Presto Dehydro Digital Electric Food Dehydrator

Important Safeguards

To reduce the risk of personal injury or property damage, basic safety precautions should always be followed:

1. Read all instructions.
2. Do not touch hot surfaces. Use handles or knobs.
3. To protect against electrical shock, do not immerse cord, plug, or the dehydrator base 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, and before cleaning the appliance.
6. Do not operate any appliance with a damaged cord or plug or if the appliance malfunctions or has been damaged. Return to Presto Factory Service Department for examination, repair, or adjustment.
7. Use of accessory attachments not recommended by the appliance manufacturer may cause injuries. Use only genuine Presto® dehydrating trays and accessories.
8. Do not let cord hang over edge of table or counter or touch hot surfaces.
9. Do not use outdoors.
10. Do not place on or near a hot gas or electric burner or in a heated oven.
11. Never use this appliance to dehydrate foods that contain alcohol or have been marinated in alcohol.
12. Do not use appliance for other than intended use.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS. THIS APPLIANCE IS FOR HOUSEHOLD USE ONLY.

Cord Information

This appliance has a polarized plug (one blade is wider than the other) intended to fit into a polarized outlet only one way. If the plug does not fit fully, reverse it. If it still does not fit, contact a qualified electrician. Do not attempt to modify the plug.

A short power supply cord is provided to reduce the risk of entanglement or tripping. Extension cords may be used if proper care is exercised. The marked electrical rating of the extension cord should be at least as great as the appliance's rating. Ensure the extension cord is arranged so it will not drape over the countertop or be tripped over.

Connect the power supply cord to a 120VAC electrical outlet only.

Before First Use

Become familiar with the food dehydrator. Remove the dehydrator trays and cover from the base and wash them according to the "Care, Cleaning, and Storage" instructions.

How to Assemble and Load Trays for Dehydrating

The dehydrator consists of a power base with a digital control panel and cord storage. Stacked on the base are multiple drying trays, each with a center hub. A see-through cover fits over the top tray. Trays alternate between having handles and not having handles.

1. Remove trays and cover from the unit.
2. Turn over the power base and unwrap the cord.
3. Set the base, right side up, on a dry, level surface. Ensure the base and cover vents are not obstructed for proper airflow. Never place the dehydrator on carpet, a towel, or newspaper.
4. Each tray has a smooth surface on one side and raised ribs on the reverse side. Food goes on the smooth side. The raised ribs should always be facing down.
5. Select a tray with handles. Set it on the counter with the words "THIS SIDE UP" facing up. Begin loading the tray with a single layer of food.
6. Place the loaded tray onto the power base. The first tray placed onto the power base MUST have handles.
7. Select a tray without handles. Load food onto its smooth surface and stack it onto the tray with handles.
8. Continue filling and stacking trays, alternating trays with handles and without handles.
9. Place the see-through cover over the stacked trays. Position the cover so the words "THIS SIDE UP" on its handles are facing up.
10. Plug the cord into a 120VAC electrical outlet only and begin dehydrating.

How to Use the Digital Control

The digital control allows for easy adjustment of dehydration temperature and automatically shuts off the dehydrator when the selected time has elapsed.

The digital control panel features a timer display and a temperature display, with buttons for adjusting time/temperature and starting/stopping the unit.

To Adjust Temperature

1. Press the TIME/TEMP button. The temperature in the display window will begin to flash (if the time flashes, press the TIME/TEMP button again).
2. Press the + or - buttons to select the desired temperature. Hold down the + or - buttons to change the temperature rapidly. The temperature range is 90°F to 165°F (32°C to 74°C).
3. To convert from Fahrenheit to Celsius, hold down the TIME/TEMP button.

To Set Timer (30 minutes to 48 hours)

1. Press the TIME/TEMP button. The 00:00 will begin to flash (if the temperature flashes, press the TIME/TEMP button again). If "– –:– –" appears, the unit is in Count Up mode. Hold down the START/STOP button to reset to 00:00.
2. Press the + or - buttons until the desired time is displayed. The time changes in 30-minute increments. Hold down the + or - buttons to change the time rapidly. To reset the time to 00:00, hold down the START/STOP button.
3. Once the desired time and temperature are set, press the START/STOP button to turn the dehydrator on. You can adjust time or temperature at any time using the TIME/TEMP, +, and - buttons. You can stop the dehydrator at any time by pressing the START/STOP button.
4. The dehydrator will automatically shut off after the set time has expired, and the green indicator light will flash. Check the food for dryness. If dehydration is complete, remove the food. If additional drying time is needed, repeat steps 1-3.

