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Temperature of dryer on high


How Hot Does a Dryer Get? Enough to Kill Germs and Bacteria?

Dryers are quite useful. Some people refuse to buy them because they think their clothes will shrink in them, while others simply don’t know what dimensions work for them. Of course, most of you who already own a dryer know just how convenient it is to have an appliance that can heat up and dry your clothes quickly. The question is, how hot can a dryer really get, and can that heat kill germs?

Let’s face it, even if you’re the cleanest, most sanitary person around, you will catch some germs on your clothes. It’s an inevitable outcome of going outside and socializing. Luckily, bacteria usually can’t handle high temperatures (though there are exceptions, of course), so a bit of hot water and some exposure to heat ought to do the trick.

But then again, you’ll need a good balance of heat; after all, too much of it can ruin your clothes, and the germs will roam free on your garments if you don’t have enough.

In this article, I’ll try to provide an answer about dryer heat. By the end, you’ll figure out the optimal temperature for killing germs, while also keeping your clothes in one piece. But before we move on, let’s first discuss just how hot a single dryer can really get.

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How Hot Does a Dryer Get?

As I stated earlier, a dryer can’t be too hot, since high temperatures can damage clothing. Once water reaches the boiling point, it starts steaming and evaporating, which can actually burn the fabric. Manufacturers have known this since the very first dryers hit the market back in the day.  

As of 2020, the ‘industry standard’ for dryer heat is roughly between 125℉ and 135℉. Of course, 135℉ is far from the highest temperature that a dryer can achieve. Most modern dryers tend to cap at 150℉, but the best dryers tested go up to an astounding 176℉. Naturally, you will never need that high of a temperature to dry regular clothing, germs or no germs.

Those are the most common temperature levels of dryers. What you need to figure out is the temperature of your own dryer and whether it can kill germs or not.

Figuring Out the Dryer’s Temperature Levels

There are two common methods of figuring out the temperature levels of your dryer. The first method is rather easy — all you have to do is read through the user manual. After all, it’s supposed to list out the temperature range, right?

Well, yes and no. There definitely are brands out there that point out the temperature range of their dryers. However, don’t be surprised if you leaf through the user manual and don’t find anything about how hot it can get. And there’s another problem; even if the dryer does list the temperature range, they often tend to exaggerate or provide inaccurate info, so you end up with clothes that still have bacteria on them after drying.

If that happens, you can always try the second method, which involves using a thermometer. There are two different ways you can go about it. When you take your clothes out of the dryer, stick a meat thermometer in the pile and note the numbers down. But if you happen to have some money to spare, you can get an infrared thermometer instead; it will give you an accurate reading and you don’t even have to stick it anywhere.

What to Avoid Doing With Thermometers

Lots of people simply get a mercury thermometer and stick it in freshly-dried clothes. However, I would advise against doing this, since we all know what happens when you stick mercury directly into a heat source.

Bizarrely, some people even leave thermometers inside of working dryers in order to get the most accurate reading. It should go without saying that you must never, under any circumstances, put any working appliance inside of a dryer. Unless you want to risk breaking your dryer or short-circuiting a fuse, you’ll want to stick to the other options I listed.

How Does Heat Affect Germs and Bacteria?

Most microorganisms are heat-sensitive to some degree. They are also sensitive to other pathogens, but heat seems to be the most widespread ‘killer’ of germs. Naturally, the level of sensitivity will vary among different types of microbes; some will perish in relatively low heat, while others might survive scorching-hot temperatures. In fact, there are some bacteria that can function quite well in absolutely extreme heat.

So, how does that relate to our dryer and its ability to kill germs? Well, in order to figure out how it can handle microbes, we first need to know what kind of dryer we have. Very broadly speaking, there are two types of dryers:

A condenser dryer does what its name suggests — it takes the moisture from clothes and condenses it into water. On the other hand, vented dryers pull dry air inside of themselves from the laundry room. They then vent out all of the moist air through a special hose.

Both of these dryers have one thing in common, and that’s generating heat. Both condenser and vented dryers heat up the air inside of the drum, which gives the evaporation a needed boost. The hot air inside should, theoretically, be able to kill bacteria and germs. So, what would be the ideal temperature for getting rid of microbes from your clothes during the drying?

