Owner Manual

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replace it annually.
 Dried meats, game, poultry and fish should be stored for no more than 3 months
if kept in the refrigerator, and no more than 1 year if kept in the freezer.
 Vacuum sealing can help to extend storage life by several months, if food has
been properly and thoroughly dried.
Location
Cool dark and dry are the keys to maintaining the quality of dried food. Shelves near a
window may need to be covered to keep out light. Glass jars or plastic containers
should be placed in a paper bag or in a closed cabinet. Cement walls and floors are
often damp and cold. Therefore, dried food containers should not be placed directly
on the floor, or touching a basement or cellar wall as this can cause condensation in
the container. Do not store dried food near items with a strong odor (such as varnish,
paint remover or kerosene).
Length of Storage
Dried fruits and vegetables should not be stored longer than one year. Plan to use all
dried meats, fish, poultry or jerky within a month or two. Label dried foods, and rotate
on a first-dried, first-to-be-used basis. Check dried foods periodically. If the food
seems more moist than when packed, moisture is getting into the container. Spread
food on drying trays and re-dry. Mold indicates that the food was not properly dried
before being stored. Destroy moldy food; it is not safe to eat.
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: