Sunbeam DT6000 User Guide

MASTER SERIES

DT6000

Food Lab™

Electronic

Dehydrator

Healthy food dryer with

8 temperature settings

User Guide

Contents

Sunbeam’s Safety Precautions	1
Features of your Food Dehydrator	2
Dehydrator Overview	4
Using your Dehydrator	5
Care and Cleaning	6
Important Guidelines and Hints	7
Storage of Dried Foods	8
Rehydrating Dried Foods	8
Uses of your Dehydrator	9
Drying Herbs and Spices	9
Drying Chart for Herbs and Spices	10
Drying Flowers	11
Making Dough	12
Culturing Yoghurt	13
Drying Vegetables	14
Drying Citrus Peel	16
Drying Fruits	17
Drying Chart for Fruit	18
Drying Fish	20
Drying Meat	21
Making Fruit Roll Ups	22
Recipes	23
Drying Records Chart	35

Important instructions – retain for future use.

Sunbeam’s Safety Precautions

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR YOUR SUNBEAM DEHYDRATOR.

•Ensure your dehydrator is used at least 50cm (half a metre) away from a gas flame or electric element.

•Do not operate the dehydrator on an inclined surface.

•Do not move or cover the dehydrator while in operation.

•Do not immerse the dehydrator in water or any other liquid.

•Use your dehydrator well away from walls, curtains and cupboards that may be affected by steam.

•Do not use your dehydrator in confined spaces.

Sunbeam is very safety conscious when designing and manufacturing consumer products, but it is essential that the product user also exercise care when using an electrical appliance. Listed below are precautions which are essential for the safe use of an electrical appliance:

•Read carefully and save all the instructions provided with an appliance.

•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.

•Turn the power off and remove the plug when the appliance is not in use and before cleaning.

•Do not use your appliance with an extension cord unless this cord has been checked and tested by a qualified technician or service person.

•Always use your appliance from a power outlet of the voltage (A.C. only) marked on the appliance.

•This appliance is not intended for use by persons (including children) with reduced physical, sensory or mental capabilities, or lack of experience and knowledge, unless they have been given supervision or instruction concerning use of the appliance by a person responsible for their safety.

•Children should be supervised to ensure that they do not play with the appliance.

•The temperature of accessible surfaces may be high when the appliance is operating.

•Never leave an appliance unattended while in use.

•Do not use an appliance for any purpose other than its intended use.

•Do not place an appliance on or near a hot gas flame, electric element or on a heated oven.

•Do not place on top of any other appliance.

•Do not let the power cord of an appliance hang over the edge of a table or bench top or touch any hot surface.

•Do not operate any electrical appliance with a damaged cord or after the appliance has been damaged in any manner. If damage is suspected, return the appliance to the nearest Sunbeam Appointed Service Centre for examination, repair or adjustment.

•For additional protection, Sunbeam recommend the use of a residual current device (RCD) with a tripping current not exceeding 30mA in the electrical circuit supplying power to your appliances.

•Do not immerse the appliance in water or any other liquid unless recommended.

•Appliances are not intended to be operated by means of an external timer or separate remote control system.

•This appliance is intended to be used in 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.

If you have any concerns regarding the performance and use of your appliance, please visit www.sunbeam.com.au or contact the Sunbeam Consumer Service Line. Ensure the above safety precautions are understood.

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Features of your Food Dehydrator

Countdown Timer

19 and a half hours with 30 min increments with safety auto off. Perfect for overnight use.

6 large drying shelves

Remove shelves to dry thicker foods – apricots, bunch of grapes, tomatoes etc. This also allows for leavening bread or culturing yoghurt. Do not exceed 500g of food per tray.

Rubber feet

Holds the Food Dehydrator in place and prevents it from scratching the bench top.

User Panel

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Horizontal Air Flow

Rear fan allows for horizontal air flow, so no shelf rotation is required.