The Optimal Germ-Killing Temperature

Before discussing the optimal temperature for killing bacteria and germs, we should establish one thing: you will never be able to kill all of the germs on your clothes. Moreover, you shouldn’t want to.

Normally, when people think of germs and bacteria, they think of the ones that can cause us harm and are often linked to dangerous diseases. However, there are millions of so-called good germs that actually help our body stay healthy. Luckily, lots of these beneficial germs are quite resistant to heat.

And speaking of luck, most of the germs you would deem harmful are actually not very heat-resistant. In fact, they thrive in moderate temperatures between 57°F and 70°F. Of course, the optimal temperature level will vary depending on the microbe. In other words, some might die in lower temperatures than others.

But I’ve danced around the subject long enough — what is the highest dryer temperature that kills germs? That would be 149°F, just under the top temperature most dryers can handle.

Do Dryers That Run at 149°F and Above Disinfect Clothing?

People have often asked me what dryer heat will completely disinfect their clothes. The truth is, there is no dryer that can do that because, in order to disinfect something completely, you’ll need an extreme source of heat. And that source would probably burn the clothes away, so it’s pointless to try and reach it.

But as I stated above, you don’t need to get rid of 100% of the germs on your clothes, since lots of them are quite beneficial for you. Sanitizing them in a dryer will, however, get rid of 99. 9% of the harmful ones, so you’re safe either way.

What if I Can’t Get the Optimal Temperature?

Even if your dryer can’t get the optimal temperature, you can still get rid of most of the harmful germs. However, there’s a catch. In order to do it successfully at a low temperature, you have to expose your clothes to the heat for a longer time than usual.

Not all germs and bacteria will perish at 135°F; the ones that do, however, will be gone in a matter of minutes. The stubborn germs which handle heat well will take roughly about 30 minutes to kill in a 145°F dryer. Luckily for you, these stubborn germs are few and far between; most of the ones you want to kill fall in the 135°F category.

Naturally, getting rid of these germs properly will also depend on the type of clothing you’re trying to dry. Some materials require short drying periods and low temperatures, like polyester. You can find out more about different fabrics and how they dry by clicking here.

What Else Can My Dryer Get Rid Of?

As you can see, a dryer is quite effective against most of the harmful microbes out there. However, microbes are not the only living organisms that make a new home for themselves in our shirts and dresses. Therefore, we need to know just how effective a dryer is in getting rid of other unwanted living things that crawl all over fabric.

Dust Mites

Dust mites are not only incredibly annoying, but also dangerous for your health. And while there are plenty of methods of getting rid of them on various online lists, few sources mention dryer heat.

If you have a dust mite problem, you’ll be relieved to hear that dryers can absolutely kill them. All it takes is roughly 15 minutes and a heat setting of 130°F. So, if you have a dryer that can generate even more heat than that, the mites will be as good as dead in an even shorter amount of time. However, you won’t be able to get rid of their decaying bodies or feces with the dryer alone; instead, wash the clothes thoroughly first.

Bed Bugs

To me, personally, bed bugs are far more disgusting and annoying than dust mites, and they can be just as dangerous. So, when I learned that dryers can kill them, I felt both relieved and a bit elated at once.

In order to kill bed bugs in the dryer, you’ll need to expose your clothes to a temperature of 120°F for at least 30 minutes. The eggs are a bit more resilient than adult bugs, but 90 minutes ought to work for them. If your dryer can handle higher temperatures though, you’ll probably be able to get rid of them in roughly 15 minutes, tops.

Can My Dryer Overheat and Why?

Just like any other appliance, a dryer might overheat. Most people don’t notice, since dryers are supposed to be hot. However, I cannot stress enough that you have to pay close attention if your appliance gets hotter than usual. If you don’t, you risk your dryer breaking down or even causing a house fire.

Here are some of the most common reasons behind dryers overheating:

Restricted Air Flow

Dryers come with lint filters and vents. If either one of these gets clogged, your dryer will not have the air flow it needs to function properly. Once that happens, the internal temperature of the dryer starts to increase, which can lead to overheating.

In order to prevent air flow restrictions, always remember to clean the lint filter and to see if anything is clogging the vents.

You may also like: How to Vent a Dryer Without a Vent to Outside

Thermostat Problems

A dryer’s thermostat is responsible for regulating the temperature within the appliance. More often than not, thermostats will malfunction, and when they do, there’s a risk of overheating. So, in order to prevent any future fires, you should buy and install a new thermostat; they aren’t particularly pricy, and the repairs are so simple that anyone can do it.

