A fully self-contained, portable product dehydrator is provided comprising: an intermodal container housing an equipment module, the equipment module including a refrigeration equipment chamber proximate the front door and an air conditioning chamber behind the refrigeration equipment chamber, the equipment module retained in the interior and moveable from a retracted position to an extended position, wherein when in the extended position, the refrigeration equipment chamber is substantially exposed to an ambient environment, outside the front door; a heat pump dehumidifier including a subcooler, a desuperheater, electronic expansion valve and a compressor, housed in the refrigeration equipment chamber and at least two condensers and evaporator housed in the air conditioning chamber, a drying chamber, the drying chamber defined by the interior and the rear door; a motor control center; and a control panel; in electronic communication with the heat pump dehumidifier and the fans.

In one embodiment, a drying rack system includes a frame including horizontal members and vertical members, an array of brackets supported by the frame, and a plurality of clamping hangers supported by the brackets. A first clamping hanger of the plurality of clamping hangers may include a pair of opposing clamping jaws configured to compress against each other, and a hinge securing the clamping jaws together proximal one end of the first clamping jaw.

A process for dehydrating products with a dehydrator that includes a dehydration chamber, a heater for heating air in the dehydration chamber, and a fan for circulating air in the dehydrator includes receiving a set temperature at which to perform the dehydration and a set time for which to perform the dehydration. The process also includes setting the heater to operate in an on condition and setting the fan to run at a low speed until the temperature in the dehydration chamber reaches the set temperature. The process further includes setting the heater to an off condition and setting the fan to run at a high speed when the temperature in the dehydration chamber reaches the set temperature.

A method of dehydrating seeded wine grapes that are intact, attached to a steam, and that have a fruit matrix containing seeds is described that includes providing air movement using a dehydration device over the seeded wine grapes at a temperature between 135 and 200 degrees F. to extract water through pores of the seeded wine grape, and cooling the seeded wine grapes to room temperature, thereby concentrating nutrients within the fruit matrix and rendering the seeds of the seeded wine grapes edible.

A method of acclimatizing dates includes placing a plurality of dates into a vacuum chamber, heating the dates to a first temperature, and increasing a vacuum pressure of the vacuum chamber with the dates in the vacuum chamber. The first temperature is below a boiling point of water at an initial pressure within the vacuum chamber and the increase in vacuum pressure modifies the boiling point to below the first temperature. The method includes adjusting a relative humidity of the vacuum chamber towards a target relative humidity until the plurality of dates reach an equilibrium relative humidity, the target relative humidity corresponding to a target moisture content of the dates on an isotherm of the dates at the first temperature. The method includes cooling the dates to a second temperature to stop transpiration of water within the plurality of dates and decreasing the vacuum pressure of the vacuum chamber.

A method of acclimatizing dates includes placing a plurality of dates into a vacuum chamber, heating the dates to a first temperature, and increasing a vacuum pressure of the vacuum chamber with the dates in the vacuum chamber. The first temperature is below a boiling point of water at an initial pressure within the vacuum chamber and the increase in vacuum pressure modifies the boiling point to below the first temperature. The method includes adjusting a relative humidity of the vacuum chamber towards a target relative humidity until the plurality of dates reach an equilibrium relative humidity, the target relative humidity corresponding to a target moisture content of the dates on an isotherm of the dates at the first temperature. The method includes cooling the dates to a second temperature to stop transpiration of water within the plurality of dates and decreasing the vacuum pressure of the vacuum chamber.

A method of production for dehydrated pumpkin slices is described. The method involves the dehydration of sliced pumpkin, followed by the rehydration of the slices. Seasoning and condiments are then applied for flavor. Then, the slices of pumpkin are dehydrated or dried naturally in a greenhouse a second time. The result of this process is a seasoned product tit for human consumption having a long shelf life. The method produces a healthy food product from materials often left unused in modern cuisine. The slices may be packaged similar to the way in which beef jerky is packaged and sold, as a snack product.

A method of production for dehydrated pumpkin slices is described. The method involves the dehydration of sliced pumpkin, followed by the rehydration of the slices. Seasoning and condiments are then applied for flavor. Then, the slices of pumpkin are dehydrated or dried naturally in a greenhouse a second time. The result of this process is a seasoned product tit for human consumption having a long shelf life. The method produces a healthy food product from materials often left unused in modern cuisine. The slices may be packaged similar to the way in which beef jerky is packaged and sold, as a snack product.

The present invention relates to an air-drying plant for air drying cut-up food. The proposed plant consists of a conveyor (10) for cut-up food (1) defining a conveying surface (11), a plurality of blowing conduits (20) with blowing openings (21) channeling a treated airflow at a speed of treatment with a controlled temperature comprised between 4 C. and 60 C. and a controlled humidity; wherein the conveyor includes air treatment segments (12) with conveying surfaces (11) facing and adjacent to said blowing openings (21), said treated airflow being channeled against said conveying surface (11) in an upward or downward direction; and wherein the conveyor (10) also includes idle segments (13) intercalated between said air treatment segments (12), the conveying surface (11) of which is not facing the blowing openings (21), nor is it subjected to an airflow.

The present invention relates to an air-drying plant for air drying cut-up food. The proposed plant consists of a conveyor (10) for cut-up food (1) defining a conveying surface (11), a plurality of blowing conduits (20) with blowing openings (21) channeling a treated airflow at a speed of treatment with a controlled temperature comprised between 4 C. and 60 C. and a controlled humidity; wherein the conveyor includes air treatment segments (12) with conveying surfaces (11) facing and adjacent to said blowing openings (21), said treated airflow being channeled against said conveying surface (11) in an upward or downward direction; and wherein the conveyor (10) also includes idle segments (13) intercalated between said air treatment segments (12), the conveying surface (11) of which is not facing the blowing openings (21), nor is it subjected to an airflow.