NESCO FD-5TC-CUG-6-29-24 Digital Food Dehydrator

Specifications:

• Model: NESCO Digital Food Dehydrator
• Input – 120Volts / 420Watts

Product Information

NESCO dehydrators are designed for household use only. They are built by The Metal Ware Corp, a trusted brand in food preservation equipment. The NESCO Digital Food Dehydrator provides efficient
drying capabilities for a variety of foods, helping you create healthy snacks and preserve ingredients.

Important Safeguards:

• Read all instructions carefully before use.
• Avoid touching hot surfaces.
• Do not immerse the power unit or any part of the dehydrator cord or plug in water.
• Always supervise children when using the appliance.
• Unplug when not in use and before cleaning.

Before First Use:

1. Read and follow all instructions provided.
2. Remove all packaging and labels, ensuring all components are included.
3. Wash trays and cover before the first use.

Adjustable Tray Heights:
Your dehydrator trays can be adjusted in height by rotating them 180 degrees from each other. Aligning all tabs will provide the highest tray spacing for optimal drying performance.

Operating Instructions:
Load food pieces evenly on trays without overlapping to ensure even drying. Meats should be stored properly before dehydrating, and raw meat should not come in contact with the finished product.
Follow specific instructions for marinating meat for jerky.

Dehydrating Tips:

• Lay food pieces evenly on trays without overlapping.
• Meat should be frozen or refrigerated until ready to use.
• Avoid letting raw meat come in contact with dehydrated products.
• Marinate meat for jerky in the refrigerator.
• Drying times vary based on food type, thickness, humidity, and air temperature.

FAQ:
Question: What should I do if my dehydrator malfunctions?
Answer: Unplug the appliance immediately and contact NESCO Customer Service for assistance.

Thank you for purchasing a NESCO dehydrator. There is nothing better than knowing you are making healthly food for you and your family. We have been building dehydrators and accessories for many years and are excited to share our knowledge and welcome more enthusiasts to the world of food preservation.

Questions?
NESCO Customer Service is available 8 am to 4 pm CST.

• Email: nescocs@nesco.com
• Phone: 1-800-288-4545

Warranty/Registration
Please see warranty info included on the package and in this guide.
This guide is available at Nesco.com

Returns
Please do not return this item to the place of purchase. If you are missing any parts or need assistance, contact NESCO Customer Service.
“NESCO” is a registered trademark of The Metal Ware Corp
Visit us at nesco.com
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IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS

This product is designed for HOUSEHOLD USE ONLY

When using any electrical appliance, basic safety precautions should always be observed including the following:

1. READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS.
2. Do not touch hot surfaces.
3. To protect against electrical hazards, do not immerse power unit or any part of the dehydrator cord or plug 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 the unit to cool before putting on or taking off parts.
6. Do not operate any appliance with a damaged cord or plug, or after the appliance malfunctions, or has been damaged in any manner.
7. The use of accessory attachments is not recommended by the appliance manufacturer; may cause hazards.
8. Sharp utensils should not be used inside the dehydrator.
9. Do not let cord hang over edge of table or counter, or touch hot surfaces.
10. Do not use outdoors. Always dehydrate indoors on a flat surface to allow sufficient airflow. Never place base on carpet, towel, newspaper, etc., which can block airflow to the bottom of base and cause failure. Never cover entire unit with anything, as that will cause failure. The dehydrator needs an open, breathable space to function properly.
11. Do not place on or near a gas or electric burner. Do not place on top of a glass top stove or inside an oven.
12. Do not use this appliance for other than its intended use.
13. This appliance is not intended for use by persons (including children) with reduced physical, sensory or mental capabilities, or lack of experience and knowledge, unless they have been given supervision or instruction concerning use of the appliance by a person resonsible for their safety.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

Polarized Plug: This appliance has a polarized plug (one blade is wider than the other). To reduce risk of electric shock, plug is intended to fit into polarized outlet only one way. If the plug does not fit fully into the outlet, reverse the plug. If it still does not fit, contact a qualified electrician. Do not try to modify the plug in any way.

Short Cord Instructions: A short power supply cord is provided to reduce the risk resulting from becoming entangled in or tripping over a longer cord. Extension cords may be used if care is exercised in their use.If an extension cord is used, the marked electrical rating of the cord should be at least as great as the electrical rating of the appliance. A longer cord should be arranged so that it will not drape over the tabletop where it can be pulled on by children or tripped over unintentionally

Before First Use

1. Read and follow all instructions and save this care and use guide for future reference.

2. Remove all packaging and labels. Make sure all components are included.

3. Before using your dehydrator the first time wash the trays and cover in warm soapy water, rinse and let dry.
   CAUTION: Do not place the dehydrator base in water or in the dishwasher. DO NOT IMMERSE IN ANY LIQUID.