To Use Count-Up Timer (up to 48 hours)

1. If START/STOP is pressed with 00:00 showing, the dehydrator turns on and begins counting up in seconds for the first minute. After 59 seconds, the time is displayed in hours and minutes (HH:MM).
2. The temperature can be adjusted at any time using the + or - buttons. The time is not adjustable when the timer is counting up.
3. You can stop the dehydrator at any time by pressing the START/STOP button. To reset the time to 00:00, hold down the START/STOP button.
4. The unit will automatically shut off after 48 hours.

How to Use the Nonstick Mesh Screens

The flexible mesh screens fit into the dehydrator trays to keep small foods (like herbs, berries, carrots) from falling through the tray grates. They are also useful for drying sticky foods (like bananas, tomatoes). Position the mesh screen on the tray, place food on it, and lift the screen out using the side cutouts once the food is dehydrated. Bending the screen helps remove sticky foods.

How to Use the Fruit Roll Sheets

A fruit roll sheet is used when making fruit rolls and strips from fresh, frozen, or canned fruit. Refer to specific sections for detailed instructions.

General Dehydrating Information

• Food Selection: Choose foods at peak eating quality. Avoid overripe or immature fruits and vegetables. Remove bruised or blemished parts.
• Preparation: For even drying, cut food into uniform sizes, shapes, and thicknesses. Tools like a slicer/shredder or food processor can help.
• Drying Times: Times are highly variable based on food type, amount, thickness, humidity, air temperature, and personal preference. Check food at the beginning of the suggested range and gauge rechecking frequency.
• Pretreatment: Dehydration prevents microbial growth, but enzymes in fruits and vegetables can cause undesirable color and texture changes. Pretreatment (like blanching or using ascorbic acid) prevents or minimizes these changes.
• Tray Loading: Place foods in a single layer. Do not allow food to touch or overlap.
• Odors: Drying strong-smelling foods (onions, garlic) will produce strong odors during the process, which may linger.
• Checking Food: Individual pieces may not dry at the same time. Remove appropriately dried foods. If one tray finishes early, remove the dried food and return the empty tray rather than rearranging.
• Mixing Foods: Do not add fresh fruits and vegetables to a partially dried load, as this adds moisture and increases drying time.
• Continuous Drying: Do not unplug the dehydrator in the middle of a drying cycle and resume later, as this may result in poor quality or unsafe food.
• Food Safety: Wash hands thoroughly before preparing food. Clean all utensils, cutting boards, and counters. Wash foods before preparing them.
• Warning: Do not spill or allow liquid, including marinade, to drip into the unit's base, as it may damage the product. The center hub screen on the base platform must never be obstructed. If liquid or grease drips onto the screen, unplug the unit, remove the screen to clean it, and then replace it. Operate without trays for 30 minutes while monitoring. If the unit operates properly, continue dehydrating. If it smokes, unplug immediately and discontinue use.

How to Dehydrate Fruit and Fruit Rolls

Fruit Preparation and Pretreatment

Dried fruits are nutritious snacks. Drying intensifies natural sweetness. Select fruits at peak ripeness and wash them. Fruits can be sliced, halved, or left whole; peeled or unpeeled; pretreated or untreated. Thinly sliced and peeled fruits dry fastest.

For small fruits like blueberries, cranberries, and grapes, dipping in boiling water for 30-60 seconds followed by an ice water plunge cracks the skin, reducing drying time.

Pretreatment is recommended to preserve color and texture by preventing enzyme-caused browning. Options include:

• Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C): Mix 2.5 tablespoons of powdered ascorbic acid in 1 quart of cold water. Soak cut fruit for 10 minutes.
• Ascorbic acid mixtures: Use commercially available products like Mrs. Wages Fresh Fruit Preserver, following manufacturer's directions.
• Lemon juice: Mix equal parts lemon juice and cold water. Soak cut fruit for 10 minutes.

