Food Dehydrator Healthy food dryer with 5 drying racks Instruction/Recipe Booklet DT5600 Please read these instructions carefully and retain for future reference.
Contents Sunbeam’s Safety Precautions Features of your Food Dehydrator Using your Food Dehydrator Care and Cleaning Important Guidelines and Hints Storage of Dried Foods Rehydrating Dried Foods Use of Dried Food Drying Fruits Drying Chart for Fruit Drying Vegetables Fruit Rolls Drying Herbs and Spices Drying Chart for Herbs and Spices Drying Meat Drying Flowers Recipes Drying Record Chart 1 2 4 6 7 8 8 9 9 10 12 14 15 16 17 18 19 29 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. 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.
Features of your Food Dehydrator Lid with drying motor Acts as a lid for the Food Dehydrator and contains the motor and power switch. Air vents on the lid allow air to be circulated. 5 large drying racks Holds the food in place for easy drying. Your unit includes 5 drying racks. You can purchase more drying racks from retail outlets and Sunbeam service centre. Rubber feet Holds the Food Dehydrator in place and prevents it from scratching the bench top.
On/Off switch with three heat settings Enable the user to choose the type of drying needed with three heat settings. Removable Filter The filter is removable for easy cleaning. Fruit Roll Tray Makes delicious fruit rolls naturally.
Using your Dehydrator How it works Versatility Dehydrating food is an ancient method of preserving food. It is a gentle, natural process which removes moisture from food. You can dry herbs and spices and flowers to make potpourri. You can even enjoy the advantages of rehydrating foods to make instant additions to soups, sauces and casseroles. The choice is endless. Using a controlled heat temperature, air is circulated from the top of the unit to each of the five trays and base.
Using your Dehydrator (continued) Before using your Food Dehydrator Using your Food dehydrator • Wash the drying racks, base and fruit roll tray 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. 1. Arrange the food on the drying racks, ensuring the pieces of food are not quite touching, to allow air to circulate freely.
Care and Cleaning Drying racks, fruit roll trays and base To clean the drying racks, fruit roll trays and the base, soak in warm soapy water. A soft bristle brush can be used to loosen stubborn food particles. Lid Do not immerse the Lid with Drying Motor in water. To clean, use a damp, soft sponge with a mild detergent. Do not use steel wool, scouring pads or abrasive cleaners. Do not place any parts in a dishwasher.
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.
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 17.
Use of Dried Food Dehydrated fruits and vegetables can be used in a variety of dishes that can be used to make: sauces, casseroles, marinated vegetables, cakes, salads, pies, soups, cereals, pasta dishes and poultry dishes stuffing. Foods such as garlic, chillies and tomatoes can be bottled in olive oil and stored in a cool dry place for several months. Drying Fruits • • • • Wash food and pat dry with paper towels. Remove any blemishes, pips and stones. Slice as recommended. Pre-treat where recommended.
Drying Chart for Fruit Expect a variance in the time needed to dry different foods. Drying times are affected by the size of the load, thickness of slices, humidity and temperature in your home. Food type NOTE: Times stated are based on drying using five racks. Times will vary depending on number of racks used. Pre treatment Setting/drying time Suggested Use Apples, core, peel, cut into .
Drying Chart for Fruit (continued) Food type Pre treatment Setting/drying time Suggested Use Limes, skin on, 5mm slices Scrub whole fruit under warm water 8-10 hours Add to curries and potpourri mixes Oranges, Naval, skin on, halved, cut into 0.5mm slices Scrub whole fruit under warm water 6-8 hours Add to potpourri mixes and dip in chocolate and serve with coffee Paw Paw, peeled, deseeded, 0.
Drying Vegetables Preparation • Wash vegetables thoroughly and remove blemishes. • Pre-treat where recommended. Pre-Treatment • Steam Blanching: is needed to speed up drying process for certain vegetables. • Blanching: Preserves the colour, stops the ripening process and generally makes the produce dry faster. Dryness Test • Cool vegetables before attempting the final test for dryness. • Vegetables should feel hard and firm with no soft spots. Expect a variance in the time needed to dry different foods.
