Orava SU-106 Food Dehydrator - User Manual

Intended Use of the Device

The device is intended exclusively for drying (dehydrating) food products (fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, mushrooms, herbs, etc.) within the scope defined by technical and operational parameters, functions, safety and user instructions, and external environmental influences.

Do not use the device for drying raw meat intended for immediate consumption. The temperature and processing method do not guarantee the safety of the food from a health perspective. For drying raw meat, subsequent sufficient heat treatment is recommended.

ORAVA electrical appliances are manufactured according to the current state of technology and recognized safety-technical rules. Nevertheless, incorrect or improper use, or use contrary to the intended purpose, may lead to personal injury or endanger the user or a third party, or damage the device and other property.

1. General Safety Instructions and Warnings

This document contains important safety instructions and warnings for the safe, correct, and economical operation of the electrical device. Adhering to them helps the user avoid risks and increase product reliability and lifespan.

In this document, the general term "product" is used in the text sections, such as:

• Electrical device – any device used for the production, conversion, transmission, distribution, or use of electrical energy.

For the purpose of using electrical energy, the term "electrical device" in a narrower sense will include the following categories:

• Electrical household appliances,
• Information and communication devices,
• Consumer electronics,
• Lighting devices,
• Electric and electronic tools,
• Toys and devices for sports and recreational purposes,
• Medical devices (aids),
• Monitoring and control instruments,
• Vending machines.

2. Special Safety Instructions. Read Carefully!

The electrical device is designed and manufactured in such a way as to allow safe operation and use by persons without professional qualifications. Despite all the measures taken by the manufacturer for safe use, operation and use carry certain residual risks and associated potential hazards.

To alert users to potential hazards, the following symbols and their meanings have been used on the device and in the accompanying documentation:

• Symbol: ⚡️

  Meaning: This symbol alerts users that the device operates with dangerous electrical voltage. Do not remove protective covers on the device.

  Failure to comply with safety instructions during use and operation of the device may result in:

  • Risk of electric shock!
  • Risk of serious injury or life endangerment!

• Symbol: ⚠️

  Meaning: This symbol alerts users that failure to comply with safety instructions during use and operation of the device may result in:

  • Risk of serious injury or life endangerment!
  • Risk of device damage or other property damage!

• Symbol: ♨️

  Meaning: This symbol alerts users that failure to comply with safety instructions during use and operation of the device may result in:

  • Risk of burns from hot surfaces!

• Symbol: ⌂

  Meaning: This symbol on the device means that protection against electric shock is not only based on basic insulation but is also provided by double insulation between hazardous live parts (parts with mains voltage) and parts accessible during normal use. The device does not contain any protective earthing or installation provisions.

Assembly and Operation

6. Using the TEMP/TIME button (5), select the temperature setting. The red indicator light (11) will illuminate.

7. Using the "-" and "+" buttons, set the drying temperature from 35 to 70 °C.

8. Using the TEMP/TIME button (5), select the time setting. The red indicator light (10) will illuminate.

9. Using the "-" and "+" buttons, set the drying time from 0.5 to 24 hours.

10. After setting the temperature and time, the device operation will start, and the set time will begin to count down.

11. After the set time has elapsed, the device will turn off. OFF will be displayed on the display (7). The fan will stop approximately 2 minutes after the drying process is completed.

Note:

You can cancel the initial heating process by pressing the button (9). OFF will be displayed on the display (7).

12. Unplug the mains cord from the socket.

13. Let the device cool down.

14. Clean the device again (see the cleaning section at the end of the manual).

Changing Settings During Food Dehydration

During the drying process, you can change the drying time and drying temperature at any time.

1. Briefly press the TEMP/TIME button. The remaining time or the set temperature will flash on the display.
2. While the value is flashing on the display (approx. 2 seconds), you can change the time by pressing the "-" and "+" buttons.
3. After approximately 2 seconds from setting, the values will be saved and displayed without flashing.

Information on Food Drying

Working Procedure

Vegetables and fruits selected for drying should be of the best possible quality, i.e., fresh and ripe. Dried or inferior products are not suitable if you want to achieve good quality products. If you use unripe fruits and vegetables, your resulting products will be colorless. Conversely, overripe fruits and vegetables will produce products that are too soft and mushy.

