STX International Dehydra 600W-SST User manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL
International
DEHYDRA 600W-SST
600 WATT STAINLESS STEEL FOOD DEHYDRATOR
STX

Introduction
Drying food for preservation dates back to the Ancient Egyptians. The
Spaniards were the first explorers known to use dehydration to prep food
for their expeditions. This method was used extensively in the days of
the Lewis and Clark expeditions as they charted to the expanse of the
Louisiana Land Purchase. Buffalo, elk and deer were plentiful, but their
success relied heavily upon the proper use of this preserving method.
The information in this manual is intended to help you get the best results
for this equipment. Please read this booklet carefully and contact STX
International if you have any questions.
Dehydration
There are no exact rules that apply to food dehydration. Results can
be affected by room temperature, relative humidity and moisture levels
in the food you are drying. To become proficient, it will be necessary to
experiment with your drying techniques. Too much heat, your food may
harden on the outside while still being moist inside. Too little heat, your
drying times will be very long with lackluster results. With a little practice
you will be able to create tasty, ready to eat snacks in no time.

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CAUTION: FIRE HAZARD
PLEASE READ!!
• Thisunitwillgetveryhot.Do not touch surfaces while operating.
• DO NOT attempt to move the unit while it is operating.
• Do not operate this device on or near flammable or combustible
materials.
• Do not position this device under an overhead cabinet during use.
• Do not plug another high wattage device into the same electric
outlet as this dehydrator during use.
• Observe all fire safety precautions while using this device including
having proper fire extinguishing devices available.
• Surface temperatures on this device can reach levels where contact
with skin can cause injuries; always wear protective gloves or oven
mitts when device is in use.

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Pre-Treatments
For best results, select the freshest foods available to dehydrate. Note
that immature fruits and vegetables do not have as much color and flavor
as those that are fully mature. Foods should be dehydrated as soon
after purchase as possible. Foods high in sugar such as apples, pears,
peaches, and bananas are prone to darken as a result of oxidative stress
from sugar. Below are some pre-treatments that will help reduce this
effect.
Lemon and Pineapple Juice are natural antioxidants. Place the slices
in their own juice for a few minutes. Remove, drain and place on the
dehydrator tray. For extra flavor, try sprinkling with cinnamon, flavored
gelatin powders or other sweeteners.
Ascorbic acid mix, a form of vitamin C which is available at most health
food stores, comes in either tablet or powder form. Use 2-3 tablespoons
of powder or ground tablets per 1 quart of water. Stir to completely
dissolve powder. Place fruit into the solution for 2-3 minutes. Remove,
drain and place on the dehydrator tray.
Blanching is used primarily to prepare fruits and vegetables for
dehydrating with skins that will toughen when drying. This process helps
lock in the color and flavor as well as soften the skin of grapes, cherries,
prunes and plums. There are two blanching methods: water and steam.
WaterBlanching – Fill a large pan approximately half full of
water. Bring water to a rolling boil. Use tongs to place food
directly into the water, cover the pot and boil (Blanch) for around
3 minutes. Remove using tongs, drain and place on dehydrator
tray.
SteamBlanching - Using a steamer pot such as those used in
Chinese cooking, put 2-3 inches of water in the pot and bring
to a boil. Place food into the steamer basket, place in pan and
cover. Steam for around 5 minutes. Remove and place on
dehydrator tray.

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OperatingInstructions
Food dehydrators work at high temperatures for extended periods of
time. They require air to flow through the unit in order to dry the food
evenly. The air flow will result in the temperature within the unit to
fluctuate up to 10 degrees while it is running, this is expected and normal
behavior. It is not designed to “trap the heat in”, but rather to allow the
heated air and moisture to escape, thus the doors are not designed to be
air tight.
Ensure that the dehydrator is plugged into a properly grounded
power outlet and is positioned in a safe, well ventilated area away
from flammable items. Always monitor this device when operating
and observe all fire safety procedures including the availability of fire
extinguishing devices.
1. Examine the carton and the unit for any damage that may
have occurred during shipping. Contact the seller to report any
damages.
2. Make sure the power switch is turned off. Place the unit on a well-
ventilated, clean, dry surface away from children and pets. Plug
into an undamaged electrical outlet. DO NOT use an extension
cord with this dehydrator.
3. Turn the unit on. See Programming Instructions for proper start up
instructions.
4. Heat the unit to 35°C (or 95°F) for 45 minutes to make sure the
unit is functioning properly. During this time the temperature will
fluctuate up to 10° from the set temperature.
5. If the unit stops for any reason, turn off, unplug and then repeat
steps 3 and 4. If the unit does not operate normally, turn off, unplug
and contact the STX Service Department (See Contact Information
on back cover).
6. Follow your recipe to prepare the food that you wish to dehydrate.
7. Program the dehydrator. See the Programing Instructions section
of this Owner’s Manual.
8. Using oven mitts, slide the dehydrator trays out of the unit and load
the product to be dehydrated onto the trays. Do not overlap the
food when placing onto trays, keep all food inside the tray area.
9. Using both hands for maximum stability, slide the dehydrator trays
back into the unit. Do not push too hard.
10. Hang the door losely over the front of the unit. The door is made
to allow moisture and heat to escape so that the food will properly
dehydrate.

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ProgrammingInstructions
The STX Dehydra 600W-SST Food Dehydrator is equipped with a 40
hour timer. (See illustration of Control Panel on page 7.) This unit will
NOT HEAT/RUN until the timer and temperature controls are completely
set and started. The START/SEL button has TWO functions - 1) to
select time or temperature AND 2) for starting the unit once the time and
temperature have been set.
1. Turn the power switch to the ON position. The LED will light up.
2. Set the Timer
a. Press and hold the START/SEL button until the hour display starts
flashing.
b. Select the hours desired by pushing the UP or DOWN button under
the timer.
c. Press the START/SEL again and the minute display will start
flashing.
d. Select the minutes desired by pushing the UP or DOWN button
under the timer.
3. Set the Temperature
a. Press the START/SEL again to select the tempertaure display.
b. Select the desired temperature by pushing the UP or DOWN
button under the temperature display.
Note: Please refer to the Temperature Conversion Table on pg 7 of
the manual as needed.
4. Press the START/SEL button and all digial displays will stop flashing.
5. Once you verify your settings are correct, press the START/SEL
button again to start the unit.
6. To temporarily stop the dehydrator without losing the previous time
and temperature settings, press the START/SEL button. To restart
again, press START/SEL.
7. To stop the dehydrator, turn the ON/OFF button to OFF.

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TemperatureConversionTable
CELSIUS(°C) FAHRENHEIT(°F)
30 86
35 95
40 105
46 115
52 125
57 135
53 145
65 150
68 155
70 158
FoodStorage
Dried foods should be allowed to condition before being placed into
a storage container. Generally, let the dehydrated food stand about 1
week in a dry, well ventilated and protected are. This conditioning time
allows for further drying and removes most of the remaining moisture
in the food. Dried food can be placed into clean, dry, insect resistant
containers, preferably glass jars. Heavy gauge plastic freezer bags can
also be used. Eliminate as much air as possible before sealing the bag.
When properly used, vacuum sealers provide ideal storage. The less
air present, the less potential for the formation of molds. Stored foods
should be checked monthly for insects and mold. If mold is present,
discard the whole container and start over, double checking with your
next batch to make sure that moisture levels in food are low and the
container is air tight.
START/
SEL UP &
DOWN for
TIME
UP & DOWN for
TEMPERATURE

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Reconstitution
Dried foods do not need to be reconstituted for consumption. Many
people prefer them in their dried state. If you want to reconstitute your
food, the basic guidelines are to soak food in unsalted water for 3-7
minutes and then prepare as usual. If you are boiling them, use the same
water they soaked in to preserve nutrients.
If you plan to soak foods for more than 1 hour, they should be placed in
the refrigerator to prevent bacterial growth. One cup of dried vegetables
will reconstitute to about 2 cups. One cup of fruit will reconstitute to about
1 ½ cups. Reconstitution times will vary depending on the thickness and
the water temperature used. Warm water will speed reconstitution but
may result in flavor loss.
FoodDryingGuide
The following charts are guidelines for the preservation of various
fruits, vegetables, and meats. Drying times will vary depending on room
temperature, relative humidity and moisture levels in the food you are
drying. If the moisture level is high, the drying time will be longer.
Keep in mind that drying times will be affected by the amount of food
placed on the trays. Over loading the trays will slow the drying times
and may produce poor results. When dehydrating foods, it is important
to occasionally check on the dryness of the product. If the product is not
thoroughly dried, mold may form during storage (See Food Storage). To
test for dryness, remove a piece of food from the dehydrator and allow
to cool to room temperature. Bend and squeeze the piece to check for
internal moisture.