Heating Element On the Fritz

A dryer’s heating element is as important as the thermostat, and after a while you might want to give it a thorough check. Sometimes, these elements shift, bend, or warp after prolonged use. Once they do, you can expect a heat disbalance. The next step is to schedule a repair or a replacement as soon as possible.

Dryers, Germs, and Bacteria: Final Thoughts

Dryers can get quite hot, and considering how thermophobic most of the harmful germs are, it won’t take more than a single drying session to get rid of them.

However, make sure to always check the type of clothing you’re drying, as well as the highest temperature setting on your appliance.

In addition, always pay close attention to any malfunctions or problems; after all, a dryer requires lots of maintenance and care in order to get you that perfect basket of dry clothes every time.

knowhow for fabric care |

(Image credit: Obelisk Home / Global Image Creation)

A tumble dryer temperature guide is essential to keep clothes and bed and bath linens in best condition when you dry these items in the appliance.  

While some things are best dried at a high heat others can be damaged by setting the temperature too high. In other words, to avoid having to replace garments and linens prematurely being temperature savvy is a must.

Laundry room ideas will provide you with a practical and stylish space in which to care for your items and our tumble dryer temperature guide contains all the details you need to make drying a stress-free process.

Tumble dryer temperature guide

The laundry symbols on the tags of clothes and bed and bath linens will indicate whether an item can be tumble dried. If it can, this may be with no heat at all, or at low, medium or high heat. Be mindful that tumble dryers may have additional heat settings, and you should consult your manual (online if you haven’t kept it) for recommended uses.

‘Picking the right setting on your dryer is important if you care for what you have in it,’ says Tim David, owner of Airlucent . ‘It’s easy to just load and use the normal setting but you may be doing damage to your fabrics. ’

But what are the rules on tumble dryer temperatures when it comes to different items and fabrics? Here are the details.

High heat tumble dryer setting

The high heat setting on a tumble dryer should be used for items such as towels and sturdy cotton items.

The temperature will vary between appliances, but as an example Samsung ’s high heat setting is around 140 to 145ºF (60 to 63ºC).

Medium heat tumble dryer setting

Use the medium heating setting on a tumble dryer for lightweight cottons, such as T-shirts. The permanent press setting works with a medium heat.

Medium is around 130 to 133°F (55 to 56ºC) on a Samsung appliance, for example.

Low heat tumble dryer setting

There are a variety of materials that should be dried with the low heat tumble dryer setting to avoid harm.

‘Many fabrics, such as acrylics, cashmere, wool, and linen, need low heat cycles when you tumble dry them,’ says Justin Soleimani, co-founder of Tumble .

Set the tumble dryer to low heat for clothes made from stretchy fabrics, too – that’s workout wear, and so on. 

Low heat is often used with the delicate setting on a tumble dryer, but check the item’s label as it may require no heat, or may be suitable for medium heat.

The low heat setting can be used after washing a down comforter or to tumble dry a duvet (but do check the tags on the items to make sure this doesn’t conflict with the manufacturers’ recommendations). 

Low is around 120 to 122°F (49 to 50ºC) on Samsung tumble dryers, as an example.

No heat tumble dryer setting

The no heat tumble dryer setting uses air at room temperature and there’s no heat. It’s for fluffing garments rather than drying them, and can help remove dust or lint, according to Whirlpool . 

What can affect dryer temperature?

The internal temperature of a dryer is affected by a number of variables, points out GE Appliances . These are the size of the load and how damp it is. ‘The combination of these two factors determines the amount of heat sink,’ explains GE. ‘Heat sink is the cooling action taking place when the clothes give up their moisture to the hot air stream that is flowing through the dryer drum.’

The actual temperature of the room also has an influence because a dryer pulls air in and then heats it up, say the GE experts.

Finally, air flow also counts. A build up of lint can restrict air flow and make heat rise, they say. Make sure to clean out the filter regularly to avoid this. 

Pay attention to the dryer type

Be aware that whether your tumble dryer is a gas or electric version affects how quickly it reaches the temperature selected. ‘Gas dryers heat up more quickly than electric dryers; they cut drying time short, but if you're looking for a quick fluff for more delicate fabric, don’t leave it in the gas dryer for too long,’ recommends Justin Soleimani.

