Cuizen CFD-2040CS User manual

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
ammable 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 nish 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.
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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. To avoid starting appliance unintentionally, make sure the power switch is in “OFF”
position before connecting Dehydrator to power outlet.
3. ALWAYS DISCONNECT Dehydrator from power source before servicing, changing
accessories, displacing or cleaning unit. Unplug Dehydrator when not in use.
4. KEEP CHILDREN AWAY. NEVER LEAVE THE APPLIANCE UNATTENDED. Monitor
Dehydrator while in use.
5. Manufacturer declines any responsibility in case of improper use of Dehydrator.
Improper use of Dehydrator will void warranty.
6. Electrical repair must be done by authorized service centre. Use only factory original
parts and accessories. Modification of Dehydrator voids warranty. NEVER open rear
panel of Dehydrator. NEVER remove back screen from Dehydrator.
7. DO NOT pull power cord to unplug. It is suggested to NOT use extension cords with
Dehydrator. If extension cord is used be sure the marked electrical rating is at least as great
as the electrical rating of this appliance.
8. Be sure Dehydrator is stable during use. All four feet should be secure on a level
surface. Dehydrator should not move during operation.
9. DO NOT operate Dehydrator outdoors or near any flammable or combustible
materials. INDOOR USE ONLY. NOT FOR COMMERCIAL USE.
10. USE IN A WELL VENTILATED LOCATION.
11. DO NOT block air vents on door or at rear of Dehydrator. Keep Dehydrator at least 12”
(30.5 cm) away from any wall to allow for proper air circulation.
12. DO NOT operate Dehydrator on flammable surfaces such as carpeting, etc.
13. To prevent electric shock, DO NOT IMMERSE UNIT AND CONTROL PANEL IN WATER OR
LIQUID. Serious injury from electric shock could result. DO NOT use appliance with wet
hands or bare feet. DO NOT operate near running water.
14. Disconnect from power outlet before cleaning components. READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS
before cleaning Dehydrator.
15. After cleaning, make sure Dehydrator is completely dry before reconnecting to the
power outlet – if not; ELECTRIC SHOCK may result.
16. DO NOT place or use the unit or any parts on or near hot gas or electric burner, in
a heated oven, or on stove top. DO NOT let power cord hang over edge of table or
counter or touch any hot surfaces.