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Fruitsat135°F
Food Preparation Test Time
Apples Wash, core and peel if desired.
Cut into ¼” slices. Dust with
cinnamon if desired.
Pliable 7-15 hours
Apricots Wash, halve and remove pit.
Slice if desired and dry skin
side down.
Pliable 21-29 hours
Bananas Wash, peel and slice 1/8” slices Pliable 7-10 hours
Figs Wash, cut out blemishes,
quarter. Dry skin side down.
Pliable 22-30 hours
Kiwi Wash, peel and slice in ¼”
slices.
Crisp 8-15 hours
Nectarines Wash halve and remove pit.
Slice if desired and dry skin
side down.
Pliable 8-17 hours
Peaches Wash, halve and remove pit.
Slice if desired and dry skin
side down.
Pliable 8-16 hours
Pears Wash, core and peel if desired
and dry skin side down.
Pliable 8-16 hours
Pineapple Peel, remove fibrous eyes,
remove core. Cut into ¼” slices
or wedges.
Pliable 11-18 hours
Rhubarb Wash, cut into 1” lengths. Pliable 6-10 hours
Strawberries Wash, cut our caps, sliced ¼”
thick.
Crisp 7-15 hours
Watermelon Cut off rind, cut into wedges
and remove seeds.
Pliable 8-10 hours

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Vegetablesat125°F
Food Preparation Test Time
Asparagus Wash and cut into 1” pieces Crunchy 4-6
hours
Beans,
Green
Wash, remove ends and cut into 1”
pieces or French style
Crunchy 9-12
hours
Beets Remove ½” of the top, scrub
thoroughly, steam blanch until tender.
Peel and cut into ¼” thick slices
Pliable 9-12
hours
Broccoli Wash and trim. Cut stems into ¼”
pieces. Dry florets whole
Crunchy 10-14
hours
Cabbage Wash and trim. Cut into 1/8” strips Crunchy 8-11
hours
Carrots Wash and trim tops. Peel or scrape if
desired. Cut into 1/8” thick slices.
Pliable 7-11
hours
Celery Wash, separate leaves and stalks.
Cut stalks into ¼” strips
Crunchy 3-10
hours
Corn Shuck corn and trim silk. Steam until
color is set. Cut kernels from cob and
spread on plastic screen. Stir several
times during drying.
Crunchy 7-10
hours
Cucumber Wash and trim. Cut into 1/8” slices. Pliable 4-8
hours
Eggplant Wash and peel. Cut into ¼” slices. Pliable 4-8
hours
Mushroom Wash and cut into 3/8” slices. Pliable 4-7
hours
Parsnips Scrub thoroughly, steam blanch until
tender. Peel if desired and cut into
3/8” thick slices
Pliable /
Tough
7-11
hours
Peppers Wash and remove stems, seeds and
white section. Pat dry. Cut into ¼”
thick strips or rings.
Pliable 4-8
hours
Potatoes Use new potatoes. Wash, peel if
desired. Steam blanch 4-6 minutes,
Cut French style ¼” slices, 1/8” thick
circles or grate.
Crunchy
/ Pliable
7-13
hours

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Food Preparation Test Time
Summer
Squash
Wash and peel. Cut into ¼” slices. Pliable 10-14
hours
Tomatoes Wash and remove stems. Slice into
¼” circles. For cherry tomatoes, slice
in half, dry skin side down.
Pliable 5-9
hours
Zucchini Wash. Peel if desired. Cut into ¼”
slices or chips.
Crunchy 7-11
hours
Jerkyat145°-150°F
Food Preparation Test Time
Jerky Use lean meat and remove as much
fat as possible. Fat tends to go bad
with time. Cut into uniform ¼” thick or
less slices. Do not overlap on trays
while drying.
Pliable 3-4
hours
Jerky
Sodium Bisulfate 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 bisulfate in 1 quart of water. Dip the slices in the solution for a
few minutes. Remove, drain and place on the dehydrator tray.
Cleaning
NEVERIMMERSETHEUNITORPOWERCORD
INWATEROROTHERLIQUIDS!!!
Allow unit to cool before cleaning. Wipe off both exterior and interior
surfaces with a damp cloth and mild dish soap. The dehydrator shelves
are dishwasher safe. Be certain ALL parts are completely dry before
plugging in and powering up the product.
Storage
Allow unit to cool before storing. Always ensure the unit is OFF and
unplugged when not in use.
VegetablesContinued