Prepared products for drying are best if dried in the shortest possible time from harvest. First, wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly. Remove all bruised or spoiled parts.

For maximum satisfaction and energy saving, you can peel some fruits and vegetables beforehand and then cut them into smaller pieces. They will dry faster.

Pre-treatment

Enzymes in fruits and vegetables are responsible for changes in color and taste during ripening. These changes also occur during drying and storage. The preheating method can be used as a pre-treatment for vegetables. It helps preserve the original color of the vegetables and speeds up drying. This method also ensures the preservation of the original taste during storage and simpler preparation before cooking, as well as cooking time.

Most light-colored fruits (e.g., apples, apricots, peaches, and pears) tend to darken during drying. To prevent this undesirable phenomenon, you can soak such fruits in a suitable solution before drying.

Food Soaking

You can soak fruits in the following solutions:

• Pineapple or lemon juice as a suitable natural substitute reduces undesirable blackening. Dip fruit slices directly into the juice. Leave them there for approximately 2 minutes, and then place them directly on the dryer trays. You can also soak fruit in honey, orange juice, or sprinkle it with coconut. However, you can also use your imagination and create your own solution.
• Sodium hydrogen sulfite: Request instructions for safe use when purchasing. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of sodium hydrogen sulfite in 0.25 L of water. Prepare small pieces of fruit and soak them in the solution for 2 minutes. This prevents the loss of vitamin C and preserves the light color of the fruit. You can buy sodium hydrogen sulfite at your local pharmacy.

• Ascorbic acid or citric acid solution – a commercial antioxidant mixture contains ascorbic acid – you can also use it, but it is often not as effective as pure ascorbic acid.

• You can pre-steam fruits. However, pre-steamed fruit may soften, making it more difficult to process and heavy to handle.

• Syrup can help preserve the color of apples, apricots, figs, nectarines, peaches, pears, and plums.

• Fruits with thick skins (grapes, prunes, small dark plums, cherries, figs, and berries) can be heated in water, which helps to crack the skin. This allows the moisture from the fruit to dry out faster.

• After preparing the fruit and vegetables, remove excess water by first placing the slices on paper towels or clean cloths. The drying trays should be filled with a thin layer of slices. If necessary, you can use thin gauze to prevent the slices from sticking.

• The amount of fruit and vegetables intended for drying at one time should not exceed 2/3 of the surface of each drying tray and a height of 2.5 cm.

Rehydration of Food

All dehydrated fruits can be rehydrated again. However, most fruits are more popular in dried form. Conversely, vegetables are more popular in rehydrated form.

To rehydrate vegetables for cooking, wash them in water, then soak them in unsalted cold water until they are completely covered. Let them soak for 2 to 8 hours, and then cook them in the same water in which you soaked the vegetables. If more water is needed, add it. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the temperature and continue to cook. You can also add salt to taste, but only at the end of cooking, as salt slows down the rehydration process. Compared to fresh products, cooking reduces taste and structure. For rehydrating vegetables such as carrots, you need ice-cold water and let the vegetables soak in the refrigerator.

Dried food can be rehydrated by soaking, cooking, or a combination of both methods. Dried food is unique, so you should not expect the same product as when it was fresh.

Drying does not eliminate bacteria and yeasts from food. However, if fruits and vegetables are soaked at room temperature, bacteria and yeasts can multiply. It is safer to soak fruits and vegetables in the cold.

Dried and rehydrated fruits and vegetables can be used in many ways.

You can serve dried fruits as tasty snacks at home, on outings, or during sports. Chopped into small pieces, they are great for cakes and cooking. You can use rehydrated fruits for preparing sauces and compotes. You can add them to your favorite recipes for jelly desserts, cakes, fillings, milk cocktails, and ice cream.

You can use dried vegetables in soups and sauces, or as tasty snacks.

Drying

The drying time varies depending on the type of fruit and vegetables, the size of the pieces, and the fullness of the drying tray. To check if the fruit and vegetables are sufficiently dry, remove a few pieces from the dryer and let them cool. When they are warm, they contain more moisture than when they have cooled down.

Dried vegetables should be hard and brittle. Dried fruits should be leathery and flexible. If you want to store them for a longer time, homemade fruits should be drier than fruits sold in stores.

