HOME HM-FD-C280W Food Dehydrator User Manual

: June 9, 2024
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Table of Contents

HOME HM-FD-C280W Food Dehydrator
SAFETY INFORMATION
OVERVIEW
SPECIFICATIONS
USE
TIPS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DRYING FOOD
CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE
WEEE
References
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HOME HM-FD-C280W Food Dehydrator

SAFETY INFORMATION

Please read this manual carefully before use and keep it for future reference. The manufacturer declines any liability for damage caused by improper use or failure to follow the instructions in this manual. Improper use or non- compliance with the instructions will void the warranty.

This appliance is intended for use by children 8 years of age and older and persons with reduced physical, sensory or mental capabilities, or lack of experience and knowledge, provided they have been given supervision or instruction concerning use of the appliance in a safe manner and understand the potential hazards.
Children must not play with the device.
Cleaning and user maintenance shall not be done by children unless they are 8 years old and under supervision.
Children under the age of 8 must be kept out of the reach of the appliance and its power supply.
If the power cord is damaged, it must be replaced by the manufacturer, its service agent or similarly qualified persons in order to avoid a dangerous situation.
To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not immerse the appliance, its power supply, or the power plug in water or any other liquid.
This appliance is intended for domestic and indoor use. Do not use it outdoors.
This appliance is not intended for operation via an external timer or remote control.
Clean surfaces that come into contact with food according to the instructions in this manual.
Before connecting the plug to the electrical outlet, make sure that the voltage indicated on the type plate of the appliance corresponds to the voltage in your power outlet.
Plug the power cord into a properly grounded electrical outlet. We recommend connecting the appliance to a separate electrical circuit. Do not use extension cables.
Place the appliance on a flat, dry, firm and heat-resistant surface. Do not place the appliance near fire or other heat sources. Place the appliance away from heat – sensitive surfaces or objects.
Do not let the power cord hang over the edge of the counter or table. Do not let the power cord touch the electric or gas plate or any hot surface.
Use the appliance only with the supplied accessories. The use of accessories that are not intended for this appliance or are not specified by the manufacturer as suitable may cause a dangerous situation.
Always make sure that the appliance is properly assembled before connecting it to the power supply.
Do not touch the appliance or the power supply with wet or damp hands.
Clean the appliance after each use. Always allow the appliance to cool completely before cleaning it.
Always switch off the appliance and unplug the power cord from the mains when you are not using the appliance, if you leave it unattended, before cleaning, moving, folding or unfolding it.
Do not cover the appliance while it is in operation.
Do not leave the appliance unattended while it is in operation.
Do not use the appliance continuously in operation for more than 48 hours. Allow the appliance to cool down properly after each use.
Improper use of the appliance can lead to injury or damage to the appliance.
This appliance is only intended for drying fruit and vegetables. Do not use it for purposes other than those for which it is intended. Follow the instructions in this manual.
Always disconnect the power cord by grasping the plug, not by pulling on the power cord.
Do not use the appliance if it shows any signs of damage, if the power cord or the plug is damaged. Contact an authorized service center if the appliance needs to be repaired, adjusted or serviced that cannot be performed by the user.

OVERVIEW

Lid
Drying trays – a total of 5 pcs
Base
Rotary on / off and temperature setting

SPECIFICATIONS

Power 220–240 V~, 50 Hz
Power consumption 280 W
Noise 50 dB(A)
Dimensions 27.5 × 25.5 × 17.6 cm
Weight 1.506 kg

USE

Before first use

Remove the appliance and its accessories from the packaging. Before disposing of the packaging, be sure to remove all components. Check the appliance and accessories for damage.
Wash the drying trays in warm water with a little kitchen detergent. Rinse with clean water and wipe dry.
Wipe the base with a clean, dry sponge.

Use

Prepare and slice the food you want to process in the dryer.
Sread the food on drying trays. Leave enough space around each piece for hot air to flow freely.
Assemble the trays on the base and put on the lid.
Plug the power cord into a power outlet.
Turn the knob to ON to turn on the dryer, and turn the knob again to set the desired temperature. The dryer starts automatically.
Once the drying process is complete, turn the knob until it points to OFF.
Unplug the power cord and allow the dryer to cool before using it again or before cleaning.
Transfer the dried food to an airtight container and keep it dry.

Note: We recommend that you always use all the trays, even if they are empty. This will ensure proper operation and efficient performance of the dryer.
Warning: Never switch on the dryer without the lid inserted properly.

TIPS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DRYING FOOD

Drying is one of the methods of food preservation, in which they are heated and subsequently water evaporates. By gently drying, the food retains a high proportion of vitamins, minerals and trace elements. Proper storage guarantees the use of dried food throughout the year.
Always use high quality ingredients. Choose ripe fruits and vegetables, not overripe, with no signs of rot, mold or damage. The meat should be lean and fresh.