8 Temperature Settings

35°C to 70°C. Set the best temperature for each drying use.

Fine Foods Mesh Tray

Use for smaller items such as herbs and berries; and sticky items such as banana & tomatoes.

Fruit Roll Tray

Makes delicious fruit rolls naturally. When not using as Fruit Roll Tray, store at the bottom of the unit as a crumb tray.

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Dehydrator Overview

How it works

Dehydrating food is an ancient method of preserving food. It is a gentle, natural process which removes moisture from food.

Using a controlled heat temperature, air is circulated from the rear of the unit to each of the six shelves and base. This method of drying seals in the flavours and nutrients of the food, leaving a high food nutrient and vitamin content.

Storage of dried food

Drying fresh, ripe fruit and vegetables allows you to enjoy these luxuries all year round. Storing of food is easy and takes up little storage space. Dried foods have a longer shelf life of approximately 3-6 months when stored in air-tight storage jars depending on the type of food and climate.

No preservatives added

Fruit and vegetables dried using your Food Dehydrator may differ in colour and appearance from produce purchased from health food stores and supermarkets.

Pre-dried store bought produce often contains artificial colouring and preservatives.

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Using your Dehydrator

Before using your Food Dehydrator

•Wash the drying shelves, fruit roll tray, fine foods mesh tray and door in warm water using a mild detergent. Rinse and dry each part thoroughly before use.

•Before you assemble the Food Dehydrator ensure that the power cord is unplugged.

Using your Food Dehydrator

1.Arrange the food on the drying shelves, ensuring the pieces of food are not quite touching, to allow air to circulate freely.

2.Place the shelves into the machine, and close the door.

3.Plug in the unit. The unit will beep to show it's in standby mode.

4.Press the power button, and the screen will illuminate and the Dehydrator will default to a time of 10:00, and temperature setting of 70°C.

5.To select the time, press the TIME button,

and then press the and buttons, until your desired time appears in the screen. Each button press will adjust the time by 30 minutes up to 19 and a half hours.

You can hold down the arrow button to speed up the selection.

6.To select the temperature, press the TEMP

button, and then press the and buttons, until your desired temperature appears in the screen. Each button press will adjust the temperature by 5°C, from 35°C to 70°C. You can hold down the arrow button to speed up the selection.

7.During the drying process, you can check the time and temperature setting, by pressing the TIME or TEMP button.

To adjust the setting, use the arrow buttons.

8.After the time has elapsed, the screen will show 0:00 and the heating element will turn off. The fan will continue running

for 20 seconds, and the unit will beep 20 times to signal that the drying time has finished and the heater element has switched off.

8.Unplug the unit at the power outlet.

NOTE: The maximum drying time is 19 and a half hours. If you wish to run for longer, you will need to allow the unit to cool down before restarting. Turn the power button off, then unplug and let the unit cool down for at least 2 hours before operating again.

Temperature Settings	Uses
35˚C	Herbs, Flowers, Dough
40˚C	Yoghurt
45˚C	Soft Vegetables
50˚C	Hard Vegetables
55˚C	Citrus Peel
60˚C	Fruit
65˚C	Fish
70˚C	Meat Jerky, Fruit Rolls

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Care and Cleaning

NOTE: The maximum drying time is 19 and a half hours. If you wish to run for longer, you will need to allow the unit to cool down before restarting. Turn the power button off, then unplug and let the unit cool down for at least 2 hours before operating again.

Drying shelves, fruit roll tray, fine foods mesh tray and door.

To clean the drying shelves, fruit roll tray, fine foods mesh tray and door, allow them

to cool down, then soak in warm soapy water. A soft bristle brush can be used to loosen stubborn food particles. Do not place in dishwasher.

Do not use steel wool, scouring pads or abrasive cleaners.

Do not place any parts in a dishwasher.

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Important Guidelines and Hints

Use quality food

Best results are achieved when quality food is used. Select produce at the peak of ripeness, colour and flavour, for the highest nutritional content.

