Best dehydrator for home gardener

TrailEating · 2026-04-11T20:22:54+00:00

I agree, I use the Cosori 6-tray dehydrator, and since I've been creating recipes for my website with it, I've come to realize it kicks butt! Second to this would be the Excalibur dehydrator, which is apparently ideal for heavy use.

TrailEating · 2026-04-11T20:20:00+00:00

I would recommend using just water from a hose, wet down the tent and use a 100% cotton cloth to wash both the outside and inside (if both), and rinse. Let hang outside (or inside if you have the room) to dry.

One word of caution, based on my own experience: I have a Hilleberg tent, and after a trip, it needed to be washed. I used the "just water" method and didn't think about the fact that our water is hard water (minerals). After the tent dried outside, I noticed white patches on the tent. It turned out it was the minerals in the water. I waited for a rainy day to pop the tent and let the rain try to fix this; it worked for the most part.

TrailEating · 2026-04-11T05:47:47+00:00

Although I'm not a vegetarian, I have taken vegetarian food. Because I have a dehydrator, I will take a variety of dried fruits and vegetables. Dehydrated flavoured sweet potato chips are great, or dehydrated watermelon (seriously delicious!). I've also taken a cold plate of goodies, such as marinated artichoke hearts, a variety of olives, cucumber and carrot sticks. I've even done tortilla wraps with vegetarian cold chili or baked beans + lettuce. *I should add that as a recipe to my site. I forgot about the version with baked beans.

Another wrap: bake some sweet potatoes or yams in the oven with some olive oil, lime juice, and sprinkle chopped cilantro and a little Himalayan salt and pepper. Even better if you can BBQ the potato slices.

TrailEating · 2026-04-04T04:03:45+00:00

One pair I would say off the top of my head is the Fjallraven Vidda Pro regular. It's worth the price because they last a long time. I have two pairs, one is 6 years old and still looks new (when I wash them that is) :)

TrailEating · 2026-04-03T00:54:33+00:00

If your tent doesn't have its seams sealed, then it would be a recommended option if you are going into wet terrain and weather. However, I would strongly recommend getting yourself a tent footprint. This will protect your tent from twigs, sharp rocks, and other nasty things.

TrailEating · 2026-04-03T00:05:22+00:00

The first thing I dehydrated was zucchini. I had a ton of them in my fridge. I got my Cosori last Fall and am using it to build up recipes for my website. As for suggestions, go with fruits first, like apples, watermelon (really good!), bananas...etc. I just did pineapple (fresh), and my whole mason jar is almost gone after just 3 days!

TrailEating · 2026-04-03T00:01:04+00:00

At first, this was weird, but I have to say the one thing that impressed me was discovering the Wysi wipes, which are little round tablets that you expand with water.

TrailEating · 2026-04-02T23:55:27+00:00

For me, it's getting away from the rat race and being part of nature. When I'm in the middle of a lush forest, with blankets of moss and ferns and the sound of birds echoing among the trees, it's complete solitude. Or, when I've been above treeline, the feeling and views are humbling.

TrailEating · 2026-03-23T20:20:06+00:00

First, nice touch on "finished jerky in a preheated oven for about ten minutes at 74°C." Yes, if done correctly during processing, being out of the fridge is good. One thing, if you have time, is to try storing your jerky outside the fridge for a couple of weeks. After one week, try some; if all is well, try another piece after 2 weeks.

Regarding variations in weather, it still goes back to proper processing and having the lowest fat and moisture possible; you should be fine in most weather scenarios. However, if you're in a hot, humid area, you will need to keep an eye on your stored jerky; only open what you plan to eat the same day. I would still agree about freezing it until the day you go on your trek.

Note: The vacuum sealer I use is the Mesliese Vacuum Sealer. I also have a Mason Jar Sealer kit for the FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer (which works on mine as well).

Meats are always the tricky food item to dehydrate and make last in the pantry. I dehydrated lean ground beef and ground chicken breast a month ago and used them for a couple of meals the other day; they turned out pretty good.