What is the temperature of a dryer on high?

Typically, modern tumble dryers have a high heat around 150ºF (66ºC), but the actual temperature will depend on the model. Be aware that a higher temperature than this does not mean quicker and better results. Too hot a temperature can cause damage to fabrics.

What setting should my tumble dryer be on?

To determine the setting a tumble dryer should be on, always check the label on clothes and linens. This will indicate both the temperature and the cycle which should be used to keep items in good condition for longer.

As a rule high heat can be used for heavy cotton items, medium heat suits clothes like T-shirts, and delicates and sportswear needs low heat. 

Sarah is a freelance journalist and editor. Previously executive editor of Ideal Home, she’s specialized in interiors, property and gardens for over 20 years, and covers interior design, house design, gardens, and cleaning and organizing a home for H&G. She’s written for websites, including Houzz, Channel 4’s flagship website, 4Homes, and Future’s T3; national newspapers, including The Guardian; and magazines including Future’s Country Homes & Interiors, Homebuilding & Renovating, Period Living, and Style at Home, as well as House Beautiful, Good Homes, Grand Designs, Homes & Antiques, LandLove and The English Home among others. It’s no big surprise that she likes to put what she writes about into practice, and is a serial house renovator. 

compact and convenient, but not without features

The first impression of the Redmond RFD-0158 electric dryer can be described in two words: small and neat. At the same time, it is equipped with the capabilities of an “adult” dehydrator. And it is also made in Russia - import substitution in action.

In Redmond RFD-0158, you can set the temperature and duration of drying, change the distance between the trays in height. It is also important for devices in this price category and the ability to automatically turn off after the set time. Doesn't the device have a single minus? We will get the answer to this question by conducting practical experiments.

Features

Manufacturer Redmond
Model RFD-0158
Type dehydrator (food dryer)
Country of origin Russia
Warranty 12 months
Life expectancy 3 years
Declared power 250 W
Airflow type vertical
Housing material plastic
Tray material plastic
Body color white
Number of trays 5
Control electronic
Timer 1-72 hours in 30-minute increments
Temperature 35-70 °C in 5 °C increments
Features Possibility to change the settings during the drying process, adjustable tray height
Tray diameter 26 cm
Tray height 1. 5/3 cm
Usable area of ​​one/all trays 0.052 cm²/0.26 m²
Power cord length 1.18 m
Weight 1.89 kg
Dimensions (W×H×D) 27×21.5×28
Package weight 2.32 kg
Package dimensions (W×H×D) 28×23.5×28 cm
Average price

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Contents

The dehydrator is packaged in an almost cubic box. On a black background, photos of the device and fresh fruits and berries look great. A careful study of the packaging will allow you to get acquainted with the technical characteristics, features and advantages of this device. The package is equipped with a carrying handle.

Inside the box was the device itself and a set of documentation - instructions for use, warranty card and promotional materials. Packed in a plastic bag, the dryer is held in place thanks to the exact size of the device and packaging.

At a glance

As we mentioned above, the main characteristic of the Redmond RFD-0158 dryer is its compactness. This property is especially valuable for owners of small city apartments or users who do not have the need to process a rich garden or garden crop. The classic aluminum pressure cooker is larger than the Redmond dryer. So the user should not have much difficulty storing the dehydrator or finding a place to install it while working.

At the front of the white base is a control panel with touch buttons and a display. Five pallets are installed on top, which are covered with a lid. There are four oval-shaped ventilation holes on the surface of the lid. It is convenient to lift the cover and install it on the trays by holding it by the central ledge.

Lid and trays are made of transparent tinted plastic. The transparent material allows you to observe the progress of the drying process. The tray height of 1.5 cm can be increased up to 3 cm by mounting on special ledges. Trays are 26 cm in diameter. The diameter of the central opening for the free flow of heated air is 4 cm.

The plastic is processed qualitatively, we did not notice any scratches or chips. All parts fit snugly to each other, trays in any position are installed easily, without long aiming.

The outer surface of the base is smooth, in the inner part of the drying chamber there is a recess where drops of juice or liquid from the products can flow. At the same time, a solid, without holes, the panel protects the fan and the heating element from moisture.

Raising diameter 7.5 cm, height just under 2 cm.

