Dehydration Guide www.drying123.
Contents Introduction Safeguards & Operating Instructions Temperature Guide Timing Cleaning Preparation Pretreatment Dipping Blanching Storage & Reconstitution Food Drying Guide – Fruits Food Drying Guide – Vegetables Leathers and Fruit Rolls Fruit Yogurt Vegetables Jerky The Process Dehydrating Storage Beef, Game, Poultry, Fish Jerky Raw & Living Foods What Are Living Foods Food Temperature vs.
Introduction Working on a simple premise, the Excalibur® Dehydrator removes water from food by a continuous circulation of thermostatically-controlled warm air. A variety of foods, from bright golden kernels of farm-fresh corn to rings of island-sweetened pineapple can be dehydrated. Produce however, is not the only food commonly preserved in a food dryer! Slices of beef, chicken, fish or even venison can be marinated in a combination of sauces and spices and easily transformed into homemade jerky.
Important Safeguards When using electrical appliances, these basic safety precautions should always be followed. 1. Read all instructions 2. Do not touch hot surfaces. 3. To protect against electrical hazards do not immerse any part of the dehydrator, cord, or plug in water or other liquid. 4. Close supervision is necessary when any appliance is used by or near children. 5. Unplug from outlet when not in use and before cleaning. Allow to cool before putting on or taking off parts. 6.
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.
Preparation There is really no right or wrong way to prepare your food for drying. By following these few guidelines, success will be yours. Pre-treatment Pretreating food is not an essential procedure when using your Excalibur® Food Dehydrator. There are basically two types of pre-treatment, dipping and blanching. The fast drying times and controlled conditions under which your unit operates dries food before it has a chance to spoil.
• Ascorbic Acid-Citric Acid Dip: is simply a form of vitamin C. Citric acid is found in all citrus fruits. These citrus type dips are available through Excalibur, in drug or health food stores in crystal, powder or tablet form. Soak the prepared produce in a solution of 2 tablespoons of powder to 1 quart of water for 2 minutes. • Fruit Juice Dip: Citrus juices, such as pineapple, lemon or lime, may be used as a natural anti-oxidant.
Storage & Reconstitution Containers for dried foods should be safe from moisture and insects. Glass jars with tightly fitted lids, plastic zip-lock and vacuum/heat-sealable bags are recommended storage containers. Food-safe metal cans, such as coffee cans or cookie tins, may be used to store individual bags for extra protection. Your dried foods should be stored in a cool, dark and dry area. The ideal temperature for food storage is 50º - 60ºF/10º - 16ºC.
Food Drying Guide Fruits Dry best at 135ºF/57ºC Food Preparation Test Time Apples Pare, core & cut into ¼” slices or rings. May be sprinkled with cinnamon if desired. Pliable 7-15 hours Apricots Wash, cut in half, slice and remove pit. Push in backs dry skin side down. Pliable 20-28 hours Bananas Peel & cut into 1/8” slices. Leathery or Crisp 6-10 hours Berries Leave whole. For wax skin berries pretreat by crazing. Leathery 10-15 hours Cherries Remove stems & pits.
Food Drying Guide Fruits Dry best at 135ºF/57ºC Food Preparation Test Time Nectarines Wash, pit and peel. Cut into 3/8” slices, dry skin side down. Pliable 8-16 hours Wash, pit and peel-if desired 1/4” slices. Pliable 8-16 hours Pears Wash, remove core, peel 1/4” slices, or 1/4 the pear. Pliable 8-16 hours Persimmons Wash, remove cap & peel 1/4” slices. Leathery 11-19 hours Pineapple Peel, remove fibrous eyes and core. Cut into 1/4” slices or wedges.
Food Drying Guide Vegetables Dry Best At 125ºF/52ºC Food Preparation Test Time Asparagus Wash & cut into 1” pieces. Brittle 5-6 hours Beans, Greens or Wax Wash, remove ends, cut 1” pieces or French style. Brittle 8-12 hours Beets Remove all but 1/2” of the top scrub thoroughly, steam until tender. Cool, peel & cut 1/4” slice or 1/8” cubes. Leathery 8-12 hours Broccoli Wash & trim, cut stems into 1/4” pieces. Dry florets whole.