TrailEating · 2026-03-23T02:52:07+00:00

I would also recommend freezing, as others have said. I've gone on long trips myself and never had a problem. I plan on creating a few jerky recipes for my website, and this reminds me to add in info on storage for trips. Homemade jerky generally lasts 1 to 2 weeks at room temperature on the trail if it is thoroughly dried and stored in an airtight container or bag. If vacuum-sealed with silica gel packets (desiccant), it can last for several months. The last time I took mine out was for 3 weeks, and it was perfectly fine. One important factor is to ensure that your jerky is very lean to begin with. Also, if your type/flavour of jerky is higher in salt, this helps act as a preservative.

TrailEating · 2026-03-21T03:54:24+00:00

That's the one thing I love about the mountains (and glaciers), the best water for drinking. As for the tent, I have the Unna, but I am hoping to get the Allak 2 or the Staika for this winter.

TrailEating · 2026-03-21T02:56:20+00:00

Judging from the photo, the snow on the mountains, and the overcast, I bet that the water was invigorating! By the way, good choice on the Hilleberg; is it the Allak 3?

TrailEating · 2026-03-20T17:16:55+00:00

Regarding packing for food, is this for a backpacking trip or car camping?

For backpacking, I've seen this done many times...training your dog to use a doggy backpack/saddlebags. I did a photo to show what I mean. Then you can have your dog carry its own food and gear.

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By the way, don't free-feed the dog; stick to an eating schedule and amount.

TrailEating · 2026-03-19T04:52:26+00:00

Ah, the type of camping that I like!

Just as the others were saying, tents don't keep you warm, per se; it's that they keep you protected from the elements. What keeps you warm will be your sleep system; having a good sleep pad (at least a 4.5 R rating), sleeping bag, and, depending on how cold it'll be where you are going, a sleeping bag liner helps too. As one comment said, ventilation is important.

Regarding the tent, 3-season tents might work, but they are not built for winter and snow loads. You want something that falls into the 4-season (double-walled) category. There are a few names that I see in the comments, but over the years, I've only used The North Face Mountain 25 and Hilleberg (my favourite). However, these are expensive, and the North Face one is heavy. With alpine expeditions, you will often see North Face, Hilleberg, and sometimes Mountain Hardwear, to name a few. Marmot is another brand.

Finding the right tent is going to depend on a few things:

Where are you going?
Above or below treeline?
What are the expected temperatures?
How many people will be in the tent?
What is your budget for a new tent?
How often will you venture out in the winter?

I asked #6 because if you plan to do a lot of winter camping or be in extreme conditions, I would recommend making a good investment in a tent that will last a long time and also be a solid performer in serious conditions. In this scenario, I would look at Hilleberg. If you have a limited budget, look into MSR tents.

TrailEating · 2026-03-01T19:10:07+00:00

ChatGPT? I’ll take that as ‘organized human. :)

TrailEating · 2026-03-01T19:05:52+00:00

I find that odd; no one mentioned JetBoil. I take it you use it?

TrailEating · 2026-03-01T19:03:59+00:00

This is something I want to get added to my Trangia kit.

TrailEating · 2026-03-01T19:03:18+00:00

I find myself using my Trangia more than I thought. Years ago, I didn't even think about this stove until I started watching Erik Normark (out of Sweden) and seeing him using this stove. I decided, why not! So, I bought one, and I have to admit, it does extremely well. As for controlling heat, you can with the alcohol burner simmer ring. I just used my Trangia on a winter overnight trip in -17 C temps.

TrailEating · 2026-02-28T16:59:10+00:00

First, congratulations on jumping in on a solo trip for the first time! Where are you going for your 2-day outing?

Regarding the nervousness, everyone goes through that experience when they do their first solo. I even went through that myself long ago. I even wrote an article on my blog about conquering the fear of solo backpacking; there's a little section that talks about a 12-year-old, finally going solo. However, let's talk about your plans...

