Saturday, October 6, 2012

Drying Herbs

My niece, Stephanie and I were talking about the challenges most of us face for drying herbs. Many people just lay them out in sheets in their vehicles on a hot day, some folks have room to hang them, Stephanie puts hers on cookie sheets on top of her car. Some folks have extra unused rooms in their homes and can lay them out on extra beds and places. Where I live, Illinois, is a humid area, so great care must be taken to dry things quickly so they don’t mold. No matter what, it seems that it can be a challenge to dry herbs and I have read many wonderful and creative ideas. My old oven had a pilot light and it was just perfect to use, with the oven door slightly cracked, but I had to replace it when it stopped working and I couldn’t find an oven that would fit the spot (a built in), so I lost that drying device. My husband made me a dimmer switch device I can hook on to my crock pot cord (ala Richo Cech) for herbal oils, and I do hook this same cord up to my dehydrator to lower the temp on it when drying herbs, but still, I need more space ideas, because as you know, when it is harvest time, the more ways and places to dry the better!

Stephanie shared this very cool idea and I thought to share it with you. I would advice using cellulose filters and not the asbestos kind :) Anyway, have a look at this video and maybe you too will think this is something you can use in your herb drying adventures:) Chef Alton Brown devices this method using furnace filters and a box fan:) Here is the link!

Big Herbal and Honey Hugs to all who visit Comfrey Cottages xx

blissbee