You can dry overripe produce successfully, as long as you remove any spoiled areas.

Wash food

Food should be washed and dried thoroughly, removing soft or spoiled areas. Be certain that your hands, cutting utensils and food preparation areas are clean.

Cut food uniformly

Produce can be shredded, sliced or diced, 5mm slices are best for efficient drying.

Drying Shelves

Place produce evenly on each shelf, without overlapping. Do not exceed 500g of produce per shelf. If you wish to dry thicker foods such as a bunch of grapes, or to leaven dough or culture yoghurt, remove shelves to allow for greater height between shelves.

Keep Door Closed

Keep the door closed so that the produce dries more efficiently.

Variation in drying times

Check the produce drying charts, as times can vary. Drying times are affected by the size of the load, thickness of the sliced produce, humidity, air temperature and the moisture content of the food itself. (Therefore, broad drying times have been given in the drying tables).

Check your Drying

Check the progress every hour to ensure it's drying as you wish.

Fruit Roll Trays

Non-stick baking paper can be cut to fit shelves, if you want more roll up trays.

Testing for dryness

Be sure to let the produce cool before testing for dryness. To test for dryness, cut a piece open – there should be no visible moisture inside.

Keep records

Records of humidity, weight of produce before and after drying times, will be helpful in improving your drying techniques for the future. Use the Drying Record Chart provided on page 35.

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Storage of Dried Foods

•Containers should be moisture and insect free.

•Glass jars with metal screw lids are ideal containers. Food stored in plastic bags, should be stored inside an insect proof container.

•The storage area should be cool, dry and as dark as possible. The ideal temperature for storing dehydrated food is 5-20ºC.

•Dried food can be covered in plastic wrap and stored in a container in the freezer.

See tips on Beef jerky for correct storage on page 21.

Important

Check for moisture by shaking the content of your storage container several times during the first week after the food has been dried. If moisture appears on the inside, the food has not been sufficiently dried and should be returned to the food dehydrator, for further drying.

Do not place warm produce into storage containers, as condensation will form causing mould and mildew. Allow food to cool on racks before storing.

Rehydrating Dried Foods

Rehydration is the process of putting the moisture back into foods that have been dried.

•Dried foods can be partially rehydrated by soaking in water or cooking.

•To conserve the nutritional value of the rehydrated food, use the liquid remaining after soaking or cooking, in the rehydration recipes.

•One cup of dried vegetables generally reconstitutes to two cups of vegetables.

•One cup of dried fruit reconstitutes to one and a half cups of fruit.

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Uses of your Dehydrator

The Sunbeam Food Lab™ Dehydrator can be used for the following:

1.Drying Herbs and Spices

2.Drying Flowers

3.Making Dough

4.Culturing Yoghurt

5.Drying Vegetables

6.Drying Citrus Peel

7.Drying Fruit

8.Drying Fish

9.Drying Meat

10.Fruit Roll Ups

Drying Herbs and Spices, 35°C

Drying your own herbs and spices is an easy, economical way to make the most from your herb garden.

Hints

•Pick leaves when young and tender.

•Pick seed pods before they open.

•Most herbs and spices can be dried on the plant stalk or stem.

•The leaves and seeds are easily stripped off once they are dry.

•Do not store herbs in paper bags as the oils will be absorbed by the paper leading to less flavour.

•Store in a cool, dark place in an airtight container.

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Drying Chart for Herbs and Spices

	Herb/Spice	Preparation	Setting	Drying time	Use
		Wash, pat dry with paper
	Basil	towel. Place leaves	35ºC	2-4 hours	Soups and sauces
		onto drying racks
		Wash, pat dry with paper			Salads, casseroles
	Chives	towel. Slice into desired	35ºC	2-4 hours
					and soups
		lengths
	Chilli, long				Add to curries and
					stirfries, pound in a
	fresh red,
		None	35ºC	6-8 hours	mortar and pestle and
	halved,
					sprinkle over bread
	deseeded
					mixtures
		Wash, pat dry with paper			Curries, Thai dishes
	Coriander	towel. Place whole stems	35ºC	2-4 hours
					and soups
		onto drying racks
	Garlic	Peel and chop,	35ºC	4-6 hours	Casseroles, soups
		dry in the base			and pasta
	Ginger	Grate or slice, place	35ºC	4-6 hours	Cakes and curries
		onto drying racks
		Wash, pat dry with paper
	Marjoram	towel. Place whole stems	35ºC	2-4 hours	Casseroles and soups
		onto drying racks
		Wash, pat dry with paper			Thai dishes and
	Mint	towel. Place whole stems	35ºC	2-4 hours
					sauces
		onto drying racks
		Wash, pat dry with paper			Soups, casseroles
	Oregano	towel. Place whole stems	35ºC	2-4 hours
					and pasta
		onto drying racks
		Wash, pat dry with paper
	Parsley	towel. Place whole stems	35ºC	2-4 hours	Soups and casseroles
		onto drying racks
					Add to scone and
	Rosemary	None	35ºC	3 hours	bread mixes and
					casseroles
		Wash, pat dry with paper
	Thyme	towel. Place whole stems	35ºC	2-4 hours	Soups and casseroles
		onto drying racks

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Drying Flowers, 35°C

Using your Food Dehydrator, you are able to dry your own flowers, blossoms and petals.

Hints

•As flowers darken when they dry, try to select flowers which are several shades lighter.

Preparation Directions

1.Cut flowers when they are dry and cool.

2.Choose flowers that are firm but only half open. Full bloom flowers tend to lose their petals.

3.Position flowers and petals sparsely on the drying shelves.

4.Dry for 8-10 hours at 35˚C until flowers are brittle.

5.Place in a large air-tight glass container with 3-4 drops of perfumed oil, to enliven the fragrance. After a month, shake

the petals or sprinkle more oil into the container.

Potpourri

To make potpourri: use handful of flowers, blossoms and petals and combine with 3-4 drops of perfumed oil e.g. tea rose or lavender.

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Making Dough, 35°C

Making dough for bread and pizza can be difficult, but the stable temperatures from the Food Dehydrator can make the process easier.

If dough is kept too cold, this will limit the gas production causing the dough to have a hard, dark crust and an uneven crumb. On the other hand if it’s too warm the dough will be sour and you won’t be able to get a beautiful golden crust. Making bread in the dehydrator is great for those who want to start making bread but are too worried that it won’t work out.

There are many steps involved in making dough including activating the yeast, kneading, dough rise/ proofing and baking. The Food Dehydrator can assist in activating the yeast, and later in proofing the dough.

•Activating yeast / Fermentation Step.

Activating the yeast means placing the water in a bowl and adding yeast,

sometimes with sugar or oil, and placing it in a warm area. When the yeast is moistened by a liquid, fed by sugar and carefully warmed, it produces gases that power the dough to rise. Activating the yeast can be difficult depending on your climate. If the water is too cold, the yeast will not be activated. If it’s too warm it will die. Set the Dehydrator to 35°C and remove the shelves to allow the bowl to fit. When the unit has reached temperature place the bowl inside the Dehydrator until the yeast begins to foam. This should take no longer than 10 minutes.

•Proofing / Rising Dough Step.

Proofing is the process after kneading and requires placing the dough in a warm area and allowing the yeast to feed on the sugar so that the dough increases in size. Set the Dehydrator to 35°C to warm up. Once the Dehydrator has reached temperature and the dough has been formed into your desired shape, place on a piece of baking paper and then onto a dehydrator shelf until doubled in size. This should take around 30 - 40 minutes. Depending on the type of dough you are making, sometimes you will have to proof the dough twice.

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