Mr. Coffee FD5 User Manual

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS FOR

FOO

MODEL

FOR SERVICE OR QUESTIONS CALL l-800-672-6333

FOR HOUSEHOLD USE ONLY

IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS

When using all electrical appliance, basic safety	precautions should always be
followed to reduce the risk of fire, electric shock,	injury to persons, includ-
ing the following:
1. Read all instructions before using the	machine.

2.Do not touch hot surfaces. Use handles or knobs.

3.To protect against electrical shock, do not immerse cord, plugs, or

base in water or other liquid.

4.Close supervision is necessary when any appliance is used by or near children.

5.Unplug from outlet when not in use and before cleaning. Allow to

cool before putting on or taking off parts.

6.Do not operate any appliance with a damaged cord or plug or after the appliance malfunctions, or has been damaged in any manner, Return appliance only to the nearest authorized service facility for examination, repair, or adjustment.

7.	The	use of accessories or attachments not recommended or sold by
	Mr.	Coffee,	may cause hazards or injuries.
8.	Do	not use	outdoors.

9. Do not let cord hang over edge of table or counter or touch hot surfaces.

10. Do not place on or near a hot gas or electric burner or in a heated oven.

11.Do not use appliance for other than intended use.

12.Do not disassemble product. There are no user-serviceable parts inside.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

FOR HOUSEHOLD USE ONLY

SPECIAL CORD SET

INSTRUCTIONS

1.A short power supply cord is provided to reduce the hazards resulting from becoming entangled in, or tripping over a longer cord.

2.An extension cord may be purchased and used if care exercised in its use.

3.If an extension cord is used, the marked electrical rating of the extension cord must be at least 10 amps and 120 volts. The

resulting extended cord must be arranged so that will not drape over the counter top or table top where it can be pulled on by children or tripped over accidentally.

! This appliance has a polarized plug (one blade is larger than the other). As a safety feature, this plug will fit in a polarized outlet only one way. If the plug does not fully fit, reverse the

plug. it still	does not fit, contact a qualified electrician. Do
not attempt to	defeat this safety feature.

2

Warnings:

The following safety practices must be followed to prevent food-borne illnesses. This is the case with any food-handling product and does not to all foods, fresh and dried.

!Thoroughly wash hands before starting to work with food, and wash again each time they touch anything other than food, before resuming work.

!Scrub and sanitize trays and lid of dehydrator between uses.

!Clean all kitchen equipment thoroughly after each use. Use hot water

and detergent.

Further suggested

! Use clean tongs, forks, and other utensils instead of hands whenever possible; avoid touching food as much as possible.

!Thaw frozen foods in the refrigerator or cook from frozen state.

!Avoid handling food when sick, or with cuts or sores on hands.

!Keep hands away from mouth, nose and hair when handfing food.

!Avoid coughing or sneezing on or near food and food contact surfaces.

Failure to follow these practices could in bacteria growth in the food product or container which could result in serious illness.

3

Introduction

Congratulations, your are the owner of The Food by Mr. Coffee This instruction book will introduce you to simple and easy ways to preserve

vegetables, fruits, and meats. You				can make nutritious snacks while				saving
money	on	groceries.
Herbs,	flowers and potpourri		be	made	by the	at	a fraction of	the cost
of store-bought goods.
Please	read	of the instructions		in this	booklet	carefully	before you be in to

use this appliance. Proper care and maintenance will ensure long life o this

appliance and its trouble-free	operation. Save these instructions and refer to
them often for cleaning and	care tips.

Table of Contents

Important Safeguards..................		................................................................	1
Cord Set	Instructions ....................................................................................		2
Warnings	........................................................................................................		3
Introduction .....................................................................................................			4
Diagram	of Parts .............................................................................................		5
Cleaning	Instructions ......................................................................................		5

General Information/Before You		Begin
Why Dry Foods’. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..*	...............6
How do Foods Dry’. .......................		.....	6
Selecting Foods to Dry...................		..	6
AN0
Fruit	....................................................................................................		8
‘reparation ....................................................................................................			8
..................................................................................................			8
Test..................................................................................................			9
........................................................................................			10
...................................................................................................			IO
.................................................................................................			1 0
Test................................................................................................			1 0
of Drying ...................................................................................Times			11
MEATS			1 5
Jerky-Meats ............................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .and Fish
Dried Meats ...........	and Fish		16
BABY ...............................................................................................			16
.................................................................			17
STORAGE ......................................................................	AN0 LABELING		18
.........................................................			1 9
RECIPES			20
Fruit.............................................................................................................
Fruit Lea&r/Rolls.......................................................................................			21
Vegetables ..................................................................................................			22
Meats ..........................................................................................................			24
TO ORDER .....................................................................ACCESSORIES			24
RECORD-KEEPING ...................................................................CHARTS			25
IF SERVICE ........................................................................IS REQUIRED			26

Operating Instructions

!	Before using The Food Dehydrator by Mr. Coffee	for the	first time, wash
	the trays and cover in warm, soapy water and rinse well. Trays can be
	washed on the top rack of a dishwasher only.
!	Simply plug in The Food Dehydrator. Push the	ON/OFF	switch ON.

