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INSTRUCTION MANUAL
FOOD DEHYDRATOR
MFD-500
PLEASE READ THIS INSTRUCTION CAREFULLY BEFORE USING THE PRODUCT!
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Getting started
Remove all the packaging materials from the product.
Place the packing inside the box and either store or dispose of responsibly
Safety Instruction
The following basic precautions should always be adhered to when using the electrical appl iance.
PLEASE READ THIS INSTRUCTION CAREFULLY BEFORE USE AND RETAIN FOR FUTURE
REFERENCE
1. This appliance is intended to be used i n household and similar applications such as:
- staff kitchen areas in shops, offices and other working environments;
- farm houses;
- by clients in hotels, motels and other residential type environments;
- bed and breakfast type environments.
2. This food dehydrator is designed for DOMESTIC USE ONLY and is not suitable for commercial use.
Do not use it for outdoors.
3. When using the food dehydrator ensures that it is on a flat, level and sturdy surface, ensure no risk
that it may fall .Also t hat it can take the weight of the unit during use.
4. Failure to follow all the instructions listed may result in electric shock, fire or serious personal
injury .The warnings, cautions and instructions discussed in this instruction manual cannot cover all
possible conditions and situations that may occur w hile the product in use
5. Do not leave the food dehydrator unattended during use.
6. Always keep the food dehydrator out of children as they are unable to recognize the hazards
associated with incorrect handling o f electric al appliances.
7. This appliance is not intended for use by persons (includ ing childre n) with reduced phy sic al, sensory
or mental capabilities, or lack of experience and knowledge. Unless they have been given
supervision or instruction concerning use of the app liances by a person responsible for their safety.
8. Before plugging the food dehydrator into the mains electrical supply, check that the voltage and
power supply
120VAC 60Hz comply with the specifications on the food dehydrator’s rating label.
9. Make sure that the food dehydrator is switched off and remove the plug from the mains electrical
supply when it is not in use; before it is cleaned and w hilst it is being repaired.
10. Ensure that the food dehydrator and power cord is not hung over sharp edges and keep away from
hot objects and open flames; otherwise the plastic will melt and cause a fire.
11. Under no circumstances should the food dehydrator or plug be immersed in water or any other
liquid .Do not use the appliance with wet hands.
12. Check the food dehydrator and power cord regularly for damage.
13. Do not use the food dehydrator should there be damage to the plug or cord, following a malfunction,
or after it has been dropped or damaged in any way.
14. If the supply cord is damaged, it must be replaced by the manufacturer, its service agent or
similarly qualified persons in order to avoid a haz ard. Improper repairs may place the user at risk.
15. None of the product’s parts are dishwasher safe, unless explicitly specified otherwise.
16. Always turn the power off at the power outlet before you insert or remove a plug. Remove by
grasping the plug; do not pull on the cord.
17. Do not use your appliance with an extension cord un less this cord h as been chec ked and tested by a
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qualified technician or service person.
18. Avoid contact with moving parts. Keep hands, hair, clothing, spatulas and other utensils away during
operation to reduce the risk of injury to persons and/or damage to the machine.
19. Please don’t keep it beside anything heating. Please keep the plug away from pressing; otherwise it
will cause a fire or electric shock.
20. If you pass this appliance on to a third party, these operating instructions must also be handed ov er.
Caution:
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z To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not immerse or expose the product, flexible
cord or plug to rain, moisture or any liquid.
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Do not use the product near baths, basins or other vessels containing
water or other
liquids, or when standing in or on damp or wet surfaces.
Don’t keep the device in the
watery environment;
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Keep the device away the place of high temperature, ray and wetly.
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Don’t operate the device with wet hands.
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Please turn off the power supply in the watery environment.
z In the event where the appliance is dropped into the water, turn off the power at the
power outlet and remove the plug immediately. DO NOT REACH INTO THE WATER
TO RETRIEVE IT.
z It is important to note that the appliance will have to be inspected by a qualified
technician before using it again.
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ATTENTION
! Do not run the appliance for more than 48 hours in one single use. After
48 hours, Unplug and let it cool down for at least 2 hours before operating again.
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Do not operate near gas spray cans.
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Technical specification
Normal Voltage: 120V, 60Hz
Normal Power: 450 W
Mesh Tray:
Use for smaller items such as herbs and berries; and sticky items such as banana & tomatoes.
