Dehydrated food stands the test of time longer than any other preservation method. It is not unheard-of to eat dried produce ten years after you dried it, or even more! This makes it the ultimate food to store for emergencies. But to get dried food to last, you must have a little knowledge about storage techniques.
First of all, you must dry the food adequately. Follow the directions in your dehydrator’s manual for judging the readiness of specific fruits and vegetables before removing them from your dehydrator. Pears, figs, dates, and raisins, for example, will remain slightly sticky even when thoroughly dried, but should not stick together in storage. Next, remember that the moment you turn off your dehydrator, the food inside begins to re-hydrate, acquiring moisture from the humidity in the air. For long-term storage, it should be removed and bagged immediately.
If long-term storage is not your goal and you plan to eat dried produce within a few days, there is no reason you cannot leave it sitting out in a bowl. It will not re-hydrate enough to spoil before it is consumed. You may be tempted, by force of habit, to put it in the refrigerator, but this may actually be the worst thing you can do, because of the high level of moisture circulating inside.
For long-term storage, dried produce can be placed in a glass jar or container, or even a cloth or paper bag. Glass containers should be as airtight as possible. Paper bags should have minimum air exposure, so press out air and fold the bag tightly around the food. Cloth and paper bags can be placed in tin, plastic, or cardboard containers to reduce air for more longevity. If using glass jars you have recently washed, make absolutely certain that they are completely dry before filling them with your dried foods!
Generally smaller containers are recommended for storage to reduce air exposure. If you keep dried food in a large container, you may have to open it several times to remove serving-sized portions, which increases the risk of spoilage.
Keep your containers of dehydrated food in a dry, cool, dark place, like your pantry. Inspect them occasionally to make certain that no pests or moisture can enter.