Dehydrating Mushrooms

[dragnlaw]

Is slicing mushrooms 1/4" thick for dehydrator too thick?

 

[Andy M.]

I see whole dehydrated mushrooms so I don't think a ¼" thick slice will be an issue.

 

[GotGarlic]

The owner's manual for your dehydrator should specify how to prepare foods to be dehydrated. If you don't have it, you should be able to download a copy from the manufacturer's website.

Andy, I'm not sure if home dehydrators, like home freezers, work the same as commercial equipment. I wouldn't assume that you'd get the same results.

 

[taxlady]

Whole mushrooms will dry fine if well ventilated. I have never used a dehydrator for them. Pieces of mushroom tend to rehydrate more easily than whole mushrooms.

 

[dragnlaw]

My concern was the length of time it would take. Thanks Andy, I do realize they can do whole ones, I often buy them.

Because the sizes vary and I dont want' to have to keep turning to see what's done and what's not and taking out a few at a time - I figure it best to have all the same size?

You're right GG, brain fart, didn't think. I'll find it (I hope).

 

[blissful]

1/4 inch will be fine. Depending on your dehydrator, your humidity in the air, and the thickness, they will take 12 hours to 3 days....but you can't over dry them, so let it run and check on them a couple times a day.

 

[larry_stewart]

1/4 inch will be fine. Depending on your dehydrator, your humidity in the air, and the thickness, they will take 12 hours to 3 days....but you can't over dry them, so let it run and check on them a couple times a day.

What she said. Im constantly drying mushrooms in my dehydrator. Some pieces and stems, some slices , some whole.

 

[dragnlaw]

Thanks guys, I appreciate! Nice to know it will take that long, guess I should be surprised considering their make up. I'll pretty much slice them, not sure what I would do with whole mushrooms. They are not flat shiitaki, they are fat crimini.

I was supposed to slice them up this afternoon but.... life got in the way.

better get to them soon! Good job to do while watching TV.

 

[karadekoolaid]

Yep, that sounds just fine to me.
I´m fortunate in having a tropical climate, so I don´t really have to worry about how long they take to dry. It´s usually 3-4 days in the kitchen, and an hour or so in the tropical sun to finish them off.
Plenty of ventilation seems to be the key.