# How do I dry some peppers? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 31, 2001, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-dry-some-peppers/79128 "2001-08-31T15:53:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lowellster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/2bfe46/32.png) [@Lowellster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lowellster)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2001, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-dry-some-peppers/79128/1 "2001-08-31T15:53:25Z")
I have just successfully grown a whole bunch of peppers. Mostly chili peppers and cayennes, and also a some jalapenos. I’m sure the jalapenos will be consumed quickly, but I have a lot more of the others than I want to eat in the next week or two. How do I dry them so I can keep them forever, or at least until I want to eat them? Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![redtail23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3e96dc/32.png) [@redtail23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/redtail23)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2001, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-dry-some-peppers/79128/2 "2001-08-31T16:01:58Z")
String 'em up. Way we usually do it is to use a large needle with heavy thread (monofilament works well too, as does dental floss). Leave some stem on your peppers when you gather them & you can string them by the stem. Otherwise, just run the string through the peppers near the stem-end. Hang them in a well-ventilated location to dry. Voila! You’ve got one of those lovely decorative pepper strings that you see in all the best kitchens. And you can just pull one off whenever you need. 🙂 Alternatively, you can throw 'em in a ziplock & toss 'em in the freezer. They’re a little mushy when they thaw, but they’re great for cooking. ---
**Author:** ![BlueMoonofKentucky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8dc957/32.png) [@BlueMoonofKentucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlueMoonofKentucky)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2001, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-dry-some-peppers/79128/3 "2001-08-31T17:03:38Z")
In addition to the Hang 'em High method, you can get a $15 dehydrator at a discount store and dry’em in about a day and then string into the decorative bunches. Or in a warm oven etc… For chipolte-like peppers\*, roast them before drying and then grind them up. \*Chipoltes are by definition jalapenos that have been roasted and dried, but I’m using the term loosley to include any dried, roasted pepper. ---
**Author:** ![johnson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@johnson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnson)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2001, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-dry-some-peppers/79128/4 "2001-08-31T17:23:17Z")
Stringing them up often doesn’t work in humid areas. I turn the oven on to the lowest setting, let it warm up, turn it off and throw the peppers in. You have to refire the oven often, and it can take two days (I obviously don’t crank up the oven at night), but it works like a charm. Just don’t put the oven on 300 degrees thinking it will speed things up (though the smell can actually be pretty good). Or, you could just get the dehydrator. ---
**Author:** ![JillGat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc29f/32.png) [@JillGat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JillGat)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2001, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-dry-some-peppers/79128/5 "2001-08-31T20:36:14Z")
I would roast em, peel em, and freeze em. ---
**Author:** ![redtail23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3e96dc/32.png) [@redtail23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/redtail23)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2001, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-dry-some-peppers/79128/6 "2001-08-31T20:55:51Z")
On our recent trip, we finally managed to coordinate travel through NM with green chili season. 17 pounds, already roasted and frozen. $20.00 Oh yeah, life is **GOOD** , I’m tellin’ ya. 😃