·The mesh fit into the dehydrator trays to keep foods that get very small when dried, from falling
through the tray grates. The mesh may also be used when drying foods that stick to the grates.
Position the mesh on the dehydrator tray. Then place the food you want to dry on the mesh. Once
the food is dehydrated, lift the mesh out of the tray, using the cutouts on the side of the screen.
Remove food. Bending the mesh is helpful for removing foods that have a tendency to stick.
Non-stick sheet (Fruit Roll Tray)
A fruit roll sheet should be used when making fruit rolls and strips from fresh, frozen, or canned
fruit.
Control Panel
Timer: “00.30”---“24.00”
Tempe rat u r e :
95ഘ---160ഘ
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Feature of Dehydrator
This unit features an automatic fan, which circulates warm air producing a nice evenly dried device!
Dried foods are a great treat to snack on because they hold almost all of their nutritional value and
flavor.
·Perfect way to preserve fruit, snacks, vegetables, bread, flowers and more.
·Easy to clean BPA free trays.
·Exquisite round design, dry even, no rotation needed.
·Transparent cover allows you to
check food situation during drying
Before Use:
Remove the dehydrator trays and cover from the base and wash them according to the “Care and
Cleaning”
After cleaning the unit must be run in for 30 minutes without placing any food for drying.
Any smoke or smells produced during this procedure are normal. Please ensure sufficient
ventilation. After the running in period, rinse the racks in water and dry all parts. This act is only
necessary for the first time. (DO NOT WASH THE BASE!!!)
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
1. Set base, right side up, on a dry, level surface. In order to function properly, the dehydrator
must have sufficient airflow; therefore, be sure the base and cover vents are not obstructed at
any time. Never place dehydrator on carpet, a towel, or newspaper.
2. Put the clean food on the trays – Do not overload the trays and never overlap the food. Place
clear cover over stacked trays.
3. Note: always start to load the food from the bottom tray to the top tray.
4. Plug cord into a 120VAC electrical outlet only. There is a beep sound at the beginning when it
starts up, the four indicator lamp light up and the LED screen shows “---- ----”.
5. Press the “STAR/STOP” button, The LED screen will show default time setting “10.00” and
temp setting “160℉”.
To set temperature
Press the “TIME/TEMP” and the temperature in the display window will begin to flash. (if the time
flashes, press the TIME/TEMP button again).Press the “+” or “–“ buttons to select the desired
temperature. To change the temperature rapidly, hold down the “+” or “–“buttons. The
temperature range for this dehydrator is “95℉-105℉-115℉-125℉-135℉-145℉-160℉”.
To set timer
1. Press the “TIME/TEMP” button and the “10.00” will begin to flash. (If the temperature flashes,
press the TIME/TEMP button again).
2. Press the “+” or“–“buttons until the desired time is displayed. If you hold down the “+” or
“–“ buttons, the time will change rapidly. The timer range for this dehydrator is “00.30”---“24.00”
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Note:
3 seconds after finish setting, the food dehydrator automatically confirms to work in current temp
setup.
At any time, you can adjust the time or temperature by using the TIME/TEMP, +, and – buttons.
You can stop the dehydrator at any time by pressing the START/STOP button.
The dehydrator will automatically shut off after the set time has expired, and the LED screen shows
“---- ----”.
· Fruit and vegetables dried in your food dehydrator will be different in appearance from those
sold in health food stores and supermarkets. This is due to your food dehydrator uses no
preservatives, no artificial coloring and only natural additives.
·Records of humidity, weight of produce before and after drying times, will be helpful to improving
your drying techniques for the future.
DRYING TIPS:
Drying time for pre-treatment fruit will vary according to the following factors:
1) thickness of pieces or slices
2) number of trays with food being dried
3) volume of food being dried
4) moisture or humidity in your environment
5) your preferences of drying for each type of dried food
It is recommended to:
Check your food every hour.
Label food with contents dried, date and weight before drying. It will also be helpful to note the drying time
for future reference.
Pretreated food will give the best effect in drying.
Correct food storage after drying also will help to keep food in good quality and save the nutrients.
STORAGE Food
Store food only after they have cooled down.
Food can be kept longer if stored in a cool, dry and dark place.
Remove all the air you possibly can from the storage container and close tightly.
Optimal storage temperature is 59℉or lower.
Never store food directly in a metal container.
Avoid containers that “breathe” or have a weak seal.
