Dehydrating food, in general, is an excellent method used to preserve foods. Meats, fruits, and vegetables are all dehydrated to make foods we all know and love, such as fruit leather, soups, and jerky.
You can dehydrate a variety of mushrooms to preserve them as a food source. Here we will discuss everything you need to know about the temperatures that mushrooms should be dehydrated at and what kinds of mushrooms to use!
What is the Temperature Span for Dehydrating Mushrooms?
The temperature span for dehydrating mushrooms can vary anywhere between 110 degrees F and 125 degrees F. Temperatures will ultimately depend on the mushroom size and the thickness of each mushroom slice.
The dehydrating process will typically take 6-8 hours for your average mushroom slice but could take longer depending on the mushroom size and thickness of the slice. To tell if the mushroom has finished dehydrating, see the list below.
- The edges should be crispy and brittle.
- The mushroom should snap in half instead of bend.
What is the Ideal Temperature for Dehydrating Mushrooms?
Since all dehydrators are different, It’s essential to inquire about this information through your dehydrator manual. However, the ideal temperature ranges between 110 degrees F and 125 degrees F.
For fruits and vegetables specifically, setting your dehydrator to a lower temperature is ideal. For dehydrating jerky or other meats, the temperature needs to be set at a safe temperature no higher than 170 degrees F.
Is the Temperature for Dehydrating the Same for All Types of Mushrooms?
Nearly all mushrooms, cultivated or wild, are to be dried at the prime temperature of around 125 degrees F. Therefore, there are multiple choices when deciding which mushrooms you’d like to dehydrate to preserve. The list below is some different mushrooms to try dehydrating.
- Shiitake
- Portobello
- Chanterelle
- Crimini
- Porcini
How Can You Tell If the Temperature for Dehydrating Mushrooms is Too High?
Unfortunately, if mushrooms are dehydrated at too high of a temperature, you’ll have ruined the batch.
On the other hand, if the mushrooms have been dehydrated at too high of a temperature, you can tell by simply cutting open the slice to inspect the interior as well as the state of the exterior.
Suppose the interior has failed to dehydrate while the outermost layer has seemed to have dehydrated nicely. In that case, this is a sign that you have indeed attempted to dehydrate the mushrooms at too high a temperature.
How Can You Tell If the Temperature for Dehydrating Mushrooms is Too Low?
If it’s been over ten hours and your mushroom slices are still bending and not snapping in half, it’s most likely because your dehydrator was not set at a high enough temperature. Simply crank up the temperature, and continue to watch them for better results.
Dehydrated mushrooms last indefinitely, so it’s crucial to dehydrate them correctly. Ignoring the signs of the slices being more hydrated than usual will result in considerable time and product loss.
Final thoughts on the Temperatures for Dehydrating Mushrooms
Dehydrate mushrooms anywhere between 110 degrees F and 120 degrees F, with a prime temperature of 125 degrees F. It’s always important to check your dehydrators manual to confirm this for your specific model.
This temperature is ideal for all types of edible mushrooms, regardless if they are cultivated or wild. However, if the exterior of the mushroom is dehydrated nicely but the interior remains intact, you have dehydrated them at too high of a temperature.
If the temperature is too low, the dehydration process will not take effect. However, if it does, it will indeed take a long time to dehydrate the mushrooms thoroughly.