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. All parts for
this appliance must be used according to Instruction Manual. ONLY use manufacturer
approved parts from authorized Service Center. Any other parts or accessories not
intended for use with this appliance is strictly prohibited and will void warranty.
20. The use of accessory attachments not recommended by manufacturer is forbidden
and may cause injuries.
21. Do not let cord hang over edge of table or counter, or touch hot surfaces.
22. Do not place on or near a hot gas or electric burner, or in a heated oven.
KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. DO NOT LEAVE APPLIANCE UNATTENDED
WHEN IN USE OR WHEN APPLIANCE CONTAINS HOT FOOD. ALWAYS
SUPERVISE CHILDREN WHEN THEY ARE NEAR APPLIANCE. DO NOT ALLOW
CHILDREN TO OPERATE OR BE NEAR THE APPLIANCE WHEN IN USE.
CAUTION: BURNS, INJURY AND/OR FIRE MAY RESULT FROM NON-
COMPLIANCE WITH ALL OPERATING PROCEDURES DESCRIBED IN
INSTRUCTION MANUAL.
FOR HOUSEHOLD USE ONLY • NOT FOR COMMERCIAL USE
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE
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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. Before such modern appliances as refrigerators and before
chemical preservatives, dehydration was an easy way to safely store foods for use at a later
time, when food was scarce or not in season. Your new food dehydrator applies modern
science to this ancient art to bring you a controlled, predictable and safe way to preserve
foods at home.
Dehydrating food opens a new dimension in preserving fruits, vegetables and meats to
you. Your new food dehydrator will be able to perfectly capture the fresh-picked in-season
flavour and nutrition of almost any food for out-of-season eating enjoyment. These dried
foods can be more easily stored because they are less likely to spoil and they take up less
room as well. They also weigh less making them perfect for camping or backpacking meals.
Dried fruit snacks are delicious and nutritious. Ingredients for your favourite soup recipes
can be dried and stored which also make great last-minute meals, ready to cook.
Your Dehydrator Unit keeps food in the drying chamber at a computer-controlled constant
temperature. Food is bathed in a constant stream of warm dry air which gently removes the
moisture from the food. The result is beautifully dried food every time.
You will find that drying food is practical and economical as well as easy. And it all starts
with your state-of-the-art food dehydrator.
What is Dehydration?
Dehydration refers to a process in which moisture is removed from food allowing the
dried food to be stored safety for later use. Its main benefit over other such ancient
methods (such as salting or smoking) is that it adds no flavours and removes few nutrients
from the food being dehydrated.
When done properly, few nutrients are lost during dehydration. According to the Food
and Drug Administration (FDA), dehydrating retains 95-97% of the nutrients in the original
food. In contrast, canning only preserves 20-30% and freezing only retains 40-60% of the
food’s nutrition. Dehydrated food tastes good too! Since natural flavours concentrate as
you remove moisture, the dried product is naturally delicious.
As you will soon learn, reconstitution is an integral part of dehydration. Reconstitution
refers to the adding of water to the dried food. When allowed to soak in water, dried food
absorbs the water and swells back to its original size, shape and texture while retaining
nearly 100% of its original flavour and nutrition.
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PARTS AND OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
For safe and best results, read all operating instructions first.
1. Operate Dehydrator on clean, dry surface.
2. Plug Dehydrator into a standard 120V, 60 Hz wall outlet. Control Panel Lights lit up.
3. Position Dehydrator at least 12 in. (30.5 cm) from any wall during operation to allow for proper air
circulation. DO NOT block Air Vents at rear or on door of Dehydrator.
4. Remove Racks from Dehydrator. Load Dehydrator Racks with food to be dried. Position pieces
so that they do not overlap or touch each other. Allow ample space between pieces of food for
proper air circulation. Remove any excess water from food by patting it with a paper towel. Excess
moisture may cause the Dehydrator temperature to drop.
5. Press Power Button ON, then adjust Temperature Setting key to desired heat setting. It is
recommended to place an oven thermometer (not included) into Dehydrator to monitor
temperature.
6. Set Timer Setting key to desired drying time up to 15 hours. Please note Unit will start drying
process immediately when you adjust Timer.
7. Preheat Dehydrator for 5-10 minutes before loading Racks into Dehydrator.
8. Install door onto Dehydrator Cabinet by hanging door onto lip on top of Cabinet. Make sure the
sides of door are closed securely against Cabinet. CAUTION: SHARP EDGES.
9. Water droplets may form on surface of food while dehydrating. Excess humidity can be removed by
blotting food with paper towel CAUTION: the Dehydrator becomes hot!
NOTE: Drying time may vary depending on several factors including relative humidity, air temperature,
product thickness and fat content. Actual temperature in Dehydrator is based on room temperature of
70°F (21°C). If Dehydrator is not used in room temperature setting of 70°F (21°C), temperature indicated
on Temperature Setting may not be achieved or may be exceeded.
CONTROL PANEL
Removable
Food Trays
(16”x 14.25”)
Control Panel
Dehydrator
Cabinet
Rubber Feet
Door
Handle
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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 Preparation Tips
Fruit and vegetable peel often contain much of the food’s nutritional value. Therefore
it is better not to peel if the dried food is to be eaten as snack or used in cookies. On the
other hand, you will want to peel apples intended for a pie or tomatoes intended for soup.
Generally, if you normally peel the food for a specific recipe, then peel the food before it is
to be dehydrated.
One of the most important factors in successful dehydration is how the food is sliced.
When drying fruits it helps to get all the slices about the same thickness so they all dry to
the same moisture level, at the same time. Thick slices dry more slowly than thin slices. The
thickness you choose is up to you but slicing all the pieces to as close to the same size as is
possible will help ensure success and consistency.
The skin of many foods naturally protects the food but it can hamper the dehydration
process. During dehydration, moisture escapes best from a cut or broken surface not
through the tough skin. Therefore, the larger the cut area, the faster and better the food
will dehydrate.
For this reason thin stalked vegetables like green beans, asparagus, and rhubarb should be
cut in half the long way, or with an extreme diagonal cut to expose as much of the inner
parts of the food as possible.
Fruit should be sliced across the core and not down through the core. Try to always make
thin flat cuts.
Broccoli stems should be halved or quartered depending upon diameter. Small fruits like
strawberries can be cut in half. Even smaller berries should either be cut in half or blanched
slightly to break the skin.
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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.
Dehydration removes the moisture and will cause the food to shrink as it dries. This
allows you to store the same amount of food in a smaller space. Chopped food
should not be spread thicker than ⁄ inch.
It may be necessary to stir the finely chopped food once or twice during
dehydration to ensure even drying of all the pieces. To do so, turn the machine off,
unplug it, remove the trays, stir, then reassemble and restart the machine according
to the instructions.
Prevent Dripping
Some foods such as very ripe tomatoes and citrus or sugared fruits may drip.
Dripping from a tray above can change the flavour of different foods on lower
trays. To help lessen dripping after placing food on drying trays and before placing
them on the dehydrator base, tap the tray firmly downward on a towel laid on the
counter top a few times to remove excess moisture.

