Excalibur Dehydrator Operations Instructions download pdf (Page 25)

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

One side of my drying trays seems to be dried before the other.

What should I do?

Because your dehydrator may dry one side faster than the other, halfway through the drying

cycle you may want to turn the trays 180º. This will speed up the dehydration process and

will reduce energy consumption.

My apples and pears have darkened to a rusty-brown color while drying.

Are they safe to eat?

Yes. Fruits that have turned brownish color are safe to eat. Many fruits will oxidize during the

drying process. Oxidation happens when the flesh of the fruit is exposed to air. By pretreating

fruits oxidation is reduced.

Why should the edges of my fruit leather be thicker than the center?

With fruit leathers, the edges of the mixture tend to dry first. If the edges are the same

thickness as the center, they will dry too quickly and become brittle.

My fruit leathers are very thin and brittle. I’d like to make them like the ones sold

commercially. How can I do that?

Juicy fresh fruits, such as strawberries, can be too runny to create a thick, chewy leather like

the commercial types. By simply adding a banana when pureeing, the mixture will become

thick and the fruit leather will as well. Be sure to pour 3/4 to 1 cup of puree on each tray

and allow it to spread out. Remember, the poured puree should be 1/4" thick at the edges.

If I powdered my dried vegetables, what could I use them for?

Powdered onion and garlic, of course, are favorite seasonings for meats and sauces.

Powdered tomatoes can be reconstituted into tomato sauce, paste, catsup, juice or soup.

Powders are easy to make. A blender or food processor will give you the finest texture.

Simply place pieces of dried vegetables into a blender and process. Store in air-tight bottles

or jars.

As items dry, should they be removed to allow better circulation for still moist foods

and avoid over drying?

Yes. As foods dry, remove them from the trays and package. The other still moist pieces

should remain in the dehydrator until they are completely dry. However, if you have sliced

your food into uniform pieces and have turned your trays 180º halfway through the cycle,

your load should be finished at the same time.

Do you have more detailed information in your book Preserve It, Naturally! Does it

include guidelines or is it just recipes?

Preserve It, Naturally! over 250 page book. It contains hundreds of color pictures and

diagrams! The book completely details every aspect of drying from mint leaves to pistachio

nuts. It has detailed directions for craft ideas, instructions for yogurt and cheese making,

dehydrating grains and even making baby food! There are 275 recipes using home dried

fruits, vegetables, meats and grains for you to try, experiment with or use as a guideline while

concocting your own!

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Excalibur Dehydrator Operations Instructions Page 25