Check the contents of your dried food for moisture during the weeks following dehydration. If there is
moisture inside, you should dehydrate the contents for a longer time to avoid spoiling.
For best quality, dried fruit, vegetables, herbs, nuts, bread should not be kept for more than 1 year, if kept in
the refrigerator or freezer.
Dried meats, poultry and fish should be stored for no more than 3 months if kept in the refrigerator, or 1
year if kept in the freezer.
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Temperature Settings Uses
95°F Herbs, Flowers, Dough
115°F Soft Vegetables
125°F Hard Vegetables
135°F Citrus Peel
145°F Fruit
160°F Meat Jerky, Fruit Rolls, Fish
Name
Preparation
Dryness
test
Time,
hours
(approx.)
Apples
Peel, core and cut slices or rings
Pliable
5-6
Apricots
Cut in halves or in slices, remove pit
Pliable
12-38
Bananas
Peel and cut into 3-4mm slices
Crisp
8-38
Cherries
Pitting is optional, or pit when 50% dry
Leathery
8-34
Cranberries
Chop or leave whole
Pliable
6-26
Red Dates
Pit and slice
Leathery
6-26
Figs
Slice
Leathery
6-26
8
Grapes
Leave whole
Pliable
8-38
Nectarines
Cut in half, dry with skin side down. Pit
when 50% dry
Pliable
8-26
Orange rind
Peel in long strips
Brittle
8-16
Peaches
Pit when 50% dry. Halve or quarter
with cut side up
Pliable
10-34
Pears
Peel and slice
Pliable
8-30
Strawberries
Cut into 3/8 inch slices, other berries
whole
No moisture
8-26
Artichokes
Cut into 1/3-inch strips. Boil about 10
minutes
Brittle
6-14
Asparagus
Cut into 1-inch pieces
Brittle
6-14
Beans
Cut and steam blanch until translucent
Brittle
8-26
Beets
Blanch, cool, remove tops and roots,
slice
Brittle
8-26
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Brussels
sprouts
Cut sprouts from stalk Cut in half
length-wise
Crispy
8-30
Broccoli
Trim and cut. Steam tender, about 3-5
min.
Brittle
6-20
Cabbage
Trim and cut into 1/8-inchs trips. Cut
core into 1/4-inch strips.
Leathery
6-14
Carrots
Steam until tender. Shred or cut into
slices
Leathery
6-12
Cauliflower
Steams blanch until tender. Trim and
cut.
Leathery
6-16
Celery
Cut stalks into 1/4-inch slices
Brittle
6-14
Chives
Chop
Brittle
6-10
Cucumber
Pare and cut into 1/2-inch slices
Leathery
6-18
Eggplant/
Squash
Trim and slice 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch thick
Brittle
6-18
Garlic
Remove skin from clove and slice
Brittle
6-16
Hot peppers
Dry whole
Leathery
8-14
10
Mushrooms
Slice, chop, or dry whole
Leathery
6-14
Onions
Slice thinly or chop
Brittle
8-14
Peas
Blanch for 3-5 min.
Brittle
8-14
Peppers
Cut into 1/4-inch strips or rings.
Remove seeds.
Brittle
4-14
Potatoes
Slice, dice or cut. Steam blanch 8-10
min.
Brittle
6-8
Rhubarb
Remove outer skin and cut into
1/8-inch lengths
No moisture
8-38
Spinach
Steam blanch until wilted
Brittle
6-16
Tomatoes
Remove skin. Cut in halves or slices.
Leathery
8-24
Zucchini
Slice into 1/4-inch pieces
Brittle
6-18
Mangos
Remove skin, slice 3/8" thick，Space
out on dehydrator tray
Leathery
6-16
Note: Time and methods of fruit pre-treatment, shown in the table above should be used as a guide only.
Customer preferences of vegetables drying might not be the same as shown in the table above.
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Fruit leather:
Strawberry Fruit Rolls
You can substitute the strawberries for blackberries,
blueberries or raspberries.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
500g fresh strawberries, hulled, halved
300g apple puree
1. Set Dehydrator to 160°F.
2. Place all the ingredients in the ju g of a blender or
bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth.
3. Spoon puree ev enly onto greased fruit roll
up tray.
4. Place in Dehydrator. Leave for 6-9 hours or until
pliable. Roll up each fruit piece to form a log.