Drying Vegetables (continued) Food type Pre treatment Setting/drying time Suggested Use Tomatoes, regular, cut into 2cm-thick wedges (dried) None 6 hours Add to risottos and pasta sauces Tomatoes, Roma (egg) cut in half semi-dried None 8 hours Add to antipasto platters, sandwich fillings, pies and tarts Tomato, Roma (egg) cut in half dried None 10-12 hours Add to pasta sauces None 14-16 hours Add to bread mixtures, curries and muffin mixtures Pea, green, shelled None 6-8 hours Add to
Fruit Rolls Fruit rolls make delicious snacks ready to have on hand. Here are some steps to ensure perfect fruit rolls: • 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 patches.
Drying Herbs and Spices Recipes (continued) 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. • Use the lowest heat setting to retain as much flavour and aroma from herbs.
Drying Chart for Herbs and Spices 16 Herb/Spice Preparation Drying time Use Basil Wash, pat dry with paper towel. Place leaves onto drying racks. 2-4 hours Soups and sauces. Chives Wash, pat dry with paper towel. Slice into desired lengths. 2-4 hours Salads, casseroles and soups. Chilli, long fresh red, halved, deseeded None 6-8 hours Add to curries and stirfries, pound in a mortar and pestle and sprinkle over bread mixtures Coriander Wash, pat dry with paper towel.
Drying Meat Recipes (continued) Dehydrating Meat Beef jerky Here are some steps to ensure meat is dehydrated safely: • Meats should be dried at 75ºC (Setting 3). • Choose lean meat without much marbling (fat distributed throughout meat). Makes: 250g Preparation: 10 mins (+ 12 hours marinading time) Drying: 5 hrs 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.
Drying Flowers Recipes (continued) 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 racks and base. 4. Dry for 8-10 hours until flowers are brittle.
Recipes Recipes (continued) Pumpkin, corn & chilli loaf Soup mix Serves: 8-10 Preparation: 15 mins (not including pumpkin drying time) Cooking: 1 hour 5 mins Makes: 2 cups dried mixture Preparation: 10 mins Drying: 4-5 hours 2 cups self-raising flour 2 large brown onions, halved, cut into 1cm cubes Pinch of salt 2 cups dried pumpkin pieces 2 x 125g cans creamed corn ¾ cup extra light sour cream ½ cup coarsely grated reduced-fat cheddar cheese 2 eggs, lightly beaten 80g butter, melted 1 long fresh re
Recipes (continued) Sour cream & chive scrolls-Low fat and gluten free! Serves: 12 Preparation: 15 mins Cooking: 25-30 mins Melted butter, to grease 2 ½ cups gluten-free self-raising flour ½ teaspoon salt Tomato, mozzarella & pancetta muffins Makes: 12 Preparation: 10 mins (not including drying time) Cooking: 22-25 mins 3 cups self-raising flour 200g dried tomatoes, chopped 8 slices mild pancetta, chopped 1 cup coarsely grated mozzarella ¹⁄³ cup dried chopped onion 2 tablespoons dried chopped chives 1
Recipes (continued) Apricot & coconut balls Carrot & walnut cake Makes: 36 Preparation: 25 mins (+ 8 hours chilling time) Serves: 8 Preparation: 15 mins (not including drying carrot time) Cooking: 1 hour 20 mins Melted butter, to grease 200g dried apricot halves ¾ cup freshly squeezed orange juice 1 cup skim milk powder 200g white chocolate, melted ¾ cup desiccated coconut 1. Brush a 20cm slab pan with melted butter to grease. Line base and sides with nonstick baking paper. 2.
Recipes (continued) Choc-coated oranges Fig, cinnamon & banana cake Makes: 35 slices Preparation: 15 mins (not including drying time, + 3 hours setting time) Serves: 12 Preparation: 15 mins (not including fig drying time) Cooking: 1 hour 5 mins You will need to dry about 5-6 large seedless oranges for this recipe. Melted butter, to grease 220g good-quality dark cooking chocolate 35 dried orange slices (.5cm thick) 1. Line two baking trays with non-stick baking paper. Break chocolate into pieces.
Recipes (continued) Low-fat fruity muffins Peanut muesli bars Makes: 12 muffins Preparation: 10 mins (not including drying pineapple) Cooking: 22-25 mins Makes: 14 bars Preparation: 10 mins (+ 4 hours refrigerating time) Drying: 6-8 hours Cooking oil spray ½ cup peanut butter 3 cups self-raising flour ¼ cup firmly packed brown sugar 1½ cups skim milk 60g butter 200g dried pineapple or paw paw pieces, chopped ¼ cup water ½ cup firmly packed brown sugar 1.