Place fruit pieces in a single layer on trays, close together but not touching or overlapping. Dry fruit at 135°F (57°C).

Determining Dryness and Conditioning

Begin checking fruit at the start of the average drying time range. Remove pieces from each tray, cool to room temperature. Fruits are acceptably dry when soft and pliable, but not sticky. Fruit folded in half should not stick together. Apple and banana slices can be dried until crisp.

Conditioning: After drying, allow fruit to cool for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Place cooled fruit loosely in a clean container, seal, and let stand for 1 week. Shake daily to separate pieces and look for condensation. If condensation appears, remove fruit and dehydrate further. This process helps distribute moisture evenly.

Uses for Dried Fruit

Dried fruits make great snacks or can be added to trail mixes, cereals, muffins, and baked goods. They can be used as is or softened by soaking in boiling water for 5 minutes or steaming for 5 minutes.

Fruit Rolls (Leather)

Fruit rolls are made by drying a thin layer of puréed fruit. Fruits high in pectin (apples, apricots, blueberries) bond well and peel easily. Fruits low in pectin (cherries, raspberries) may flake; adding a high-pectin fruit improves texture.

Preparation: Use a Presto® Fruit Roll Sheet, lightly oiled or sprayed. Use about 1.5 cups of puréed fruit per sheet. Select ripe fruit, wash, remove seeds/stems, and purée until smooth (like applesauce). Add 1 tablespoon of fruit juice or water if needed to start puréeing. Pretreatment (e.g., 1.5 tsp lemon juice per 1.5 cups purée) can preserve color. Sweeteners like honey or maple syrup can be added.

Spread puréed fruit evenly (~1/8 inch thick) on the sheet. Place the filled sheet on a dehydrator tray. Set temperature to 135°F (57°C). Average drying time is 4 to 7 hours.

Determining Dryness: Acceptably dried fruit rolls will be slightly tacky but will not indent when touched in the center. Check after 4 hours.

Carefully peel the fruit roll from the sheet while slightly warm. Roll in plastic wrap or waxed paper.

Fruit Drying Guide

Dry fruit at 135°F (57°C). Drying times are highly variable.

Drying Vegetables

Vegetable Preparation and Blanching

Dry vegetables at 125°F (52°C). Vegetables dry faster than fruits and need frequent checking towards the end to prevent overdrying and browning. Mesh screens are recommended for smaller vegetables.

Wash vegetables, trim fibrous or woody portions, remove bruised areas, peel, and slice uniformly. Blanching (water or steam) is necessary to deactivate enzymes that cause loss of color and flavor during drying and storage. Blanching also helps moisture escape and rehydrate better.

• Steam Blanching: Steam vegetables in a basket/colander over boiling water for the time indicated in the guide.
• Water Blanching: Submerge vegetables in boiling water for the time indicated, ensuring water returns to a boil within 1 minute.

Immediately after blanching, cool vegetables in cold water, drain, and arrange in a single layer on dehydrator trays.

Determining Dryness

Check vegetables at the beginning of the average drying time range. Remove pieces, cool to room temperature. Appropriately dried vegetables are crisp and break easily. If they don't break easily, additional drying is needed. Recheck every 1-2 hours if moisture remains, or every 30 minutes if almost done.

Uses for Dried Vegetables

Dried vegetables have a unique flavor and texture, best used as ingredients for soups, stews, casseroles, and sauces. They can be added directly to soups without soaking. For other uses, soak dried vegetables in 1-2 cups of boiling water per cup of dried vegetables for 1-2 hours until rehydrated, then simmer in the soaking water.

Vegetable Drying Guide

Dry vegetables at 125°F (52°C). Drying times are highly variable.

Drying Herbs

Herb Preparation and Drying

Drying fresh herbs provides a year-round supply. Pick herbs just before flowers open, in the early morning after dew has evaporated. Rinse leaves and stems, shake dry, and remove dead/bruised parts.

For large-leafed herbs (basil, sage, mint), remove leaves from stems for faster drying. Smaller-leafed herbs can be left on stems and removed after drying. Mesh screens are recommended to prevent small herbs from falling through tray grates.

Dry herbs at the lowest temperature setting, 95°F (35°C), to retain the best flavor.

