To get started, ensure the peeling is removed from each of the garlic cloves you are preparing.

If dehydrating garlic for use in cooked foods, mince the garlic with a sharp knife. If you are dehydrating it for the purpose of grinding it into garlic powder, cut the cloves into thin slices.

If your dehydrator does not have fine mesh screens, line the trays with parchment paper or silicone dehydrator liners.

Place the garlic in an even layer on each tray, ensuring that there is ample room for the air to flow around each piece. For slices, ensure the slices do not touch. For minced garlic, spread it with your hands in a sparse, even layer.

Set the dehydrator to 125ºF (52ºC) and place each of the filled trays into the dehydrator.

Dry for 6-12 hours, or until all of the pieces are brittle and break easily. Humid environments will take longer than dryer environments, so using the break test is the most reliable.

Turn off the dehydrator and allow the slices or minced garlic to completely cool in the dehydrator, or remove the trays to the open air to cool for an hour.

Once the garlic is completely cooled to room temperature, transfer it to a glass jar with a lid for conditioning - this checks for excess moisture.

Place the glass jar in a visible location for 24 hours, shaking it a few times throughout. Do not place it in direct sunlight, as the heat can cause a greenhouse effect that will cause moisture to build in the jar.

If any condensation or fogging shows in the jar, return your food to the dehydrator and dry again until it is brittle and passes the conditioning test.
If your food passes the conditioning test, transfer it to airtight jars or containers (or mylar bags) for storage. Store for 4-12 months, discarding if there are any signs of spoilage.

For garlic powder: Add the completely dried garlic slices (or minced garlic) to a spice or coffee grinder reserved for the purpose of grinding spices and powders. Grind until it is broken down into a fine powder. Then transfer to an airtight jar or container to store for 2-6 months.