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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. A food
processor can be a handy tool when processing vegetables taking seconds to slice up a
large batch ready for the dehydrator.
Be creative when drying vegetables. Placing vegetables in diluted lemon juice or similar
flavourings for approximately 2 minutes will add a hint of flavour to such vegetables as
green beans and asparagus.
Pre-treatment of Vegetables
For the most part, vegetables need little in the way of special treatment for dehydration
although there are some exceptions. Here are some preparation guidelines that will help
you get the most from your dried vegetables.
A few vegetables, such as onions, garlic, peppers, tomatoes and mushrooms can be dried
and reconstituted successfully without pre-treatment. In general if vegetables must be
steamed or blanched for freezing they must be treated for drying.
With the above-named exceptions in mind most remaining vegetables will need to be
steamed or blanched before drying. Many vegetables have enzymes that help the food
ripen and leaving these enzymes active in the food will cause them to continue to bring
about changes in flavour and aroma which can be undesirable. Although untreated
vegetables which are dehydrated can still be good for as long as three to four months, heat
treated vegetables reconstitute in less time, keep longer, and generally retain more flavour
when reconstituted.
Steaming
Steaming is the best method of pre-treatment. Place a single layer of chopped or sliced
vegetables in a colander or steam basket. Shredded vegetables can be 1/2 inch deep in
the colander or basket. Set vegetables in a pot above a small amount of boiling water and
cover. Water should not touch the vegetables. Begin timing immediately. When ready to
remove, vegetables should be barely tender. Drop in bowl of cold water to stop cooking
and for food to retain its color. Pat dry and spread on trays to dehydrate.
Blanching
Blanching is recommended for green beans, cauliflower, broccoli, asparagus, potatoes and
peas. Since these vegetables are often used in soups or stews, blanching will ensure that
they retain a desirable color. To blanch, place prepared vegetables in a pot of boiling water
for 3 to 5 minutes only. Strain and pat dry and place vegetables in the dehydrator.
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. Timing is approximately
one-third to one-half that of steaming or until vegetables are barely tender.

