When you start using this device, you should know that you will need to clean it out on a regular basis if you want it to last for years. When you clean the appliance regularly, the food will be dried in a safe environment.
If you don’t clean your unit after using it, it won’t function as it should and your food might end up half dry in the end. We will now explain why cleaning your food dehydrator is so important, but we will also give you tips on how to maintain it and keep it working properly for a long time.
Reasons For Cleaning Your Food Dehydrator
The first and most important reason for cleaning your food dehydrator is hygiene. The device has to be spotless to ensure that the food is safe to eat and that it can last long when stored. Keeping your dehydrator clean will also prolong its lifespan, meaning that you won’t have to buy replacement parts so often. Here are even more reasons for keeping your unit clean.
Removes All Food Residue And Particles
No More Plastic Smell
Remove All Smells Trapped In The Device
The Drying Space Needs To Be Hygienic
Makes Sure That The Device Is Working As It Should
Get Rid Of The Drippings
Supplies That Will Help You Maintain A Clean Dehydrator
Cleaning your unit out is as simple as it is important. You only need a couple of common household items to make it safe for future use. These are the supplies that will help you maintain your dehydrator.
1. Soap And Water
Soap and water are the two main ingredients in any cleaning job. Add some soap and warm water and scrub the trays and the walls from inside.
2. White Vinegar
White vinegar is used for tough cleaning projects for a long time and it is just what you need to clean the toughest of residue. mix 10ml of vinegar with 2 liters of water. Make sure you rinse all trays after using vinegar to clear the smell.
3. Hand Brush And Toothbrush
You will need a couple of brushes to make sure that all areas are clean. A hand brush will help you scrub off those tough buildups, and a toothbrush will help you reach those tight spots.
4. Rubber Gloves
Soap, white vinegar, and other cleaning agents are not good for your skin. It is best you get a pair of rubber gloves before you start the cleaning process.
5. Special Dehydrator Cleaning Agents
You should avoid using standard dish washing soaps and gels because they could impact the dehydrator in negative ways. Use cleaning agents that were designed for dehydrators.
6. Sponge
You will need a sponge, of course. Soak up all the moisture and vapor in the unit with it, just to make sure no germs and bacteria are left inside.
Tips On How To Clean Your Unit
Stick to these simple advice and you should be able to clean your dehydrator with ease.
Wipe The Trays After Each Use
When you are done with using the dehydrator, always wipe the trays thoroughly. This will remove any food particles, sugars, and oils that could stick to the inside of your device.
Soak The Trays In Warm Water
Take the trays out of the unit and let them soak in warm water for an hour or two. Add some vinegar or specialized cleaning agents to clean them easily.
Wipe All The Surfaces Inside Your Dehydrator
The food in your unit is always releasing moisture that condenses on the sides of the unit. Take a damp cloth and wipe all the sides to remove residue.
Scrub The Residue With A Toothbrush
A toothbrush can be of great help because it will allow you to scrub the hard-to-reach areas, but it will also help you remove food particles that are stuck to the trays or the sides of the dehydrator.
Clean The Trays In The Dishwasher If You Can
You should check the owner’s manual before cleaning the trays in the dishwasher. Some models are not designed for dishwasher use, but if they are, a dishwasher could save you a lot of time.
Dry The Trays In The Sun
When the cleaning process is done, set the trays to dry in the sun or the outside air. This is even more important if you want to store the dehydrator. When they are dry, there is no risk of bacteria growth.
Conclusion
Cleaning a food dehydrator is very important because you don’t want to contaminate your food. You may end up throwing away an entire batch of food because you didn’t clean your device on time. It doesn’t take a lot of effort to sterilize the trays and the inside of the device, but the difference is huge. Follow these simple tips and you should be fine.
Our dehydrator was stored in a dry basement on metal shelves, however, the motor smells musty and there is slight gray mold on the outside handle above it. Is there any way to remove the mildew and smell and use it without ruining the food? Or should our dehydrator be replaced?
I have never encountered an issue like this, but my approach would be to clean everything that I can with some rubbing alcohol and give it a few runs on the highest temperature settings. That should get rid of any bacteria or fungi that are most often the cause of unpleasant odors.
I hope that helps 🙂
I see no explanation about how to clean the base on the inside of a vivohome which has a non removable fan that can get food inside. Please help!
How do I clean the inside of the dehydrator where the motor is.
Able to clean the removable trays but the main unit where the motor is has food particles.
I have grease dripping out of the bottom of my American harvest snack maker dehydrator. How do I clean it up
Our flexible mesh trays were soaked in bleach overnight. I think that comprised them and we should not put food directly on them any longer. Is that correct; should they be discarded?