thermostat which allows you to dry food at a range of 95-160 degrees (F). Receiving a 4.5 star rating in Amazon, all that is there to commend about this food dehydrator is mainly because of its circular design.
Its exterior called the Opaque Vita-Save helps in blocking harmful light which can deplete the nutrients from the foods being dried. It also works on a patented Coverga-Flow drying system which concentrates air in the exterior pressure chamber and not on the trays. This means that the hot air is distributed horizontally in each tray and then converge at the core for even and faster drying without killing off the nutrients from the food. And the coolest feature of this food dehydrator is that you can expand the five trays into twelve trays for more food drying spree.
Magic Mill Professional 6-Tray Food Dehydrator
This food dehydrator does not only come with 6 adjustable drying racks but also with 2 plastic fine mesh trays and 2 non-stick trays for you to dry all sorts of food from your favorite meat jerkies to your fruit slices as well as herbs. You can choose how long you will dry a specific food since it comes with a digital thermostat and timer considering the 19.5 maximum drying time and temp range 95-158degrees (F).
The thermostat has an automatic shutoff feature to ensure that foods are crisp. The Magic Mill is a perfect fit for health conscious individuals, athletes, home-use and outdoor enthusiasts. With it, you can start customizing your favorite fruit desserts without fear of additives.
How do I make the right decision in choosing the best food dehydrator?
Food dehydrators are extremely special because with these you can now say goodbye to processed fruits, veggies and meat in the supermarket because you can already make them on your own. In choosing the best food dehydrator, an important determinant must be how often do you think you will use it?
For home-use, a six tray food dehydrator may be the best fit for you since it will probably be enough to dry herbs and spices, veggie ingredients like mushrooms, fruits and meat that you will need at an immediate basis. But if you are into food businesses or is most of the time in the outdoors or around the world backpacking, you might need a nine-tray dehydrator to give you enough supply for who knows how long.
Functionality should also be an important factor for your choice. Settle for the food dehydrator that can give you are range of outstanding features that will make you feel like you got something more than what you paid for. In this manner, we think that the winner is the Nesco FD-75A.
Why? Because it really has high functionality. You can easily switch from 5-trays and expand it 12 depending on your need. Although circular, it is equally spacious like the square ones but is more compact and uses advanced features for core drying instead of top drying. You also save space because it looks like your ordinary rice cooker so it’s basically countertop kitchen equipment. Most importantly, it has a more extreme range of time presets so if you want to dry granola, nuts, mushrooms and other easy dry foods, you can easily go for the 90degrees.
Q&A
Can you put mushrooms in a dehydrator?
Dehydrated Mushrooms
Cut mushrooms into ¼” slices or pieces. Arrange mushrooms in a single layer on dehydrator trays, ensuring there is space between pieces to allow airflow. Dehydrate at 125F/52C for 3-8 hours*, until the mushrooms are completely dry. They should be brittle and break, not bend, when fully dry. (Read more)
How long does a dehydrator take for mushrooms?
Dry the sliced mushrooms between 110F and 120 F, until the pieces are crispy. This process usually takes 6 to 8 hours for 1/4-inch slices, though thicker slices may take up to 10 hours. Always follow specific instructions that come with your dehydrator, as different brands may have varying dry times. (Click here)
Do I need a dehydrator for mushrooms?
When you find enough edible mushrooms that you can no longer eat them all before they rot in the refrigerator, you need to invest in a food dehydrator. (More…)
Do you wash mushrooms before dehydrating?
Before you do any dehydrating, you will want to make sure that your mushrooms are clean and properly prepped. Another common mistake people make is that they wash their mushrooms improperly—rather than sticking them under running water, simply wipe them with a damp paper towel. (Source)
How long will dehydrated mushrooms last?
Baraghani says that dried mushrooms hold up best when they’ve been stored in a resealable plastic bag or, preferably, an airtight container. Keep them in a dark, dry place like the back of your cupboard or even your freezer. “As long as they’re kept dry, dried mushrooms can last indefinitely,” says Baraghani. (Full answer)
How do you dehydrate mushrooms at home?
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 170°F, using the convection function if you have it. Brush the mushrooms clean and cut them into 1/4-inch slices.
- Arrange the mushrooms on drying screens and place in the oven. Prop open the oven door with a wooden spoon to vent steam. Dehydrate until leathery, 2 to 3 hours.
How do you dehydrate mushrooms in an air fryer?
Use the dehydration setting on the air fryer. Set the temperature from 110°F to 120°F, depending on the air fryer. For 1/4-inch slices, the mushrooms should cook for 6-8 hours until they are crispy. Keep in mind that the manufacturer’s instructions should always be followed for the specific air fryer that will be used. (Full answer)
How do you dehydrate wood ear mushrooms?
Drying wood ear mushrooms
How do you dehydrate turkey tail mushrooms?
How to: harvest and dry medicinal mushrooms Turkey Tail, Reishi and …
How do you dehydrate lion’s mane mushrooms?
How to Dehydrate:
- Take your harvested mushroom and do a once-over for any dirt or leaves.
- Slice the mushroom into 1/4 inch slices with a sharp knife.
- Spread out on a single layer on dehydrator trays, or oven trays.
