The Dehydrator Chef is a source of been-there, done-that information about dehydrating food for camping, hiking, backpacking, and general food preparedness. We could also add in self-sufficiency and reduce food waste.
My experience with dehydrating food dates back to the mid-1980s, when I started making beef jerky. Like many folks, I initially used the oven before upgrading to a basic, no-name department-store food dehydrator.
Since then, I’ve been applying the knowledge from what I have learned over the years to create homemade dehydrated meals for weekend camping trips and longer outdoor adventures. I’ll also add the benefits of learning-by-doing for healthier food options and saving money.
Like many folks, I do have a supply of freeze-dried meals stored away in the pantry. Some might say they are expensive, and perhaps they are. Freeze-drying food takes specialized equipment and a considerable amount of time. Also, freeze-dried meals tend to be higher in sodium and other additives than I would prefer.
Today, with the internet, it’s easier than ever to source ingredients and find ideas for making homemade dehydrated camping food.