Mango Fruit Rolls
800g sliced mango in natural juice, drained
1. Set Dehydrator to 160°F.
2. Place mango in the jug of a blender or bowl of a food proc essor. Process until smooth.
3. Spoon puree ev enly onto greased fruit roll up tray.
4. Place in Dehydrator. Leave for 6-8 hours or until pliable. Roll up each fruit piece to form a log.
Fruit rolls make delicious snacks ready to have on
hand. Here are some hints to ensure perfe ct fruit ro l ls:
TIP
• Fresh or canned fruit can be used to make fruit rolls, simply substitute weight for
weight. However, do not combine a mixture of canned and fresh fruit in the same roll
up. If using fresh fruit, make sure it is of good quality without soft or discoloured p atches.
• If using fresh fruit, you will need to peel and cook it first so that it can be pureed in a b le nder for the
preparation required to ma ke rolls.
• The prepared fruit must be evenly spread over the fruit roll trays to ensure even drying times.
• The fruit should be spread to an even thickness of about 5mm. The fruit, once pureed, needs to be a
spoonable consistency. If the mixture is too runny the end result will be affected.
• If mixture is too runny, you can add pureed apple or pear to the mixture to make up
the desired consistency.
• Make sure the fruit rolls are dried continuously at the recommended temperature and time.
• Once dried, the fruit rolls should be pliable and without any soft or sticky patches on top or underneath.
• Remove fruit rolls from trays when still warm and roll up to form logs.
• Wrap in non-stick baking paper and store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for up to 1 week.
Do not store in the fridge as the fruit rolls need to be stored in a moisture-free area to maintain a pliable,
chewy texture.
• Suitable fruits for rolls include: Apple, apricot, berries, cherries, mango, peaches, pears, and plums.
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Jerky:
Beef jerky
Makes: 250g
Preparation: 10 mins (+ 12 hours marinading time)
Drying: 5 hrs
500g beef fillet or sirloin, excess fat trimmed
½ cup soy sauce
½ cup Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon salt
1. Place beef in a shallow glass dish. Pour over combined sauces and salt. Cover
with plastic wrap and place in the fridge, turning occ asionally, for 12 hours to
marinade. Drain. Discard marinade.
2. Use a large sharp knife to cut beef fillet across the grain into 5mm-thick slices.
Arrange beef on drying racks. Dry on 160°F for 5 hours, rotating racks halfway through
drying process, for 5 hours.
Fish Jerky
2 cups water
2 cups brown sugar
1 cup salt
¼ cup soy sauce
4 fillets firm white fish or salmon, skin removed
2 teaspoons paprika, optional
1. Combine water, sugar, salt and soy sauce in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until
all sugar has dissolved. Set aside unti l roo m te mper ature.
2. Cut fish into 2cm thick strips. Place in cooled marinade. Cover and refrigerate overnight or for at least
6 hours.
3. Set Dehydrator to 149°F.
4. Drain salmon. Lay salmon across the Dehydrator shelves in a single layer.
5. Place in Dehydrator. Leave for 8 hours. Store in airtight container in refrigerator
for up to 1 week.
TIP: Remember if you are using salmon or any other high fat fish, the she lf life will be
significantly reduced.
TIP
• Choose lean meat without much marbling (fat distributed throughout meat).
IMPORTANT: Meat must be of the highest quality and marinated on day of purchase.
• Marinate the meat in its whole form and slice after marinating. The marinade needs to be salty (see
Beef jerky recipe) as this helps draw moisture from the meat reducing the water content and making the
meat safe to consume.
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• Store the marinated meat in the fridge for up to 12 hours. Drain well.
• The meat needs to be sliced thinly and each slice needs to be of equal thickness, preferably 5mm. You
can achieve this with a deli-style meat slicer.
• Sometimes partially freezing the meat first, and then slicing it makes slicing easier.
Then thaw meat before arranging on trays to dry.
• Always slice the meat across the grain. Meat sliced with the grain falls apart and can have a chewy
texture.
• Dehydrated meat needs to be stored in an airtight cont ainer in the fridge for up to
3-4 weeks. If wanting to store for a longer period, label, date and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in
fridge overnight.
• Once the drying time is complete, cool beef to room temperature and pat surface
dry with a paper towel to remove any excess surface moisture and ensure
keeping times are safe.
IMPORTANT: Meat must be stored in the fridge or freezer only . Storing meat at room
temperature could promote the growth of bacteria if not dried thoroughly.
