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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: plotstoeat on September 28, 2016, 19:57:22

Title: sun dried tomatoes
Post by: plotstoeat on September 28, 2016, 19:57:22

has anyone tried drying tomatoes? Is it possible in the greenhouse or better in the oven?

Title: Re: sun dried tomatoes
Post by: BarriedaleNick on September 29, 2016, 08:51:50

I do mine in the dehydrator and they come out pretty well.  So nice to have them on a pizza in the middle of winter.  I wouldn't leave in a greenhouse as I think they would take far to long and end up mouldy.   I did do some in the oven a while back but it took a while to figure out the best temp and I forget what I settled on.. 

http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-dry-tomatoes-in-the-oven-233887 and others may point you in the right direction.

Title: Re: sun dried tomatoes
Post by: plotstoeat on September 29, 2016, 09:42:25

Quote from: BarriedaleNick on September 29, 2016, 08:51:50

I do mine in the dehydrator and they come out pretty well.  So nice to have them on a pizza in the middle of winter.  I wouldn't leave in a greenhouse as I think they would take far to long and end up mouldy.   I did do some in the oven a while back but it took a while to figure out the best temp and I forget what I settled on.. 

http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-dry-tomatoes-in-the-oven-233887 and others may point you in the right direction.

Thanks for the link. From my research a dehydrator is the preferred method but I don't have one. Is this specically for kitchen use? Do you use it for drying fruit (which is also quite expensive to buy)? Apples, pears, plums etc are in plentiful supply around here at present.

Title: Re: sun dried tomatoes
Post by: BarriedaleNick on September 29, 2016, 10:18:21

We bought a pretty cheap model and I mostly use it for drying toms and chillies but we have done sliced apples and the like.  They turn out nice but we really should start using it more - I think there are a few threads about dehydrators and their use if you have a search..

Title: Re: sun dried tomatoes
Post by: johhnyco15 on September 29, 2016, 16:20:10

i think my dehydrator was around £30 i wouldnt be without it now berries tomatoes fruit all dry really well and very cheap to run

Title: Re: sun dried tomatoes
Post by: plotstoeat on September 29, 2016, 19:25:34

Quote from: johhnyco15 on September 29, 2016, 16:20:10

i think my dehydrator was around £30 i wouldnt be without it now berries tomatoes fruit all dry really well and very cheap to run

It's very tempting as I love dried fruit. First load of conference pears arrived today from next door. I made fondant aux poire but there is alimit to how much one can use.

Title: Re: sun dried tomatoes
Post by: Vinlander on October 02, 2016, 11:26:43

I'm tempted by a solar dehydrator like http://www.motherearthnews.com/diy/tools/solar-food-dehydrator-plans-zm0z14jjzmar but this one can dry 5 pounds a day - I'd be happy with what I could do in my oven - say 1kilo - so I'm thinking of scaling it down to a 1 metre cube for storage.

Cheers.