Food Drying Guide Vegetables Dry Best At 125ºF/52ºC Food Preparation Test Time Greens Wash thoroughly, trim, remove tough stems, spread over trays so leaves aren’t matted together. For more even drying, stir several times. Brittle 3-7 hours Mushrooms Brush off dirt or wipe with damp cloth, slice 3/8” slice from cap through stem ends. Spread in single layer on tray. Leathery 3-7 hours Okra Wash, trim, slice 1/4” circles.
Food Drying Guide Vegetables Dry Best At 125ºF/52ºC Food Test Time Pumpkin Wash & cut into 1” pieces. Leathery 5-6 hours Summer Squash Wash, remove ends, cut 1” pieces or French style. Leathery 8-12 hours Tomatoes Remove all but 1/2” of the top scrub thoroughly, steam until tender. Cool, peel & cut 1/4” slice or 1/8” cubes. Leathery or Brittle 8-12 hours Turnips Wash & trim, cut stems into 1/4” pieces. Dry florets whole.
Leathers & Fruit Rolls Leathers are an easy answer to the often heard request of “What is there to eat?” Yogurt, leftover fruits or vegetables can be pureed, sweetened and spiced and made into a nutritious, high-energy snack food. Spread the pureed, produce thinly on Paraflexx™ sheets or plastic wrap and dehydrate, transforming the liquid into a chewy, quick-energy snack! Leathers are so simple to make! Select ripe or slightly overripe (but not spoiling) produce that blends and tastes well together.
Jerky Many recipes are available, but it’s fun to make up your own concoction. You can use virtually any combination of the following ingredients: soy, Worcestershire, tomato or barbecue sauce; garlic, onion or curry powder, seasoned salt or pepper. Pick a lean cut of raw meat as free from fat as possible; the higher the fat content, the shorter the storage life of the jerky. The best way to get uniform pieces is with a meat slicer, but a sharp knife will do.
Beef Jerky Flank round and sirloin tip cuts are the best to use when making beef jerky. Rich in protein, beef is also high in phosphorus, iron, and riboflavin. See page 19, whole meal prep. Game Jerky Deer, bear and elk meat can all be made into jerky. Venison makes excellent jerky because it has no marbled fat. Flank or round cuts are best for this purpose. Before drying, game meat should be frozen for 60 days at 0ºF/-18ºC. This should kill any disease causing bacteria that may be present.
Raw & Living Foods In 1963 Dr. Ann Wigmore and Victoras Kulvinskas founded the Hippocrates Health Institute in Boston, MA where they taught their patients about the benefits of a completely raw, organic diet. Today this raw food lifestyle has evolved into a worldwide movement, with Ann and Victoras being recognized as the movement’s mother and father.
Excalibur® adjustable thermostat has been specifically designed to create a proper fluctuation in the air temperature. As the air temperature fluctuates up, it quickly evaporates moisture from the surface of the food. Then as air temperature fluctuates down, moisture from the center of the food moves to the dryer outer surface. This proper fluctuation in temperature also helps to keep the food temperature very constant throughout the entire dehydrating cycle. Food Temperature vs.
Other Dehydrator Uses Herbs and Spices Herbs and spices are sometimes a neglected part of our cookery. Use your Excalibur® dehydrator to dry your own freshly grown herbs! Buy bulk quantities of fresh herbs and spices, dry them and create special teas and seasonings. Left-over parsley will no longer be wasted…as drying herbs and spices require rather simple preparation: 1. Trim off any dead or discolored plant parts. Wash the leaves and stems in cool water.
into containers and cover. Incubate in the dehydrator at 115ºF/46ºC for 5 hours. (Note: Use a candy thermometer for best results.) Do not disturb, bump, open door or move while yogurt is incubating. When finished, refrigerate. Before serving, add flavors or fresh fruit, if desired. Cheese Cottage cheese got its name from the fact it is so easily made in the home…or in the cottage. Unripened cheese, such as cottage cheese, can be made in your Excalibur® dehydrator.