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ReviewingtheDehydratingProcess
To obtain the best results:
1. Use high quality foods. The better the food the better the result.
2. Wash food, use clean utensils and keep work area clean.
3. Pre-treat foods to prevent discoloration.
4. Do not overlap food on trays.
5. Drying times will vary depending on food thickness, moisture in
the food, relative humidity and temperature of the room.
6. Cool food before testing for dryness.
7. Let food condition in a clean, dry, ventilated area for a week
before placing them in air tight containers.
8. Reconstitute as needed.
9. Only dehydrate food items. Do not dehydrate nonfood items or
items that can combust or cause fire. Be sure the food items you
dehydrate are suitable for dehydrating.
10. Last but not least, Enjoy!

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GENERALSAFETYRULES-SAVETHESEINSTRUCTIONS!
Refertothemoftenandusethemtoinstructothers
ontheproperuseofthisproduct.
READ AND FULLY UNDERSTAND ALL INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS
PRIOR TO USING THIS UNIT. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH PROCEDURES
AND SAFE GUARDS MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR PROPERTY
DAMAGE. YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY! THIS UNIT
WILL NOT WORK PROPERLY IF ASSEMBLED OR USED INCORRECTLY!
1. KEEP AWAY FROM CHILDREN AND PETS - THIS IS NOT A TOY! NEVER
LEAVE RUNNING UNIT UNATTENDED. Always monitor the unit while in
use and never leave the unit plugged in around an unmonitored child/pet.
Teach your children the proper respect for all electrical appliances. YOU
ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SAFETY OF ANY CHILDREN IN THE
VICINITY OF THIS UNIT WHEN IT IS AND/OR IS NOT IN USE! ADULT/
PARENTAL SUPERVISON IS REQUIRED AT ALL TIMES!
2. CHECK FOR DAMAGED PARTS PRIOR TO USE. Check that all parts
are operating properly and perform their intended functions. Check for
any conditions that may affect the unit’s operations. DO NOT use if the
power cord is damaged or frayed, or if at any time the power cord becomes
damaged or frayed or if the unit does not seem to be functioning as it
normally has for you in the past.
3. ONLY for use indoors in a clean, dry, well ventilated location that is free of
flammable fumes and/or objects and /or humidifiers/productions that cause
condensation.
4. NEVER immerse unit or cord in water or other liquids.
5. ALWAYS DISCONNECT THIS UNIT FROM THE POWER SOURCE
BEFORE SERVICING, CHANGING ACCESSORIES OR CLEANING THE
UNIT. UNPLUG THE UNIT WHEN NOT IN USE. DO NOT PLUG INTO AN
ALREADY DAMAGED ELECTRICAL OUTLET.
6. MAKE SURE THE POWER SOURCE/POWER BUTTON IS IN THE OFF
POSITION PRIOR TO UNPLUGGING FROM OR PLUGGING INTO AN
OUTLET.
7. NEVER plug unit into a damaged electrical outlet.
8. DO NOT attempt to move the unit while it is in operation.
9. DO NOT USE SHARP UTENSILES INSIDE ANY PART OF THE UNIT.
EXAMPLE: FORKS, KNIVES, PICKS, TONGS, ETC. DO NOT MODIFY
THE UNIT.
10.THE MANUFACTURER AND SELLER OF THIS UNIT DO NOT ASSUME

