Use and Care Manual

4
TEMPERATURE GUIDE
For your convenience, a colorful temperature guide has been affixed to your Excalibur®
unit. Following this guide will ensure the use of proper temperatures when drying foods. If
the heat is too high, the food may “case harden” which means it will feel dry on the outside;
yet inside, it is still moist. If the heat is set too low, drying time and use of electricity is
increased.
Timing
The individual foods listed on pages 8 - 12 is the approximate amount of time needed
to dehydrate each food. Drying times, however, are enormously dependent upon multiple
factors. These factors include the amount of humidity in the air, the moisture content of the
food being dried and the method of preparation.
Humidity: Air must be kept in motion. Stagnant air will soon take on as much moisture as it
can hold, and then drying will no longer take place. Drying must be a continuous process
so the growth of micro-organisms is prevented. Check with your local weather service to
determine the day’s humidity level. The closer the humidity is to 100%, the longer it will
take for your food to dry.
Moisture Content: The actual amount of water in the food you are drying is also a major
consideration. Remember, water content of a fruit or vegetable can vary due to growing
season, rainfall and environmental factors, as well as the ripeness of the food.
Slicing: Uniform slicing is the last factor contributing to the length of the drying cycle.
Successful drying is only possible if the food you are drying is properly sliced, (not more
than 1/4" thick) and spread evenly in a single layer on the drying trays, successful drying
should be yours!
Cleaning
Your machine is easy to clean, both inside and out. The interior food contact areas and
exterior of your Excalibur Food Dehydrator should only be cleaned by wiping with a soft
cloth or sponge dampened with warm water and a mild detergent. The dehydrator can then
be rinsed using a soft cloth or sponge dampened with clear water. The trays can be cleaned
by hand or simply by placing them in the top rack of the dishwasher. The tray’s removable
Poly screens can be cleaned by soaking them in warm soapy water and then wiping them
down with a damp sponge. These inserts allow air to fully circulate around the food and the
construction of the trays also prevents moisture from being trapped on the underside of the
pieces. Therefore, the most even drying possible is attained. Re-usable non-stick sheets
TEMPERATURE
Temperature
The thermostat range is 105° to 165° F.
Turn thermostat clockwise to desired temperature setting.
On units with a 26 hour timer, the Timer is on the on-off switch.
Consult the drying times pages 8-12 for timing information.
The 5 & 9 tray units without a timer have the on-off switch in the thermostat.
Turn counter-clockwise for off.
In order to select timed operation, turn knob to desired time setting. While timing, the knob
will indicate remaining time.
Timer
OFF
TIMER
2
4
624
105165
115155
125145
135
822
1020
1218
1416