DEHYDRATION OF \'EGETABLES 23 



Boston area, and were computed at $1.35 per 1000 cubic feet. Electricity rates 

 were based on those in Amherst at $0.03 per kilowatt. Data on canning costs 

 were obtained from Benson (1939). Fuel costs for both methods include both 

 blanchmg and processing. The average weight of the total contents of a pint 

 jar of ordinary home-canned vegetables was found to be 17 ounces, with a drained 

 weight of 14 ounces. Comparative costs are figured on the drained weight basis. 

 The cost of a pint jar for canning is figured at one-fourth the original price plus 

 one cent for a jar ring. Total price for the jar and ring is $0.03. Costs of packages 

 for dehydrated foods are discussed in the following section. 



Table 1. — Comparative Costs of Dehydrating and Canning 

 Vegetables in the Home.* 



*Costs are compared on the basis of one pint of canned material and its equivalent in dehydrated 

 products. 



The vegetables included snap beans, corn, spinach, carrots, and tomatoes. 



PACKAGING 



Since dehydrated foods readily absorb moisture, they should be packaged in 

 moistureproof, airtight containers as soon as possible after dehydration is com- 

 pleted. 



Home-canning jars make excellent containers for dehydrated foods, and their 

 capacity is twice as much as for ah equivalent amount of canned product. Used 

 jar rings which are no longer useful for canning, but which have not become 

 hard and brittle, make very satisfactory seals under these conditions, and if 

 necessary two may be used on each jar. When none of these are on hand, melted 

 paraffin poured around the closure to make an airtight seal is also satisfactory. 

 Heavy waxed-paper bags such as are used for potato chips and popcorn, which 

 can be heat-sealed with a flatiron or curling iron, also make good containers. 

 All types of containers should be packed as tightly as possible with the dehydrated 

 product. 



A pint jar or the usual size treated paper or cellophane container holds an 

 average of eight ounces of dehydrated product, which is equivalent to approxi- 

 mately 36 ounces of canned material. The cost of available paper or cellophane 

 containers averages 1.5 cents, and is equivalent to the cost of using a pint jar for 

 the same purpose. All containers should be stored in a cool, dark, dry place and 

 protected from insects and rodents. 



