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FOOD DEHYDRATOR
41420
ASSEMBLY & OPERATING
INSTRUCTIONS
3491 Mission Oaks Blvd. / Camarillo, CA 93011
Copyright 1999 by Harbor Freight Tools. All rights reserved. No
portion of this manual or any artwork contained herein may be
reproduced in any shape or form without the express written consent
of Harbor Freight Tools.
For technical questions and replacement parts, please call 1-800-444-3353.
A Division of Central Purchasing, Inc.
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THANK YOU for choosing a HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS product. For
future reference, please complete the owner’s record below:
Model__________ Serial No.____________ Purchase Date_______
SAVE THE RECEIPT, WARRANTY AND THESE INSTRUCTIONS. It is
important that you read the entire manual to become familiar with the unit
BEFORE you begin assembly.
Technical Specifications
Food Dehydrator
Model: TS-011
120V 60HZ 60W
Control #2H36
Tool Name: Food Dehydrator
Item Number: 41420
Power Source: 120 Volts, 60 HZ,
Listed
E144987
Single Phase, 2 Prong Plug
Overall Dimensions: 13" x 13" x 8"
Includes: Four (4) 12" x 12" Round Stackable Trays
Make your own healthy snacks for pennies. Dry low-calorie
banana and apple chips, jerky, vegetables, herbs and spices
without using chemicals or additives. It is great for preparing
food for long-term storage.
Warning: The warnings, cautions and instructions discussed in this
instruction manual cannot cover all possible conditions and situations that
may occur. It must be understood by the operator that COMMON SENSE
AND CAUTION ARE FACTORS WHICH CANNOT BE BUILT INTO THIS
PRODUCT, BUT MUST BE SUPPLIED BY THE OPERATOR.
IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS
When using electrical appliances, basic safety precautions should always
be followed including the following:
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
Please read all instructions:
1. Do not touch the heating coil or other hot surfaces.
2. To protect against electrical shock, do not immerse cord, plug or
any part of the dehydrator in water or any other liquid.
3. Do not pour liquids in the dehydrator without first lining the tray
with plastic wrap.
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4. Do not use oils or sprays such as PAM in the unit.
TM
5. Children should be supervised at all times when close by or when
using any electric appliance.
6. Unplug appliance when not in use and before cleaning. Allow the
appliance to cool before putting on or taking off parts.
7. Do not operate the unit with a damaged cord or plug, or if the
appliance has been damaged in any way.
8. Do not plug the unit in while the top is inverted. Do not invert top
into bottom for storage while the unit is warm.
9. Do not let the cord hang over the edge of a counter or table, or
allow it to touch a hot surface.
10. Do not place the appliance on or near any burner -gas or electric-
or in a heated oven.
11. Do not use appliance for other than recommended uses.
12. Do not use accessory attachments not made or recommended
by the manufacturers.
13. Not for outdoor use.
14 For household use only.
15. Never clean the Dehydrator in any dishwasher.
16. a.) A short power supply cord (or detachable power supply
cord) is to be provided to reduce the risk resulting from
becoming entangled in or tripping over a longer cord.
b.) Longer detachable power supply cords or extension
cords are available and may be used if care is exercised
in their use.
c.) If a longer detachable power supply cord or extension
cord is used,
i) The marked electrical rating of the cord set or
extension cord should be at least as great as the
electrical rating of the appliance, and
ii) The cord should be arranged so that it will not
drape over the counter or tabletop where it can
be pulled on by children or tripped over
unintentionally.
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CLEANING
1. Unplug the power cord before cleaning.
2. Do not clean your Dehydrator until it is completely cooled.
3. Disassemble the Dehydrator by taking off the trays before
cleaning.
4. Clean each tray under running water but never wash the heater.
5. Never wash any part with harsh cleaners or solvents.
6. To clean the bottom (coil unit housing), wipe with a slightly damp
cloth or sponge.
7. Dry all the parts after cleaning and before using.
USER MAINTENANCE
1. Never remove the coil plate for any reason.
2. Be sure every tray is cleaned and dry before storage.
3. Never store the dehydrator in places with high temperature, high
humidity, or under direct sunlight.
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The benefits of drying your own fruits, vegetables and meats are numerous. You can make terrific fruit snacks for the family at home, or dry fruits
and vegetables for road trips or hiking excursions. Furthermore, you can
buy food in season, dry it and then eat it dry after it is no longer in season. You can also rehydrate and use the food later. Save money on
snacks and by purchasing food when it is in season! For example, buy
apricots and peaches in July, and enjoy them in October or November.