- Dehydrate in a dehydrator for 6-8 hours at 125 degrees.
Can you add dried mushrooms directly to soup?
If you’re planning to use them in a broth or soup, just add the dried mushrooms straight into the pot. Your mushrooms will take on flavours from the broth and will in turn infuse mushroom-y flavour into the soup. I love using my dried mushrooms for a simple ramen or mushroom gravy. (See more)
Do dried mushrooms ever go bad?
Dried mushrooms last indefinitely if stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. How can you tell if they’re bad? “If you smell them and they just don’t smell like anything,” she says. “They’re never going to ‘poison. (Source)
Are dried mushrooms as healthy as fresh?
Fresh mushrooms are 80% water, and when you remove that, you are left with a highly concentrated product, packed with flavor and nutrients. Unlike vegetables, which lose much of their nutritional value when processed, dried mushrooms retain all of their medicinal and immune-boosting properties. (See more)
Are dehydrated mushrooms cooked?
Yes. You will soak the mushrooms as explained below. After that, the mushrooms need to be cooked. You can sauté them or simmer them in a liquid. (Source)
Can you grow mushrooms from dried mushrooms?
Mushrooms don’t grow from seeds or bulbs like most plants we grow and harvest for food; they grow from spores. The spores in mushrooms that have been dried out using various techniques like dehydrators or excessive exposure to direct sunlight are dead and will not grow new mushrooms. (More info)
Can you dry shiitake mushrooms?
The earthy, smoky flavor of a fresh shiitake mushroom, often associated with Asian cooking, becomes more pronounced during dehydration. You can dry this meaty mushroom with its thin chewy stem in an oven or a dehydrator. Reconstituted, shiitakes adds flavor and texture to a variety of dishes. (Full answer)
Does the PowerXL air fryer dehydrate?
EFFORTLESS COOKING: With the 6 Qt. PowerXL Air Fryer, you can oven air fry rotisserie for savory chicken and pork roasts, mouthwatering turkey breasts, or authentic kebabs. You can even use the dehydrator to make healthy dehydrated veggies, herbs, fruit, and more. (Source)
How long do fresh wood ear mushrooms last?
After rehydrating, dried wood ears will stay good for around three or four days in the refrigerator, where they should be kept inside a covered dish or container. Avoid freezing uncooked wood ear mushrooms. (More…)
How do you preserve wood ear mushrooms?
It’s best to store them in an airtight container so no moisture gets in. Fresh wood ear mushrooms can be kept in the refrigerator in a paper bag or mesh bag, anything that will let them be loose and breathe. If fresh the wood ear mushroom only lasts a few days, but dried ones can be kept for months up to a year. (More info)
How do you dry king bolete mushrooms?
Dry the mushrooms in a preheated, 140 degree Fahrenheit oven if you do not have a food dehydrator. If you have more than one tray, rotate the top and bottom trays every half hour. Prop the oven door open slightly to allow moisture to escape. Check the mushroom slices every two hours to monitor the drying process. (Read more)
Can you take too much turkey tail mushroom?
Is Turkey Tail Mushroom Safe? Turkey tail mushroom is considered safe, with few side effects reported in research studies. Some people may experience digestive symptoms like gas, bloating and dark stools when taking turkey tail mushroom. (See more)
Can you eat turkey tail mushrooms?
Rather than gills, Turkey Tails have pores. In contrast to many other edible mushrooms, Turkey Tail mushrooms are usually consumed in powder form. Although, as mentioned earlier, this mushroom has been used to brew tea for quite some time in Asia. Its tough texture makes them unsuitable for whole consumption. (Reference)
Can you grow turkey tail mushrooms at home?
Turkey tail mushrooms are quite easy to grow at home. The easiest way to try growing them is to buy them as a kit. This way all you have to do is cut open the bag and keep them moist and turkey tail mushrooms will start to grow. Alternatively you can buy sawdust or plug spawn and inoculate logs with them. (Click here)
What are the side effects of lion’s mane?
Safety and Side Effects
There have been documented cases of people experiencing difficulty breathing or skin rashes after exposure to lion’s mane mushrooms, likely related to allergies ( 58 , 59 ). Animal studies suggest that lion’s mane mushroom and its extracts are very safe, even at high doses. (More info)
How quickly does lion’s mane work?
Much like using any other herbal supplement, or other medicinal mushroom mix, the health benefiting effects will take a little bit of time to build up in your system. In most cases, medicinal mushrooms will take around two weeks before you may start noticing a difference. (More…)
Can you eat lion’s mane raw?
Lion’s mane should be well-cooked and not eaten raw: like all raw mushrooms they contain chitin in their cell walls, which can cause gastric upset, or even an allergic reaction in high concentrations. (The full answer)
Concluding Notes
Cooking requires a huge deal of skill, passion and familiarity with the ingredients that you will use. If you are fond of cooking, you would know that some ingredients require more scrutiny and added processes like fermentation or dehydration, to name a few, to give our menus the right kick and a taste to remember.
Food dehydration not only gives food a longer shelf life but also offers the perfect crisp which will allow you to enjoy your food in other ways. Indeed, food dehydrators are good kitchen essentials. They are not only for people with high culinary skills but actually for anybody who thinks that dried foods are equally good foods. Choose your food dehydrator today!