Taking up food storage can be quite a journey, I agree! I've personally found a good mix of dehydration and vacuum sealing to give the best results for longevity. You mentioned you're looking for dehydrator recommendations – the Excalibur 9-Tray Electric Food Dehydrator has been absolutely fantastic in my experience. It's a little pricey, but worth it for the consistently excellent results.
As for vacuum sealers, I've been using the FoodSaver V4840 2-in-1 Vacuum Sealer Machine for a couple of years now and it's never let me down. The best part is, it also doubles up as a handheld sealer for things like zipper bags and containers.
Remember, it's not just about the equipment. It's also about proper preparation – wash your fruits and veggies thoroughly, blanching if necessary, and make sure everything's completely dry before sealing or dehydrating. This knocks out any bacteria that could potentially cause spoilage.
Ever tried turning your garden harvest into preserves or pickles? It's another great way to make
