1. Introduction
The VIVOHOME Food Dehydrator Machine is designed to efficiently remove moisture from various foods, preserving their natural flavors, nutrients, and extending their shelf life. This appliance is ideal for making dried fruits, vegetables, meat jerky, herbs, and more. It features an adjustable digital timer and temperature control for precise drying.

Image 1.1: The VIVOHOME Food Dehydrator Machine, showcasing its transparent trays filled with a variety of colorful dried fruits and vegetables, along with a silicone tong for handling food.
2. Important Safety Instructions
To ensure safe operation and prevent damage, please read and follow these instructions carefully:
- Always place the dehydrator on a stable, flat, heat-resistant surface.
- Do not immerse the motor base in water or any other liquid. Clean only with a damp cloth.
- Ensure the power cord is not damaged and is plugged into a grounded electrical outlet.
- Keep the appliance out of reach of children and pets.
- Do not operate the dehydrator near flammable materials or in areas with high humidity.
- Unplug the dehydrator from the power outlet when not in use, before cleaning, or during assembly/disassembly.
- Do not block the air vents during operation. Proper airflow is essential for efficient drying and to prevent overheating.
- Use only accessories and parts recommended by the manufacturer.
- The dehydrator fine-meshed plastic sheet and silicone trivet tong are not dishwasher safe.
3. Package Contents
Carefully unpack the box and ensure all items are present and in good condition:
- Dehydrator Motor Base (with control panel)
- 8 x Food-Grade Drying Trays
- 1 x Fine-Meshed Plastic Sheet (for small foods like herbs)
- 1 x Silicone Trivet Tong
- Top Cover

Image 3.1: Included accessories: a fine-meshed plastic sheet designed for drying smaller items like herbs, and a silicone trivet tong for convenient food handling.
4. Setup
Before first use, follow these steps:
- Unpack all components and remove any packaging materials.
- Wipe the motor base with a damp cloth.
- Wash the drying trays, fine-meshed plastic sheet, and silicone tong with warm, soapy water. Rinse thoroughly and dry completely.
- Place the motor base on a clean, dry, stable, and heat-resistant surface, ensuring adequate ventilation around the unit.
- Stack the desired number of drying trays onto the motor base. The stackable trays can be rotated 180 degrees to adjust the height between trays (1.25" and 0.78") to accommodate different food thicknesses.
- Place the top cover securely on the uppermost tray.

Image 4.1: Illustration of the dehydrator's 8 stackable trays, highlighting their ability to be rotated for two different height settings (0.78 inches and 1.25 inches) to accommodate various food sizes.
5. Operating Instructions
5.1 Food Preparation
Proper food preparation is key to successful dehydration:
- Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly.
- Slice food into uniform thickness for even drying. Thinner slices dry faster.
- Remove pits, seeds, and tough skins where applicable.
- Pre-treatment (e.g., blanching, soaking in lemon juice) may be necessary for some foods to prevent discoloration or improve texture.
5.2 Loading Trays
Arrange food in a single layer on the drying trays, ensuring there is space between pieces for air circulation. Do not overlap food.
5.3 Setting Time and Temperature
The dehydrator features a digital LED display for precise control:
- Plug the dehydrator into a standard 120V AC outlet.
- Press the POWER button to turn on the unit.
- Press the SET button to toggle between time and temperature settings.
- Use the + and - buttons to adjust the desired drying time (1-48 hours) and temperature (95℉-176℉ / 35℃-80℃).
- Once settings are chosen, press the PLAY/PAUSE button to start the drying process. The hot air fan will automatically regulate to maintain the set temperature.

Image 5.1: The intelligent control panel with adjustable time (1-48 hours) and temperature (95℉-176℉). Also shown are example drying temperatures for herbs (95℉), fruit (104℉), vegetable (140℉), and meat (176℉).
5.4 Drying Process
The dehydrator utilizes a 360-degree airflow system for even heat distribution. A hot air fan circulates air from the bottom, through the trays, and out the top outlet, ensuring uniform drying across all layers.

Image 5.2: Visual representation of the dehydrator's efficient drying mechanism, showing hot air circulation from the bottom, through the trays, and out the top outlet for even heating.
5.5 Recommended Drying Guidelines
Drying times can vary based on food type, thickness, moisture content, and ambient humidity. The following table provides general guidelines:
Food Type | Temperature Range (℉) | Typical Drying Time (Hours) |
---|---|---|
Herbs | 95-105 | 2-8 |
Fruits | 125-140 | 6-24 |
Vegetables | 125-140 | 4-16 |
Meat/Jerky | 155-176 | 4-15 |
Periodically check the food for desired dryness. Food is typically done when it is pliable but no longer sticky or moist.
6. Maintenance and Cleaning
Regular cleaning ensures optimal performance and longevity of your dehydrator.
6.1 Cleaning the Motor Base
- Always unplug the unit before cleaning.
- Wipe the exterior of the motor base with a soft, damp cloth. For stubborn stains, use a mild detergent.
- Do not immerse the motor base in water or place it under running water.
- Ensure the base is completely dry before storing or next use.
6.2 Cleaning Trays and Accessories
- The drying trays are dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.
- The fine-meshed plastic sheet and silicone trivet tong should be hand-washed with warm, soapy water. Rinse thoroughly and air dry.
- For dried-on food residue, soak trays and accessories in warm, soapy water for a few minutes before scrubbing.
6.3 Storage
Store the dehydrator in a clean, dry place when not in use. The detachable design allows for convenient storage.
7. Troubleshooting
If you encounter issues with your dehydrator, refer to the following common problems and solutions:
Problem | Possible Cause | Solution |
---|---|---|
Dehydrator does not turn on. | Not plugged in; Power outlet issue; Unit not powered on. | Ensure unit is securely plugged in. Test outlet with another appliance. Press the POWER button. |
Food not drying evenly. | Overloaded trays; Uneven food thickness; Insufficient air circulation. | Do not overload trays; Ensure food is sliced uniformly; Check for blocked air vents. Rotate trays periodically. |
Drying process is too slow. | Temperature set too low; Food too thick; High ambient humidity. | Increase temperature setting; Slice food thinner; Operate in a less humid environment. |
Unusual noise during operation. | Fan obstruction; Unit not on a stable surface. | Unplug and check for any foreign objects near the fan. Ensure unit is on a flat, stable surface. |
If the problem persists after attempting these solutions, please contact VIVOHOME customer support.
8. Specifications
Technical specifications for the VIVOHOME Food Dehydrator Machine (Model VH517):
Feature | Detail |
---|---|
Model Number | VH517 |
Power | 400 Watts |
Voltage | 120 Volts |
Temperature Range | 95℉-176℉ (35℃-80℃) |
Timer Range | 1-48 Hours |
Number of Trays | 8 |
Material | Stainless Steel Base, BPA-Free Plastic Trays |
Product Dimensions (L x W x H) | 12" x 9.5" x 13.5" |
Item Weight | 8.78 Pounds |

Image 8.1: Detailed product dimensions of the VIVOHOME Food Dehydrator, indicating its height, width, and depth.
9. Warranty and Customer Support
VIVOHOME products are designed for quality and reliability. For warranty information or technical assistance, please contact VIVOHOME customer support through their official website or the retailer where the product was purchased. Please have your model number (VH517) and purchase date available when contacting support.
Note: No official product videos with creator type 'Seller' were available in the provided data to embed in this manual.