4. It is necessary to run the dehydrator the first time without any food. This first operation is to remove any residue left after the manufacturing process. You may notice some odor or light smoke, this is normal and will quickly dissipate. NOTE: You will only need to do this the first time you use the dehydrator.

   • Place dehydrator on a stable, level, heat-resistant surface. Leave at least 6 inches of free space around the entire appliance.

   • To start the dehydrator, plug into a 120 volt electrical outlet and press the power button, the unit will start operating at the default setting. Press the”Temp/Time” button and adjust the time to 30 minutes.
     The dehydrator will operate for 30 minutes and then automatically shut off.

   • When complete, unplug dehydrator from electrical outlet and allow to cool.

   • Wipe down the dehydrator base with a damp cloth.

5. Your appliance is now ready to dehydrate food.

Overview of Components

1. Control Panel
2. Power Base
3. Drying Trays
4. Cover

Control Panel Functions

• A- Pressing this button will allow you to toggle between the time and temperature settings. After selecting this button the display will blink, you will want to make your adjustment to time or temperature depending on which selection is being displayed. If adjustments to time or temperature are not done within three seconds the display will stop blinking and will resume showing the amount of time left in the dehydration process.

• B – Pressing the”-” button will decrease the time or temperature setting. In temperature setting selecting this button will decrease temperature in 5’F increments. For time setting selecting this button will decrease time in 30-minute increments.

• C – When this indicator light is on the display will indicate time.

• D – When this indicator light is on the display will indicate temperature.

• E – Pressing the “+“ button will increase the time or temperature setting.
  In temperature setting selecting this button will increase temperature in 5°F increments. For time setting selecting this button will increase time
  in 30-minute increments.

• F – When pressing the power button for the first time the dehydrator will turn on. Pressing this button while the dehydrator is running will cause the display to read “OFF”. One minute after the word “OFF” appears the dehydrator will turn off.

Adjustable Tray Heights
Your dehydrator trays are equipped with tabs that allow for an adjustment in height, adjustments can be made rotating tray 180 degrees from each other to raise or lower the trays. See photos below.

• Operating Position- Aligning all the tabs (as shown below) will allow for the highest tray spacing for the optimal drying performance.
• Storage Position – Positioning the trays in the alternate pattern (as shown below), the overall height of the dehydrator will be reduced for easier storage.

Operating Instructions

1. Place dehydrator in a warm, dry room on a stable, level, heat-resistant surface. Leave at least 6 inches of free space around the entire appliance.

2. Place food onto the trays and stack trays onto the dehydrator base. Avoid overloading trays or overlapping food. Place cover on top tray.

3. Plug in the dehydrator, the display on the control panel will display the word “OFF”. Press the “Power” button, the dehydrator will turn on and run at the default setting.

4. To set the time, press the “TEMP/TIME” button until the screen shows time, then press the “-” or ”+” button to select the amount of time desired, the adjustable time ranges from 30 minutes to 24 hours. Selecting either“-” or”+” button will decrease or increase time in 30 minute increments. All time selections need to be made in 3 seconds or otherwise setting will return to
   most recent time set.

5. To set the temperature, press the “TEMP/TIME” button until the screen shows temp. Press the “-” or “+” button to select temperature, the adjustable temperature ranges from 95°F to 160°F. Selecting either “-” or ”+” button will decrease or increase temperature in 5°F increments. All temperature selections need to be made in 3 seconds or otherwise setting will return to most recent temperature set.

6. After the time and temperature are set, the unit will automatically start the dehydrator’s programmed drying cycle. The display shows the amount of time left during the countdown cycle.
   NOTE: You can make adjustments to the time or temperature at any time by pressing TEMP/TIME.

7.  After the display has counted down to 00:00 the display will switch to the word “OFF”, the fan will continue to run for one additional minute and then turn off.

8. Unplug the dehydrator.

9. For final clean-up, reference the Care and Cleaning of this manual.

Dehydrating Tips

Loading Trays
Lay food pieces evenly on trays. Don’t overlap food pieces, as this will create uneven drying conditions. As each tray is loaded, place it in the dehydrator to begin drying. Meat should be frozen or refrigerated until it’s ready to be used. Do not allow raw meat to come in contact with the finished product. If marinating meat for jerky, always marinade in the refrigerator.

Drying Time
Drying times may vary, depending on the type and amount of food, thickness and evenness of the slices, percentages of water in the food, humidity, and temperature of air.

