Table of Contents
6 Types of Drying Methods
Long before we have canned foods and refrigerators, we rely on dried food to ensure that we have food available throughout the year. Nowadays, thanks to the advancement in technology, we have different approaches that make drying even more practical and economical.
Here are different drying methods that make food preservation all the more efficient.
1. Sun Drying
Sun, along with wind, has been used as a food preservation technique since the beginning of human existence. The main idea of the sun drying process is to eliminate as much water content as possible, making the food fit for consumption longer and lightweight to carry around.
Many civilizations have been sun drying food items for a very long time. People in ancient Romans, for instance, mainly used it to preserve fruits. Meanwhile, in India, we can still witness how women use the technique to make dried spices, such as chili.
Basically, there are two defining factors in the sun drying process: the heat from the sun and the natural airflow. Given the simplicity and the low cost of the process, people are still using it for sun drying food items, even those who work in an ultra-modern kitchen.
2. Oven Drying
The oven drying method is another popular way for people to preserve food ingredients. Yes, it can be done with any regular home oven. However, it requires a certain degree of caution and effort, but, once you’ve learned the basics, you’ll feel very grateful for it.
One of the biggest concerns of the oven drying method is overheating the food. Yet, given the method’s set-and-forget process, all one needs to do is regularly monitor the heat and see if there is any heat spike happening within the oven.
If you are not dehydrating food items, or any kinds of products in general, in a large scale, mastering this drying method can be very beneficial. Moreover, to help you achieve an even better drying result, you can use the best fruit peeling machine in advance.
3. Hot Air Drying
Have you ever heard about the hot air drying process? Just like the first method mentioned above, this one uses the combination of heat and airflow. Yet, it uses a device called an industrial dehydrator or commercial dehydrator.
Basically, the hot air drying process is the more advanced version of oven drying. The dehydrator used in the process has the ability to make the air circulate within the device, allowing it to pull out moisture faster from the food item.
If you are drying goods for commercial purposes, then it is best that you get yourself an industrial dehydrator or commercial dehydrator. If you want to dehydrate fruit and vegetable,Having the best fruit peeling machine in your kitchen or production facility can also contribute a lot to the drying process.
4. Freeze Drying
Over the past few years, freeze drying for food preservation has been rising in popularity. It is now very common for us to find a freeze-drying device not only in professional kitchens but also in regular homes.
One of the reasons why freeze drying for food preservation has become very popular is that it does not involve any complex preparation method. Culinary pros usually use an industrial fruit peeler machine to speed up the drying process.
Another factor that contributes to the method’s popularity is its ability to prolong the shelf life of a food item without eliminating its nutritional content. You can stop worrying about losing the vitamins and minerals in your food because they are not exposed to heat.
Fans of the food preservation method even say that freeze-dried food tastes just as good as the day it was made. It actually makes sense, though, because after it is processed using the industrial fruit peeler machine, the only thing that is taken away from it is its moisture content.
5. Microwave Drying
Unlike other drying methods on this list that use heat and airflow, the Microwave Drying process uses electromagnetic waves. We get the drying effect from the evaporation of water that is present inside the food material.
Since the 1960s, researchers have been studying the Microwave Drying process. Innovations and improvements done on microwave devices over time allow the method to become more affordable and applicable in numerous industries.
The number one benefit of using this food-drying process is the unique end result. For example, when you compare it to other devices like a fruit dehydrator for drying, a microwave will not create a crust on the outer layer of the food, which is favored in certain fields.
The Microwave Drying process is particularly popular in the tea-making field. The method’s capability to take out moisture content without affecting many of the tea leaves properties makes it favorable in comparison to a fruit dehydrator for drying.
6. Air Fryer
For the last four or five years, we’ve been witnessing a boom for air fryers. As the device becomes more accessible, people are starting to use it for various purposes, including dehydrating and preserving food ingredients.
As you may have known already, just like a commercial dehydrator, an air fryer uses a combination of heat and airflow to process foods. However, it comes in a much smaller package, making it suitable for those who want to dry food in small batches.
To dehydrate food using the air fryer, all you need to do is put the device in the lowest heat possible, throw the food item in, and leave it for a couple of hours. Remember, the temperature must not go beyond 123°F and the process can last up to four hours, depending on the food.
The Takeaway
Drying has long been used by human civilization as a practical and economical way to preserve food for future use. With drying, people are not only able to have enough food for the coming months but also can stop worrying about using too many food additives.
Whether you are drying for food preservation purposes or making sellable goods, you can simply choose one of the techniques mentioned on the list that’s suitable for your specific requirements.
