Drying Maitake in the Oven

• 1). Clean your mushrooms thoroughly, while keeping them dry. You can use a vegetable brush or dry napkins to remove dirt.
  
  
• 2). Slice the mushrooms as thin as you can. The thinner the strips, the faster they will dry out.
  
  
• 3). Spread the slices around a baking sheet, being sure not to stack them on top of one another.
  
  
• 4). Bake at 150 degrees, for 60 minutes, and then remove from the oven.
  
  
• 5). Flip the pieces over and use paper towels to soak up the water, which was excreted from the mushrooms during cooking.
  
  
• 6). Press the mushrooms gently with dry paper towels to remove water and return to the oven for another 60 minutes.
  
  
• 7). Remove from the oven, and test that the mushrooms are dried. If there is still moisture or sponginess, continue to cook and flip until all moisture has been removed.
  
  
• 8). Allow mushroom slices to completely cool.
  
  
• 9). Keep dried maitake in an airtight bowl, keeping it in a dark cabinet or cupboard when not in use.
  
  

Drying Maitake Using the Air Method

• 1). Clean your mushrooms thoroughly, as in oven method.
  
  
• 2). Cut and slice mushrooms into thin pieces.
  
  
• 3). Lay out on paper towels or place inside of a mesh bag with holes to allow air in. Place mushrooms in a dry, dark cupboard or cabinet, monitoring for possible spoilage or molding.
  
  

Dry Maitake Using a Food Dehydrator.

• 1). Clean your mushrooms thoroughly as in other methods.
  
  
• 2). Slice the mushrooms as thin as possible.
  
  
• 3). Follow the directions of your food dehydrator.