Storage
Dried food should be stored in airtight, moisture-proof containers or vacuum sealed bags in a cool, dry place. Dehydrated food will naturally have less moisture in it than the air around it and will absorb moisture if left out for an extended period of time. Refrigeration or freezing will extend shelf life as long as food remains properly packaged.

Jerky

1. While there are many jerky recipes, we recommend using a prepackaged jerky seasoning and cure kit. NESCO offers a wide variety of flavors and quantities for a fast and easy way to make jerky. Simply follow the instuctions with the kit.
   Jerky can be made from slicing strips of meat from a larger piece of meat or can be made from ground meat. If slicing strips from a whole meat, make sure to place the meat in the freezer until it is slightly hard to the touch but not frozen. This will help it slice more evenly. For best results, slice into 1/4″ thick slices. Marinade the meat with seasoning of your choice and refrigerate. If using ground meat, mix in seasoning and cure. Insert mix into a jerky gun, choose strips or sticks attachment, form strips or sticks to your desired length on the dehydrator tray.

2. Make sure strips or sticks are not overlapping or touching each other. Jerky typically takes 4-8 hours to dry based on thickness, moisture content, and amount of jerky being dehydrated.

3. When done drying, remove jerky from trays and let rest for approximately 30 minutes. Use paper towels to blot excess oil or fat from the jerky.

4. Store finished jerky in an airtight, moisture-proof container or vacuum sealed bag in a cool, dry place. To store jerky for more than a month, store in refrigerator or freezer.

Fruits

1. Wash fruit thoroughly in cold water to preserve freshness.
2. Fruits with a skin will need to have the skin puntured to allow moisture to escape. You can puncture the skin by halving, slicing, pitting, or blanching (dipping in boiling water just long enough to crack the skins).
3. Pretreat cut fruits that tend to brown in ascorbic acid or a mixture of lemon juice and water with a 1:1 ratio. Pineapple juice may be used in place of lemon juice.
4. Place fruit in a single layer. Do not overlap.
5. Reference fruit drying guidelines chart on page 9 for drying times.
6. Dried fruit should be stored in a sealed container or vacuumed sealed bag or canister. Store in a cool, dry place, preferably below 60° F , away from direct light. Do not store fruit in metal containers as it may give an unpleasant flavor to the fruit.

Herbs

1. Wash herbs in cool water to remove any dirt or debris.
2. Lightly dry them off and place them on the dehydrator trays.
3. Drying times for herbs vary from 1 to 8 hours based thickness, quantity, and temperature setting.
4. Herbs are considered dry when they easily crumble.
5. Once herbs are dried to your liking allow to cool for 30 minutes.
6. Store dried herbs in an airtight, moisture-proof container or vacuum sealed bag. Exposure to air and light will result in loss of flavor. Store in a cool, dry place, preferably below 60° F.

TEMPERATURE SUGGESTIONS:

Vegetables

1. Thoroughly wash your vegetables to remove any dirt. Peel the vegetable, if desired, and slice it into even sizes so that they dry at the same rate.
2. Pretreatment is necessary for all vegetables in order to neutralize their natural enzymes. Specifically, steam blanching is the preferred method.
3. Bring a large pot that is filled 75% with water to a boil. Place your vegetables in a colander or basket and place carefully in the pot ensuring that there is a small gap for the steam to enter and cover with a lid. See vegetable drying guidelines chart on page 10.
4. When you are done blanching, place the vegetables in cold water to cool them off.
5. Remove vegetables from the water and dry them.
6. Place them in a single layer on the dehydrator trays making sure they are not touching or overlapping.
7. To determine if your vegetables are done drying, take out a few pieces from different trays in the dehydrator. If you cannot break the vegetable in half with little effort, place them back in the dehydrator for more time. Repeat the process until finished.
8. Once the vegetables are dried to your liking, allow to cool for 30 minutes.
9. Store in a sealed container or vacuum sealed bag in a cool, dry place away from direct light, preferably below 60° F.

Care and Cleaning

1. Before cleaning, the dehydrator must be disconnected from the power supply and cooled thoroughly.
2. Use a soft damp cloth to wipe down the dehydrator base. DO NOT use metal scouring pads, abrasive cleaners or harsh chemicals to clean your dehydrator as these could damage the appliance. NEVER IMMERSE THE BASE IN WATER OR ANY OTHER LIQUID.
3. The drying trays should be washed in warm, soapy water, rinsed and dried thoroughly.
4. Ensure that all the parts are completely cooled, clean, and dry before storing the dehydrator.

Fruit Drying Guide

Humidity, temperature, moisture content of food, and thickness of slices will impact drying times. The drying times stated are only a guide.

*Pretreatment – Use ascorbic acid or lemon juice mixture to prevent fruit from browning.