On the bottom side, as expected, there are ventilation holes, a sticker with information about the product and four low legs with rubberized inserts. Thanks to anti-slip pads on the legs, the dryer is stable and motionless on the table.

Power cord was slightly longer than stated in the instructions. The length of 118 cm is recognized by us as sufficient for the operation of the device in normal household conditions. The unit does not have a cord storage compartment.

Visual acquaintance left us with the most favorable impressions. High-quality workmanship, good assembly, convenient design, protected fan and heating element, small size and low price - what else can a resident of a metropolis want who is not burdened with a dacha and buckets of harvest?

Manual

The instruction manual is traditionally for Redmond in the form of an A6 brochure. Information in the document is presented in three languages, the first one is Russian. On the first pages you can see the diagram of the dehydrator, the individual elements of the control panel and how to adjust the distance between the trays.

Then comes the more familiar information: safety measures, specifications, how to use the device, from unpacking to storage and transportation. For a novice user, tables with recommendations for drying will be useful - at what temperature and how long to dry different products. For our taste, a single study of the instruction manual will be enough to start successfully working with the dryer.

Control

Conveniently located control panel. The device does not emit any sounds when the buttons are pressed. The user can understand the purpose of the four buttons without studying the instructions - everything is so simple.

After turning on the network, a beep sounds and the device goes into standby mode. To start drying, press the on / off button located to the right of the display. The instrument starts up with the default settings: 8 hours at 35 °C. When you press the left button, the display shows a variable parameter - temperature or drying time. Using the "+" and "-" buttons, you can set the desired values.

During drying, the display shows the time until the end of the process. When finished, the appliance beeps, turns off the heat and fan, and enters standby mode.

The buttons respond adequately to pressing, the numbers on the LED display are bright and clearly visible even in very bright sun. In general, the control of the Redmond RFD-0158 dehydrator is obvious and very simple.

Operation

In addition to a careful inspection for damage, chips and other defects, before the first use, clean the device - wipe the case and wash the removable parts of the dryer in warm water and detergent.

The main advantage of the Redmond RFD-0158 dryer is its size: the device does not take up much space during operation and storage. The height of the trays is adjustable, which will allow, if necessary, to dry thick pieces of food, and not just thinly sliced ​​\u200b\u200braw materials. The holes in the trays are quite large, so for drying finely chopped raw materials, care should be taken that the pieces, when dried, do not fall down onto the base. The instruction advises when drying, for example, herbs, lay gauze on the tray.

In vertical dehydrators, products placed on the lower levels dry faster than those located above, therefore, during the drying process, the trays must be periodically changed places. We moved the pallets about once every 3-4 hours, with long-term drying - once every 5 hours. Within the same tray, products also lose moisture unevenly: the difference between the pieces of food laid in the center and along the perimeter is noticeable, this fact was especially pronounced when drying tender squid fillets. At first glance, there are three fairly simple ways to deal with uneven drying within the same tray:

  1. when checking the quality of drying, remove sufficiently dried pieces from the trays
  2. initially place the thinnest and smallest pieces of food closer to the center of the tray
  3. Swap the pieces in the middle of the process

Note that when drying fruits and vegetables, especially if it is required to dry them, and not to wither, the difference in the degree of dryness within the same level can be neglected. Moreover, this dryer is designed not so much for preparations and subsequent storage of dry products for many months, but for preparing desserts, snacks, etc. , which will be eaten pretty quickly.

The device is easy to operate, it turns itself off at the end of the process, which means that you can safely leave it running at night or during the working day.

The main remark concerns the temperature regimes or the operation of the thermostat. Already in the first test, we realized that something was wrong with the temperatures. The problem will be described in more detail below, in the section of practical testing. One conclusion can be drawn: when the Redmond RFD-0158 dryer is fully loaded, you can not be afraid of high temperatures and overdrying of products.

In all other respects, we were satisfied with the performance of the Redmond RFD-0158 dehydrator. Products do not burn, do not dry out, there is no need to move pallets often, the device turns itself off when it finishes working.

Maintenance

The manual recommends cleaning the appliance after each use. The case should be wiped with a slightly damp soft cloth. Removable parts should be washed with warm water and a mild detergent. Do not use abrasive or chemically aggressive substances for cleaning.

There were no problems with cleaning the trays. As always, we soaked them for a while in warm water with a drop of detergent, and then cleaned them with a soft dishwashing brush.

