Yes, a dehydrator will work for drying herbs. Just be sure to use the lowest heat setting you've got. Some herbs will discolor slightly upon drying. However, I believe it was on an episode of Good Eats where I saw the host, Alton Brown, talk about very quickly blanching herbs before drying. It supposedly helps them retain their color but I haven't tried it personally.

Rodney

Agree. If it is browning then you are using too much heat. Steam blanching them first does help I find but the main issue is too much heat. I find micro-wave drying of chopped herbs spread out on a paper towel.faster and easier. You just do it in 30 sec intervals until fully dried. How long all depends on how thinly spread they are.

Dave

haven't used heat yet. on these... air dried the basil. it turned brown no way will I microwave maybe on say heating pad

thanks

Air drying is probably the least effective and least efficient method for drying herbs. Very slim odds for success unless one lives in one of the arid, desert regions.

Not only are the herbs exposed to all the humidity in the air but to all the detrimental bacteria and fungi in the air as well.

Using a heating pad not only poses a fire risk and high electricity use but still has all the problems with air exposure.

Dave

Make a "pesto" with basil or parsley and OO. Garlic if you want or add later for different types of recipes. I then freeze them in cupcake or mini muffin tins sprayed with oil. Sometimes you have to let them thaw a bit to get them out of the muffin tins, but just pop them in a zip lock, press out the air and use as needed. Sometimes they need a few more drops of OO to moisten, but I find this works out pretty well. I also do this with buttermilk cause I use it so seldom. One cupcake of buttermilk usually coats 2 pieces of chicken or fish for breading and air frying.

I also will pick equal amounts of thyme, basil, chives, sage, oregano. Zip up in my herb zipper (same as a coffee grinder), lay them out on a paper towel for several days, stirring them around 1-2xs per day and store them next to the stove to use on whatever I'm cooking that has no recipe (such as grilling chicken) also on salads.

I don't know why I said heating pad. prob thinking about keeping potted herbs alive out in a detached garage using a dog or cat pad. No longer have cat. Hubby gave away one of those pads> so POed...and a heated cat bowl... Guy prob old it... well anyway need to bring in my Dehydrator off the porch... I only deny some blueberries this year and I believe some cranberries.

ANYONE own a freeze drier? If they were 1/2 the price Id try one

Oh anyone dehydrate pumpkin? I got a dozen or so of med sized ones(from local producer) out in garage. One Partly froze..... too close to floor.. Raised them off floor and will add a hanging light if real cold reappears... Luck ily I found it right next morning and cut it up and baked some and froze the rest as "cubes" now need to keep better eye on. I at some every morning with apples or pineapple or plain with say can, ginger, crayon nd cloves and cheat and add a bit of BS molasses...

Oh will wrapping each in say "double bubble" help if electric goes out Again and in the windy cold Twenties again???? or in in ice storm?

Thanks y'all

I regularly dehydrate herbs on the lowest heat. No problem.

Ive also dehydrated pumpkin, along with other squashes, to make squash flour. I like to use it sometimes in baking.