I can't speak to the dehydrating side of things but I have been happy
with both the habs I have frozen and also alcohol soaked.

For the freezing I just put them in a glass jar and pick out a whole
pepper when I need it. I've kept them this way for over a year. Yes,
they do get mushy when I drop them in a soup or stew but the heat is
still there and that is all I care about. No muss no fuss.

I also have diced up some habs, put them in an old, empty large
Tabasco sauce bottle, about 1/3 full and then filled the jar with
vodka. Mmmmmm. (I've also done the same with whole peppercorns)

I guess it would be a bad thing if you put too much pepper and not
enough hooch, then the proof is too low and cooties will grow.
Everclear is your friend! :-)

I know firsthand that if you put wet peppers in a jar and top with
oil, nasty stuff will soon bloom and if you are dumb and use it on
food, I assume you will get very sick or even dead.

JJ