Using Nuwave Air Fryer For Dehydration: A How-To Guide

Dehydrating food is a great way to preserve its nutritional value and enhance its shelf life. While some people opt for traditional methods like sun-drying or smoking, others prefer to use modern appliances like air fryers or dehydrators. Nuwave offers a range of air fryers with different capacities, from the Brio 4.5 QT to the Brio 15.5 QT. But can you use a Nuwave air fryer to dehydrate food? The short answer is yes. The Nuwave Brio Air Fryer can be used for dehydration as long as the temperature can be set low enough. Nuwave also offers a separate dehydrator kit that is compatible with some of its oven models. This kit includes four trays that allow you to dehydrate large quantities of food at once.

Nuwave Brio Air Fryer temperature settings

The Nuwave Brio Air Fryer is a versatile appliance that can cook a wide range of foods to a perfect finish without the need for unhealthy oils. The Brio Air Fryer combines hot air with high-speed air circulation, air-searing the outside of foods while locking in flavour and juices.

The Nuwave Brio Air Fryer has a wide range of temperature settings, from as low as 50°F to a maximum of 425°F. The temperature can be adjusted in 5°F increments with the simple press of a button. This makes the Nuwave Brio Air Fryer ideal for dehydrating foods, as the temperature can be set low enough to dry ingredients without cooking or overheating them.

The Nuwave Brio Air Fryer also features a digital temperature probe, allowing you to cook your food according to its internal temperature rather than the oven temperature. This ensures your food is neither undercooked nor overcooked. Simply plug the cord into the jack, insert the probe into the thickest part of your food, press the PROBE button, and set the desired temperature according to the type of food. The Brio will automatically shut off when your desired temperature is reached.

The Nuwave Brio Air Fryer also has a variety of cooking functions, including rotisserie, warm, preheat, bake, dehydrate, reheat, grill, sear, broil, roast, and air fry. This makes the Nuwave Brio Air Fryer a true all-in-one appliance, perfect for preparing a complete meal all at once.

In addition to its temperature settings and cooking functions, the Nuwave Brio Air Fryer also offers a range of accessories to enhance your cooking experience, such as mesh trays, drip trays, rotisserie baskets, and skewers.

Dehydrating fruit with the Nuwave Air Fryer

Dehydrating fruit is a great way to preserve your favourite fruits and lock in their nutrients and flavours. The Nuwave Air Fryer can be used for this purpose, and here is a step-by-step guide to help you get started.

Step 1: Prepare the Fruit

Wash and slice your chosen fruit into uniform pieces. Thinner slices will dehydrate faster and ensure even dehydration. If you are using apples, you can brush lemon juice on both sides of the slices to prevent browning.

Step 2: Preheat the Nuwave Air Fryer

Set the temperature to the appropriate level for dehydrating fruit, which is typically between 130°F and 140°F. The Nuwave Air Fryer can go as low as 60°F, so you can dehydrate a variety of fruits effectively without cooking or overheating them.

Step 3: Place the Fruit on the Racks

Once the Air Fryer is preheated, arrange the fruit slices on the racks, ensuring there is some space between the pieces for proper air circulation. This will help the fruit dehydrate evenly.

Step 4: Set the Timer

After placing the fruit in the Air Fryer, set the timer for the appropriate duration. Dehydrating times can vary depending on the type of fruit and the thickness of the slices. Fruits may take anywhere from 6 to 12 hours to dehydrate properly.

Step 5: Monitor the Dehydration Process

Throughout the dehydration process, periodically check the fruit for dryness. The fruit is ready when it is leathery and dry to the touch, with no moisture remaining. Be sure to rotate the racks in the Air Fryer during the process to ensure even dehydration.

Step 6: Store the Dehydrated Fruit

Once the fruit is fully dehydrated, allow it to cool to room temperature before storing it in airtight containers. Properly dehydrated fruit can be stored for several months, providing a nutritious and convenient snack whenever you need it.

The Nuwave Air Fryer is a versatile tool that can be used not just for dehydration but also for a variety of other cooking tasks. By following the steps outlined above, you can enjoy the benefits of homemade dehydrated fruit snacks that retain their nutritional value.

Dehydrating meat with the Nuwave Air Fryer

The Nuwave Air Fryer can be used for dehydrating meat, such as beef jerky. This is done using the Dehydrating Rack accessory, which is placed in the bottom of the Inner Pot.

