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We've had a container-based herb garden on our deck all summer, which has been wonderful. Unfortunately, the weather is predicted to hit freezing in the next week or so, and now I'm looking for ways to preserve as much as possible from the garden. I'll see if I have any luck moving the pots indoors and keeping them growing, but I'd like to trim the plants back and dry the herbs as I move them.

So... how do I dry herbs? Of course the goal is still cooking with them, so I'm concerned about food-safe handling. But honestly, I've never dried herbs, and have no idea how to approach this.

Scivitri
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One of the most memorable times I've seen someone dry herbs was Alton Brown on Good Eats: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5GkD2GQ3Tg

He creates this large contraption with A/C filters and a box fan... I've never tried it myself, but it was fun to watch.

I typcially do it with a food dehydrator like this one: http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=14099344

I would just get one with multiple temp settings as you don't want to cook the herbs (in the dehydrator).

Rikon
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a) Separate the fresh herbs into small bunches and hang them up next to each other as done for washed clothes. Make sure to hang the bunches upside down. They should get plenty of air flow but NO rain, humid and direct sunlight.

b) Bunches or separated branches can be placed over a grid for drying and again plenty of air flow but NO rain, humid and direct sunligt. Changing bunches other way round time to time speeds up drying and prevents bunches getting mould.

A bunch of dry herb is also a nice decorative object that helps to create a healthy environment in the house!

MissesBrown
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