Dehydrating With Nuwave Air Fryer: Safe Or Not?

Dehydrating food is a great way to preserve it for longer, and air fryers are a popular appliance for this purpose. The Nuwave Brio Air Fryer is a well-known option on the market, with a range of features and functions, including dehydration. With a temperature range between 50°F and 425°F, it can be used for a variety of cooking methods, including dehydrating. However, some people question the effectiveness of using an air fryer for dehydration, especially when dealing with large quantities of food.

Dehydrating fruit in the Nuwave air fryer

For example, when making apple chips in the Nuwave Oven, set the temperature to 150°F for 4 hours. You can also dehydrate fruit in the Nuwave Brio Air Fryer, which offers a "dehydrate" preset function. This model has a temperature range of 50°F to 425°F, allowing for precise control during the dehydration process.

It's important to note that while dehydrating fruit in an air fryer is possible, it may not be the most efficient method for large quantities of fruit. If you plan on dehydrating large batches, consider investing in a dedicated dehydrator, which offers more space.

The Nuwave Air Fryer can also be used for other dehydration tasks, such as making beef jerky or dehydrating vegetables like onions and tomatoes.

The temperature required to dehydrate in the Nuwave air fryer

The Nuwave Brio 15.5 qt air fryer can cook at temperatures ranging from 50°F to 425°F, adjustable in 5°F increments. This means that the Nuwave Brio air fryer can be used for dehydrating food items, as the temperature can be set low enough to dry food items without cooking them.

The Nuwave Brio air fryer is a versatile appliance that can be used for a variety of cooking functions, including rotisserie, warming, preheating, baking, dehydrating, reheating, grilling, searing, broiling, roasting, and air frying. It is a spacious appliance with a unique multi-level design and mesh racks that facilitate airflow, making it possible to cook a complete meal simultaneously.

The Nuwave Brio 14Q Air Fryer Oven can also be used for dehydrating food items. There are specific instructions available online for dehydrating fruits in this model.

Additionally, Nuwave offers a separate dehydrator kit that is compatible with its Oven Elite model. This kit includes four trays that stack neatly, allowing for the dehydration of large quantities of food at once. The specialty adaptor in this kit prevents the oven from exceeding 200°F, ensuring that food is dehydrated safely.

Dehydrating meat in the Nuwave air fryer

The Nuwave Brio Air Fryer can be used for dehydrating meat, and it comes with a dehydrate function. This guide will take you through the process step by step.

Preparation

Before you begin, it is important to select fresh, high-quality ingredients. Look for lean cuts of meat, as fattier cuts may not dehydrate as effectively. Overripe or damaged meat will yield poor results.

Washing and Marinating

Wash your meat thoroughly to remove any dirt or bacteria. You may wish to marinate the meat before dehydration to enhance the flavour. This can be done by soaking the meat in a marinade or spice rub of your choice. Experiment with different flavours to find your favourite!

Slicing

For even dehydration, it is important to cut the meat into uniform slices. Aim for a thickness of around 1/8 to 1/4 inch. This will ensure that the meat dries evenly and thoroughly.

Setting Up the Air Fryer

Preheat your Nuwave Air Fryer to a low temperature, typically between 120°F and 150°F. The Nuwave Air Fryer can go as low as 60°F, which is ideal for the dehydration process.

Spacing and Arrangement

Arrange the meat slices in a single layer in the fryer basket, ensuring there is space for air to circulate freely. Overcrowding the basket may result in uneven dehydration.

Dehydration Time and Temperature

The time and temperature will depend on the type of meat you are dehydrating. For most meats, the process will take around 6 to 8 hours. It is important to monitor the progress and check for dryness by breaking a piece of meat; it should feel dry and brittle, with no visible moisture. Adjust the time and temperature as needed.

Cooling and Storing

Once the meat is dehydrated to your desired texture, turn off the air fryer and allow the meat to cool for a few minutes. This will prevent condensation and moisture build-up. Then, transfer the meat to moisture-proof containers, such as vacuum-sealed bags or glass jars. Label the containers with the date of dehydration and store them in a cool, dark, and dry place.

Other air fryer models with a dehydrate function

The Nuwave Brio Air Fryer is not the only air fryer model with a dehydrate function. Here are some other options:

Ninja DZ550 Foodi 10 Quart 6-in-1 DualZone Smart XL

This air fryer has a capacity of 10 quarts and comes with two air fryer baskets and dual-zone technology, allowing you to perform two different functions simultaneously. It has a wide temperature range and a "smart cook system" that automatically shuts off when the food is cooked to your desired level of doneness. It also has a mute function, which can be useful if you want to eliminate noise while cooking.

Chefman ExacTemp™ 12 Quart 5-in-1 Air Fryer

This air fryer has a capacity of 12 quarts and offers five cooking modes, a smart thermometer, and 28 touchscreen presets. It has a digital touch display and a large cooking window with an interior light, allowing you to monitor your food as it cooks. It comes with several accessories, including racks, a drip tray, a retrieval tool, a probe thermometer, and a rotisserie spit.

GoWISE USA 7-Quart Air Fryer & Dehydrator

This is a budget-friendly option with a capacity of 7 quarts and stackable dehydrating racks. It has a wide temperature range, a full touchscreen control panel, and eight preset cooking functions. It also has a mute function and an alarm to remind you to shake or turn your food for optimal results.

HOMCOM Air Fryer Toaster Oven

This air fryer toaster oven has a large capacity of 21 quarts and eight cooking functions, including dehydrate. It comes with several useful accessories, such as dehydrating racks, a fry basket, an oven rack, and a crumb tray. It has a cold air cooling system and automatic power-off for safety.

Emeril Lagasse Power Air Fryer 360

This air fryer has multiple functions, including a rotisserie spit, and uses super-heated cyclonic air for cooking. It has a large capacity suitable for cooking for a big family and comes with 12 preset smart cooking functions. It also has a memory feature that remembers your last cooking settings.

Calphalon® Performance Countertop French Door Air Fryer Oven

This air fryer has French doors and an elegant design with a dark stainless steel finish. It is an 11-in-1 convection oven with a large capacity that can accommodate a 12-inch pizza or toast six slices of bread at once. It has an interior light and a large window for easy monitoring of your food. The trays that come with it are non-stick and dishwasher-safe.

Dehydrating vegetables in the Nuwave air fryer

The Nuwave Brio Air Fryer can be used for dehydrating vegetables, fruits, meats, and herbs. It has a temperature range of 50°F to 425°F, which can be adjusted in 5°F increments. When dehydrating, it is important to set the temperature low enough for the food to dry without cooking or overheating.

To dehydrate vegetables in the Nuwave Air Fryer, first prepare the vegetables by slicing them thinly and evenly. Place parchment paper on the air fryer rack. Arrange the vegetable slices on the parchment paper, ensuring that none of the slices are touching. Set the temperature to 150°F and dehydrate for 4 hours.

You can also use the Nuwave Dehydrator Kit, which is compatible with the Nuwave Oven Elite. This kit includes four trays that stack neatly, allowing you to dehydrate multiple layers of vegetables at once. The specialty adaptor attaches to the NuWave Elite Power Head and activates a safety switch to prevent the oven from exceeding 200°F.

When dehydrating vegetables, you can brush them with lemon juice to prevent browning. Additionally, you can use the NuWave Oven Dome Holder to prop the dome in a vented position over the food. This will help ensure even dehydration.

Frequently asked questions