Klarstein 10030503 Manual page 10

Operation
1. Wash food and remove any pits, stones, seeds or imperfections. Blanch if required.
2. Cut the food items into small uniform shapes (roughly small 5mm strips).
3. Remove skin from fruit or vegetable if desired.
4. Place the food items freely on the drying trays. Allow space between each food item to allow free airflow
(Consult our Fruit and Vegetable drying guide for approximate times).
5. Switch appliance on and adjust temperature control.
6. Trays should be rotated every 3-4 hours for more even drying.
7. When dehydrating is complete, switch power off and remove.
8. Allow food to cool completely before placing in airtight container for storage..
NOTE: Always use all of the trays when drying food even if empty. This will aid the drying process. After use, the
Food Dehydrator will still be hot. Please ensure you let the unit cool before moving or cleaning.
Helpful Hints on Drying
• User quality food – Best results are achieved when quality food is used. Select produce at the peak of ripe-
ness, colour and flavor for the highest nutritional content. You can dry overripe produce successfully, as long
as you remove any spoiled areas.
• Wash Food – Food should be washed and dried thoroughly removing soft or spoiled areas. Be certain that
your hands, cutting utensils and food preparation areas are clean.
• Some fruits are better when prepared for drying by soaking in a mixture of natural juice and water containing
Ascorbic acid or lemon juice (see Fruit Drying Guide).
• Cut Food Uniformly – Produce can be shredded, sliced or diced. 5mm slices are best for efficient drying.
• Variation in Drying Times – Drying times are affected by the size of the load, thickness of the sliced produce,
humidity, air temperature and the moisture content of the food itself. Please consult our drying times and
use it as a guideline.
• Rotate Racks –Ensure you rotate the racks every 3-4 hours, to allow for even drying and air circulation.
• Testing for dryness – Be sure to let the produce cool before testing for dryness. To test for dryness, cut a
piece open – there should be no visible moisture or juices inside.
• Uneven drying – If you notice uneven drying, rotate the racks.
• Keep Records – Records of humidity, weight of produce before and after will help to improve your drying
techniques for future use.
10