Wash, remove ends and cut into 1" pieces or French Style
Crunchy
9 - 12 hrs.
Beets
Remove 1/2" of the top, scrub thoroughly, steam blanch until tender. Peel and cut into 1/4" slices.
Pliable
9 - 12 hrs.
Broccoli
Wash and trim. Cut stems into 1/4" pieces. Dry florets whole.
Crunchy
10 - 14 hrs.
Cabbage
Wash and trim. Cut into 1/8" strips.
Crunchy
8 - 11 hrs.
Carrots
Wash and trim tops. Peel or scrape if desired. Cut into 1/8" thick slices.
Pliable
7 - 11 hrs.
Celery
Wash, separate leaves and stalks. Cut stalks into 1/4" strips.
Crunchy
3 - 10 hrs.
Corn
Shuck corn and trim silk. Steam until milk is set. Cut kernels from cob and spread on plastic screen. Stir several times during drying.
Crunchy
7 - 10 hrs.
Cucumber
Wash and trim. Cut into 1/8" slices.
Pliable
4 - 8 hrs.
Eggplant
Wash and peel. Cut into 1/4" slices.
Pliable
4 - 8 hrs.
Mushrooms
Wash and cut into 3/8" slices.
Pliable
4 - 7 hrs.
Parsnips
Scrub thoroughly, steam blanch until tender. Peel if desired and cut into 3/8" thick slices.
Pliable/Tough
7 - 11 hrs.
Peppers
Wash and remove stems, seeds and white section. Pat dry. Cut into 1/4" thick strips or rings.
Pliable
4 - 8 hrs.
Potatoes
Use New Potatoes. Wash, peel if desired. Steam blanch 4 - 6 minutes. Cut french fry style, 1/4" slices, 1/8" thick circles or grate.
Crunchy/Pliable
7 - 13 hrs.
Summer Squash
Wash and peel. Cut into 1/4" slices.
Pliable
10 - 14 hrs.
Tomatoes
Wash and remove stems. Slice into 1/4" circles. For cherry tomatoes, slice in half, dry skin side down.
Pliable
5 - 9 hrs.
Zucchini
Wash, peel if desired. Cut into 1/4" slices or chips.
Crunchy
7 - 11 hrs.
Food Drying Guide, Fruits at 135° F:
FOOD
PREPARATION
TEST
TIME
Apples
Wash, core and peel if desired. Cut into 1/4" slices. Dust with cinnamon if desired.
Pliable
7 - 15 hrs.
Apricots
Wash, halve and remove pit. Slice if desired and dry skin side down.
Pliable
21 - 29 hrs.
Bananas
Wash, peel and slice into 1/8" slices.
Pliable
7 - 10 hrs.
Figs
Wash, cut out blemishes, quarter. Dry skin side down.
Pliable
22 - 30 hrs.
Kiwi
Wash, peel and slice into 1/4" slices.
Crisp
8 - 15 hrs.
Nectarines
Wash, halve and remove pit. Slice if desired and dry skin side down.
Pliable
8 - 17 hrs.
Peaches
Wash, halve and remove pit. Slice if desired and dry skin side down.
Plaible
8 - 16 hrs.
Pears
Wash, core and peel if desired. Cut into 1/4" slices or quarter.
Pliable
8 - 16 hrs.
Pineapple
Peel, remove fibrous eyes, remove core. Cut into 1/4" slices or wedges.
Pliable
11 - 18 hrs.
Rhubarb
Wash, cut into 1" lengths.
Pliable
6 - 10 hrs.
Strawberries
Wash, cut out caps, slice 1/4" thick.
Crisp
7 - 15 hrs.
Watermelon
Cut off rind, cut into wedges and remove seeds.
Pliable and Sticky
8 - 10 hrs.
Food Drying Guide, Jerky at 145-150° F:
FOOD
PREPARATION
TEST
TIME
Jerky
Use lean meat and remove as much fat as possible. Fat turns rancid with time. Cut uniform 1/4" thick or less slices. Do not overlap slices on the shelves.
