By The Rawtarian

What's the difference between a dehydrator and an oven? Can you dehydrate in an oven? It's tempting to try to dehydrate in your oven, but will you get the same results?

The Rawtarian answers these burning questions for you in this red-hot post!

How hot is too hot?

First off, let's review a very basic definition of raw food. Raw food is preferably organic, vegan food that isn't cooked above 116°F (47°C).  This is to prevent valuable dietary enzymes from being killed off, as well as ensuring the food is fresh and retains all its nutrients.

Ovens are designed to cook HOT, while dehydrators most definitely are not! Even the 'keep warm' setting on an oven is 275°F(140°C). So you can see where this is going...

In this corner: the Dehydrator!

  • Doesn't kill enzymes.
  • 'Cooks' evenly with proper airflow and temperature.
  • Effectively pulls moisture out of the food for optimal drying.
  • Minimal supervision required.
  • Energy efficient.

In this corner: the Oven!

  • Even at a "keep warm" setting, temperature is too high.
  • Kills vital food enzymes.
  • Most ovens don't have an air-circulating fan.
  • Expensive to run.
  • Can't leave it unattended.

The Rawtarian says...

Would you try to barbeque with a microwave? Would you try to vaccuum your floors with your hair dryer? Probably not. One tool is not like the other! So when your dehydrator recipe doesn't turn out because you've used an oven, don't be shocked. So instead, why not forget about dehydrating until you get a dehydrator? Or, instead, if all you have is an oven, look for baking recipes instead, since that's what an oven does!

You can certainly try dehydrating in your oven... if you have a convection oven, and you're willing to keep checking that the temperature doesn't get too high (usually by leaving door ajar and continual monitoring). People have done it - I've heard the stories! 

But if you want to ensure successful dehydrating, it's best to use a dehydrator. Because... well... that's what it's specifically made for! And you want those Raw Kale Chips to turn out crisp and perfect and yummy, don't you?

Comments

Top voted

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I've never used a dehydrator before and am interested in purchasing one, but have no idea how to pick a quality appliance. Any recommendations?

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hi, please help need to know what blender to buy that will keep it raw

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Hi Yvette! I love my Vitamix blender: www.therawtarian.com/appliances

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I talked with vitamix and they still have the "plastic" problem with their blenders. We returned ours because tiny little pieces of plastic get into your food. This has been an ongoing problem and they are trying to rectify the toxic problem.

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I've never used a dehydrator before and am interested in purchasing one, but have no idea how to pick a quality appliance. Any recommendations?

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We just got a new Samsung stove which had a dehydrator setting... It was $599 where as some of the top notch dehydrators weren't much less than that. I'm using it right now and it's amazing. Now I can make raw snacks and give them as gifts next year. This really is an amazing tool, the best part is it's never it of sight out of mind!!!

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Nice! I didn't even know they existed! What are you making, Angela?

Also, I am curious as to what the lowest temperature of the dehydrator is?

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https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS00049084/

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Well last night is the first time I have had time to play with it. I was just making banana wicks and seeing what it could do. In two hours the wicks were very dry, started then at 118° and then after reading set it to 105°. I didn't try to set it lower, but it is a convection so it keeps the air circulating. It's awesome I'm hoping I can get some reached specific to the stove. But if you have to update your stove this is the ticket!!!

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Angela, I also just got a Samsung with the dehydrator setting. That was one of the big selling points for me! I have a freestanding dehydrator now, that I'm hoping to reclaim the counterspace it's taking up. Did you buy any special trays for dehydrating in your oven? Thanks :)

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Watching this thread with interest :)

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This looks awesome. I am super jelly :)

Also, I totally agree about the out-of-sight out-of-mind thing - many people who own dehydrators keep them in the basement or garage where it's easy to forget about them. Very handy to have it at your fingertips!

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It is totally AWEsome!!! Since we've gotten it I've cleaned it as soon as anything spilled on the oven... It's just too pretty to let it stay dirty!!! I can honestly say I am in love with this and seriously recommend it to anyone changing it appliances. Thank you for all of the great raw recipes!!!

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Yay Angela!! I felt the same about my new apron-front sink that I just got. I want to see a picture of your kitchen!

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Hi Stacie,

You'll love it once you get into it. Particularly for savory stuff (crackers, chips, veggie burgers etc).

I have some recommendations here: http://www.therawtarian.com/appliances

But in short, I recommend the Excalibur with about 8 trays or so.

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hi, please help need to know what blender to buy that will keep it raw

Top Voted
66 votes
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Hi Yvette! I love my Vitamix blender: www.therawtarian.com/appliances

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