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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.
You do not have to pre-treat fruits to get good results, but some fruits, such as apples,
pears, peaches, apricots and bananas tend to darken somewhat with drying or storage
beyond six to seven months. Although still edible when darkened, they tend to not appear
as tempting to the palate. If you don’t mind the change in color of your dried fruit, there is
no need to pre-treat. Fruits like bananas turn brown without pre-treatment, but at the same
time they become very sweet and bursting with pure banana flavour by simply slicing and
placing directly into the dehydrator. For drying times of fruits, refer to the Fruit Preparation
Table.
To avoid fruits from darkening, fruit pieces can be dipped in solutions of lemon pineapple,
or orange juice, or ascorbic acid prior to dehydration Dip the fruit in the solution for two
minutes. Drain on paper towels and place in drying trays.
Lemon, Pineapple or Orange Juice
Fresh or bottled lemon, pineapple or orange juices are the best because of their natural
sweetness. Pineapple and orange juice can be used full strength or diluted to taste. If you
use lemon juice, it is best to dilute it with 1 part juice to 8 parts water and soak the fruit
pieces for two minutes. Be aware that the taste of these juices can overpower the taste of
the fruit being dried and may not always prevent discoloration of food. Experiment with
the dilution and soaking times to suit your taste.
Ascorbic Acid
Crystalline ascorbic acid or products with ascorbic acid made for preserving fruits for
canning may be obtained from drug stores or from stores selling canning supplies. Most
grocery stores sell it with their canning supplies as well. Mix 1 tablespoon in four cups of
water and soak the fruit for about two minutes. Like lemon juice, the taste can be quite
overpowering so experiment with concentrations and soaking times.
Sodium Bisulfite
Sodium Bisulfite can be purchased at your local pharmacy. If you or anyone who will be
eating the food has any known chemical allergies, you should check with your physician
before using this chemical. Be certain to ask for food grade (safe) product only. Mix 1
teaspoon of Sodium Bisulfite in 1 quart of water. Dip the sliced fruit in the solution for a few
minutes. Remove, drain and place on the dehydrator tray.

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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.
Making Fruit leather is very easy. Start by thoroughly washing the fruit in cold water
and remove any stems or leaves left on the fruit. Remove the peel, skin, pits, or seeds
as necessary. Then just purée the fruit or fruit combination of your choice, and add just
enough liquid to the blender to make a smooth thick purée. Honey, fruit juice or water can
be used but don’t make the mixture too thin or it won’t stay put on the dehydrator shelf.
With fruits that have a high moisture level little or no liquid needs be added at all.
Since you are the cook, you get to taste the purée as you are making it. It is not only your
privilege but an important part of the process, because if the purée tastes good, the leather
will taste even better! Remember that the flavours and sweetness will concentrate when
the leather is dry, so don’t make it too sweet!
It is best to use a fruit leather sheet designed for the purpose but if not available, you
can line one half of each drying tray with plastic wrap. To maintain adequate circulation
only half of each tray should be covered. If using more than one tray, place the plastic on
alternate halves of the trays in the stack. Remember that the trays only go in one way, so
stack the trays properly on the counter before lining them to assure proper placement of
the plastic wrap.
When drying sticky purées (bananas, for instance) spray a small amount of vegetable oil
spray on the fruit leather sheet or plastic wrap. After all fruit leather sheets are filled, stack
the drying trays atop the base. Dehydrate until the fruit purée is the texture of leather. It
should be easy to peel off of the fruit leather sheet. Wrap in plastic wrap and store at room
temperature. Spices, chopped nuts or coconut may be added to the purée for extra flavour.
For further variation, purée several types of fruit together.
Feel free to experiment with your recipes. Single fruit flavours will work just fine, but
there are lots of various fruit combinations that combine to make flavourful snacks. These
include:
•Strawberry-Banana •Pineapple-Orange •Raspberry-Banana-Coconut
•Strawberries-Rhubarb •Pineapple-Apricot •MixedBerry
•Pineapple-Peach •Raspberry-Apple  •Apple-Blueberry
•Apple-Cinnamon(usecinnamonsparingly)
•Honey-Cranberry-Orange(cranberriesshouldbecooked)

