Canning Trying to dehydrate Blueberries

[Grouchy Granny]

Having issues with this - the first batch I did I followed the instructions in the book that came with the dehydrator - result - MEH! I ended up taking the off the trays and freezing them.

Second batch - in now, did not blanch them, just threw them in - after 24 hours still not dehydrated! GRRR - getting ready to do the same with the second batch that I did with the first.

So what am I doing wrong?

Also, Admins - can we get a separate thread in Granny's Kitchen specific to Dehydrating? It would help when I'm trying to find something.

 

[moldy]

Fruits with waxy coatings like blueberries and cranberries have to be blanched or pierced. Next time try poking all of them with a fork before drying.

 

[nomifyle]

Mine had been in the freezer for a long time, I let them defrost and rinsed really well. I put them on fruit roll up sheets and covered with mesh sheets and dehydrated for at least two day and they are completely dried blueberry rocks. To me, this is fine. I have no idea where the book that came with my dehydrater (excal) is. I look for directions some times and sometimes I just fly by the seat of my pants. One go to things is Rain Country utube channel, she (Heidi) is a wealth of practical knowledge.

ETA I have some banana chips in the dehydrator that have been dehydrated for about a week and they still don't break in to.

God is good, all the time.

Judy

 

[Thunderbird]

When we had a freeze dryer I cut each one in half to let the moisture out.

 

[summerthyme]

The books I have say to either prick each one with a needle (eek! That's gonna be a time consuming PITA) or steam them briefly.

I think I'd probably run them through a food processor and make a chunky fruit leather...

Summerthyme

 

[kyrsyan]

I cut them in half when I have the tolerance to dehydrate them. Typically, they go in the freezer.

 

[raven]

they typically only last about 10 minutes when I am around . . . . dehydrating blueberries? . . . who you trying to kid?

 

[Cuffo]

I just put them in the dehydrator frozen On screen and let them run during day and off at night. It takes few days but it works fine.

 

[summerthyme]

they typically only last about 10 minutes when I am around . . . . dehydrating blueberries? . . . who you trying to kid?

I've picked 7 gallons so far, and need to pick again. The quality is super this yesr... huge and sweet. Well worth the hassle of putting up framing to support 150 feet of bird netting.

Summerthyme

 

[Grouchy Granny]

Finally got them to dry - took about 24-30 hours total. I steamed the first batch and that was kind of a disaster so I just bagged them and threw them in the freezer.

My brother told me that Sprouts has them in bulk - I may just go that route!