Determining Dryness

Herbs are acceptably dry when they are crispy and crumble easily. Check herbs at the beginning of the average drying time range. If they don't crumble easily, recheck every hour.

Packaging and Storage

Dried leaves are best stored whole and crumbled when needed. Follow general packaging and storage guidelines.

Uses for Dried Herbs

Most dried herbs are 3 to 4 times stronger than fresh herbs. Use ⅓ to ½ the amount called for in recipes that specify fresh herbs.

Herb Drying Guide

Dry herbs at 95°F (35°C).

* Break veins to speed drying.

Drying Meat/Poultry (Jerky)

Food Safety Precautions

Homemade jerky is a flavorful dried meat product. Basic food safety must be observed:

• Wash hands thoroughly before and after handling raw food.
• Keep product refrigerated or frozen until ready to use.
• Keep raw meat/poultry and its juice away from other foods. Wash cutting boards, utensils, counters, etc., with hot, soapy water after contact with raw meat. Sanitize with a solution of 1 tablespoon chlorine bleach per gallon of water, then air dry.
• Marinate meat/poultry under refrigeration. Discard marinade after meat/poultry is removed.
• Keep raw meat/poultry and dried jerky separate.

CAUTION! The USDA recommends precooking meat/poultry before dehydrating or baking after dehydrating to reduce the risk of foodborne illness.

WARNING! Any liquid or grease, including marinade, that drips into the base of the unit may damage the product and/or cause smoking. Meat/poultry strips should not be placed over the center hole or allowed to drape over the sides of the trays. Ground meat should be 93% lean. If liquid or grease drips onto the center hub screen, unplug the unit, remove the screen to clean it, and then replace it. Operate without trays for 30 minutes while monitoring. If the unit operates properly, continue dehydrating. If it smokes, unplug immediately and discontinue use.

Preparing Jerky from Meat/Poultry Strips

Select lean meats (beef, venison sirloin, rump, round; pork loin, ham; poultry breast, thigh, leg). Trim visible fat, connective tissue, and gristle. Remove skin and fat from poultry. Freeze meat/poultry until firm for easier slicing. Slice into strips approximately ¼ inch thick, 1 inch wide, and 5 to 6 inches long. Slice across the grain for tender jerky or with the grain for chewier jerky.

Flavor strips by marinating in your favorite marinade (homemade or commercial) for 8 to 12 hours under refrigeration. Turn bag often.

Precooking Before Dehydrating: After marinating, place strips and liquid marinade into a shallow pan. Bring liquid to a boil and boil for 5 minutes. Remove strips, drain in a colander, pat dry, and position on dehydrator trays without overlapping.

Dry jerky at 160°F (71°C) for 4 to 8 hours. See "Determining Dryness" below.

Baking After Dehydrating: Preheat oven to 275°F. Remove jerky strips from dehydrator trays and place on a baking sheet. Heat in the preheated oven for 10 minutes (jerky strips should be sizzling). Remove from baking sheet and cool.

Jerky Marinade Recipe

• 1½ pounds of lean meat
• ½ cup soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon hickory smoke flavored salt
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Combine all ingredients and follow preparation instructions.

Preparing Jerky from Ground Meat

Mix 93% lean ground meat with jerky seasoning/cure package. Use a jerky gun or cookie press to extrude meat directly onto dehydrator trays, ensuring meat does not touch or overlap.

Dry jerky at 160°F (71°C) for 4 to 8 hours. Bake after dehydrating as described above.

Determining Dryness

Begin checking jerky after about 4 hours and every 30 minutes thereafter. Drying time varies by meat type, fat content, precooking, piece size, and tray fullness. Jerky is acceptably dry when it cracks when bent but does not break.

Packaging and Storage

After cooling, pat jerky with paper toweling to remove fat droplets. Store in airtight containers. Jerky can be stored 1-2 months at room temperature, but refrigeration or freezing maintains best flavor and quality.

Packaging and Storing Dried Food

Proper packaging prevents reabsorption of moisture and microbial deterioration. Pack food in clean, dry, airtight containers like glass jars or freezer containers with tight-fitting lids, or resealable plastic freezer bags.