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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. The marinade should contain salt,
which helps extract water from the meat and also helps preserve it, but it should not have
any oil. Most marinades contain some sort of acid (like tomato sauce or vinegar) because
the acid breaks down the fibers making the meat more tender.
Slicing meat while partially frozen will be easier, especially if you want very thin slices. A
food processor or a specialized meat slicer can do a great job. You can also tell your butcher
that you are making dried meat or jerky and they will be glad to thin slice it for you.
When drying meat or game for stews, soups, etc., remember that these types of meats must
be cooked prior to drying. Cook, cut into small cubes and place in the dehydrator. Dry until
all moisture has been removed, approximately 2 to 8 hours.
When ready to use in your favourite stew, simply rehydrate by soaking in water or broth for
at least 11/2 hours, or until tender and about the size they were before dehydrating.
BEEF
Choose lean cuts. Beef flank steak, round or rump are better than chuck or rib.
POULTRY
All poultry MUST be cooked before drying. Steaming or roasting are the best methods.
Chicken breasts are leaner than dark meat.
FISH
A good idea is to steam the fish before dehydrating or, if you chose to bake it, preheat your
conventional oven to 200°F and bake for 20 minutes or until fish is flaky. When drying fish,
sole and flounder are good choices.

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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.
Making Beef Jerky
As with nearly all foods, it is important to start with a quality cut of meat. Select a lean flank or
round steak about 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick. Trim off all fat and connective tissue. Fat hampers the
ability of the meat to dry, and the connective tissue will make for a tough jerky to chew.
For easier cutting, place meat in the freezer for about 30 minutes to partially freeze. Then turn it
over and freeze for an additional 15 minutes. Cut across the grain into strips about 1/8 inch thick.
Marinate the strips for at least 3 hours, or even overnight. This gives the meat a unique flavour
and at the same time tenderizes the meat. Increase the marinating time for a stronger flavoured
jerky.
Meat may be seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic or onion powder, or other spices. Because
flavours intensify during dehydration use salt sparingly! There are lots of jerky recipes available.
Try them or create your own unique flavour!
Drain marinated strips on paper towels, and place the strips on drying trays (remember to
protect the dehydrator from dripping foods as described earlier in this manual). Dehydrate until
strips are quite dry, and stiff to bending but can be bent without breaking This will take from 6 to
16 hours. Unlike other dried meats, Jerky should be slightly chewy but not brittle.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Remember that keeping a sanitary work area
is crucial. Be sure to wash all work surfaces and your hands before
handling the meat, and wash your hands after touching any other
object or surface before handling meat again.
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 discoloured leaves. If using seed, pick
when pods have changed color. You should leave herbs on the stem and remove when drying
has been completed Spread herbs loosely on tray. Drying times will vary according to size and
type. Dry for approximately 2 to 6 hours.

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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. Filled bags may be placed in metal cans with lids
(shortening or coffee cans are good) to keep out insects. Glass jars with tight-fitting lids can
be used with or without plastic bags. Quality plastic containers with tight-fitting lids are
good but they must be airtight. Do not use paper or cloth bags, lightweight plastic bags,
bread wrappers, or any container without a tight-fitting lid.
General Food Storage Tips
• Wait until food is cooled off completely 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.
• Never store food directly in a metal container.
• Avoid containers that «breathe» or have a weak seal.
• Check the contents of your dehydrated food for moisture during the weeks following
dehydration. If there is moisture inside, you should dehydrate the contents for a
longer time.
• For best quality, dried fruits and vegetables should not be kept for more than 1 year.
• Dehydrate your produce in the summer when it is at optimum freshness and 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 odour, 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. Then pack the food in an airtight container. Mould indicates the food was not
properly dried before being stored. Destroy mouldy food.