Steps to Prepare the Meat:

• Cut 1½ lbs of uncooked beef chuck roast into ¼-inch-thick slices.
• In a bowl, whisk together ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce, 2 tablespoons each of Worcestershire sauce and dark brown sugar, and 1 tablespoon each of freshly ground black pepper, granulated garlic, granulated onion, smoked sweet paprika, and white sesame seeds.
• Place the mixture into a large resealable plastic bag, add the meat, and rub to coat.
• Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours or overnight.
• Strain the meat, discarding excess liquid, and place it in a bowl.
• Add the sesame seeds and toss to coat.

Using the Nuwave Air Fryer:

• Place the Dehydrating Rack in the bottom of the Inner Pot.
• Lay the meat slices flat on the rack in a single layer, ensuring they do not touch. Use up to 3 racks if needed.
• Place the Air Fryer Lid on top of the Inner Pot.
• Press the "AIR FRY" button, set the temperature to 170°F, then press "TIME" and set the cooking time to 5-6 hours, depending on your desired result.
• Press "START/PAUSE" to begin the cooking process.
• After 5 hours, the jerky will be soft and pliable. Continue cooking for up to 6 hours for crispier jerky.
• Once the cooking is complete, remove the Air Fryer Lid and Dehydrating Rack from the Inner Pot.
• Transfer the jerky to an airtight container and store it in a cool, dark area for up to 2 months.

Tips:

• The Nuwave Dehydrator Kit, which includes 4 stacking trays, can also be used for dehydrating meat and is compatible with the Nuwave Oven Elite and Nuwave Pro Plus 2 Oven models.
• When dehydrating, ensure the temperature is low enough to dry the food without cooking or overheating it.

Nuwave Air Fryer compatible models for dehydrating

The Nuwave Brio 10-in-1 Air Fryer 7.25Qt is a versatile appliance that allows you to dehydrate, roast, crisp, and reheat food. It features Linear T Thermal Technology, which enables precise temperature adjustments in 5-degree increments from 50 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This model includes a premium stainless steel reversible rack for multi-layer cooking and a dishwasher-safe non-stick basket.

The Nuwave Dehydrator Kit is another option for dehydrating food. This kit includes four specially designed trays that stack neatly, allowing you to dehydrate large quantities of food simultaneously. The kit is compatible with the following Nuwave models:

• Pro Plus 2 (20638, 20639, 20640, 20641, 20643)
• Elite Oven (20501)

The Nuwave Brio 10-in-1 Air Fryer 6 QT is another model that offers dehydrating capabilities. It features a smart probe, a removable divider, and a grill pan.

The Nuwave Brio Plus 8 QT Air Fryer is also mentioned as a compatible model for dehydrating, although no additional details are provided.

It is important to note that successful dehydration depends on maintaining a low enough temperature to dry the food without cooking or overheating it.

Nuwave Air Fryer dehydration safety features

The Nuwave Dehydrator Kit is a safe and convenient way to dehydrate your favourite foods at home. The kit includes four specially designed trays that stack neatly, allowing you to dehydrate multiple layers of food simultaneously. This efficient setup enables you to make large batches of dried fruits, jerky, and various snacks without the hassle and expense of a full-sized dehydrator.

One of the standout safety features of the Nuwave Dehydrator Kit is the specialty adaptor. When attached to the Power Head, this adaptor activates a safety switch that prevents the oven's temperature from exceeding 200°F. This safety mechanism ensures that your food dehydrates at a safe, optimal temperature, reducing the risk of overheating or cooking your food instead of dehydrating it.

The Nuwave Dehydrator Kit is compatible with specific Nuwave models, including the Pro Plus 2 (20638, 20639, 20640, 20641, and 20643) and the Elite Oven (20501). This compatibility ensures that your Nuwave Air Fryer works in harmony with the dehydrator kit to deliver consistent and safe results.

While the Nuwave Dehydrator Kit offers a convenient and safe option for dehydrating foods, it's important to note that some users have expressed concerns about using the Nuwave Air Fryer for dehydration without this specialised kit. Some have suggested that the heat and airflow of the Nuwave Air Fryer may be too intense for effective dehydration, recommending alternative methods or the use of the dedicated Nuwave Dehydrator Kit for optimal results and safety.

Frequently asked questions