How long does it take to dehydrate food?

Answer 1

for one billion hours that's why it cost so much for dehydrated food.

Months to years, if the food is properly dehydrated in a food dehydrator. Use a dehydrator to remove the food's moisture, allow the food to cool after drying and then store the food in an airtight container.

Answer 2

The length of time it takes to dehydrate food will depend upon the food you are drying and the method you choose. There are books written on the subject of dehydrating foods and I won't try to write one here.

• Drying something naturally will take the longest. That method might work best with thin leafy vegetables. Depending upon the heat and humidity available, it could take a couple days or even longer to get the desired keeping quality. The food will need to protected from animals, insects and dust.
• There are a variety of dehydrators available - some with or without fans, others with or without heat. Again, depending upon the food being dried, this could take several hours to a day.
• A home version of a freeze dryer is available, but it is very expensive. The quality of the finished product is generally superior to the other two methods. It can take 20 to 40 hours to complete the cycle.

Whatever method is used, the storage after drying is critical. Generally, the packaging should be airtight and the food should be stored in a cool area away from light.