15
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. If the pieces are quite crisp and dry you can try sprinkling with 1 Tbs.
water per cup of dried food.
For vegetables and fruits to be used in soufflés, pies, quick breads, doughs or batter, use 2
parts water to 3 parts (by volume) dried food.
For vegetables and fruits which will be cooked in the liquid such as vegetable side dishes,
fruit toppings, and compotes, use 1 to 11/2 parts water to 1 part dried food. Extra liquid
may be required for proper cooking.
Time for Reconstitution
• Chopped and shredded foods reconstitute quickly. Generally, 15 to 30 minutes is
sufficient.
• Larger vegetable or fruit slices, and meat cubes can be reconstituted overnight in
water, left in the refrigerator. Alternately, you can also chose to place in boiling water,
remove from stove, and let stand 2 to 3 hours.
• Whole pieces of fruit take longest to reconstitute, and are best left to soak overnight.
Other Reconstitution Hints
• If you drain reconstituted foods, save the liquid. This liquid has great nutritional value.
Freeze this liquid for later use in soups, leathers, pies or compotes.
• There is no need to reconstitute ahead of time when making soups. Dried vegetables
can be added directly to the soup about one hour before serving.
• Do not add spices, salt, bouillon cubes or tomato products until vegetables are
reconstituted and cooked. These items considerably hinder rehydration.
• Some foods take longer to reconstitute than others. Carrots and beans require more
time than green peas or potatoes. A rule of thumb: those that take the longest to
dehydrate will take the longest to reconstitute.
• Try not to use more liquid than necessary for reconstitution because nutrients will be
drained away with the excess water. Place dehydrated food in a container and use just
enough water to cover the food. Add more water later as needed to replace what the
food absorbs.

16
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. NEVER immerse the base in water or
allow liquid to flow into the area that contains the electrical parts.
Storage
After the dehydrator is cleaned, dry all parts, stack drying trays on the base, and store in a
clean and dry place.
Note

Fruit Preparation Table (Set temperature at 135° F / 57° C)
DRYNESS APPROX. FRUIT PREPARATION TEST TIME (hrs) Apples Pare, core and cut slices or rings pliable 5 to 6 Artichokes Cut into ⁄ inch strips brittle 5 to 13 Apricots Clean, cut in halves or in slices pliable 12 to 38 Bananas Peel and cut into ⁄ inch slices crisp 8 to 38 Berries Cut strawberries into ⁄ inch slice. Other berries whole no moisture 8 to 26 Cherries Pitting is optional, or pit when 50% dry leathery 8 to 34 Cranberries Chop or leave whole pliable 6 to 26 Dates Pit and slice leathery 6 to 26 Figs Slice leathery 6 to 26 Grapes Leave whole pliable 8 to 38 Nectarines Cut in half, dry with skin side down. Pit when 50% dry pliable 8 to 26 Orange Rind Peel in long strips brittle 8 to 16 Peaches Pit when 50% dry. Halve or quarter with cut side up pliable 10 to 34 Pears Peel and slice pliable 8 to 30
Meat Preparation Table (Set temperature from 145° F to 155° F / 63° C to 68° C)
DRYNESS APPROX. MEAT PREPARATION TEST TIME (hrs) Beef Jerky Lean flank or round steak slices about 1 to 1 ½ inches thick Slightly chewy but not brittle 6 to 15
17

