Before understanding a meat dehydrator, we will look at what a food dehydrator is. A food dehydrator is a mechanical device used to remove moisture from food. The removal of moisture is done to help preserve food for a more extended period. Many people dehydrate their food as they enjoy snacking or munching on dried delicacies such as banana chips, apple chips, beef jerky, etc. Many modern food dehydrators work on electricity that utilizes dry heat at lower temperatures. Meat dehydrated with a meat dehydrator can last up to a year or so.
Types of dehydrators
- Vertical flow dehydration: best for drying fruits and vegetables. They are small and inexpensive.
- Horizontal flow food dehydration: Works like an oven. Suitable for meat and other tough food.
Dehydration process
Now we will look at how meat can be dehydrated using a dehydrator. A large low-temperature dry oven is used for this process. The meat is thinly sliced, placed on a lightly oiled metal surface and put in the dehydrator. All the moisture is removed from the meat, which we call meat jerky. Many people enjoy eating meat jerky. For example, beef jerky is a ubiquitous snack eaten around the world. Other examples include pork, goat, camel, salmon, deer, lamb, and so on. The meat is dried quickly to prevent and limit bacteria growth. Dehydrated meat can last for a longer time.
Packaging is as important as the drying process. After the jerky is prepared, it is cooled and packed. It is usually packed in plastic and sometimes even vacuumed too. The packages are said even to contain oxygen absorbers that prevent moisture from damaging or spoiling the jerky. Further, it is sold in shops and markets to be distributed among the population.
You can dehydrate the meat at home with the help of a meat dehydrator. Many online stores sell this equipment to prepare jerky right at your home.
In the end, we can conclude that dehydration is a process of removal of water and moisture from food to make them last for a longer period of time. There are two types of dehydration. Jerky is a form of dehydrated meat eaten around the world made by removing moisture and water from meat.
