If your dehyrator doesn't have a fan (mine doesn't), you can hang, or set, a little fan nearby pointed at the unit. I've had good success with this.
I've dried EVERYTHING! Peels and tops of (organic) fruits & veggies for rat treats, or even to grind into powder and add to soups and sauces for thickening and extra flavor.
If your apples and pears are a little too yucky to eat, peel away the bruised spots and blend into sauce. Pour into the trays (you can cover them with wax paper, parchment paper, or plastic wrap) and make fruit leather.
Mainly now I just use mine to dry herbs for tinctures. I've got a batch of peppers going now.
Anything on the verge of going bad is fodder for the dehydrator. It's a whole new way of saving food...
-Raine