Packaging and Storage

Let the fruit, cut into various sizes, stand for one week after drying. This will equalize the moisture between the individual pieces. You can then store the fruit in non-plastic and non-metal containers, stored in a dry place.

Before packaging in containers, the fruit and vegetables should be thoroughly cooled. It is best to store them in small containers, which allows for quick consumption after opening.

When packaging, be careful not to press the pieces too much, as they may crumble. Glass bottles and jars intended for freezing are suitable containers for storage. Metal containers are suitable only if the food is first wrapped in a plastic bag.

You should check dried fruit once a month. If you notice that moisture has entered the container, open it immediately and consume the contents.

Tray Rotation

The fruit dryer you have purchased is designed with natural air circulation to remove moisture from the food. To ensure even drying, the position of the individual trays should be changed during drying. The trays located at the bottom of the device are exposed to higher heat. By simply rotating the trays, you ensure even drying.

Recipe: Mixed Fruit Bag

• 2 peeled bananas
• 1 kg strawberries
• 1 can of canned pineapple (cut into pieces)

Cut the fruit into equal pieces. After drying and cooling, add a quarter cup of nuts.

Apple-Cinnamon Rings

• 2.5 kg apples
• 5 teaspoons cinnamon

Peel and core the apples and cut them into rings. Sprinkle with cinnamon and dry.

Citrus Trio Treat

• 1.5 kg oranges
• 5 lemons
• 4 grapefruits

Wash all fruits. Peel and cut into equal pieces. Dry.

Tropical Paradise

• 10 kiwi
• 1 pineapple
• 3 papayas

Remove the peel from all fruits. Cut everything, place on trays, and dry.

Strawberry Delight

• 2 cups fresh strawberries
• apple juice

Clean and mix the strawberries. During mixing, add a little apple juice. Line the tray with waterproof parchment paper, onto which you pour the mixed mixture. Dry for about 6 hours.

Tiramasu

Thin slices of beef or pork meat should be placed in a glass container and covered with 1/2 cup of soy sauce and 2 tablespoons of brown sugar. Mix well, ensuring all pieces of meat are covered. Cover with a plastic bag and let stand for 10-15 minutes. Then place the meat slices on the trays and dry for 8-10 hours.

Yogurt and Yogurt Dishes

Yogurt Production

1. Pour 4 cups of milk into a pot. You can use any milk: whole, semi-skimmed, or even powdered.
2. Heat and remove from the heat before boiling.
3. Stir 2 tablespoons of plain white yogurt into the milk*.
4. Pour into yogurt cups and cover with lids. Butter cups can also be used as a suitable replacement.

5. Place on the top tray and leave them there for 6 hours. Do not use the top cover.

6. Store in the refrigerator before consumption.

*the yogurt used should be free of chemical additives

If you wish to sweeten your yogurt, you can sweeten it with honey.

Frozen Fruit Yogurt

• 4 cups strawberries, bananas, or peaches
• 1 white yogurt
• 1.5 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Peel, wash, and mix all fruits. Mix the remaining ingredients in a bowl, into which you add the mixed fruit.

Freeze in a plastic container with a lid. Place in the freezer. When the yogurt is frozen, remove the lid from the container.

Herbs and Spices

With the food dehydrator, you can create the aroma of your favorite herbs and spices and enjoy it anytime. Just use plants that you have grown in your garden. Simply break or cut them into small pieces, place them on a tray, and dry them. The drying time should be approximately 5 hours. You can store them in decorative containers or fabric bags tied with ribbon. Before drying, you can sprinkle them with rosemary or mint. The best storage method is to keep the containers closed.

Meat

• Use only fresh meat.
• Remove tendons, bones, and fat.
• Rinse and dry the meat thoroughly.
• Lean meat can be preserved or marinated before dehydration.
• Before drying such meat, air-dry it first.
• Cut the meat into thin slices.

Fish

• Use only fresh fish.
• Remove fish bones and skin.
• Rinse the fish thoroughly.
• Drizzle with lemon juice and place in salt water for approx. 30 minutes. Then dry thoroughly.
• Cut the fish into thin slices.

