Nesco FD-28JX Use And Recipe Manual page 8

Storing Your Dried Food ___________
Some pieces may dry in a shorter time than others and should be removed
and placed in an airtight container while allowing the rest of the pieces to
remain in the dehydrator until sufficiently dry.
Package all dried foods promptly to prevent contamination by insects and to
prevent stickiness and rehydration caused by humidity. Store dried foods in
airtight, moisture-proof containers.
Home vacuum packaging devices are ideal for packaging dried foods. They
extend the shelf life of dried foods three to four times. Home vacuum
packaging can be done in bags or glass jars. Manufacturers' bags, designed
for use in home vacuum packaging, are moisture-proof and airtight. Glass
jars are vacuum sealed using a lid with a rubber gasket. Only glass jars which
have been tempered for canning should be used. Other storage jars may
explode under the pressure of vacuum packaging.
Bag sealers can also be used to package dehydrated foods. Bag sealers do not
remove air within the package, but the bags are moisture-proof and airtight.
Squeeze the pouch tightly against the food to remove as much air as possible
before sealing.
Plastic freezer bags can be used. Plastic storage bags, not labeled for use in
the freezer, generally are not airtight nor moisture-proof and should not be
used to store dried foods.
Since most packaging materials are transparent, store packaged dried foods
in a plastic or metal container which will not allow the light to penetrate.
Do not store fruits and vegetables together in the same storage container
because flavor and moisture may transfer.
Fruit leather is best if removed while still warm. Wrap in plastic wrap and
place in airtight moisture-proof containers for storage.
Onions and tomatoes are especially prone to absorb moisture from the air
and should be packaged immediately after removing from the dehydrator.
If foods are insufficiently dried, or are exposed to moisture from
incomplete packaging, they can lose quality and nutrition, and can
even mold during storage.
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