Cheesy Kale Chips
The ingredients may not look cheesy but
the flavor comes from the yeast and miso paste.
2 bunches kale, washed, roughly torn
1 cup nutritional yeast
1 cup white miso paste
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon sea salt
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1. Set Dehydrator to 125°F.
2. Combine yeast, miso, oil, salt and garlic. Stir to form a paste.
3. Rub kale leaves with miso mixture. Place on Dehydrator shelves.
4. Place in Dehydrator. Leave for 12-13 hours or until crispy. The length of time will
depend on the thickness of the kale leav es.
Store in an airtight container for up to one week.
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Cheesy Bread
1 cup warm water
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon yeast
4½ cups flour
¹⁄ ³ cup olive oil
1 tablespoon dried oregano
2 teaspoons salt Filling:500g bacon, cooked
2 cups grated mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
1. Set Dehydrator to 95°F. Line a Dehydrator shelf with baking paper.
2. In a jug combine water , yeast and sugar. Place jug in Dehydrator for 10 min utes. The yeast should be
bubbly.
3. Place flour, olive oil, oregano and salt on a work surface. Form into a mound and make a well in the
center.
4. Add the liquid ingred ie n t s and slowly bring the flour into the center to form a dough. Knead for about 5
minutes or until the dough is elastic and smooth.
5. Lightly grease a large bowl w ith oil. Pl ace dou gh in the bow l an d plac e in D ehy drator. Leave for 1 hour
or until doubled in size.
6. Remove from the bowl and knead quickly for 1 minute.
7. Roll dough out into a large rectangle. Cover the dough with bacon and cheese. Roll up, using the
widest side, into a cylinder. Bring the two ends of the dough together to form a circle. Pinch dough
together to seal.
8. Place on a lined Dehydrator shelf. Place in Dehydrator. Leave for 30 minutes. At this
point preheat oven to 392°F..
9. Remove dough from Dehydrator and p lace on metal baking tray. Bake for 20 minutes
or until golden and cheese is bubbling.
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Nutty Quinoa Granola
2 cups quinoa, soaked for 2 hours
1 cup pecans, soaked for 2 hours
½ cup pumpkin seeds, soaked for 2 hours
½ cup sunflower seeds, soaked for 2 hours
¹⁄ ³ cup maple syrup
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground mixed spice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon sea salt
2 tablespoons coconut oil
6 medjool dates, stones removed, roughly chopped
1. Set Dehydrator to 145°F.Line non-stick sheet on tray.
2. Drain quinoa, pecans, pumpkin and sunflower see ds.
3. In a large bowl combine all ingre dients. Make sure all ingredients are coated in oil and syrup.
4. Spread evenly over 2 Dehydrator shelves.
5. Place in Dehydrator. Leave for 24 hours or until crunchy . Place in airtight container.
Apricot Coconut Cookies
2 cups dried dates, stones removed
1 cup almond butter
1 cup dried apricots
1 cup shredded coconut
½ teaspoon salt
1. Set Dehydrator to 160°F..
2. Place all ingredients in t he bowl of a food processor. Pulse until a chunky paste has formed.
3. Form mixture into 1 tablespoon sized b alls. Place on Dehydrator shelves. Press down to flatten.
4. Place in Dehydrator. Leave for 7-8 hours or until firm. Store in an airtight container for up to one week.
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Care and Cleaning
1. Remove plug from wall outlet and let it cool down before cleaning.
2. Wash the dehydrator trays and cover in warm water and a mild detergent .The fruit roll trays and
the mesh should be washed in warm, sudsy water. Do not wash these parts in a dishwasher.
Do not clean the appliance with aggressive chemicals or abrasives in order not to damage the
surface.
If necessary, a soft brush may be used to loosen dried on food particles. Do not use steel wool
scouring pads or abrasive cleaners on any of the dehydrator parts.
3. Wipe the dehydrator base with a soft, damp cloth.
WARNING! Do not spill or allow liquid, including marinade, to drip into the base of the unit as
it may damage the product.
Do not wash the BASE in a dishwasher or immerse it in water or any other liquid!!!
Before stacking the trays onto the base for storage, turn the base upside down and wrap the cord around the
bottom cover center hub, securing the cord under the clips.
Dry all parts with a dry cloth before storing the dehydrator.
SAVE THIS INSTRUCTIONʽ
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