Whether you’ve misplaced your original documentation or simply want a clearer reference, this comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about operating your Game Winner 5 tray dehydrator. From first-time setup to advanced jerky-making techniques, you’ll find the answer to every question about this popular unit.
This section is for readers who want to start dehydrating immediately. If you’re eager to load your first batch, follow these steps—but make sure to read the safety and maintenance sections before leaving the unit running overnight.
Unpack and Prepare:
Position Your Unit: Place the dehydrator on a flat, heat-resistant countertop with at least 4 inches of clearance around all sides. This ample space ensures proper airflow and prevents overheating.
Make Your First Batch:
Approximate Drying Times: | Food Type | Temperature | Time Range | |———–|————-|————| | Fruits | 125–135°F | 6–10 hours | | Herbs | 95–115°F | 4–8 hours | | Jerky | 160–165°F | 6–15 hours |
This manual covers the Game Winner 5-Tray Round Dehydrator, commonly sold under model number FSGWCO5008. This tray dehydrator has become popular among hunters, gardeners, and home cooks for preserving seasonal produce and making homemade jerky, and many users consider the Game Winner dehydrator a worthwhile option for affordable home food preservation.
Design Features:
Included Components:
The transparent or semi-transparent tray construction allows you to monitor the drying process without removing the lid and disrupting airflow. This product makes jerky preparation straightforward for beginners while offering enough capacity for experienced users processing large batches of garden vegetables.
Understanding your dehydrator’s specifications helps you get the most from every batch. Here’s what powers your Game Winner unit:
Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
Power Rating | 450-watt quiet motor |
Temperature Range | 95°F–165°F (adjustable) |
Dimensions | Approximately 13 x 13 x 10 inches |
Capacity | 4–10 pounds per batch |
Construction | BPA-free plastic trays, durable housing |
Operation | Designed for continuous use over many hours |
Key Features Explained: |
The capacity allows you to dry anywhere from 4 to 6 pounds of sliced produce or 3 to 5 pounds of prepared jerky per batch, depending on how thin you slice your ingredients.
The control system on your Game Winner dehydrator is straightforward, designed for users at all cooking skills levels.
Power and Temperature Controls:
Temperature Selection Guide: | Food Category | Recommended Setting | |—————|———————| | Herbs | 95–115°F | | Fruits | 125–135°F | | Vegetables | 125–135°F | | Meats/Jerky | 155–165°F |
Indicator Lights:
Note that this model does not include digital buttons or a programmable timer. You’ll need to set an external timer or alarm if you want to check your food at specific intervals.
Assembly is minimal but important for safe operation. Follow these steps before your first use.
Stacking the Trays:
Using Mesh Screens vs. Solid Trays:
First-Time Cleaning:
Initial Burn-Off: Run the dehydrator empty for 20–30 minutes on a medium temperature setting before your first food use. This helps eliminate any manufacturing residues or odors. Store this manual in a safe place for future reference.
Your safety matters. Read this section carefully before operating your dehydrator.
Electrical Safety:
When to Stop Using: Do not operate if the cord, plug, or housing shows any damage. Discontinue use immediately and contact customer service if you notice any issues.
Heat Safety:
Food Safety Warnings:
Modifications, unauthorized repairs, or misuse may void the warranty and create safety hazards. This unit is designed for home use, not commercial applications.
This section is the core “how to dehydrate” guide for your 5-tray round unit. Following these steps will help reduce food waste and produce consistent results.
Step 1: Prepare Your Food
Step 2: Slice Uniformly Consistent thickness is the single most important thing for even drying:
Step 3: Arrange on Trays
Step 4: Set Temperature and Start
Step 5: Monitor and Rotate
Typical Drying Times: | Food | Time Range | |——|————| | Herbs | 4–8 hours | | Fruits & Vegetables | 6–12 hours | | Jerky | 10–15 hours |
Step 6: Test for Doneness
This section provides concrete examples for popular foods rather than an exhaustive cookbook. Use these as starting points and adjust based on your results, especially if you’re exploring the best foods to dehydrate for long-term storage.
You can dehydrate fruits like apples, bananas, strawberries, and peaches with excellent results, especially if you follow a dedicated guide on how to dehydrate fruit from start to finish.
Strawberries work particularly well sliced thin and dried until leathery, and a broader guide on what fruit you can dehydrate can help you branch out to new varieties.
Tomatoes, peppers, onions, zucchini, and carrots all dry beautifully.
Preserve basil, parsley, thyme, and oregano at their peak freshness.
Whether you’re using beef, venison, fish, or turkey, proper preparation ensures safe, delicious results, and experimenting with homemade jerky recipes for meat lovers can help you find your favorite flavor combinations.
You can dry flowers, citrus slices for crafts, or potpourri ingredients. However, use dedicated trays for these items and never mix with food to prevent contamination.
Pro Tip: Keep simple logs of your batches including date, thickness, temperature, and time. This helps you dial in perfect results and save money by avoiding failed batches.
Regular cleaning extends the life of your dehydrator and keeps flavors pure between batches, so it’s worth following a thorough guide to cleaning a food dehydrator to prevent buildup and off-flavors.
Before Cleaning:
Cleaning Trays and Accessories:
Cleaning the Base Unit:
Odor Control: If strong aromas linger after drying fish or heavily seasoned jerky:
Storage Recommendations:
Before contacting customer service, try these solutions for common problems.
Unit Not Powering On:
Uneven Drying:
Overly Long Drying Times:
Off-Odors or Flavors:
When to Contact Support: Persistent mechanical noises, burning smells, or smoke require immediate action. Turn off the unit, unplug it, and contact customer support. Do not attempt further troubleshooting for these issues.
Most Game Winner 5-Tray Round Dehydrators are covered by a limited manufacturer’s warranty of approximately one year from the purchase date.
What’s Typically Covered:
What’s Usually Excluded:
Before Contacting Support:
Customer Service: Support is typically available Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM CST. A contact number such as (888) 993-9243 may be listed on your packaging—check for the most current information.
Replacement Parts: Some parts including trays, mesh screens, solid trays, and lids may be available through customer service or the retailer where you purchased the unit.
Get the most flavor, nutrition, and shelf life from your dehydrator with these proven practices.
Seasonal Batch Processing: Work in large batches when produce is in season—late summer and early fall for garden harvests, post-hunting seasons for game meats. This approach helps you build a pantry of shelf-stable foods while produce is at its peak and prices are lowest. It’s also a great way to meet various cooking needs throughout the year.
Proper Cooling: Always cool dried foods completely before sealing containers. Sealing warm food creates condensation that leads to mold.
Best Storage Methods: | Container Type | Best For | |—————-|———-| | Airtight glass jars | Fruits, vegetables, herbs | | Vacuum-sealed bags | Long-term storage, jerky | | Freezer-safe containers | Maximum shelf life |
Store containers in a cool, dark cupboard or freezer for best results.
Approximate Storage Times: For more detail on how conditions impact shelf life, see guidelines on how long dehydrated food can last.
Labeling System: Label every container with:
Experimentation Encouraged: Once you’ve mastered the basics, try custom seasoning blends for jerky, fruit spice mixes, or mixed vegetable chips. Record your temperatures and times so you can replicate successful batches. With practice, your cooking skills will grow and you’ll discover your own signature recipes.
Start with something simple—a batch of apple chips or dried herbs—and work your way up to more complex projects. Your Game Winner dehydrator is a versatile tool that, with proper care, will serve your food preservation needs for years to come.