The light on the switch will illuminate to indicate that the unit is operating.

! Once drying is complete, turn the switch to OFF, and unplug unit.

! When using the Fruit Roll tray, always place on the top tray.

! Make sure lid is in place when drying.

Diagram of Parts

Lid

Fruit Roll

Tray

Trays

	Base Plate	Lighted On/Off
		Switch

Cleaning Instructions

Unplug from outlet prior to cleaning.

Wash trays prior to use in warm, soapy water. Rinse well, then dry.

DO NOT IMMERSE the base plate in water. Only use a damp cloth to clean.

The trays are top rack dishwasher safe.

DO NOT place the fruit roll tray in the dishwasher.

Genera/ About Drying Foods

Why use a Food Dehydrator?

COST

Saving money is a major benefit of drying foods. Home-dried foods can be made at a fraction of the cost that you will pay at the supermarket. Buying produce and meats on special, or growing your own in the summer is a great way to make your food dollar stretch further.

GREAT TASTE

Once water is removed from fruits and vegetables, the natural flavor is concentrated into chewy, healthy snacks.

STORAGE

Once the water is removed from foods they are only a portion of their original size. Foods can be sealed in airtight bags or mason jars. Open these in winter and enjoy the fresh taste of summer.

HOW DRY?

Dehydrating foods is a simple way to expose foods to heat and air, thus evaporating the moisture and removing any water vapors emitted from the foods.

the moisture out of the foods quickly and evenly. This method is of the forms of food preservation.

SELECTING FOODS TO DRY

Select foods to dry that are in excellent condition. Remove any bruises or before drying. Fruits should be ripe. Those fruits that are naturally rippened have the highest natural sugar content and dry best.

Vegetables should be ripe also. Cut away any spoiled or bruised areas. Any fruit, vegetable and most meats can be dried. Experimentation with your food dehydrator is the best way to find which foods you enjoy most.

6

Highlights

Be sure to choose fresh, ripe fruits and vegetables. Quality meats; herbs and flowers will help insure good results.

Clean produce thoroughly before using.

Cut foods	Slices that	are about	thick	work	the best.
Foods can	be sliced, shredded	or diced.	Cut foods,	then	quickly place
to dry.

Don’t overlap pieces on the trays, however, they may touch.

Drying

times

are affected by

the humidity,

thickness

of

slices and

moisture

content

of

the

foods.

Keeping

good

records

will

help

adapt

drying

habits

to

these

variables.

Dried

foods

will

have

a pliable texture similar to

licorice.

A small percentage of moisture is retained in the

dried

foods.

Rotate

trays

if

you notice uneven drying. Simply

move

the

bottom

trays

to

the

top

and

the top trays

down

towards

the bottom.

Blanching or steaming of vegetables is recommended to help retain color. Blanching also helps break down waxy skins on fruits like grapes to help with even drying.

For best results, keep all

five

trays

in

place

while drying,

whether

they

are

used or

not.

Always

use

the Fruit

Roll

Insert

on

the top

tray.

This

will

help ensure

even

air

flow

to

all trays.

If

using

cheesecloth,

use

on

top

two

trays

only.

This

will

ensure

proper air

flow.

SEE SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS ABOUT DRYING MEATS AND POULTRY.

Drying		Fruits
Use fruits		that are fresh and ripe. Grow your own	or select from a farmer’s
market to		help ensure quality produce. High quality produce will generate high
quality	results.
Once	you	start processing fruits, work quickly to	prevent spoilage.

PREPARATION

Wash fruits thoroughly. Remove any blemishes or spoiled spots. Slice into slices or circles or in halves. A slicer or food processor will help speed up this step.

PRETREATMENT (OPTIONAL)

Pretreating fruits is optional. You do not have to pretreat fruits to get good results. Listed below are several options for pretreating. You may experiment

and find the	option that is best for you. The key to long life is proper storage.
Review the “Storage and Labeling” section on page18 for more details.
Pretreating is	a step that helps to slow down enzyme growth. Enzyme growth
leads to unwanted color and flavor changes in fruits.
NATURAL	PRETREATMENTS

Lemon and pineapple juices are the most common natural pretreaters. Soak the

cut

fruit

in

either

juice for about 2 minutes. Then place fruit directly

onto

the

trays.

Try other

types

of natural juices such as orange

or

lime.

For

a

tasty

treat, dip soaked fruit slices into coconut,

honey, spices,

cinnamon or

even a gelatin powder, then place on trays to dry.

Syrup

Syrup

is a process that helps retain the color of

apples,

apricots,

nectarines,

peaches, plums, and pears. This process

results

in a

sweeter

tasting

candied

fruit.

Mix 1 cup sugar, 1 cup white corn syrup and 2 cups water

in a large heavy sauce

pan. Add 1 and

pounds of cut fruit. Bring to a boil. Then remove from heat

and

let

stand about

35 minutes. Do not stir while the

fruit

is sitting,

this

causes

the

fruit

to

break

up

and lose juice. Drain and lightly

rinse

with

water, then place

on

trays

to

dry.

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