Can You Use Parchment Paper in a Dehydrator?

If you’re a cooking or baking enthusiast like me, you’ve probably come across parchment paper. Parchment paper is a popular kitchen item used for various purposes, including rolling dough for baking, roasting vegetables, or reheating dinner leftovers.

Many people love parchment paper for its versatility, affordability, and environmental friendliness. It’s usually cheaper than aluminum foil, and you can use it more than once.

If you’ve just bought your parchment paper or planning to buy one, you might be wondering if you can use it in a dehydrator as well. After all, you need something that can prevent food from sticking to the dehydrator, and what does a better job than parchment paper?

So, if you’re dehydrating something sticky and wondering whether you can use parchment paper in the dehydrator, this article has all the answers.

Can I Use Parchment Paper in a Dehydrator?

Yes, you can use parchment paper in a dehydrator. You can use parchment paper to line your dehydrator when dehydrating meat or sticky fruits. The non-stick nature of the paper will help keep your food dehydrator clean and give you an easy time removing dried food products from the trays.

Using parchment paper in your dehydrator is a sure way of preventing all the mess of dehydrating food and achieving consistent results. Make sure you cut it into small pieces that can fit the size of your dehydrator trays so that you don’t have to deal with spills.

Benefits of Using Parchment Paper in a Dehydrator

Parchment paper has a variety of uses, making it one of the best items to have in the kitchen. Some benefits of using it include:

Prevents Sticking

If you know how annoying it can be to scrab your dehydrator pans after removing your food, then you’ll love parchment paper. Lining your dehydrator with parchment paper will keep the pans clean and ready for next use.

You’ll also love how easily your food will slide off the baking sheet because parchment paper is also made from non-stick material.

Perfect Heat Distribution

Parchment paper is not just for lining your dehydrator but also ensures heat is distributed equally. This ensures you get evenly cooked or baked food with no burnt spots. If you want to show off your prowess in the kitchen, make parchment paper your friend.

Easy Cleanup

Cleaning doesn’t have to be your problem if you line your dehydrator with parchment paper. You won’t need to scrub off burnt food from your baking tray. You also won’t have to deal with food spills all over your dehydrator.

Drawbacks of Using Parchment Paper in a Dehydrator

While there are many great benefits of using parchment paper in dehydrators, there are also drawbacks you must be aware of.

Parchment Paper Can Be Too Thick

When the parchment paper is too thick, your food will not dry evenly. To prevent this, cut the parchment paper to fit the tray evenly. Also, ensure you place the food evenly on the tray before loading it into the dehydrator.

Can Be Expensive

Compared to other lining items such as wax paper, parchment paper can be costly. However, many people don’t mind paying more for the quality and eco-friendliness.

Is It Safe To Use Parchment Paper In A Dehydrator?

Yes, it’s safe to put parchment paper in a dehydrator. Parchment paper is heat resistant and can withstand heat from 420 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Since dehydrators only heat up to 150 degrees Fahrenheit, it means that parchment paper is safe even if you leave your dehydrator on overnight.

Additionally, parchment paper is coated with silicone and chemically treated, meaning they don’t easily stick to surfaces or burn. They’re not made from any chemicals that might be harmful, just bleach and silicone treated, which are generally safe.

Which Type of Parchment Paper Should You Use in the Dehydrator?

Any type of parchment paper can work well in a dehydrator. The one you choose will only depend on your needs and preferences.

Types of Parchment Paper

There are two types of parchment paper – bleached and unbleached. Bleached parchment paper is chlorine-treated to give it a beautiful white color. Unbleached parchment paper has a brown color and is not chlorine treated.

Many people prefer unbleached paper because it contains fewer chemicals. However, both work just fine and are not harmful in any way.

What Alternatives To Parchment Paper Can I Use In My Dehydrator?

If you don’t like using parchment paper in your dehydrator or you can’t find one, these alternatives can also work well:

Dehydrator Sheets

Dehydrator sheets are the best alternatives to parchment paper because they’re specially designed for dehydration purposes. They’re more economical because you can reuse them a couple of times.

Like parchment papers, even the cheapest dehydrator sheets are made from non-stick material and are highly resistant to heat.

Wax Paper

You can use wax paper instead of parchment paper if you want a cheaper alternative.

However, be careful because the wax paper is not as heat resistant as parchment paper and might melt if exposed to higher temperatures than it can handle. It’s also not non-stick, so expect some food to stick to it. But both parchment paper and wax paper work well in a dehydrator.

What Are Popular Uses for Parchment Paper in Dehydrators?

You can use parchment paper in the dehydrator for several uses, including:

Making Fruit Leather

You can make perfect fruit leather in a dehydrator using parchment paper. All you need to do is spread a thin layer of pureed fruit on a tray lined with paper and load it in the dehydrator. Once it’s dry, you’ll have an easy time removing your fruit leather from the parchment paper.

Making Jerky

If you need homemade meat jerky, you can also use your parchment paper on the dehydrator. Just slice your meat into your desired pieces, arrange it on paper, and dehydrate it to your desired state. You’ll love how easily your jerky comes out afterward with no sticking at all.

Top Brands of Parchment Paper

Parchment paper comes in different brands, and not all are perfect. Here are two of the best quality brands.

Reynolds Kitchens Parchment Paper

Reynolds Kitchen Parchment Paper is best for cooking, dehydrating, or baking. The paper comes in a perfect size to fit the tray. It’s non-stick, so you won’t have to deal with a lot of mess afterward. Its composite material reduces any negative impact on the environment.

If You Care Parchment Baking Paper

If You Care is the best option for dehydrating if you’re looking for a lining material that doesn’t bleach and is eco-friendly. The parchment paper is unbleached; hence safe for different uses. You can use it multiple times, making it cost-effective.

Conclusion

If you have a roll of parchment paper at home and wondering what you can use it for apart from wrapping food, baking, and roasting, now you know you can also use them for dehydrating.

Parchment paper is one of the best items to use in your dehydrator as its heat resistant and non-stick. You don’t have to worry about your food burning or sticking to your pan.

The paper distributes heat evenly in your dehydrator, ensuring evenly dehydration. You’ll also love the breeze cleanup afterward because you won’t deal with any food residue left on your pans.

While there are other great alternatives, such as dehydrator sheets and wax paper, parchment paper is still the most versatile, high-quality, and environmentally friendly. Just choose the best brand, and you’ll never use anything else on your dehydrator.