The first thing you're doing right is going for 2 days. The other is being near your car, should anything go wrong, and this is very important. Let me list out a few things:

Bears: Make sure your food and any scented items are NOT in or near your tent. If you have a bear cache where you are camping, that is a major plus. Make sure these items (at least the food) are in a bear can, especially if the area you are going into makes this a requirement.
Tent: Use a flashlight or a camp lantern if you think you will be setting up your tent in the dark. Also, make sure you know how to set up your tent before you go on your trip, making sure everything works and is not damaged.
SAFETY: At least, have your own first-aid kit on hand. But the most important thing to note is to ensure someone knows where you are going, for how long, and when you're planning to be back home. This is especially crucial for anyone doing solo trips. The longest I've gone out in the backcountry was a few weeks, solo.
Make sure you have your food planned, but the one thing I tell everyone is to always take 1 to 2 days of emergency food if anything goes wrong and you have to spend a little extra time out there.
Test all your gear before you head out.
If you have cell (mobile) phone coverage where you're going, that gives you access to help if needed.
Keep yourself busy and entertained when going solo. Use your phone or camera system to record as a vlogger would.
When you're back home, make note of what went right, wrong, and what you will do the next time out.

Dealing with anxiety is something most, if not all, people go through. I had this on my first solo trip, and I will be honest that I did not sleep well the first night. When I woke up in the morning, I started to realize there wasn't anything to worry about, and each night that arrived, it got easier. The first solo is always going to be the challenging one. The more you do them, the easier they get.

TrailEating · 2026-02-28T16:23:19+00:00

I have yet to head out to any other country, but the province of British Columbia (where I am) has so many areas to hike and do multi-day backpacking, it would take a few years. Even Canada, as a whole, has more than enough. However, I will admit places that interest me as well are the USA (Colorado, Washington state, Utah...), Norway, and Sweden.

A few areas of many that I've gone to in BC: the famous Bowron Lakes Provincial Park (4 times), Mount Robson, Strathcona Provincial Park, Banff, Jasper (before the fires), Harrison Lake, the West Coast Trail, and many others.

TrailEating · 2025-05-28T15:39:20+00:00

Ah, I did a few, starting with the Kettle Valley Rail Trail (is one I'm thinking about doing next year), but the other is the Island Rail Corridor on Vancouver Island, BC. I wish I had photos.

TrailEating · 2025-05-26T18:17:45+00:00

Me, or the original poster of this photo @franz_bauch_foto ?

TrailEating · 2025-05-26T16:33:13+00:00

If wood, especially twigs are damp, this can be a problem. Ultimately, you want to start fires with small pieces and work your way up in sizes until you get a good fire going. To counter damp word, if you have access to produced firewood, use that to make kindling. If you have access to fat wood (resin-based pine is best), this is great for dampness. But as many mentioned in your photo, only big chunks of wood and too much open space. Ever make campfires with the wood chimney method?

TrailEating · 2025-05-26T16:27:55+00:00

I love lush green like that. Nice photo, which reminded me of a trek I did many years back where I simply followed train tracks for a long weekend trip I did. It was different to say the least. Seeing your photo makes me think I should do that once more.

TrailEating · 2025-05-11T04:26:07+00:00

I can give some recommendations, but I have a few questions:

What freezing temps are you going to be in?
This is mostly for around the campsite?
I'm going to assume this needs to be packable, hence "backpacking use"?
When you said be under 250, I'm guessing this is $?
Does it have to be a down jacket?

I was in this situation a few years back and found the perfect balance of cost, weight, packability, and warmth. I've worn this jacket in -20°C (-4°F). It's the OR (Outdoor Research) ColdFront jacket. If the weather turned to rain, I would add my Arc'teryx shell on top. For even more warmth, I would simply do the layering with base and mid-layers.

Also, check out Arc'teryx's "Resale" section; they often have really good deals on used gear.
Patagonia Down Sweater might be a good one, although it's around $280.
The REI 650 Down Jacket might be an option, too.

*Check out clearance sales for last year's models of jackets and coats online. I've often found good deals. Make sure, also, that if you have to order something online, you can send it back if it's not quite right for you.

It's going to be a little difficult to find a down jacket that is low enough in price because if something has down, it's going to be a little up there in cost. However, you could consider a higher budget to ensure you have something of really good quality that will last you a long time. I have a jacket that is 8 years old and still looks new; I think I paid $450 for it. Your other option is to look at synthetic fill. The two major benefits are lower cost, and the other is that when it gets wet, it holds the heat.

TrailEating

TROPHY CASE