How to Dry Potatoes

Drying potatoes is a smart way to store this vegetable for later use. There are a few different methods of doing this, including a dehydrator, solar oven or conventional oven. Follow the listed steps to figure out how to dry your potatoes.

Step 1: Wash the potatoes you wish to dry and remove any areas that have spoiled.  Skins can either be peeled, or left on if you wish for vitamins.

Step 2: Bring a large kettle of water to a boil and add salt to your taste.

Step 3: Slice the potatoes into rounds that are 1/8-inch thick and place these slices in a vegetable basket and dip that into the boiling salt water.  Wait for the water to return to a boil, and continue boiling them for about seven minutes.

Step 4: Take the potatoes out of the kettle and place the basket in ice water for approximately 15 minutes.  Spread the potatoes in a single layer between paper towels and blot them to dry.

Step 5: If using a conventional oven, take cookie sheets, and coat them with vegetable spray.  Spread potato slices on the sheets in a single layer.

Step 6: Set the oven at low, around 170 degrees Fahrenheit.  Make sure to keep the oven door cracked so that there is air circulation, and moisture can escape.

Step 7: Turn the slices over after an hour.  Turn the potatoes every half-hour until they are brittle and translucent.

Step 8: If using a dehydrator, put the potato slices on racks that are coated lightly with vegetable-oil spray.  Put the slices in a single layer, and make sure they are not touching one another.

Step 9: Follow instructions for the dehydrator settings and times.  Let the potatoes cool and store them in a glass jar or plastic bag.

Tips

• Dry potatoes will be pale white in color with a slight yellow tint.
• Some potatoes dry faster than others, so they should be checked every 15 minutes.
• Potatoes can get their hydration back by pouring boiling water over them.  Let them sit for at least an hour.
• When drying the potatoes, do not let them become brownish in color.  That means they are overcooked, and could have an undesirable taste.

Items Needed

• Potatoes
• Dehydrators
• Oven