How long do I run my dehydrator the first time?

[NotSoFast]

Having read here that you definitely need to burn the "new" smell off a new dehydrator, I looked in the manual and the Precautions paper, but I don't see where it says how log to burn it in.

So how long did it take to burn off that smell with yours?

[Junie]

I didn't run mine before I used it. All I did was wash the trays and start dehydrating.

[sissy]

Me too, same as Junie. Just washed & used.
sissy

[NotSoFast]

Did it give your food an odd flavor the first batch? Or did you taste it to see?

[Junie]

The first thing I did in mine was strawberries. You know I tasted those! They were fine, no off flavor at all.

[sissy]

I've never noticed a odd taste ether. Yes I've eaten a lot of the stuff I dried, right off the tray.
Thanks Junie for reminding me of the strawberries. Hubby just picked up 2 gal. & I need to dry a few. Have not tried them yet.
sissy

[Junie]

Sissy, you're gonna love 'em! They're tied for my favorite thing I dehydrate (the other is marshmallows)

[sissy]

marshmallows???
sissy

[NotSoFast]

I'll echo Sissy. