OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS Food Dehydrator FD5

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.