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ANY RESPONSIBLITY IN THE CASE OF IMPROPER USE OF THIS
PRODUCT OR IMPROPER MONITORING WHEN IN USE. Improper use
of this product voids all warranties.
11. Electrical repair or any other type of major service must be done by STX
International/Mercantile Station 2, LTD. Proof of purchase must be provided
by consumer prior to any repair/service acceptance. The seller will use only
factory original parts and accessories. Modification of the electrical or any
other major component of this unit by the consumer voids all guarantess/
warranties. (See Contact Information on Back Cover)
12.DO NOT PULL THE POWER CORD TO UNPLUG. Unplug by the plug end.
DO NOT use extension cords with this appliance. Use of exension cords
will VOID the warranty.
13.Be sure the main unit is stable during use. All four feet should be secure
on a level surface. Do not move the unit when it is powered on. DO
NOT OPERATE ON FLAMMABLE SURFACES SUCH AS CARPET, A
TOWEL, OR OTHER FLAMMABLE PRODUCTS. DO NOT USE NEAR
POTENTIALLY COMBUSTIBLE PRODUCTS/MATERIALS.
14.DO NOT OPERATE OUTDOORS OR NEAR ANY FLAMMABLE OR
COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS. INDOOR USE ONLY! DO NOT USE
DURING ELECTRICAL STORMS.
15.To prevent electric shock DO NOT IMMERSE THE MAIN UNIT IN WATER
OR LIQUID. Serious injury from electric shock could result. DO NOT
operate near running water or in areas where condensation can collect.
16.Turn unit off and disconnect from the power source before cleaning the
components of this machine. READ ALL DIRECTIONS FIRST on how
to clean this unit before attempting to clean it. To clean the main unit -
turn power off - unplug unit from the power source - wipe with a damp
washcloth. Clean all parts immediately after use. Thoroughly dry all parts!
Even the slightest amount of moisture remaining on parts can cause
electric shock or fire. After cleaning, make sure the unit and all parts are
completely dry before reconnecting to the power source.
17.DO NOT OPERATE on a hot stove top. DO NOT ALLOW THE POWER
CORD TO DRAPE OVER THE UNIT OR ANY HOT SURFACE.
18.Certain parts have share edges - use caution when handling these parts.
Certain parts can scratch household surfaces. Proper care of these parts
is required to prevent damage to other surfaces or to your person. You are
responsible for how you handle these parts and this product.
19.DO NOT USE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS.
20.IT IS IMPORTANT TO MONITOR THIS PRODUCT WHILE IN USE.
NEVER LEAVE THIS UNIT UNATTENDED WHEN PLUGGED INTO AN
OUTLET OR IN THE ON POSITION..

All STX International Products come with a 3-Year Guarantee, valid only
in the 48 Contiguous United States. If you purchase this product and ship
it to a destination outside of the 48 Contiguous United States this warranty
becomes null and void.
The first 30 Days are covered by a Money Back or Replacement
Guarantee from the date of the receipt of the product. If your product
becomes damaged in shipment or is found to be defective in any way
during this period, we will replace or issue a complete refund for your
product upon return. We will pay all shipping involved during this first 30-
day period.
The remainder of the 3 Years (after the first 30 days) is covered by a
FREE REPAIR Guarantee (parts and labor included). If anything becomes
defective during this period we will fix the issue and provide a full service
inspection to your product, shipping (to & from) will be paid by the buyer.
Please email us at [email protected] to set up a service request.
ReturnsofNew/UnusedProducts
If you have Buyer's Remorse and decide that you do not want the product,
it must be returned NEW & UNUSED in the original box and you will pay
the return shipping. PLEASE NOTE: There will be a 10% Restocking Fee
and original Shipping Costs (if applicable) will not be refunded. Used
productcannotbereturned.
3-YEAR
WARRANTY
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STX International
2159 Magnum Circle, Lincoln, NE 68522
[email protected] •www.STXInternational.com
HowToRegisterYourWarranty
Go to www.STXInternational.com. Click on "Register Your Warranty" tab
and fill out the form. This is a fully secure website. Your information will
never be sold or misused in any way. This registration site is strictly for
order verification that will be used to speed up the process should you
ever need to use your Warranty for service.
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QUESTIONS, PROBLEMS
OR COMPLIMENTS?
Thank You for purchasing this
STX International Product!
We are grateful for your business!
All of our STX International Products are inspected then
sealed with our NEW Product Seal prior to shipment.
Our goal is to ensure Quality, Completeness, and
Satisfaction for your order.
ForAnyQuestions,Problems,or
Complimentspleasecalloremailus.
If you would like to shop for other STX International Products
Please visit our website
www.STXInternational.com
TollFree:844-861-4762
[email protected]
Our Business Hours are:
Monday - Thursday: 8am - 4pm CST
Friday: 8am - Noon CST
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