Our measurements

Power consumption measured with a wattmeter is:

More interesting and useful values ​​for energy consumption over a certain period:

The noise level can be assessed as low and comparable to a cooker hood operating at the first speed. If you are in the same room where the dryer works, then a quiet, uniform hum can start to annoy someone. There is no noise in the other room.

Now let's talk a little about the features of temperature conditions. The question arose because the bananas, put at 60 ° C, after 4 hours of drying looked almost the same as at the beginning, except that they darkened. We measured the temperature inside the drying chamber, and the results explained everything: at the lowest level, the temperature reached 33.5 °C, at the top, 30.5 °C. Then we raised the temperature to a maximum of 70 °C, and after a certain time we measured the temperature again, and after a few hours we repeated the procedure. In tabular form, numerical information is perceived better:

Time Temperature at the lower level, °C Upper level temperature, °C
30 minutes after setting 70°C 37 34. 1
after 8 hours 47.8 39.4
after 12 hours* 55.2 33.1

* Bananas were dried on the bottom three levels, fresh kiwis were on the top two levels. This explains the large difference between the temperatures at the top and bottom of the drying chamber.

We were confused not by the difference in temperatures between the first and fifth levels (this is absolutely understandable in this case), but by the discrepancy between the temperatures declared. For a more detailed check, a number of measurements were made in an empty drying chamber 45 minutes after the temperature was set. The data are presented in the table.

Set temperature, °C Actual temperature at the lower (first) level, °C Actual temperature at the upper (fifth) level, °C
35 31.1 30.0
55 40. 8 39.7
70 54.8 50.6

As you can see, even in an empty cooking chamber, the air temperature does not reach the set temperature. This is especially noticeable at the maximum value - the difference is almost 20 °C. Obviously, in a dehydrator loaded with products, the temperature at the upper levels will be even lower. Thus, you don't have to bother with temperature settings at all if you don't intend to dry delicate delicate foods like herbs. When drying fruits, berries and vegetables, you can set the maximum heating and a long period of work. In addition, you don’t have to worry about overdried products: within 55 °C at the lower level, an additional hour and a half of work will not fundamentally change anything.

Practical tests

The purpose of practical experiments is to evaluate the uniformity of drying within one tray and the convenience of using the dryer as a whole. We will see how comfortable the height of the trays is, whether products stick to their surface, and find out how many products generally fit on one tray.

Dried bananas

Bananas, peeled and cut into even pieces about 4 mm thick. We managed to place 860 g of bananas on four trays.

Set temperature to 60°C, duration 10 hours. However, after 4 hours, the temperature was increased to the maximum. At 70 °C (according to the device settings), the bananas were dried for another 13 hours. After that, the product could be considered ready: the slices were perfectly dried, they are flexible and soft, and quite dehydrated. After looking, touching and mashing the banana slices, we decided to add another 5 hours and see if the bananas got crunchier or tougher.

However, after five hours, the bananas were just as soft and supple. During 22 hours of operation (4 hours at 60 °C and 18 hours at 70 °C), the device consumed 1.467 kWh. The trays were interchanged five times.

Result: good.

Dried apples and kiwis

Kiwis have been peeled, cored and also peeled. 536 g of kiwi fit on two trays; 580 g of apples - for three trays.

Apples achieved a satisfactory result after 17 hours at maximum temperature. The pallets were swapped four times. The first, at the 15th hour of the dehydrator's operation, were the apples that dried up, laid along the perimeter of the trays.

It took another 3 hours to dry the kiwis completely. In total, kiwis were dried for 20 hours. Let us clarify that these results were obtained with a full load of the dehydrator. Less food or thinner slices would dry out faster.

The fruits turned out to be excellent in taste, firmness and softness - dried rather than dried, soft and flexible, and completely dehydrated. Actually, this is the result that is usually achieved when drying at 45-55 °C.

Result: excellent.

Dried melon

The melon was peeled and cut into small slices about 4-5 mm thick. 880 g of melon cut in this way completely loaded the dryer. By this point, it had already become clear to us that Redmond RFD-0158 could not be dried quickly, so we set the maximum temperature to 20 hours.

