Dehydrator Temp Input

[JinxsMom]

Hi all...still, as many of you...working through the process...I make my own treats with his wet food. I have recently read conflicting information on this forum and other resources, about the maximum temp that items can be dehydrated. I initially read no more than 118 degrees, but read somewhere else that it can be as high as 140 and not destroy the enzymes. What is the current research and recommendation?

Thanks!!

[jilbert57]

I read this:
However, enzymes are still proteins, and like all proteins, they begin to break down at temperatures above 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

But that was talking about whole foods, not added powdered enzymes.

I would probably go with the 118f.

You could also dehydrate some of the batch at 118 and some at 140 then observe the poop results. But that might not be worth the gut upset.

This is from Shirls recipe under treats tab:

Start dehydrating at about 130F. After an hour, turn the heat down to preserve enzymes (max 115F).

Jill

[Olesia711]

I too dehydrate foods, but without enzymes included.... i have an Excalibur Dehydrator and they too recommend 118 degrees F to preserve the natural enzymes

HOWEVER.... i think the confusion comes in with the 145 degrees F because they also mentioned that you can do this for a few hours to remove excess moisture/water (depending on what you are dehydrating!) prior to setting it at 118 because the internal temp of the food at the 145 temp for just a few hours does not exceed 118 internally in the food.

[JinxsMom]

Yes, I think my confusion was due to the 140 for a period of time...and I don't think it's worth the gut upset!!

[Olesia711]

whenever i do meat or veggies... i do the 145 temp for 1 hour and then back down to 118. WHen i do fruit i only do the 145 temp for 30 minutes and then back down to 118. (fruit is more "delicate")

[Chance]

I also have an Excalibur. It's great. It's temperature dial has a setting for "living foods". Enzymes would be a living food.

When making treats with enzymes, I always start at about 140 for about an hour or so, but then back it down to a lower setting; so as not to risk it. I've never had any issues with feeding those treats...unless they are too old. I think enzyme potency decreases over time, so I can't make massive amounts of treats at a time. And I store them in the fridge.

[Olesia711]

Andrea.... AHHHhhhh so you have an Excalibur too? i LOVE mine... it's been great... but mine must be much older than yours... i don't have the "living foods" option.... but then again... my Excalibur Dehydrator is over 10+ years old.

[Chance]

Mine certainly isn't new by any means. But not quite as old. I do like it. A lot. I like the living foods option. It shows meat, fruits etc, and living foods options on the temperature dial.