Preparation of food
Some vegetables or fruits you buy in the store may have a protective wax layer or be chemically treated. It is therefore necessary to remove such a layer from fruit or vegetables before processing. To do this, you can use a biodegradable cleaner or vinegar water and then rinse the food with clean water. It is also possible to scrape the food before drying.
Note: Always prepare only the amount that corresponds to the capacity of the dryer.

Fruit
Wash, dry the fruit thoroughly and remove the pits and cores. Cut into slices or pieces of equal thickness. Pieces of different sizes can prolong the drying time and also cause uneven drying of the food. Leave small fruits, such as berries, whole. However, halve or slice larger fruits. Dry the sliced fruit with a clean cloth or napkin. Some fruits (e.g. apples, pears or apricots) oxidize in the air and cause the flesh to brown. To prevent this, soak the sliced fruit in water with lemon or pineapple juice before drying, and then dry with a clean cloth or napkin. You will achieve interesting flavors if you drizzle the fruit with honey, sprinkle it with sugar, cinnamon or coconut. You can dip fruits with naturally hard skin (grapes, plums, or even figs) in boiling water for 1-2 minutes to speed up the drying process. Then immediately immerse them in cold water, cool, dry and cut into slices. Place unpeeled fruit with the skin facing down and the cut surface facing up. Always place uneven shapes on the edge of the skin, not on a flat surface.

Vegetables
Thoroughly clean and wash the vegetables. Cut into slices or pieces of equal thickness. It is good to peel tomatoes before drying. Cut them and pour hot water on them. Let it work on them for a while, the skin will loosen and it will be possible to peel it easily. You can soak the chopped vegetables in salt water.
Some vegetables, such as root or cruciferous vegetables, berries, potatoes, should be slightly cooked or steamed before drying.

Meat
You can dry beef, venison, poultry or fish. We recommend using lean meat that contains as little fat as possible for drying. Lean meat requires a shorter drying time, while meat with a higher fat content requires a longer drying time and in addition, the fat shortens its shelf life. Thoroughly clean the meat and cut off the fat parts. Cut it into thin slices about 2 to 5 mm thick. You can season the finished slices with salt or marinate them. To give the meat a delicious taste, we recommend leaving it marinated in the refrigerator overnight. Chicken and fish must be cooked or fried before drying. Check the meat drying process regularly. You can recognize properly dried meat by breaking it in half.

Spices, herbs, flowers
Spices, herbs and flowers must be dried very gently. Their structure is very fragile and can easily crumble after drying. Use only petals or whole flowers for drying. The stems are not suitable for drying. During drying, turn the petals and flowers regularly to prevent them from sticking to the tray.

Table with food and drying times

Food	Drying time (hours)	Preparation
Apricot	13–23	Halve it and remove the pit.
Orange peel	8–16	Cut into long strips.
Pineapple (fresh)	4–8	Peel and slice.
Pineapple (canned)	4–8	Drain the juice and cut into slices.
Banana	4–8	Peel and cut into 3-4 mm thick circles.
Grapes	4–8
Cherries	4–8	Remove the pit halfway through drying.
Pear	4–8	Peel, remove the core and cut into slices.
Fig	4–8	Slice.
Cranberry	4–8
Peach	4–8	Halve it and remove the pit.
Date	4–8	Halve it and remove the pit.
Apple	4–8	Peel, remove the core and cut into slices.
Artichoke	4–8	Cut into 3-4 mm thick slices.
Eggplant	4–8	Peel and cut into 6-12 mm thick slices.
Broccoli	4–6	Cut into rosettes and steam for 3-5 minutes before drying.
Mushrooms	4–6	Cut into slices.
Green beans	4–6	Cook until transparent.
Pumpkin	4–6	Cut into slices about 6 mm thick.
Cabbage	4–6	Slice into strips about 3 mm thick.
Food	Drying time (hours)	Preparation
---	---	---
Brussels sprouts	4–20	Halve
Cauliflower	4–12	Cook until soft.
Potatoes	4–12	Slice and cook for about 8-10 minutes.
Onion	4–10	Slice into thin circles.
Carrot	4–10	Cook until soft. Slice into circles.
Cucumber	4–14	Peel and cut into 12 mm thick circles. Remove seeds.
Sweet pepper	4–12	Cut into strips or circles 6 mm thick and remove the

seeds.
Chilli pepper| 4–10|
Parsley| 2–6| Dry only leaves
Tomatoes| 4–20| Peel and cut into pieces or slices.
Rhubarb| 4–14| Peel and cut into slices about 3 mm thick.
Beetroot| 4–12| Cook until soft. Peel and thinly slice.
Celery root| 4–10| Cut into slices 6 mm thick.
Spring onion| 4–6| Cut into smaller pieces.
Asparagus| 4–10| Cut into smaller pieces.
Garlic| 4–12| Peel and slice.
Spinach| 4–12| Cook until it changes color.
Mushrooms| 2–6| Choose mushrooms where the cap curls inward. Cut as needed.
Chicken meat, fish| 2–8| Chicken and fish must be cooked or fried before drying.
Beef or venison| 2–8| Clean the meat well and cut off the excess fat. The meat can be salted or marinated and left to rest overnight in the refrigerator.
Pet treats| 2–6| Use fresh ingredients suitable for pets. The size and age of the dog must be taken into consideration.

