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drying first time dehydrating and making powder

Agree with the Excalibur Dehydrator.  I retired the nesco and upgraded to one of those.  I just dried 15lbs of habs a few months ago with mine.  Works awesome.
 
I dry mine whole, as I've heard if you cut them it will let some of the flavor/capsaicin out.  I use a ninja to grind them, even grind them inside.  The family has gotten used to about once a month fumes in the house, they just stay out of the kitchen for awhile. 
 
I have the Excaliber dehydrator not as fancy as the one shown but 9 shelves and a fan does a good job..however I also have a piolet ligh in my oven so I use that when I have a lot ..remember to not turn oven on till you remove spices..lol..I was using my bullet to grind because it sealed the powder inside till it settled and with lids made for good storage..do like the power griner though ..might get one..also use the little silcone bags they sell on Amazon to keep the moisture out..
 
I am too lazy to remove the seeds before dehydrating but this year trying something new.  I cut the pepper like pepper rings and put in the dehydrator, they lose some of the seeds while drying and when done drying I put the dried rings in a One Gallon Freezer Bag and shake it vigorously for a couple minutes.  Shaking dislodges about 70% of the seeds from the rings and they fall to bottom of bag! 
 
This is working out pretty good, less labor intensive than trying to remove seeds from hundreds of pods at a time. 
 
 
You should make flakes and sell it as "crushed red pepper". If they don't want to specify that it's cayenne, why should you when it's anything else? lol
 
When doing a smoked pepper powder, I will generally remove the seeds.  Then dry them thoroughly on the dehydrator, and then either do a coarse "crush" with a food processor or blender, or do a fine ground with a coffee grinder.  Have had great results.  Does tend to gas out the house though, so maybe on a day off when the wife is at work.  And wear proper protective gear and exercise good hygiene habits, or prepare for PAIN.
 
I got a small experiment going. I cut green jalapeno into rings and ripe Fresno. Set them outside in the sun. Its been over 90F so they tend to dry fairly quick. I also want to try green jalapeno seasoned with salt and lime juice dried in the sun. You do lose quite a bit of the seeds without even trying.
 
My ripe Fresno are nearly done. It decided to rain or they would be done today. :(
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