What Is the Best Temperature to Dehydrate Mushrooms?

Drying is the simplest way to keep a big harvest. Get the temperature wrong, though, and you end up with mushrooms that are leathery outside and damp inside, or scorched and bitter. The answer is low, steady heat with good airflow.

The short answer

Most growers dry mushrooms at around 110–135°F (43–57°C), with 125°F (52°C) a common setting on food dehydrators. Lower temperatures take longer but dry more evenly and keep more aroma.

Avoid going above about 150°F (65°C). Higher heat can cook the outside before moisture escapes from the middle, which leads to case-hardening, darkening and a bitter taste.

How long it takes

Expect anywhere from 6 to 12 hours in a dehydrator, depending on:

• Size and thickness: slice large mushrooms to about 1/4 inch (6 mm) for even drying. Small ones can go in whole.
• Starting moisture: fresh mushrooms are mostly water.
• Airflow and load: leave space between pieces and don't overload trays.
• Room humidity: humid air slows everything down.

How to tell they're done

Properly dried mushrooms are cracker-dry: they snap cleanly instead of bending. If a piece bends or feels cool and leathery in the middle, give it more time. Thick stems are usually the last part to finish.

Step by step

1. Brush off any substrate. Avoid washing; if you must, rinse quickly and pat dry.
2. Slice evenly, or keep small mushrooms whole.
3. Lay pieces in a single layer with space between them.
4. Set the dehydrator to around 125°F (52°C).
5. Check after 6 hours, then every hour or two, rotating trays if your unit heats unevenly.
6. Let pieces cool fully before storing. Warm mushrooms can sweat in the jar.

No dehydrator?

• Oven: use the lowest setting with the door slightly open to let moisture escape, and check often. Many ovens can't go below 170°F, so watch closely for scorching.
• Air drying: works for thin-fleshed species in dry climates. Thread on string or lay on a screen with good airflow. It's slower and less reliable in humid conditions.

Storing dried mushrooms

• Store in an airtight glass jar in a cool, dark place.
• Add a food-grade desiccant pack to keep moisture out.
• Check after a few days: if pieces have softened, dry them again.
• Well-dried and well-stored mushrooms keep for months.

To rehydrate culinary mushrooms, soak in warm water for 20–30 minutes. The soaking liquid makes a good stock.

A safety note: only eat mushrooms you have grown from a known culture or positively identified. When in doubt, don't eat it.

Questions? Email us at hello@gro-myco.com.