Pallets have been swapped 4 times during this time. After the predetermined time had elapsed, the contents of the trays were carefully examined and sufficiently dried slices were removed. The remaining pieces were placed on two trays. Another empty one was installed on top in order to comply with the requirement of the instructions to use a dehydrator with at least three trays. We were given two hours of work. In total, it took 22 hours and 1.767 kWh of electricity to dry the melon.

Pieces retained their light color, did not turn yellow or darken, but became significantly thinner. Soft, bendable. Melon can be dried in thicker slices, and larger ones, but the process in this case will be very long.

Result: good.

Dried squid

Well, having studied the features of the device, you can move on to drying delicate raw materials. As a protein test this time we decided to take squid. The product requires prior preparation. Therefore, the carcasses were cleaned from the insides and films, then cut into rings about 5 mm thick. We prepared a marinade: for 500 g of water we took one tablespoon of coarse salt, half a tablespoon of sugar, half a teaspoon of spicy smoked paprika. The squid was placed in brine for 4 hours.

Then laid out on trays. A total of three pallets were dried. Usually the squid is dried at 55-60 °C for 5 to 7 hours. Knowing our test subject, we immediately set the maximum temperature for 8 hours. After a specified time, the difference in the degree of dryness of the pieces located around the central hole and along the perimeter of the tray became visible. Part of the squid rings that were ready, we removed from the trays, moved the raw pieces closer to the edges and set to dry for another two and a half hours.

After 10.5 hours of operation of the dryer, all pieces of squid have reached readiness. The product is dried, flexible, does not break when bent, the pulp is transparent.

Result: good.

Sun-dried tomatoes

Let's finish the test by cooking sun-dried tomatoes. Tomatoes of the “Slivka” variety were cut across into circles 5-7 mm thick. They laid it on a tray, salted, peppered, sprinkled with sugar.

Set the maximum temperature to 18 hours. During this time, the trays were changed four times. At the beginning of the process, juice dripped from the tomatoes, dripping to the bottom of the dryer. Juice dripped, but it did no harm, because the heating element and fan are protected from moisture penetration into them. All the liquid accumulated in a recess at the bottom of the working chamber.

After 15 hours of drying, the tomatoes shrunk in size, so we moved the small wet pieces from the center of the tray to the periphery and added another 3 hours of work. At the end, almost all tomatoes reached the desired degree of dehydration, while retaining softness and not turning into crunchy dry tomatoes. We put the pieces that were not dry enough on one tray and put it on the lower level of the dryer for another hour. In just 19 hours of operation, the dehydrator consumed 1.948 kWh.

Sun-dried tomatoes were put in a jar, shifted with pieces of fresh garlic, poured with olive oil and put in the refrigerator for a couple of weeks.

Result: excellent.

Conclusions

In our opinion, this dryer will suit those users who like to cook, experiment and would like to have desserts or snacks from “clean” products on the table without added sugar, excess salt or other preservatives and flavorings. Dehydrator Redmond RFD-0158 looks attractive, small in size, does not take up much space either during operation or during storage. Through the transparent trays, you can observe the progress of drying and change trays when it seems necessary.

There is no need to change trays often even when drying at the highest temperature. During the tests, we moved the pallets about once every four hours. Even when processed overnight (about 7 hours), fruits or vegetables at the bottom did not dry out. Convenient auto-off function after the end of the user-set time. Drying parameters can be changed while the dryer is running. At the same time, either the set temperature or the time remaining until the end of the process is displayed on the display.

You can use the dryer quite successfully, remembering only one of its features: the air inside the chamber does not even heat up to the declared 70 ° C, so experimenting with the drying temperature is not at all necessary. In our opinion, Redmond RFD-0158 is a good compact and inexpensive dryer for a city dweller who does not set himself the task of processing the crop or drying a bag of apples for the winter.

Pros
Cons

How to choose a dryer for vegetables and fruits: selection tips, catalog

By the end of the summer, the harvest is getting bigger, and you need to somehow prepare it for the winter. A dryer for vegetables and fruits will help you with this. With this technique, you can dry almost anything: vegetables, fruits, herbs, as well as meat.

Excess moisture in the dryer is evaporated by an electric heater, usually paired with a fan. The device has several trays that close, for chopped or whole fruits. In this way, the required temperature is maintained and drying takes place.

The electric dryer can store food quickly, the device itself is compact, easy to operate, and the drying process does not depend on the weather.