Drying Food Tables and Drying Test

The following table provides drying times and temperatures as reference values. Actual times and temperatures depend on the quality of the food (type, freshness, ripeness) and the thickness of the pieces. Therefore, check the result using the dehydration test. The tables in the "Drying Test" column indicate what the finished dehydrated food should be like. If necessary, shorten or extend the drying time or adjust the temperature.

VEGETABLES

Warnings

• For best results, select choice pieces of fruit and vegetables.
• Always choose fruit and vegetables of the best quality.
• The cleanliness of the used pieces is also an important factor. Always wash them thoroughly. Also, pay attention to hand hygiene.
• The drying time varies. It depends on the size of the cut pieces, as well as the type of dried food.
• Always let the fruit and vegetables cool down properly after drying.
• Trays can only be filled so that the pieces do not touch each other. This prevents them from sticking together.
• About 6% moisture remains in the food after drying.
• Trays should be rotated and repositioned regularly to ensure even drying.
• To remove pits from fruits such as grapes and cherries, dry them to 50%, then the pits are easier to remove, and slowly finish drying them.

Troubleshooting

If your device is not functioning correctly, first try to perform the recommended measures in this overview. It might be a minor problem that you can solve yourself.

DANGER!

Risk of electric shock!

Never attempt to repair the device yourself.

Maintenance and Cleaning

• Clean the device regularly after each use.
• The device must be switched off, unplug the mains cord from the socket, and let the device cool down completely before cleaning.
• Never immerse the base or the mains cord in water or other liquids.
• Wipe any dust and dirt on the base and control panel with a dry or damp cloth.
• Do not use solvents, thinners, alcohol, or abrasive cleaning agents for cleaning.
• After cleaning, the device must remain completely dry.
• The top cover and drying trays are dishwasher safe and can therefore be washed in the dishwasher.

Storage and Disposal of Unused Equipment

STORAGE

Long-term storage:

If you will not be using the device for a longer period (more than a few weeks), it is advisable to clean it, dry it completely, and store it.

Store the device according to the following steps:

1. Turn off the device and disconnect it from the power supply.
2. Clean the device according to the instructions given previously and let it dry completely in a shaded place.
3. Store the mains cord together with the device.
4. During storage, the device must be in a vertical (standing) position.
5. Store the device in a well-ventilated, dry, and safe place indoors, in a non-corrosive environment.

Technical Data

• Power supply: 220-240 V~ 50 Hz
• Power consumption: 420 W
• Protection class: II (protection against electric shock is provided by double insulation)
• Dimensions (WxHxD): 33 x 24 x 28 cm
• Tray dimensions (WxHxD): 32 x 3 x 25 cm
• Weight: 2.1 kg
• Max. drying temperature: 35°C - 70°C
• Noise level: 50 dB (A)

The declared noise emission value of this appliance is 50 dB (A), which represents the A-weighted sound power level relative to a reference acoustic power of 1 pW.

Package Contents:

• Base (1)
• Evaporation (drying) trays (5)
• Top cover (1)
• User manual (1)

Subject to change!

ORAVA retail 1, a.s.

Seberíniho 2, 821 03 Bratislava

Slovak Republic

+421 43 5306 002, office@orava.eu

www.orava.eu

INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION ON HANDLING USED PACKAGING

Dispose of used packaging material at a location designated by the municipality for waste disposal.

DISPOSAL OF USED ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT

[Recycling symbol] This symbol on products or accompanying documentation means that used electrical and electronic products must not be disposed of with regular municipal waste. For proper disposal, recovery, and recycling, hand over these products to designated collection points. Alternatively, in some European Union countries or other European countries, you can return your products to the local retailer when purchasing an equivalent new product. By properly disposing of this product, you help preserve valuable natural resources and contribute to the prevention of potential negative impacts on the environment and human health, which could result from improper waste disposal. For further details, please contact your local authority or the nearest collection point. Penalties may be imposed in accordance with national regulations for improper disposal of this type of waste.

For business entities in European Union countries

If you wish to dispose of electrical and electronic equipment, request the necessary information from your dealer or supplier.

Disposal in countries outside the European Union

This symbol is valid in the European Union. If you wish to dispose of this product, request the necessary information on the correct disposal method from your local authorities or your dealer.

[CE mark] This product complies with all essential requirements of the EU directives applicable to it.