Recipes (continued) Pear & choc chip friands Paw paw, mango & honey muesli Makes: 8 friands Preparation: 10 mins (not including pear drying time) Cooking: 20-25 mins Makes: 3 cups Preparation: 10 mins Drying: 2-3 hours Cooking oil spray 2 cups rolled oats 6 eggwhites 100g dried pineapple pieces, chopped 1½ cups icing-sugar mixture 100g dried mango pieces 1 cup almond or hazelnut meal 100g dried paw paw pieces, chopped ½ cup plain flour ¼ cup apple, pineapple or pear juice 12 pieces dried pear
Recipes (continued) Sultana & oat cookies Tropical fruit slice Makes: 24 Preparation: 10 mins Cooking: 20 mins Makes: 18 Preparation: 10 mins (not including fruit drying times) Cooking: 40 mins Melted butter, to grease Base Cooking oil spray ¹⁄³ cup firmly packed brown sugar 90g butter 1¼ cups plain flour 1 egg yolk Topping 2 eggs 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar ¹⁄³ cup self raising flour ½ cup chopped dried pawpaw ¾ cup sultanas 1¼ cups whole blanched almonds, chopped ¾ cup desiccated coconut 1.
Recipes (continued) Fruit rolls Fruit salad rolls Apricot, honey & cinnamon fruit rolls Makes: 2 fruit roll ups Preparation: 5 mins Drying: 5-7 hours Makes: 2 fruit roll ups Preparation: 10 mins Drying: 5-7 hours 840g canned fruit salad mix, drained 825g can apricot halves in natural juices, drained 1. Place fruit salad in the jug of a blender or bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth. 2. Spoon puree evenly onto greased fruit roll up trays.
Recipes (continued) Pear & maple syrup fruit rolls Strawberry fruit rolls Makes: 2 fruit roll ups Preparation: 10 mins Drying: 6-7 hours Makes: 2 roll ups Preparation: 10 mins Drying: 5-7 hours 1kg jar pear slices in juice, drained 500g fresh strawberries, hulled, halved 1 tablespoon maple syrup 2 x 140g tubs apple puree 1. Place pear and maple syrup in the jug of a blender or bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth. 2. Spoon puree evenly onto greased fruit roll up trays.
Recipes (continued) Dried rose petals Orange, star anise & vanilla potpourri Makes: 4 cups Preparation: 5 mins Drying: 3 hours Makes: 3 cups Preparation: 5 mins (+ 1 week infusing time not including flower drying time) 3 bunches roses, rose buds removed, petals separated 2 cups dried rose petals 10 slices dried orange 2-3 drops rose or vanilla oil 1 vanilla pod, split 1. Arrange petals evenly over drying trays. Dry on setting 2 for 3 hours or until dried. 2. Place petals in a large container.
Drying Records Chart Produce 29 Date Weight of produce (before drying) Pre-treatment Humidity 1........
Drying Records Chart Produce 30 Date Weight of produce (before drying) Pre-treatment Humidity 1........
Drying Records Chart Recipes (continued) Produce 31 Date Weight of produce (before drying) Pre-treatment Humidity 1........
Drying Records Chart Produce 32 Date Weight of produce (before drying) Pre-treatment Humidity 1........
12 Month Replacement Guarantee In the unlikely event that this appliance develops any malfunction within 12 months of purchase (3 months commercial use) due to faulty materials or manufacture, we will replace it for you free of charge. Should you experience any difficulties with your appliance, please phone our customer service line for advice on 1300 881 861 in Australia, or 0800 786 232 in New Zealand. Alternatively, you can send a written claim to Sunbeam at the address listed below.
Need help with your appliance? Contact our customer service team or visit our website for information and tips on getting the most from your appliance. In Australia Visit www.sunbeam.com.au Or call 1300 881 861 In New Zealand Visit www.sunbeam.co.nz Or call 0800 786 232 is a registered trademark. Made in China. Due to minor changes in design or otherwise, the product may differ from the one shown in this leaflet. © Copyright. Sunbeam Corporation Limited 2011.
