2009 Omlet cube and run for sale

[Charlottechicken]

After seeing one in action on Edible Garden, I'm intrigued. I was fascinated by the fruit leathers being made, and as a sweet addict thought that these might be a good alternative.

 

I found an interesting site which appears to have dryers priced from £99 and wondered if anyone has one they use and if they feel it is worthwhile.

 

Apart from fruit, what else can be dried in them?

[Christian]

Sorry can't help CC, but interested in the answer too. I saw those fruit leathers and really fancied making them.

[Lesley]

I have one- I use it for 'sun'-dried tomatoes mostly - it's brilliant! I also dry hops in it.

 

Kate has the same one and she used to make apple rings in hers.

[Daphne]

Lesley - do you make beer then?

 

We have a very good oven which has a very low starting temp and we use that to dry mushrooms and tomatoes.

[Lesley]

Carl makes beer - full mash.

[Daphne]

Must be great to grow your own; I presume thats what you're doing? My OH used to make fabulous beer (so I'm told!) in the old fashioned way, especially stout, but with bought-in hops; isn't it a great smell on mash day! However, he developed gastritis last year, and is now in serious training to race about on his bicycle, so everything is standing empty for the moment.

[Helly Welly]

We have a fruit drier but i must admit it's one of those kitchen items that gathers dust. I've made apple rings, which are yummy and i've dried half grapes and sliced kiwis which were also successful.

[Chucky Mama]

I have one that I picked up new on ebay about 3 years ago. I think it was about £40. I dry apples, pineapple rings - (drain the tinned stuff pop it through a salad dryer and then into the drier. Kids eat it like there is no tomorrow), fresh corriander, basil. sliced tomato, chillies, mixed veg that can be used in soups & mobile phones that have been through the washing machine

[Couperwife]

these sound really good (including the drying the mobile phone thing )

 

I might have to invest in one - where do I look for a good one?

 

cathy

x

[Chucky Mama]

These are the same as mine:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/5-Tray-Laser2000-Food-Dehydrator-BNIB-/300427104242?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Babay_Baby_Feeding_Cups_Dishes_Cutlery_LE&hash=item45f2d9cff2

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Food-Dehydrator-natural-way-conserve-food-BNIB-/320529759652?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_HGKitchen_SmallApp_RL&hash=item4aa10ffda4

[Couperwife]

ooh thank you now to find someone with an ebay account (im not allowed - could do waaaaaay to much damage )

 

cathy

x

[Charlottechicken]

Thanks for those links, CM

 

Great to have a recommendation for a cheap machine too! Time to spend a bit of money, methinks, a bit of retail therapy after my op!

[Chucky Mama]

It does take a while for things to dry. I tend to put fruit in overnight. Herbs don't take long though. I buy my corriander from the Asian supermarket - £1 for a huge bunch. I can then dry it, crush it up and put it in a jar to add to curries whenever I fancy

[Charlottechicken]

Confession time!

 

I didn't get a dryer, I bought a press instead Thought I would get more out of the press as the vines are going beserk this year and there's lots of other fruit too, plus I'd like to have a go at cheese making and it is dual purpose. I'll have a go at fruit leathers in the oven to see if I like them.

[Lesley]

Good choice! - you can make 'moonblush' tomatoes in the oven as well.....

[Charlottechicken]

Good choice! - you can make 'moonblush' tomatoes in the oven as well.....

 

Would you like to expand on that Lesley? Moonblush tomatoes??

 

[Christian]

It's a Nigella 'recipe' CC.

 

Turn your oven on as hot as it will go.

 

Spread your tomatoes onto a baking tray (or two) and sprinkle with sea salt, some herbs and a drizzle of oil (If I remember correctly).

 

Turn the oven off and put the trays in. Leave overnight without opening the oven.

 

They should be nicely dehydrated by morning.

 

We have 2 fan ovens, which also cool the oven down when you turn them off. It meant that the toms didn't dry properly Turn the oven off at the wall if you have a fan.

 

They keep for a while in a Lock & Lock but best to put them in a sterile jar and top up with oil. They make nice presents too.

[Charlottechicken]

Thanks Christian, that sounds interesting

[C&T]

I really REALLY shouldn't read this forum...

 

Yet again I find out about things that I have no idea how I have managed to exist without up till now.

 

Am sitting here, wondering how, if I do buy one of these, where I put it when I get home, so when OH does see it, I can refer to it as "oh, that old thing?? had it for years..."

[Christian]

I have a couple of sockets in the utility room that I could plug one into......a few jars in front of it and OH wouldn't notice!

[bronze]

If you're interested in asking her advice Mim who was on the program posts on the green living forum

[stehaggan]

Well my kitchen is in the loft so it gets very hot and i'm fed up of apples etc going funky very quickly because of the heat so i've just bought a dehydrator off ebay for the fruit. We have a herb garden on the lotty but think it would be good to dry some of those to give away to people and also to jar up for the winter.

 

Any other recommendations what to use it for?

 

thanks