Year-Round Dehydration Tips January Good Buys: Avocados, Bananas, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Mushrooms, Pears, Potatoes, Turnips and Winter Squash. February Good Buys: Avocados, Bananas, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Kumquats, Mangos, Mushrooms, Pears, Tangerines, Winter Squash. March Good Buys: Artichokes, Asparagus, Avocados, Bananas, Broccoli, Grapefruit, Kumquats, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Radishes, Spinach.
Recipes Banana Blush Leather 1 cup strawberries 1 banana Puree fruit in blender. Pour onto Paraflexx™ sheets or plastic wrap and dehydrate at 135ºF/57ºC until leathery. Peachy Pear Leather 1 cup peaches, peeled 1/2 cup pears, peeled Blend together and sweeten if desire. Pour onto Paraflexx™ sheets or plastic wrap and dehydrate at 135ºF/57ºC until leathery. Persimmon-pineapple Leather 1 cup persimmon pulp 1/2 cup crushed pineapple Puree in blender.
Creamy Mushroom Soup 1 1/2 cups dried mushrooms 2 cups hot beef bouillon 4 cups milk 6 tbsp flour 1/2 cup dried onions 1/4 cup margarine 1 tsp salt parsley or garnish Saute mushrooms and onions in margarine in a heavy saucepan for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Combine bouillon, milk, salt & flour. Blend until smooth. Add to sautéed mushrooms and onions. Cook over low heat until the mixture comes to a boil, stirring constantly. Garnish with parsley. Makes about 8 servings.
Questions & Answers One side of my drying trays seems to be dried before the other. What should I do? Because your dehydrator may dry one side faster than the other, halfway through the drying cycle you may want to turn the trays 180º. This will speed up the dehydration process and will reduce energy consumption. My apples and pears have darkened to a rusty-brown color while drying. Are they safe to eat? Yes. Fruits that have turned brownish color are safe to eat.
Trouble Shooting Guide All Excalibur® Dehydrators are checked three times for any electrical or mechanical problems. They are shipped in perfect working order. If you see any damage to the machine due to rough shipping you must report it to the shipper or dealer you purchased from. Excalibur® will not be responsible for damage due to shipping. Technical support may be contacted at (800) 875-4254 from 9am-4pm Mon-Fri Pacific Standard Time.
® Excalibur’s Convenient Lift-off Door Medium 5 Tray and Large 9 Tray Models To install the door hold it at a slight angle, (see Fig. 1). Place the hooks on the inside top of the door on the ledge at top of dehydrator, (see View A). Be sure there is an even space between the door and the side of dehydrator, (see Fig. 2), and that the bottom of the door does not hit the sides, (see front and side View B). This allows moist air to exit. Fig. 2 View A Front View B Side Fig.
Domestic 5 Year Limited Warranty Home Units Excalibur Dehydrators are built to a such a high standard they come with a 5 year limited warranty. Since we manufacture the Excalibur here in the U.S.A., we have replacement parts on hand, if a component of your dehydrator is accidentally damaged or needs warranty repair. Our 5 year limited warranty covers all plastic and electrical components for one year free of charge.
Helpful Hints & Tips • Cut all your items the same thickness. If you don’t, they’ll dry at different times. A slicer is helpful. • Do small or Large batches. If you are doing a small batch, put the remaining empty trays in the dehydrator. Your dehydrator is designed to work with all or none of the trays. • Purchase the Preserve It Naturally Book! This book covers everything you need to know about dehydration and how to make the most of your dehydrator. • Experiment with your drying times.
28
29
Excalibur 6083 Power Inn Road, CA 95824 1.877.368.2797 • www.drying123.com Find us on Facebook www.facebook.