Choosing the right dryer is worth paying attention to several basic parameters that are typical for this type of device. Among them are:

Drying type

There are two main types of dryers for fruits and vegetables. They differ in the method of heating: it is infrared and convective.

In the infrared dryer, the water from the fruits is evaporated using infrared rays, similar to the sun, excluding the effects of ultraviolet radiation. Processing at a low temperature helps to retain as many nutrients as possible in the fruits. At the same time, the color and smell of products practically does not change.

This method of drying fruits and vegetables will require pre-cutting. Also, infrared dryers do not do a good job of drying nuts.

An electric heating element works in a dryer with convective heating: it heats the air to the required temperature, and the liquid from the fruits evaporates under the influence of hot air currents. This option for drying products takes longer than infrared, but the dryers themselves are cheaper. In addition, you do not need to cut vegetables and fruits before processing.

Air circulation method

There is a difference between natural convection and forced air.

The second is the most common: the heating element installed inside heats the air, and the fan accelerates it through all levels, speeding up the drying. The resulting effect is reminiscent of drying: when the products are laid out in the sun and a warm wind blows them.

Fanless dryers are appliances with natural convection. They cost less, but their efficiency and processing speed are lower.

Heating element location

Depending on the dryer model, the heating element can be located at the bottom, side or top of the appliance.

Devices with a heating element on the bottom will dry food faster and more evenly. But there is a risk of drops of juice or moisture on the heater.

The top position is safer and lasts longer. However, warm air from it may not reach the lower trays. You will have to rearrange them manually for uniform drying.

In order to effectively blow hot air through all the pallets, some dryers have a heating element on the side. Outwardly, these dryers resemble small ovens, since their trays slide inward along the guides, according to the principle of a baking sheet in the oven. The only drawback of this solution is the dimensions of the entire device.

Power

The power parameter determines the speed of the dryer and the volume of products with which it is able to work at one time.

If you plan to process a small amount of fruits and vegetables, a 350-450 W dryer will be sufficient. For example, such a dryer dehydrates 5 kg of apples in 10-12 hours.

Models from 450 to 1000 W have multiple pallets and are designed for more severe loads. With the same number of apples, the dryer will cope 1.5-2 times faster. If you plan to dry a lot and often, we advise you to buy a dryer with a power in this range: from 450 to 1000 watts.

Devices with a power of 1000 W or more should be considered if you collect a rich harvest in your own garden every year and plan to sell the products.

Type of control

Modern dryers have several fixed temperature settings or the possibility of smooth adjustment.

The second option is preferred: it allows you to choose the exact temperature for drying a particular product. The ability to decrease or increase the temperature during the drying process is useful, for example for products of different moisture content.

Adjustments can be mechanical or electronic. Mechanics are more reliable, cheaper and simpler, but they also have much less possibilities than electronics.

With electronic control, the model may have a display that, in addition to the modes, shows the remaining operating time.

A very important feature for dryers is the countdown timer. It automatically turns off the heating element when drying is complete. It is useful, because often this is a process for a dozen hours, and it is difficult to be constantly near the device for control.

Number of levels and trays

The quantity and quality of trays available determines the volume and type of product that the dryer can handle. The quality of drying vegetables and fruits depends on the shape, material and dimensions of the trays.

Not all pallets are the same size. Some are adapted only for drying herbs - these are smaller sections, while others can dry some fruits and vegetables whole or with minimal cutting. The capacity of the section can be from 0.5 kg to 4 kg. Some models of dryers have the ability to adjust the height of the pallets by 1-2 cm.

The mesh size in each pallet only matters if you plan to harvest small berries and chopped herbs. Also, the kit may include special trays for drying meat and fish or making marshmallows.

Housing material

Models of modern dryers are made of two materials: plastic or light metal.

A metal dryer will definitely last longer, but it is more bulky and heavy, and even during operation, the body elements can heat up. Such a device is better to use in the country.

For a city apartment, it is popular to purchase a compact and lightweight plastic dryer. It will be possible to observe the process of drying fruits through transparent plastic - this will allow you not to open the dryer unnecessarily. The plastic case practically does not heat up.

Maximum drying temperature

All products have an individual recommended dehydration temperature. For example, dacha greens and herbs are enough for 35 degrees, sliced ​​​​apples are dried at a temperature of about 55, and for drying meat products, an indicator of 70 degrees is recommended.

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