Mason Jars and Oxygen Absorbers

[jimmycthemd]

I agree with both of you on the time and effort. There IS, however, value in the knowledge/practice gained in at least attempting these endeavors. For me, at least, the time spent doing this wasn't the 3-12 hours it takes to dehydrate. During that time I was packing away my 3rd month of rice/beans/oatmeal, etc. and doing other chores around the house. I also now have an added skill. Again, you have to factor in the time/effort to see if that's how you want to spend every weekend. For me the knowledge gained resulted in a resounding 'no'. I will, however, occasionally use this process to augment my other methods of storing food WHEN IT MAKES SENSE.

Now, 1Admin has a log splitter as a time saver. He gained the skill to split wood by hand before he acquired the wood splitter so he already has the knowledge and practiced skill. Anyone can split wood but, as in most tasks, there are 'tricks of the trade' and techniques that you pick up only via experience. My 19yo COULD split wood. At almost 60, I bet dollars to doughnuts that I can out-produce him because I learned how as a kid (demonstrated when we had to use a pick-axe to break up a portion of the back yard that was packed clay....I outperformed him 4 to 1). He's a lot stronger than I am but I can 'out work' him in most cases because of the skills I acquired growing up around farms that he has no interest in learning right now. The same can be said about dehydrating, lighting fires, navigation and many other things that may be useful in a PAW world (or even an emergency situation). Even if we live in suburbia, which I do, skills like that are still well worth acquiring.

[610Alpha]

One could argue "for practice and knowing how" and yes I agree, but ECONOMIES OF SCALE *for me* say it doesn't make sense to BUY all your produce, BUY the mason jars, spend the time processing and drying to end up with a product inferior in moisture content to true dehydrated long term food products.

No one said it isn't worthwhile to gain the knowledge...neither myself nor 1Admin said this...in fact I have a video on the "Registered Members" forum showing my results of dehydrating frozen green beans. Am I doing it now....heck no. I am buying the quality stuff that will last. Maybe if I bought me one of them there fancy dehydrators and one of them #10 can sealers I might do it but that would be mucho denero and I got other things to do with that moola. Its always good to get the knowledge but like 1Admin said economies of scale and opportunity cost should be factored in. Have I dehydrated with a solar dehydrator? Nope, don't have one...could I make one? most likely.

[MJC]

for most anything you need to know about dehydrating, I found a terrific site called dehydrate2store.com. great advise, videos, and not-for-profit.

[Daelith]

I know Goatlady said she doesn't use O2 absorbers or vacuum seal her mason jar storage stuff.
If you are vacuum sealing the jars though, would you really need an O2 absorber in it?

[jimmycthemd]

I know Goatlady says she's kept dehydrated food in mason jars for up to 10 years with out vacuum/oxygen absorbers with just a little degradation to the color/texture. I'm new at this and have a vacuum attachment for my Foodsaver so I use it (hey, I have it so it's 'free'). I also put in a couple of 100cc oxygen absorbers for good measure.
The answer to why the oxygen absorbers when you vacuum the jar is that the vacuum attachment doesn't get all of the air out of the jar. I use it for good measure. 200cc of absorbers when it's about $12 for 100 of them is about 25 cents. It's worth it to me for good measure. Again, I'm new at this so I tend to overkill things like this. Better safe than sorry.

[jimmycthemd]

Just to give you and idea of the weight/space saving home dehydration gives you here are some preliminary results:

1) Carrots. I bought 4 1lb bags of frozen carrots and dehydrated them. The end result was that 64 ounces of pre-dehydrated carrots weighed 14 ounces dehydrated and fit into a pint mason jar.

2) Peas. I dehydrated about 2 pounds of frozen peas and they fit into a pint mason jar. I haven't weighed the peas yet.

I do this as an experiment not as a primary method of veggie LTS. I don't have a garden so it's not cost-effective but it is a way to increase my LTS when I can't afford to buy commercially processed products.

[Daelith]

That makes good sense. I'm new to this too so have to ask to learn.

[Bama]

I am also new to this, my question is , Why dehydrate? Why not hot pack and can the said green beans? Can them in ready to use portions?

[jimmycthemd]

First, I'm already familiar with canning and decided to experiment with the dehydration. Second, dehydrated veggies take up a LOT less room in the pantry. One pint mason jar of dehydrated carrots can hold about 3 or 4 quart jars worth of canned. Lastly, home canned veggies will only last a couple of years. Dehydrated will last 5 years plus.

I want to be familiar with as many ways of preserving food as I can. My next venture will probably be to either can meat or try jerky. Haven't decided yet.