Re-Hydrating Foods; Cleaning And Maintenance - Optimum RK-0133 Operating Instructions Manual

BEFORE FIRST TIME USE
• Clean all parts of the appliance with a damp cloth.
• Ensure that the appliance is dry before attempting to
dehydrate food.
• Make sure that all parts are fitted correctly and are in working
condition.
PREPARING THE FOOD
Unlike tinned fruit there is no extra sugar added during the de-
hydrating process (unless the user adds sugar as an optional
extra, this can sometimes produce a bitter taste) it is important
to follow these basic guide lines to produce the best quality
food:
• Always ensure that the food is in date and of good quality.
• It is best to use tree-ripened fruits as they contain the highest
natural sugar content.
• Do not use over-ripe or rotting fruits and vegetables, if the
food has bruised or discoloured parts, please remove the
discoloured section before dehydrating.
• Some fruits such as apples, pears and apricots are pre-treated
to slow the loss of vitamins and also to prevent discolouring.
Always thoroughly wash food to ensure it does not contain
dirt, bacteria and other harmful substances.
• It's optional to peel fruit and vegetables before drying them.
The peel can become tough during the drying process;
however it is down to your personal preference.
• It may be necessary to steam/ blanch vegetables before drying
them, this is due to the different textures of the vegetables.
ASSEMBLING THE DEHYDRATOR
1. Place the appliance on a smooth, level table. Ensure that the
power cord is only a short distance away from the electrical
supply.
2. Prepare and cut ingredients as instructed. Place on the
dehydrating trays or onto the dehydrator sheets as required.
3. Stack the dehydrating trays onto the main body of the
appliance. Ensure that all of the trays are fitted correctly
to the main body of the appliance and the trays are evenly
stacked.
4. Turn the main switch of the electrical power supply on.
Important! It is recommended to change the
tray during use.
SETTING THE TEMPERATURE AND TIME
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DRYNESS TEST
• Fruits, if dried properly, should have a pliable and leathery
texture with little moisture (less than 20%). It is a frequent
problem that people over dry fruit, this can lead to a poor taste
and the fruit having less nutritional value.
Therefore to achieve the best possible taste from dehydrated
food ensure the correct drying time is followed.
• Vegetables should be chewy and brittle however different
vegetables can vary in texture.
STORAGE OF FOODS
It is vital to store de-hydrated food correctly in order to
maintain the quality and taste of the product. Ensure that all
dried foods are stored in a cool dark place; the cooler the food
is kept the longer the optimal quality will be
maintained.
• If it is possible please store the food in a refrigerator or
freezer, alternatively you can store dried foods in a cool place
in your home.
• Be aware that light causes the quality and nutritional value of
the food to deteriorate.
• When storing the food it is recommended to store it in a sealed
bag or a darkened container.
STORING FOODS
The naturally high sugar and acid content contained in many
fruits allows them to be stored for longer periods of time.
When packaged and stored correctly most fruit can last for
about a year whilst vegetables can be stored for up to about
6 months.
Do not consume fruits and vegetables that show any signs of
deterioration.

RE-HYDRATING FOODS

Foods that have been dehydrated can be re-hydrated in water,
this can be
performed in 3 ways:
• Fruits and vegetables can be soaked in water for 2-6 hours,
ensure that they are refrigerated during this process.
• They can be soaked in boiling water for 5-10 minutes until
they have reached the desired consistency.
• You can also re-hydrate fruits and vegetables by cooking
them. Do not add seasoning or sugar during this process. A
good general rule is to use 2 cups of water to the fruit and
allow it to stew.

CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE

• The dehydrator trays are dishwasher safe.
• Do not for any reason immerse the main unit in water or any
other liquid.
Clean with a slightly damp cloth and dry thoroughly before
storage.
• Store the appliance in a clean, damp free environment
preferably in its original packaging.