Note: The above drying times are for guidance only and may vary according to current conditions.

Dried food storage
The dried food must be allowed to cool before packaging or storage. Check food about a week after storing it. If water condenses in the container, the food must be dried again. We recommend using airtight containers, paper food bags, jars or packaging that is resistant to moisture absorption for storage. Plastic or aluminum containers are not suitable. Pack the dried food in small quantities and place them as close to each other as possible, but do not squeeze them together. Put herbs and spices in a glass jar with a cap. Paper bags are not suitable for storage. Place dried flowers in a wide-necked glass jar. You can drizzle them with 3-4 drops of fragrant oil to revive the scent. Shake the contents gently and store in a cool place. Store dried food containers in a dry, dark place at room temperature or below. Low temperature can extend the storage time 2 to 3 times. The shelf life of dried foods can be several years with proper storage. Once opened, consume dried food as soon as possible. Check the condition of the dried food regularly.

Rehydration
Rehydration is a process in which dried food is restored to its original state in terms of size, shape and appearance. When handled properly, they retain most of their aroma and taste, as well as minerals and a significant amount of vitamins. Dried foods can be restored by soaking, cooking, or a combination of both. However, not all dried foods are suitable for rehydration. Wash the vegetables for cooking in clean water and then put them in cold, unsalted water and cover. Let them soak for 2-8 hours. Then cook them in the water you used to soak them. Add more water if necessary. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and cook slowly until done. You can also add salt at the end of cooking.

Note:
Drying does not rid the food of bacteria, yeasts and molds. Therefore, if you soak dried fruits or vegetables for more than an hour, place the container in the refrigerator. One cup of dried fruit has a volume of about 1 1/2 cup after rehydration. Pour enough water into the container with the dried fruit so that the fruit is immersed. Let them soak for 1-8 hours. Do not soak the fruit for too long, it may lose its aroma. If you continue to cook the fruit, cover the container and cook slowly in the water in which you soaked the fruit.

Use of dried foods
Dried fruit is suitable for preparing snacks at home, on the road. You can add pieces of fruit to pastries or confections. Rehydrated fruit can be served as compotes or used to prepare fruit glazes. You can use dried vegetables in soups, stews, prepare them as a vegetable tray or as a dry snack. You can add restored fruits and vegetables to various recipes for preparing breads, jelly salads, omelettes, coffee cakes, stuffings, milk, ice cream and cooked cereals. Crushed dried vegetables are an excellent ingredient for meat broths, soups and sauces.

We recommend for optimal preservation of nutritional values:

to keep the correct pre-cooking time;
to package dried foods properly and store them in containers in a cool, dry and dark place;
to carry out regular inspections of stored food;
to consume dried food after opening the container as soon as possible;
when cooking rehydrated foods, use the water in which they were soaked.

CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE

Before cleaning or any maintenance, always switch off the appliance, disconnect the plug from the power outlet and allow it to cool down completely.

Warning: Never immerse the appliance, the power cable and plug in water or any other liquid.
Do not use plastic or metal scrapers, harsh cleaners, chemicals, gasoline, solvents or other similar substances to clean parts of the appliance. The surface finish could be seriously damaged.
Wash the drying trays in warm water with a little kitchen detergent. Rinse with clean water and wipe dry.
Wipe the base with a clean, dry sponge.

Storage
Before storing, make sure that the appliance and its accessories are cool and clean. Store the appliance and its accessories in a dry and well- ventilated place out of the reach of children or pets. Do not place any objects on the appliance.

Level of protection against electric shock: II
Protection against electric shock is provided by double or reinforced insulation.

RELATED PRODUCTS

HM-FD-X00 Spare trays for fruit dryer
HM-FD-X002 Accessories for drying herbs and fruit puree
SGR-FD-X007 Accessories for fruit dryers for drying sticks

WEEE

The use of the WEEE Symbol indicates that this product should not be treated as household waste. By ensuring this product is disposed of correctly, you will help protect the environment. For more detailed information about the recycling of this product, please contact your local authority, your household waste disposal service provider, or the shop where you purchased the item. This product meets all of the related basic EU regulation requirements. The EU declaration of conformity is available on www.alzashop.com/doc.
This product sold in the European Union meet the requirements of Directive 2011/65/EU on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (RoHS).