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Nerdy Science in the Kitchen

Best Dehydrator for Mushrooms

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Mushrooms are delicious and so good for you. Get your own dehydrator and dry your own!
Mushrooms are delicious and so good for you. Get a dehydrator and dry your own! The Aroma Housewares Dehydrator at Amazon.

Mushrooms (which are considered a superfoods) are one of the most health beneficial foods known to humankind. They are low in carbohydrates, high in fiber, and a great source of vitamins. They also contain generous levels of niacin, which is an ingredient in medicines that help to lower cholesterol. Plus, mushrooms add complex flavors to dishes when they have been cooked.

What’s the best? I recommend the Ivation Dehydrator.

However, there is a growing concern that mushrooms which are commonly available to us, such as shiitake and portobello mushrooms, contain the compound agaritine that might be carcinogenic in abnormally high doses. Because of this some recommend you cook them before eating them.

One of the easiest ways to cook mushrooms is to dry them so you can eat them later. But dehydrating mushrooms can be a very long and tedious process. Unless you have access to a food dehydrator.

Best Dehydrator for MushroomsQuick Review
Nesco Food and Jerky dehydrator, 15.25 x 10.25 x 15.63 inches, White1. Nesco FD-80A Dehydrator The Nesco dehydrator does an adequate job but has a top-mounted fan. It is good for those on a budget.
Ivation 10 Tray Commercial Food Dehydrator Machine | 1000w, Easy Setup, Digital Adjustable Timer and Temperature Control | Dryer for Jerky, Herb, Meat, Beef, Fruit and To Dry Vegetables | Stainless Steel
2. Ivation 10 Tray Commercial Food Dehydrator Machine The Aroma Housewares dehydrator has a large capacity (six pounds of food total) and a rear-mounted fan to better dehydrate food evenly.
Excalibur 9-Tray Electric Food Temperature Settings and 26-hour Timer Automatic Shut Off Includes Guide to Dehydration, Black
3. Excalibur 3926TB Dehydrator The Excalibur dehydrator is one of the best higher-end ones on the market and has a 26-hour automatic timer.

Why you should get a dehydrator

Food dehydrators are incredible tools for people who are looking to have a variety of ways to eat foods, save money, or extend the shelf-life of their excess foods. In addition to all of that, dehydrating your food rarely compromises the health benefits. This means a dehydrator in your home is a smart buy.

There are, however, a few things that you should look for when getting a dehydrator. Things like never getting a dehydrator that doesn’t have a thermostat that can regulate and maintain a consistent temperature. Today we will discuss a few machines that are worth purchasing.

Nesco FD-80A Dehydrator

Nesco Food and Jerky dehydrator, 15.25 x 10.25 x 15.63 inches, White

View on Amazon

The Nesco dehydrator is a square shaped dehydrator with a top mounted fan that helps ensure top-down heating. It is extremely easy-to-use and is great for drying fruits, vegetables, herbs and jerky. The air circulation system creates a fast, evenly drying atmosphere so it will not be necessary to pause in the middle of a drying cycle to rotate the trays.

Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of this Nesco dehydrator:

  • Air circulation system that promotes even distribution of heat for uniform drying
  • Top mounted fan that makes sure the heat is being distributed properly
  • Adjustable thermostat that can control the temperature of the dehydrator, so your food does not overheat, becoming inedible and compromising the health benefits of your mushrooms
  • Bale handle for easy carrying
  • Dishwasher safe parts make for a much easier clean up after using the dehydrator

Should you get this Nesco Dehydrator?

This dehydrator has most of the features that you would expect from a good dehydrator, and because of that, it will do an adequate job. However, when you get a machine that is priced as low as this one is, you should expect to have to purchase another one somewhere down the line. If you need something for the moment but are not willing/able to spend a lot of money, then I think this is your best option.

Ivation 10 Tray Commercial Food Dehydrator Machine

Ivation 10 Tray Commercial Food Dehydrator Machine | 1000w, Digital Adjustable Timer and Temperature Control | Dryer for Jerky, Herb, Meat, Beef, Fruit and To Dry Vegetables | Stainless Steel

View on Amazon

This dehydrator from Ivatioin has a fairly large holding capacity for drying your favorite mushrooms. It has a rear mounted fan, so all the ingredients are getting heat at around the same time (rear mounted fans are better than the top mounted variety).

It also includes 6 BPA-free stainless steel drying trays at about 16 by 16 inches each. The trays are removable so you can dry larger slices of food, if needed.

The adjustable digital thermostat will keep the internal temperature consistent, resulting in perfectly dehydrated mushrooms every time you use it. Its thermostat will hold temperatures from 95 degrees Fahrenheit to 167 degrees Fahrenheit.

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Features of the Ivation dehydrator

  • Large holding capacity means you can dehydrate more food in less time (also consuming less electricity)
  • Rear mounted fan gives better heat distribution than a top mounted fan
  • Thermostat that ranges from 95 to 167 degrees Fahrenheit helps to keep internal temperatures consistent, making sure your mushrooms do not burn

Should you get the Ivation dehydrator?

This is a middle tier food dehydrator that will give you great results each time you use it. It will probably fall within most people’s budget and will likely last a few years before you will need another one, making this a great “bang for your buck” purchase.

Full flavor, full health, but only part of the price. Dry your own mushrooms!
Full flavor, full health, but only part of the price. Dry your own mushrooms!

Excalibur 3926TB Dehydrator

Excalibur 9-Tray Electric Food Temperature Settings and 26-hour Timer Automatic Shut Off Includes Guide to Dehydration, Black

View on Amazon

The Excalibur is one of the better residential food dehydrators on the market. As such, you should expect to pay more than you would for a run of the mill machine. It has a huge holding capacity, fitting 9 trays and has 15 square feet of dehydrating space. It also has a built-in switch to turn the device on/off with a 26-hour timer.

The adjustable thermostat doesn’t go as low as some other dehydrators (ranging from 105 to 165 degrees Fahrenheit), but it makes up for that in how well it maintains the internal temperatures.

It uses a 7-inch fan that is rear mounted to give powerful and even heat distribution throughout the dehydrator.

Top features of the Excalibur:

  • Adjustable thermostat for superior temperature control
  • 7-inch fan for powerful heat distribution
  • 26 hour timer to keep track of how long your food has been dehydrating
  • Comes with 9 large stainless steel trays

How Long Does It Take To Dehydrate Mushrooms?

Should you get the Excalibur?

If you are looking for the best quality possible in a residential dehydrator, the Excalibur is the way to go. This product will cost you a bit more than other machines, but if you go ahead and spend the extra money upfront, you will save more in the long term.

Wrap – Up

Dehydrating mushrooms is a great way to add flavor to your meals and to prolong their life. Having your own food dehydrator will make that process infinitely easier.

If you are looking for the most “bang” for the least amount of “buck”, then the Ivation is your best bet. But if you simply want the best quality machine, the Excalibur is what you need to be looking at.

Additional Resources

Image credit via Flickr Creative Commons: CycloneBill and Rebecca S.

Kitchen Professor author
About the Author: Alexis DeAnda

Alexis DeAnda is a food fanatic, library card user, and cast iron hunter, in that order. She has been cooking for anyone that will taste it ever since her mom let her make doughnuts on Saturday mornings at the age of 7.

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