PROFESSIONAL 10-TRAY HIGH EFFICIENCY STAINLESS STEEL FOOD DEHYDRATOR Instruction Manual Item# CFD-2040CS 120V/60Hz / 1000W
WARNING! Do not operate this Appliance on a flammable material such as a wood surface or on any tablecloth. Do not operate this appliance on a non-heat-resistant glass cooktop or cutting board. It is imperative that an additional heat-resistant cooking surface such as tile, Formica® or any surface protected with a heat resistant finish at least the size of the unit or larger be placed underneath this unit. This will serve to protect the surface beneath from heat that can be generated by the food dehydrator.
IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS When using electrical appliances, basic safety precautions should always be followed, including the following: READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS, PRODUCT LABELS AND WARNINGS BEFORE USING THE FOOD DEHYDRATOR. 1. CHECK FOR DAMAGED PARTS. Before using the Dehydrator, check that all parts are operating properly and perform their intended functions. Check for any conditions that may affect the unit operation. DO NOT use if the power cord is damaged or frayed. 2.
17. BEWARE! Surfaces on Dehydrator become HOT during use! Serious burns and injury may result! Use handles or knobs. 18. Do not use appliance for other than intended use. 19. If appliance malfunctions during use, shut down unit IMMEDIATELY and discontinue use. DO NOT attempt to open Control Panel. This product has no user-serviceable parts. Always contact authorized Service Centre if unit malfunctions or for service. DO NOT use or replace with any unauthorized parts not intended for this unit.
Congratulations on Choosing this Food Dehydrator. This quality appliance is designed to give you many years of use. For best results and trouble-free service we urge you to read this entire manual. Dehydration - Preserving Food Thousands of years ago, one of the few ways people had to preserve foods was by laying them out to dry in the sun.
PARTS AND OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS Door Control Panel Dehydrator Cabinet Handle Removable Food Trays (16” x 14.25”) Rubber Feet CONTROL PANEL For safe and best results, read all operating instructions first. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Operate Dehydrator on clean, dry surface. Plug Dehydrator into a standard 120V, 60 Hz wall outlet. Control Panel Lights lit up. Position Dehydrator at least 12 in. (30.5 cm) from any wall during operation to allow for proper air circulation.
Tools You Need To Get Started • • • Paring knife (Stainless Steel Blade) Cutting board Storage containers Additional tools that make the job easier and faster can include: • A food processor or other similar appliance for faster and consistent slicing • A steamer and basket, or kettle and collapsible steamer for blanching • Blender for making fruit purée for fruit leather • A small notebook to keep track of length of time and recipes that work for you as well as those that don’t Basic Food Preparatio
Filling the Drying Trays When loading the food into the trays you can use all of the tray’s surface, but some airflow must be maintained. Try to place the food in a single layer whenever possible. This is particularly important with foods like banana slices and pineapple rings and not quite as important with beans. If some of the pieces come out with too much moisture when you are finished, one of the reasons is that it might have been covered by other pieces of food.
Vegetable Dehydration Tips Dried vegetables are every bit as flavourful and versatile as dried fruits. With dried vegetables you can make delicious soups, stews, casseroles and more. Basically, anywhere you would use fresh vegetables you can use dehydrated vegetables. Before preparing and dehydrating your chosen vegetables, always wash them in cold water. A certain amount of coring, slicing, peeling or shredding is required.
Fruit Dehydration Tips Dried fruit is a superb food treat. Try it plain as fruit leather, or in ice cream cobblers and pies. It’s hard to imagine a better tasting more nutritious snack than dried fruit. Dried fruit is naturally sweet, has no preservatives, and is inexpensive. Your food dehydrator makes drying fruit easy. With all fruits it is best to wash them before beginning. After that, most fruits just need halving, coring or pitting and slicing before placing them in the dehydrator.
Fruit Leather Dehydration Tips Sometimes referred to as Fruit Rolls, Fruit Strips, or Fruit Jerky, fruit that is puréed and dried in thin sheets becomes a tasty, chewy, candy-like snack we will call fruit leather. You have probably sampled the commercial versions from the market, but once you’ve tasted it made fresh at home with quality fruit, you’ll never go back to store bought! Fruit leather is a good way to make use of left-over or overripe fruit that might otherwise be discarded.
Meats - Fish - Poultry Dehydration Tips Dried meats are best when made for upcoming camping and backpacking trips. When reconstituted they yield a tasty meat, somewhat like fresh cooked. IMPORTANT NOTE: Except for jerky, cooking of all meats and fish before drying is required to ensure safety. Do not store dried meat, fish or poultry longer than two months. Use only very lean meats and cut away as much fat as possible. Meat should be marinated before drying to add flavour and also to tenderize it.
Jerky Dehydrating meat without prior cooking will produce the rigid chewy style of meat known as jerky. It is one of the oldest known forms of meat preservation. Because «jerked meat» is made without cooking the meat first, it is important to start with quality meat, and to have a clean and sanitary work area. Also, be sure to thoroughly cleanse the work surfaces when done. Remember that Jerky is the only meat to be placed uncooked in the dehydrator.
Storing Dried Foods Once food is properly dried it is important to store it properly for best results. By following these storage techniques, your food will stay fresh and ready-to-use for the longest time possible. Containers Any container which is clean, airtight, and moisture-proof is suitable for storage. Heavy, zippered plastic bags or heat sealing cooking bags are excellent. Fill each bag as much as possible and squeeze out excess air.
Reconstitution Dehydration is the process of removing moisture from food. Reconstitution is the replacement of that moisture to bring the food back to its natural state. Although some dried foods such as fruit are excellent in their dehydrated state, you will often want to reconstitute other dried foods before eating them. Here are some tips on reconstitution: Just Add Water For chopped or shredded vegetables, and for fruits to be used in cookies, no reconstitution is usually needed.
Care and Maintenance After each use, clean the drying trays and dehydrator lid with warm soapy water. Do not wash trays, lid or base in dishwasher. Stubborn particles may be removed by soaking and/or using a plastic scrubber. Do not use abrasive materials or solvents to clean plastic ! To clean the dehydrator’s base (the bottom part with the motor and heating element), unplug and wipe clean with a damp sponge or cloth.
Slightly chewy but not brittle Beef Jerky pliable Pare, core and cut slices or rings Cut into 1/8 inch strips Clean, cut in halves or in slices Peel and cut into 1/8 inch slices Cut strawberries into 3/8 inch slice. Other berries whole Pitting is optional, or pit when 50% dry Chop or leave whole Pit and slice Slice Leave whole Cut in half, dry with skin side down. Pit when 50% dry Peel in long strips Pit when 50% dry.
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LIMITED ONE (1) YEAR WARRANTY This appliance is warranted to be free from any manufacturing defects under normal use and conditions for one (1) year from date of purchase. During that period, should the appliance fail to operate properly, return the appliance with your sales receipt to the store where purchased. This product warranty covers only the original consumer purchase of the product.