Tableau de préparation des légumes (Ajuster la température à 125° F / 52° C)
CONSISTANCE RECHERCHÉE
DURÉE
LÉGUMES PRÉPARATION
DE DÉSHYDRATATION
APPROX. (hrs)
Artichaut Couper en lanières de ⁄ de po. Faire bouillir environ 10 min. friable 6 à 14 Asperges Couper en morceaux de 1 po. friable 6 à 14 Fèves Couper et blanchir jusqu’à ce que translucide friable 8 à 26 Betteraves Blanchir, refroidir, retirer queue et racines, trancher friable 8 à 26 Chou de Bruxelles Couper la tige. Couper en deux sur la longueur croustillant 8 à 30 Brocoli Préparer et couper. Cuire vapeur jusqu’à tendre, de 3 à 5 min. friable 6 à 20 Chou Préparer et couper (lanières ⁄ po). Couper le coeur en lanières (¼ po.) résistant 6 à 14 Carottes Cuire vapeur jusqu’à tendre. Râper ou trancher résistant 6 à 12 Chou-fleur Cuire vapeur jusqu’à tendre. Préparer et couper résistant 6 à 16 Céleri Couper tiges en tranches de ¼ po. friable 6 à 14 Ciboulette Hacher friable 6 à 10 Concombre Parer et couper en tranches de ½ po. résistant 6 à 18 Aubergine Préparer et trancher (¼ po. à ½ po. d’épaisseur) friable 6 à 18 Ail Peler et trancher friable 6 à 16 Poivron fort Aucune préparation résistant 6 à 14 Champignons Couper, hacher ou assécher en entier résistant 6 à 14 Oignon Couper finement ou hacher friable 8 à 14 Pois Écosser et blanchir de 3 à 5 minutes friable 8 à 14 Poivron Couper en lanières ou anneaux de ¼ po. Retirer les graines friable 4 à 14 Pomme de terre Trancher, couper ou couper en dés. Blanchir de 8 à 10 min. friable 6 à 18 Rhubarbe Retirer la peau et couper en morceaux de ⁄ po. de long sans humidité 6 à 38 Épinards/Chou frisé Blanchir jusqu’à tendre, mais pas détrempés friable 6 à 16 Tomate Retirer la peau. Couper en 2 ou en tranches résistant 8 à 24 Courgette Couper en morceaux de ¼ po. friable 6 à 18
18
Vegetable Preparation Table (Set temperature at 125° F / 52° C)
DRYNESS APPROX. VEGETABLE PREPARATION TEST TIME (hrs) Artichokes Cut into ⁄ inch strips. Boil about 10 minutes brittle 6 to 14 Asparagus Cut into 1-inch pieces. Tips yield better product brittle 6 to 14 Beans Cut and steam blanch until translucent brittle 8 to 26 Beets Blanch, cool, remove tops and roots. Slice brittle 8 to 26 Brussel Sprout Cut sprouts from stalk. Cut in half lengthwise crispy 8 to 30 Broccoli Trim and cut. Steam tender, about 3 to 5 min. brittle 6 to 20 Cabbage Trim and cut into ⁄ inch strips. Cut core into ¼ inch strips leathery 6 to 14 Carrots Steam until tender. Shred or cut into slices leathery 6 to 12 Cauliflower Steam blanch until tender. Trim and cut leathery 6 to 16 Celery Cut stalks into ¼ inch slices brittle 6 to 14 Chives Chop brittle 6 to 10 Cucumber Pare and cut into ½ inch slices leathery 6 to 18 Eggplant/Squash Trim and slice ¼ inch to ½ inch thick brittle 6 to 18 Garlic Remove skin from clove and slice brittle 6 to 16 Hot Peppers Dry whole leathery 6 to 14 Mushrooms Slice, chop, or dry whole leathery 6 to 14 Onions Slice thinly or chop brittle 8 to 14 Peas Shell and blanch for 3 to 5 minutes brittle 8 to 14 Peppers Cut into ¼ inch strips or rings. Remove seeds brittle 4 to 14 Potatoes Slice, dice or cut. Steam blanch 8 to 10 min. brittle 6 to 18 Rhubarb Remove outer skin and cut into ⁄ inch lengths No moisture 6 to 38 Spinach Steam blanch until wilted, but not soggy. Kale, etc brittle 6 to 16 Tomatoes Remove skin. Cut in halves or slices leathery 8 to 24 Zucchini Slice into ¼ inch pieces brittle 6 o 18

19
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. During the applicable
warranty period, we will repair or replace, at our discretion, any mechanical
or electrical part which proves defective, or replace unit with a comparable
model. This warranty is in lieu of all other warranties and representation,
expressed or implied, and all other obligations or liabilities on our part.
FOR HOUSEHOLD USE ONLY • NOT FOR COMMERCIAL USE
This limited warranty does not cover normal wear and tear, damages from
improper installation, defects other than manufacturing defects, damages
from misuse, abuse, accident, negligence, alteration, lack of proper care and
maintenance, or incorrect current or voltage. This warranty shall not apply to
any appliance that has been repaired or altered by other than an Authorized
Dealer or Service Center.
If unit malfunctions, do not use the appliance
and contact nearest Authorized Service Center.
Distributed by: TelAsia Inc.
CanadaH7S2G2•1-877-895-9995