FelixYou’ve probably heard rumours that a commercial dehydrator is complicated and have drawbacks. However, rumours are just that, and they can be true or false.
It’s a well-known fact that commercial dehydrators are among the most frequently purchased pieces of food processing equipment. Its services are used by many food industries, adding to its widespread popularity. This article examines how commercial dehydrators work, their numerous benefits and possible drawbacks, and whether they are worth the investment.
How Dehydration Works
To understand how commercial dehydrators work, you must first understand how dehydration works. Certain food products, such as apple chips are processed using a dehydrator, which dehydrates them. Dehydration is the process of drying food so that its color and taste can be preserved for a longer period. Unlike boiling, this method retains nutrients and provides a better flavor, which is what most people want from their food.
The method has been scientifically proven to be one of the top ways to preserve food. What’s more? In a world of healthy eating and lifestyle, dehydration becomes a viable method of storing food.
The benefits of dehydration
Dehydration retains nutrients because it involves low and steady heat. Given their poor nutrient retention properties, which are easily lost when subjected to high heat, water-soluble vitamins such as vitamin C and all members of the vitamin B family benefit greatly from this.
Boiling food products rich in water-soluble vitamins results in a significant loss of the vitamins as opposed to dehydrating them. Dehydration will save more than 40% of the lost nutrients while also giving the food a more distinct and savoury flavour. Kale, which has the highest vitamin C content of any vegetable, is an excellent example to demonstrate this. You can retain a significant amount of Vitamin C by dehydrating this plant food rather than boiling it.
Dehydrated food is also better stored and can last longer than most other methods of preservation.
Choosing the Best Commercial Dehydrator
There are two kinds of dehydrators: those with pull-out shelves and those with stacking shelves. Choosing one over the other may appear difficult, but rest assured that the difference is in the position of their fans.
Stack dehydrators (those with stacking shelves) are portable and can fit into small spaces. They are also cost-effective and simple to use for new users. Because they are low-maintenance, these dehydrators can be used liberally. Meanwhile, dehydrators with pull-out shelves are the most output-efficient. They have a larger fan, which results in better air quality and temperature control. The disadvantage is that they are more expensive than stack dehydrators.
As a result, the decision will be based on your preferences and the amount of money you are willing to invest.
Conclusion
There’s no denying that proper storage of vegetables and fruits is essential to avoiding spoilage. There are also numerous storage options to choose from. Because of the benefits outlined above, most modern food industries prefer to use commercial dehydrators. However, the commercial dehydrator you choose will be determined by your financial situation.