NESCO American Harvest Snackmaster Jr. FD-20 Dehydrator User Manual

1. Introduction

The NESCO American Harvest Snackmaster Jr. FD-20 Dehydrator is designed to preserve fruits, vegetables, and meats by removing moisture, creating healthy and natural snacks. This appliance features a powerful 300-watt motor for fast, even drying without the need for tray rotation. It is expandable to accommodate up to six trays with additional Add-A-Tray accessories.

This image displays the NESCO American Harvest Snackmaster Jr. FD-20 Dehydrator fully assembled, featuring multiple clear trays filled with sliced fruits such as pineapple, bananas, grapes, and strawberries, demonstrating its capacity for food drying.

This manual provides essential information for the safe and efficient operation, maintenance, and care of your dehydrator.

2. Important Safety Instructions

When using electrical appliances, basic safety precautions should always be followed to reduce the risk of fire, electric shock, and injury to persons, including the following:

• Read all instructions before operating the dehydrator.
• Do not touch hot surfaces. Use handles or knobs.
• To protect against electrical shock, do not immerse cord, plugs, or the motor base in water or other liquid.
• Close supervision is necessary when any appliance is used by or near children.
• Unplug from outlet when not in use and before cleaning. Allow to cool before putting on or taking off parts.
• Do not operate any appliance with a damaged cord or plug, or after the appliance malfunctions or has been damaged in any manner.
• The use of accessory attachments not recommended by the appliance manufacturer may cause injuries.
• Do not use outdoors.
• Do not let cord hang over edge of table or counter, or touch hot surfaces.
• Do not place on or near a hot gas or electric burner, or in a heated oven.
• Always attach plug to appliance first, then plug cord into the wall outlet. To disconnect, turn any control to 'off', then remove plug from wall outlet.
• Do not use appliance for other than intended use.

3. Setup and Initial Use

Before using your NESCO American Harvest Snackmaster Jr. FD-20 Dehydrator for the first time, follow these steps:

1. Unpack: Carefully remove all components from the packaging. Retain packaging for future storage or transport.
2. Inspect: Check the dehydrator and its parts for any signs of damage. Do not operate if any part is damaged.
3. Clean: Wash the drying trays and the lid in warm, soapy water. Rinse thoroughly and dry completely. The motor base should be wiped with a damp cloth only; do not immerse it in water.
4. Assemble: Place the motor base on a clean, dry, and stable surface. Stack the desired number of drying trays onto the base, ensuring they are properly aligned. Place the lid on top of the uppermost tray.

The product is shown within its original retail packaging, highlighting the 'Snackmaster Jr. Dehydrator' branding and indicating it is a '4 TRAY MODEL'.

4. Operating Instructions

The NESCO American Harvest Snackmaster Jr. FD-20 Dehydrator simplifies food preservation into four easy steps:

1. Slice: Prepare your food by slicing it uniformly. For optimal drying, aim for a thickness between 1/4 inch and 3/8 inch. A food processor or sharp knife can be used for this step.
2. Dry: Arrange the sliced food evenly on the dehydrator trays. Avoid overcrowding to ensure proper air circulation. No additives or preservatives are necessary. The dehydrator operates with a 'Set and Forget' functionality, allowing for continuous drying.
3. Snack/Store: Once dried, the food can be consumed immediately as natural snacks or stored for later use. Dehydrated foods significantly reduce in volume; for example, 3/8 inch sliced or 76 powdered apples can fit into a one-quart jar.
4. Rehydrate: To rehydrate dried foods, add water and incorporate them into your recipes as usual. This process can be used for various dishes, such as making apple pie from rehydrated apple chips.

This image displays a side panel of the product box, outlining the four simple steps for food dehydration: 1. Slice, 2. Dry, 3. Snack/Store, and 4. Rehydrate, with accompanying visual examples for each step.

The dehydrator's design ensures even drying across all trays without the need for manual rotation.

5. Maintenance and Cleaning

Proper cleaning and maintenance will extend the life of your dehydrator.

• Before Cleaning: Always unplug the dehydrator from the electrical outlet and allow it to cool completely before cleaning.
• Trays and Lid: The drying trays and lid are not dishwasher safe. Wash them by hand in warm, soapy water. Rinse thoroughly and dry completely before storing or reusing.
• Motor Base: The motor base contains electrical components and should never be immersed in water or any other liquid. Wipe the exterior of the motor base with a damp cloth. For stubborn food residue, use a mild detergent on the cloth, then wipe with a clean, damp cloth to remove any soap residue. Ensure the base is completely dry before plugging it back in.
• Storage: Store the dehydrator in a clean, dry place when not in use.

6. Troubleshooting

If your NESCO American Harvest Snackmaster Jr. FD-20 Dehydrator is not operating as expected, consider the following common issues:

• Dehydrator does not turn on:
  • Ensure the power cord is securely plugged into a functioning electrical outlet.
  • Check your household circuit breaker or fuse box.
• Uneven drying:
  • Ensure food is sliced uniformly in thickness.
  • Avoid overcrowding trays; allow adequate space for air circulation around each piece of food.
  • Verify that the lid is properly seated on the top tray.
• Food not drying sufficiently:
  • Ensure the dehydrator is operating in a room with adequate ventilation and a stable temperature.
  • Check that the food pieces are not too thick.
  • Allow sufficient drying time. Drying times vary based on food type, thickness, and humidity.

If problems persist after checking these points, please refer to the support section for further assistance.

7. Specifications

• Brand: NESCO
• Model: FD-20
• Material: Plastic (Food Safe)
• Color: Clear
• Wattage: 300 watts
• Voltage: 120 Volts (AC)
• Shape: Round
• Number of Trays: 1 (Expandable up to 6 trays with Add-A-Tray accessories)
• Dishwasher Safe: No
• Item Weight: Approximately 6.35 pounds
• Package Dimensions: Approximately 13.7 x 13.5 x 8.7 inches
• UPC: 029517640202

8. Warranty and Support

For warranty information or technical support regarding your NESCO American Harvest Snackmaster Jr. FD-20 Dehydrator, please contact NESCO customer service. Details for contacting support are typically provided in the product packaging or on the official NESCO website.

Please have your model number (FD-20) and UPC (029517640202) available when contacting support to ensure efficient service.