Store packaged dried food in a dry, cool location away from light. Higher temperatures and light exposure shorten storage time and reduce quality. Most dried fruit lasts up to 1 year at 60°F (6 months at 80°F). Fruit rolls last up to 1 month at room temperature. Vegetables have about half the storage life of fruit. For longer storage, use a freezer.

Package vegetables and fruits in separate containers to avoid flavor transfer.

Care, Cleaning, and Storage

1. Remove plug from wall outlet before cleaning.
2. Wash dehydrator trays and cover in warm water and mild detergent, or in a dishwasher.
3. Fruit roll trays and mesh screens should be washed in warm, soapy water only. Do not wash these parts in a dishwasher. Use a soft brush if needed for dried-on particles. Do not use steel wool or abrasive cleaners.
4. After each use, check the screen covering the center hub on the base platform for food, liquid, or grease residue. If dirty, lift off, wash in warm, soapy water, rinse, and dry thoroughly. Reposition over hub and snap in place. Wipe the base platform with a damp cloth. Do not immerse the dehydrator base in water or other liquid.
5. Before stacking trays onto the base for storage, turn the base upside down and wrap the cord around the center hub, securing it under the clips.
6. For compact storage, stack trays onto the base with all trays having handles upside down (raised ribs facing up) and all trays without handles smooth side up. Place the cover upside down on top of the stacked trays.

Accessories

Get the most from your Presto® Dehydro™ Food Dehydrator with these handy accessories:

• Presto™ Jerky Gun (Part 08632): Make homemade jerky from beef, venison, or other meats. Includes jerky gun with three interchangeable nozzles.
• Presto® Add-on Nesting Dehydrator Trays (Part 06306): Expand capacity. Trays nest for storage. Models 06301 and 06303 work with up to twelve trays. Sold in sets of two.
• Presto® Fruit Roll Sheets (Part 06308): Sold in sets of two.
• Presto® Nonstick Mesh Screens (Part 06307): Sold in sets of two.

Also available:

• Presto® SaladShooter® electric slicer/shredder (Part 02910): Quickly and easily slice fruits and vegetables for drying. Includes interchangeable slicing and shredding cones.
• Presto® Professional SaladShooter® electric slicer/shredder (Part 02970): More power and capacity, with cones for thick slices, ripple slices, medium shreds, and super shreds. Includes a funnel guide.

Accessories should be available where Presto® Dehydro™ Dehydrators are sold. To order directly from Presto, visit www.GoPresto.com or call the Consumer Service Department at 1-800-877-0441.

Consumer Service Information

For questions regarding operation or to order parts, contact Presto:

• Call 1-800-877-0441 (weekdays 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Central Time).
• Email via www.GoPresto.com/contact.
• Write: National Presto Industries, Inc., Consumer Service Department, 3925 North Hastings Way, Eau Claire, WI 54703-3703.

When emailing or writing, please include a phone number and best time to reach you. Indicate the model and series numbers (found on the bottom of the unit). Record this information:

Model: ________________________ Series: ________________________ Date Purchased: ________________________

The Presto Factory Service Department services Presto® appliances and supplies genuine Presto® parts. Genuine parts are manufactured to the same quality standards and are engineered to function properly with Presto® appliances. Presto guarantees the quality and performance only of genuine Presto® parts.

Product Registration

Register your product online within ten days of purchase at www.GoPresto.com/registration or call the Consumer Service Department at 1-800-877-0441. Registration serves as proof of purchase and may expedite warranty claims.

Presto® Limited Warranty

(Applies Only in the United States)

This Presto® appliance is designed for many years of satisfactory performance under normal household use. Presto pledges to the original owner that should there be any defects in material or workmanship during the first year after purchase, Presto will repair or replace it at its option. This pledge does not apply to damage caused by shipping.

Outside the United States, this limited warranty does not apply. To obtain service, call the Consumer Service Department at 1-800-877-0441. If the problem cannot be resolved, you will be instructed to send the appliance to the Presto Factory Service Department for inspection; shipping costs are your responsibility. When returning an appliance, include your name, address, phone number, date of purchase, and a description of the problem.

Failure to follow instructions, damage from improper replacement parts, abuse, misuse, disassembly, alterations, or neglect will void this pledge. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state. This is Presto's personal pledge, made in place of all other express warranties.

National Presto Industries, Inc. Eau Claire, WI 54703-3703