How to Get Onion Smell Out of a Food Dehydrator: 4 Methods

Food dehydrators are often used to make healthy snacks and meals and onions tend to leave an onion odor when dehydrated. No one likes the smell of onions, especially when it lingers in the kitchen items like dehydrators long after meal prep is done.

Also, when you put the next food item in the dehydrator after being done with onion, said food item can also be affected. And let me tell you, no one wants their dehydrated foods to smell like onions.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss how to get onion smell out of a food dehydrator. We will also point out how to avoid this issue in the future so that you can keep your dehydrator smelling fresh and free of any strong odors.

How to Get Onion Smell Out of a Food Dehydrator:

Methods You Can Easily Use

If you’ve dehydrated onions ever, you know that the resulting smell can be incredibly strong. Using these methods, you can remove the onion odor from a food dehydrator to achieve a smell-free device.

Method 1: Cleaning With Vinegar and Baking Soda

One of the most effective ways to remove an onion smell from your dehydrator is to clean it with vinegar and baking soda. Vinegar is a natural disinfectant that will help to remove any lingering onion smells, while baking soda is a powerful absorption agent that will absorb any remaining odors.

To clean your dehydrator with vinegar and baking soda, simply mix equal parts vinegar and baking soda in a bowl, then apply the mixture to the inside of your dehydrator with a sponge or cloth. Allow the mixture to sit for several minutes, then wipe it away with a damp cloth.

Method 2. Fill the Dehydrator with Coffee Grounds:

Coffee grounds are great for absorbing odors. To use coffee grounds to eliminate onion odors from your dehydrator, simply place a layer of coffee grounds on the bottom of your dehydrator and allow them to sit overnight.

In the morning, simply dump out the coffee grounds and give your dehydrator a good wipe-down with a clean cloth. Best of all, you can reuse the coffee grounds a few times before throwing them away.

Method 3. Use Activated Charcoal:

Activated charcoal is another great option for removing odors from your dehydrator. Simply place a few pieces of activated charcoal in your machine and let them sit overnight. In the morning, remove the activated charcoal and give your machine a good swipe with a clean cloth.

Method 4. Try Crumpled Newspaper 

If you’re looking for an environmentally-friendly way to get rid of smells, this method is for you. All you need is some crumpled-up newspaper. Place the newspaper inside the dehydrator and close the door.

Let it sit overnight before removing it in the morning. You may need to repeat this process a few times to completely eliminate the odor.

How to Avoid Having Onion Smell in a Food Dehydrator:

• If you use your dehydrator often, it’s important to clean it on a regular basis. Over time, food residue and oil can build up in the heater and fan, causing them to work less efficiently and produce smells.
• To clean your dehydrator, simply unplug it and remove all of the removable parts (trays, racks, etc.). Wash these parts in hot soapy water and dry thoroughly before returning them to the machine.
• Cut the onions into thin slices. Thick slices of onion are more likely to cause an unpleasant smell in your food dehydrator. So, be sure to cut them into thin slices before dehydrating them.
• When you soak your onions in water before dehydrating them, add a little vinegar to the water. This will help neutralize any smells that might be released during the dehydration process.
• Place onion slices in the dehydrator’s top rack. By placing the onions on the top rack of the dehydrator, you’ll reduce the smell of onions.
• Dehydrate at a lower temperature. Dehydrating at a lower temperature will also help minimize the amount of onion smell that escapes into the air.

Why Is There An Onion Smell Coming from My Food Dehydrator?

The most likely reason for an onion smell emanating from your food dehydrator is that you have not properly cleaned it after using it to dehydrate onions. When the dehydration process is complete, there will be a small amount of onion residue left on the heating element and in the trays.

If this residue is not cleaned off, it will start to decompose and release an onion smell. On top of that, the high heat of the dehydrator can cause the onion smell to become more concentrated. To avoid this problem, be sure to clean your food dehydrator thoroughly after every use.

Can You Cure Onions in a Dehydrator without a Pungent Smell?

Yes, you can dehydrate onions without smelling pungent. The process of curing onions involves removing the moisture from the onions, which prevents them from rotting. 

Dehydrators work by circulating warm air around the food, which speeds up the evaporation process. Curing onions in a dehydrator typically takes about 24 hours but varies depending on the type of onion and the level of humidity in the air. 

After the onions are cured, they can be stored in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months. While they will no longer have the strong smell associated with raw onions, they will still have a milder onion flavor that can be used in cooking.

Can Frozen Onions be Dehydrated in a Food Dehydrator Without Causing Odor?

It’s a well-known fact that onions can be quite pungent, and this is often why people choose to cook with them instead of eating them raw. Still, did you know that you can actually dehydrate onions without causing an odor?

This is because when onions are frozen, their cells break down and release a gas that is responsible for the onion’s signature smell. In reality, this gas doesn’t actually become airborne until the onions are thawed.

So, if you Freeze your onions before dehydrating them, you won’t have to worry about any unpleasant smells. Just be sure to thaw them completely before chopping or cooking with them.

Do I Need to Blanch Onions Before Dehydrating?

Though blanching is not strictly necessary, it does help to preserve the onion’s color and flavor. When onion slices are placed in boiling water for two minutes before dehydrating, the heat helps to break down enzymes that can cause the onion to turn brown or lose its flavor. 

Blanching also makes the onions more pliable, so they are less likely to shatter when being sliced. For best results, blanching should be followed by a quick dip in ice water to stop the cooking process and help the onions retain their crispness. 

So while you can dehydrate onions minus blanching them first, the end result may not be as attractive or flavorful.

So, Let’s Get Rid of Onion Smells from Your Dehydrator

The onion smell in food dehydrators may seem to be inevitable, but it doesn’t have to be permanent. By following these simple tips, you can minimize the onion smell in a food dehydrator. As an added bonus, your kitchen (and your clothes) will also be free from that telltale onion smell.

Just remember to empty and clean your dehydrator thoroughly, neutralize odors with Vinegar, and freshen things up with some lemon or essential oil. And voila, your dehydrator will be smelling fresh as a daisy in no time. Thanks for reading.

You Might Also Like:

• Do meat slicers work on frozen meat?