ELECTRIC KITCHEN DEHYDRATOR USER MANUAL MODELS: PKFD18WT (white) PKFD19BK (black)
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 beneath this unit. This will serve to protect the surface beneath from heat that can be generated by the food dehydrator.
Table of Contents * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Important Safeguards Dehydration - Preserving Food ____ What is Dehydration? Tools You Need To Get Started Basic Food Preparation Tips Filling the Drying Trays Prevent Dripping How Long Does it Take to Dehydrate Food? General Operating Tips Setting Up Your Food Dehydrator Stacking the Trays How To Operate Your Food Dehydrator Dehydrator Troubleshooting Guide Storing Dried Foods Reconstitution Fruit Dehydration Tips Pre-treatment of Fru
Important Safeguards SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS in a safe place. 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. • Do not touch hot surfaces or allow them to come into contact with flammable materials. • To protect against electrical hazards, do not immerse the cord, the plug or the base of the dehydrator in water or other liquid.
• Operate the dehydrator only in a clean, dust-free area. Dust and dirt can be drawn into the dehydrator and can contaminate the food being dried. • Do not place the dehydrator on a towel or carpet. This will reduce or cut off the dehydrator’s airflow, and could result in damage to the appliance. • Always leave at least one inch of space around the dehydrator on all sides for proper ventilation.
Congratulations on Choosing the Computer Controlled 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.
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 puree for fruit leather. A small notebook to keep track of times and recipes that work for you as well as those that don’t.
Filling the Drying Trays When loading the food into the trays you can use all of the trays’ top surface, but some airflow must be maintained. Try to place the food in a single layer where 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.
How Long Does it Take to Dehydrate Food? It is impossible to give exact drying times because there are so many factors that affect drying time. These factors include: • • • • The moisture content of each food The thickness or size of the prepared food The humidity and temperature in the room where the dehydrator is operating The density of the food The food you choose also plays a part.
General Operating Tips The following section applies to all models except where stated otherwise Before operating your food dehydrator for the first time please be sure to completely read and understand these instructions. Wash and dry the trays and any other parts which will contact the food. • The first time you turn on your Dehydrator you may notice an aroma. This is normal.
Setting Up Your Food Dehydrator Before operating your Dehydrator for the first time please be sure to completely read through and understand the instructions in this booklet. Wash and dry the trays and any other parts which will contact the food. Aligning The Trays TOP OF TRAY To properly align the trays, first examine the side view of the tray. The top of the tray is narrow. The wider portion is the bottom.
How To Operate Your Food Dehydrator Your food dehydrator is simple to use and is designed to make the dehydration process simple and accurate if the instructions are followed. Be sure that you have read the safety tips at the beginning of this manual before proceeding. The first time you turn on your food dehydrator you may notice an aroma. This is a normal by-product of the manufacturing process.
Dehydrator Troubleshooting Guide Symptom Possible Cause Possible Remedies No power to unit 1. Be sure unit is plugged in. 2. Be sure power switch is on. 3. Check that outlet is working. Broken wire in unit Not user repairable. Return for service. Heat OK No Fan Motor stalled or fan blocked 1. Turn off immediately. 2. Check for foreign objects (pieces of dried product) jamming fan. Turn base assembly upside down and shake vigorously. Turn unit on side and shake particles out.
Storing Dried Foods Once food is properly dried it is important to store it properly for the best results. By following these storage techniques your food will stay fresh and ready-to-use for the longest time possible. General Food Storage Tips • Wait until food is cool before storing. • Heat and light will cause food to deteriorate. Keep food in a dry, cool, and dark place. • Remove all the air you possibly can from the storage container and close tightly. • Ideal storage temperature is 60°F or lower.
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.
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 pureed 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.
Vegetable Dehydration Tips Dried vegetables are every bit as flavorful 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.
Blanching is faster than steaming, but many nutrients are lost in the blanching water. It is not recommended for chopped or shredded vegetables, which would easily overcook during blanching. To blanch sliced vegetables, drop the prepared vegetable into a large pot of boiling water. Do not add more than 1 cup food per quart of boiling water. Begin timing immediately. For timing, follow standard freezing directions.
Meats, Fish, and 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 flavor 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 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.
Drying Other Items Flowers The flowers should be picked after the dew has dried and before the evening dampness. Flowers should be dried as quickly and as soon as possible after picking. Discard any damaged or brown leaves. Place in trays without overlapping. Drying times will vary depending upon size and type of flower. Dry for approximately 2 to 36 hours. Herbs Rinse and shake off excess water. Pat dry. Remove dead or discolored leaves. If using seed, pick when pods have changed color.
PREPARATION DRYNESS TEST APPROX. TIME (HOURS) Tomatoes Remove skin.
Preparation Dryness Test Approx. (Hours) Peaches Pit when 50% dry. Halve or quarter with cut side up pliable 10 to 34 _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Pears Peel and slice pliable 8 to 30 _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Nectarines Cut in half, dry with skin side down.