Make your own fruit rolls, croutons, baby food and dried herbs; the
practical uses of your Dehydrator are many!
Operation
Prepare your produce as soon after buying it as possible. Make certain to
use fully ripened (but not overripe) fruits and vegetables.
The amount of food being dried at one time should not exceed 3/4 of each
tray. Cheesecloth can be spread on the trays to keep food from falling
through and adhering to the tray.
Warning: Foods must be properly dried to prevent germ growth
and spoilage! Dried vegetables should be hard and
brittle to the touch. Dried fruits should be pliable and
leathery.
Check your stored food every few weeks for any mold.
Once you have completed the drying process, cool the foods thoroughly
before packing. Food should be stored in clean, dry, airtight containers.
Step 1) Wash the fruit, vegetables or meats thoroughly.
Step 2) Remove any unwanted peels or pits from the produce.
Step 3) Slice your chosen food into 1/4" pieces, keeping them all
roughly the same size.
Step 4) Use from one (1) to five (5) trays as needed. Avoid
overlapping foods.
Step 5) Make certain to open vents all the way (see explanation
in Vents section of this manual).
Step 6) If using more than three (3) trays, rotate the trays at least
once for every 18 hours of drying.
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Note: Trays closest to the heat source will receive the hottest,
driest air causing them to dry more quickly. To adjust for
this, change the position of the trays every 18 hours or
so. Move the top tray to the bottom, and then move
each tray up one level. Continue to do so during the
entire process.
Step 7) Check the food and remove it from the Dehydrator when
it is done and feels dry to the touch. Allow it to cool, and
then store in jars or a suitable long term storage
container.
Vents
For most uses of the Dehydrator, the vents should always be left fully
open. Choosing to use different vent settings will be something that you
may wish to do after becoming familiar with your Dehydrator and its many
uses. Experiment with various foods. The vent settings are experimental
as each food item will have a different water content and drying time.
The vents located on your Dehydrator have five (5) different settings; 0-12-3-4-5. Each of these numbers correspond to the same number of vents
or openings. Slide and turn the cover and line up the number to the
square plastic tab to set the vents. For example, setting the vents at “0”
will mean that no vents are open, “3” will mean 3 vent holes are open.
Pretreating
The enzymes that are responsible for color, flavor and texture, change
during the life of the produce. This process will continue during drying
and storage unless the activity is slowed down. The following information
offers some methods which you may choose to use to impact this process.
Blanching: Plunge the fruit or vegetables into boiling water
for one (1) or two (2) minutes. Place in ice water
to cool. Blot to remove excess moisture before
drying.
Steam Blanch: Use steam for about four (4) minutes and then
place in ice water to cool.
Fruit Dip: Plunge the fruit into lemon or pineapple juice for
two to three minutes. Blot and place on the tray.
You may also use lime juice, orange juice, honey
or gelatin.
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Sodium Bisulfate: Use a USP grade of this solution. Dissolve one
(1) teaspoon in one (1) quart of water. This will
help to maintain the foods natural color.
Hydrating
Step 1) Soak the dried food in water or juice.
Step 2) Place into boiling water.
Step 3) Cook or steam.
Note: Do not season the food during at least the first five
minutes of hydration.
Cups Dry/Food = Cups Reconstituted Suggested
Time
1 Cup Vegetables 2 Cups Up to 2 hours
1 Cup Fruit 1-1/2 Cups 1-8 hours
Suggested Drying Times
Drying times will change according to the humidity of the air, the temperature of the room, and the moisture content of the food item being dried.
You will need to experiment with small portions first to become familiar
with the time it will take to dry your chosen food item. Below are some
general guidelines for some foods which are commonly dried. Use this
table only as a guide, as drying times will vary.
Food Done When Food Is: Estimated
Drying Time
Apples Pliable 1-2 Days
Apricots Pliable 2-3 Days
Bananas Crisp 1 -1.5 Days
Orange Rind Brittle 1 -1.5 Days
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Food Done When Food is: Estimated
Drying Time
Peaches Pliable and Leathery 2-3 Days
Watermelon Pliable and Sticky 2-3 Days
Artichoke Hearts Brittle 1-1.5 Days
Beets Deep Red and Brittle 1-2 Days
Carrots Leathery 1-2 Days
Corn Brittle 1-2 Days
Pumpkin Leathery 2 Days
Tomatoes Leathery 1.5-3 Days
Meat Jerky (marinate first) Leathery 1-2 Days
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