how to clean dehydrator
If you are looking for ways to eat healthy food and stay in good shape, you should think about getting a food dehydrator. You can find many different brands and sizes on the market these days. All of them have a specific set of functions and features, but most of these appliances work in the same way.

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

When you use the dehydrator for a couple of times, some food particles are bound to stay in the trays. Those particles can interfere with the process of drying in the future, which can contaminate the food or dry it only partially.

No More Plastic Smell

When you purchase a dehydrator and you want to use it for the first time, you are probably going to experience the smell of plastic. Those smells can seep into the food you are drying, making it taste funny. Clean the unit before the first use to make sure it works well.

Remove All Smells Trapped In The Device

Some foods and herbs have a strong smell that can stay trapped in the dehydrator after you used it. The smell can then impact future batches. Clean the device after every use to fix this problem.

The Drying Space Needs To Be Hygienic

Dehydrators can be used to make healthy, great-tasting snacks everyone loves. If you don’t take care of the hygiene, those snacks could be contaminated.

Makes Sure That The Device Is Working As It Should

Keeping your dehydrator clean will keep it working for a long time.

Get Rid Of The Drippings

Some foods hold more water than others and the drying process creates vapor that condenses and drips at the base of your unit. You should always remove the drippings before using your dehydrator again.

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.

cleaning supplies

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.

cleaning trays

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.