The Game Winner Multi Tray Digital Dehydrator, Model #170238, is a household appliance designed to preserve food by removing moisture, thereby extending its shelf life and concentrating its flavors. This dehydrator is intended for domestic use and is not suitable for industrial, commercial, or business applications.
Function Description:
The primary function of this device is to dehydrate various types of food, including fruits, vegetables, and meats, by circulating warm air over multiple trays. This process removes water content, inhibiting the growth of bacteria, yeast, and mold, and allowing for long-term storage of food items. The digital controls enable users to set specific temperatures and times, providing precise control over the dehydration process for different food types.
Important Technical Specifications:
- Model Number: 170238
- Power Input: 120V, 60Hz, 250W
- Components:
- Lid (Qty: 1)
- Food Tray (Qty: 5)
- Base (Qty: 1)
- Temperature Range: The manual provides drying times based on 158°F / 135°F, suggesting a controllable temperature range within this vicinity, though the exact minimum and maximum temperatures are not explicitly stated.
- Plug Type: Polarized plug (one blade wider than the other) for electrical safety.
Usage Features:
- Multi-Tray Design: The dehydrator comes with five food trays, allowing for the simultaneous drying of multiple batches or different types of food. It is recommended to use at least four trays for optimal operation.
- Digital Controls: The device features digital controls for adjusting temperature and time, as indicated by the "TIME/TEMP" button and a digital display (e.g., "888888" shown in the image). A "START/STOP" button is also present for easy operation.
- Assembly: The assembly process is straightforward, involving stacking the food trays onto the base and then placing the lid on top.
- Pretreatment Recommendations: The manual provides detailed instructions for pretreating various fruits and vegetables to reduce starch build-up and enhance the dehydration process. This often involves dipping food in solutions like ascorbic acid, citric acid, lemon juice, or sodium metabisulfite.
- Drying Guides: Comprehensive tables are included for both fruits and vegetables, detailing:
- Preparation: Specific instructions for cutting, peeling, and pretreating each food item.
- Dryness Test: Descriptions of how to determine if a food item is adequately dehydrated (e.g., pliable, crisp, brittle, leathery, no visible moisture).
- Time Based on Temperature: Estimated drying times at 158°F or 135°F, providing a guideline for users.
- Protein Jerky: Specific instructions for marinating and dehydrating sliced meat for jerky are also provided.
- Safety Precautions: The manual emphasizes several important safeguards, including:
- Avoiding contact with hot surfaces and heating coils.
- Not immersing the cord, plugs, or base assembly in water.
- Ensuring close supervision when used near children.
- Unplugging the unit when not in use and before cleaning.
- Allowing the unit to cool completely before storage or handling parts.
- Not operating the appliance with a damaged cord or plug.
- Ensuring trays and lid are secure during use.
- Properly inserting the polarized plug into an outlet.
Maintenance Features:
- Initial Cleaning: Before first use, the drying trays should be thoroughly cleaned in warm, soapy water and allowed to dry. The dehydrator should then be run for a full cycle at the highest temperature without food.
- General Cleaning:
- The dehydrator should be unplugged and allowed to cool down before cleaning.
- The base and exterior of the appliance should be wiped with a damp cloth or sponge and mild soap, then wiped dry.
- The drying trays can be cleaned in warm, soapy water.
- Important: Do not pour liquids into the dehydrator.
- Important: Do not use metal brushes, abrasive, or rigid cleaning tools, as they can damage the surface.
- Important: The appliance is NOT suitable for automatic dishwashers.
- Storage: The top can be inverted into the bottom for storage once the unit has completely cooled down.
- Food Quality for Best Results: The manual advises selecting ripe produce in good condition, as one spoiled portion can affect the entire batch.
- Handling Seeds/Pits: For fruits with seeds or pits (e.g., prunes, grapes, cherries), it's recommended to dehydrate them 50% first, then remove the seeds/pits to prevent juice from dripping out.
- Moisture Content: About 6-10% moisture may remain in dried foods without danger of spoilage, often resulting in a leathery consistency.
The Game Winner Multi Tray Digital Dehydrator offers a user-friendly experience for food preservation, supported by clear assembly, operation, and maintenance guidelines, along with detailed food-specific drying instructions.