Fruit| Preparation| *Pretreatment Necessary| Average Drying Time
---|---|---|---
Apples| Peel, if needed. Core and slice, 1/8″ to 1/4″ thick.| Yes| 2-9 hours
Apricots| Slice in half, remove pit, and cut in 3/8″ slices.| Yes| 8-16 hours
Bananas| Peel and cut into 1/4″ to 3/8″ slices.| Yes| 6-8 hours
Blueberries| Remove stem. Punture skin or blanch.| No| 9-17 hours
Cherries| Remove pit and stem. Cut, chop or leave whole.| No| 15-23 hours
Cranberries| Remove stem. Punture skin or blanch.| No| 10-18 hours
Figs| Cut in half or leave whole. If whole, puncture skin or blanch.| No| 8-15 hours
Grapes| Cut in half or leave whole. If whole, puncture skin or blanch.| No| 13-21 hours
Kiwi| Peel and cut into 1/4″ to 1/2″ thick slices.| No| 2-6 hours
Nectarines| Cut and remove pit. Quar- ter or slice 3/8″ thick.| **Yes| 5-10 hours (slices) 8-16 hours (halves or quarters)
** Peaches| Peel if needed. Remove pit. Quarter or slice to 3/8″ thick.| **Yes| 4-10 hours (slices) 8-16 hours (halves or quarters)
Pears| Peel, core and slice 1/8″ thick.| Yes**| 5-13 hours
Pineapple| Peel, core and slice 3/8″ thick.| No| 4-12 hours
Prunes/ Plums| Quarter or halve and discard pit.| No| 8-15 hours
Rhubarb| Trim and throw away leaves. Cut into 1/8″ slices.| No| 4-9 hours
Strawberries| Remove top. Slice 3/8″ thick.| No| 4-12 hours

Vegetable Drying Guide

Humidity, temperature, moisture content of food, and thickness of slices will impact drying times. The drying times stated are only a guide.

*Pretreatment – Follow blanching instructions on page 8.

hours
Peas| Remove peas from shell.| 4 minutes| 3-9 hours
Peppers and Pimientos| Remove core, stem, and inner partitions. Cut into 1/8″ strips.| N/A| 4-10 hours
Potatoes| Peel and cut into 1/8″ slices.| 5-9 minutes| 2-8 hours
Summer Squash| Remove ends. Cut into 3/8″ slices.| 3½-4 minutes| 2-6 hours
Tomatoes| Peel, if needed. Cut into slices 1/2″ wide.| N/A| 4-11 hours
Zucchini| Remove ends. Cut into 3/8″ slices.| 3½-4 minutes| 2-6 hours

One Year Limited Warranty

The Metal Ware Corporation warrants the original purchaser that your product will be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of one year from date of purchase. Product must be used for personal or sole household usage in accordance with the instructions. Should your product prove defective within one year from date of purchase, contact our customer service team at 1-800-288-4545 or email at nescocs@nesco.com with an explanation of the claim. If a viable warranty claim is determined, a customer service member will provide you with the necessary details to have your unit replaced. Under this limited time warranty, we undertake to replace any parts found to be defective at our sole discretion. This limited time warranty is void if the unit is connected to an unsuitable electrical supply or dismantled or interfered with in any way or damaged through misuse. This warranty is not transferable.

LIMITATION OF REMEDIES AND DAMAGES: Except for the limited time warranty and remedies expressly stated above, the Metal Ware Corp shall not be liable to you, or to anyone claiming by or through you, for any obligations or liabilities, including, but not limited to, obligations or liabilities arising out of breach of contract, breach of warranty, statutory claims, negligence or other tort or any theory of strict liability, with respect to the product or the Metal Ware Corp’s acts or omissions or otherwise. Buyer agrees that in no event shall the Metal Ware Corp be liable for incidental, compensatory, punitive, consequential, indirect, special or other damages. Warranty does not cover consequential or incidental damages such as property damage and does not cover incidental costs and expenses resulting from any breach of this warranty, even if foreseeable. Some states or provinces do not allow the exclusion or limitations of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you depending on the state or province of purchase.
Register your product on our website: https://www.nesco.com/customer-service /warranty-registration

The Metal Ware Corp
NESCO FD-5TC Series / Digital Food Dehydrator
Two Rivers, WI.

THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING
We ensure 100% customer satisfaction and have a full-time, knowledgeable staff ready to assist you. Please email our customer service department at nescocs@nesco.com or call1-800-288-4545. For more products or recipes, visit nesco.com.

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All Rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or part.

References

• NESCO®: Roaster Ovens | Dehydrators | Small Appliances | Jerky Spices Nesco
• NESCO® | Warranty Registration

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