A good-quality dehydrator is a welcome addition to any kitchen. Because these machines work hard and sometimes run for many hours at a time, it is important to keep them in peak condition. Hours of drying fruits usually result in small bits and pieces getting stuck to the trays. Cleaning the trays after each use is part of the general care and maintenance, which will help prolong the life of the appliance. Although most dehydrator trays are dishwasher safe there are a few important things you should know beforehand. Be warned that washing the trays in a dishwasher incorrectly can void the warranty. Follow the dishwasher-safe tips in this article for quick and easy cleaning.
These dehydrator trays are dishwasher safe.
Not all dehydrator trays are dishwasher safe. Check to see if yours are, by checking the guidelines set out in the care and maintenance manual of your dehydrator. NESCO has a range of popular food dehydrators that come with dishwasher-safe trays. The NESCO FD-1018A Gardenmaster Food Dehydrator is one of them.
Another top-quality food dehydrator brand that comes with dishwasher-safe trays is EXCALIBUR. You can never go wrong with one of these machines. While most machines only radiate heat, the Excalibur directs the heat, resulting in faster drying times and even drying. HAMILTON BEACH is another dehydrator brand that manufactures dishwasher-safe trays. The brand warns however that the dishwasher’s‘SANI’ setting should not be used as this cycle temperature will damage trays.
The entry-level RONCO brand strongly recommends washing its dehydrator trays by hand. Should you wish to use a dishwasher, however, then use the low heat/no-heat dry setting only. The SUNBEAM brand of dehydrators strictly prohibits the washing of trays in a dishwasher.
How to clean dehydrator trays in a dishwasher.
Follow these few simple steps to help make most dehydrator trays dishwasher safe:
- Unplug your food dehydrator.
- Disassemble the trays.
- Rinse each tray with warm water.
- Place trays on the top rack section of the dishwasher.
- Use the general cycle on low heat only. High temperatures will damage trays.
- Remove trays from the dishwasher when the dry cycle starts.
What if your dehydrator trays are NOT dishwasher safe?
Drying fruit and other foodstuffs at high temperatures can be a messy and sticky business. It can sometimes be hard to remove hardened pieces off the trays. Do not use abrasive scouring pads, sharp utensils, or metal objects to remove dried food bits from dehydrator trays. Scrubbing them will only cause damage to the polycarbonate material. If your dehydrator trays are not dishwasher safe, then it is best to simply clean with a damp cloth and mild detergent. Alternatively, allow the trays to soak in warm soapy water for a few hours or overnight.
Last thoughts on making dehydrator trays dishwasher safe.
Food dehydrator trays are usually made from a type of plastic. Not all plastics are equal though. Some manufacturers may choose to use a lower quality plastic which will not be suitable for use in a dishwasher. EXCALIBUR makes specific mention of their dehydrator trays being made from polypropylene #5. According to their website, it’s the safest plastic for food contact and also good enough to be used in a dishwasher. NESCO’s FD-41B Snackmaster Jr. Dehydrator has an all-metal interior, which cuts out the hassle of dealing with plastic altogether. Choosing a dishwasher-safe dehydrator from the start makes life just so much easier. The fact that dehydrator trays are dishwasher safe in the first place, tells you about the quality of the appliance.
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Image credits:
user_id:5671698 via Pixabay
Precious plastic via Unsplash
Mohammad Esmaili via Unsplash
