Drying was one of the first preserving methods ever used, probably because of its simplicity. While you can get commercial equipment designed for drying, there are items in your home right now that will fit the bill nicely. An additional advantage to drying is that food has a long shelf life when it’s dried properly. Without water content, food doesn’t spoil, and it packs very neatly onto cupboard shelves. This section will familiarize you with the various types of dry preserving and what foods they’re best suited for.