Food dehydrators are becoming a staple in every home. It used to be that they are only used in manufacturing plants for producing dried fruits, vegetables, and meat, but they have now made their way to the home kitchen. As people become fond of using this food-drying equipment, it becomes even more important to know more about this product and learn how to clean a food dehydrator
Currently, commercially-sold food dehydrators come in either stackable type or shelf type. The popular
Key Points:
A food dehydrator is composed of four basic parts:
The first three parts work together to remove moisture from the food. Specifically, the heating element, as the name implies, heats the food and prompts it to release moisture from within. On the other hand, the fan blows out the hot air together with the moisture that was released by the food. The air vent is where the heat and moisture come out. Without any of these three, the food will not be dehydrated properly.
The food trays, especially if they are removable trays, make cleaning much easier and prevent food from smearing on the rails. When comparing tray sizes, Nesco trays may differ from other brands like Excalibur, as Nesco trays are smaller. It’s important to measure both the trays and your sink to ensure they fit for easy washing and storage.
It is important that the food dehydrator is cleaned on a regular basis if not at the end of each drying session. Here are some of the reasons why:
Always consult the manufacturer’s instructions for proper cleaning and maintenance to avoid damage and ensure safe operation.
During the process of dehydration, it is inevitable that some food residue is left inside the food dehydrator, particularly at the floor or bottom part. While food is being dried, some of the oil or juice drips down to the floor. There are also some food remains that stick to the screen of the trays during the process. Crumbs can also accumulate on the trays and should be removed to prevent contamination.
Sticky ingredients can make cleaning more challenging and increase the risk of contamination.
If these are not cleaned or removed, there is a big possibility that bacteria and fungi will grow from them. These could contaminate the next batch that will be dehydrated using the same screens. This could cause stomach ache, diarrhea, or worse, food poisoning.
If the leftovers from the trays are not removed before processing another batch, there is a probability that the next batch of food will have a hint of the taste and odor of the previous food dehydrated using the same machine. No one would want to have dried berries with a hint of onion.
Mixed flavors and odors could also affect the taste of the dishes in which these dehydrated ingredients will be used.
It is common knowledge that a stain that sits on any surface longer would be harder to remove. If cleaning is done the wrong way or skipped, residue can build up and become much harder to remove. The same is true for food residue and stains on a
Food does not only get stuck on the screens and walls of the
It is important to tend to regular cleaning and maintenance routines to ensure your dehydrator continues to function well over time.
For the interior of the
Use Q-tips or a rag that can be attached to a spoon or spatula to help with cleaning the rails, edges, and corners of the dehydrator.
For hard to remove food stains or residue, use a toothbrush especially for this purpose.
Use a soft sponge and warm water for cleaning the interior. For sticky residues, you may need to lightly scrub with a non-scratch pad. A gentle scrub or a soft-bristle brush can also be used to remove stubborn debris without damaging the trays or mesh liners. It is suggested that chemicals are avoided when cleaning the dehydrator itself.
For removing food stuck in the screen of the fan or heating element, simply remove using a spatula and use canned air to blow the debris off.
It is recommended that the trays, screens, and liners are washed by hand, as hand washing helps maintain their condition. You can fill a plastic bin, tub, or sink with water and a little soap to soak all the trays, including inserts like mesh sheets and non-stick liners, overnight to make cleaning easier. After washing, rinse the trays, inserts, and the top tray thoroughly to remove any soap residue. Once rinsed, lay the trays, liners, and inserts out to drip dry. Alternatively, you can dry trays and liners in your dehydrator by setting it to a low temperature for a short time. Handle and roll trays and liners carefully after cleaning to prevent damage. Nevertheless, there are brands that are dishwasher safe. Using non stick liners can also help with easy cleanup. However, they need to be removed from the dishwasher before the drying cycle starts. To avoid warping, place the trays on the top rack of the dishwasher, as high heat can cause plastic trays to warp.
For shelf type dehydrators or those that have the heating element and fan at the back, this should not be too much of a problem. However, for the stackable type of food dehydrators, particularly the models that have the heating element and fan at the bottom, this would be quite a challenge since most of the food residue drops to the floor because of gravity.
The simplest way to clean the heating element and fan at the bottom of the dehydrator is not to get them dirty. This can be done by having the bottommost tray empty during the dehydration process, so it can catch everything that would fall from the trays at the top.
When cleaning, use a soft cloth to remove debris from the heating element and fan. Ensure the machine is unplugged and cool before cleaning, and dry the area thoroughly before operating the machine again.
It is important that the fan and heating element are kept off food debris since only their exterior can be cleaned. It is not recommended to disassemble these parts to avoid malfunctioning.
The rails and walls can easily be cleaned using the materials listed above. Q-tips, spatula, and a toothbrush could remove hard stains, while soft sponge can be used to wipe the interior with water. The canned air is used to easily blow off dried debris.
For some people, their
Food dehydrators are very useful for everyone. They help save money and are environment-friendly, as they minimize food waste. For them to last long and to provide quality, clean, and healthy dehydrated foods, it is imperative that the users also know how to clean a dehydrator properly.
The best way to clean dehydrator trays is by hand with warm water and a soft sponge. If you’re wondering how to clean dehydrator trays efficiently, consider soaking them overnight in a sink, making sure the sink is large enough to fit the trays, or use a deep storage container with dish soap if your sink isn’t suitable. Some trays are dishwasher safe, but it is recommended to remove them before the drying cycle starts. After cleaning, make sure you are storing the trays properly to keep them protected and organized. Non-stick liners for Excalibur should be stored in a cardboard tube to keep them protected.
It is not recommended to use chemicals when cleaning a
It is recommended to clean your
It is not recommended to disassemble certain parts of a
Yes, bacteria can grow in a dehydrator if it is not cleaned properly. This is why regular cleaning and proper maintenance of a
By following these additional tips, you can ensure that your food dehydrator stays in good condition and continues to produce high-quality dehydrated foods for years to come. Happy dehydrating!
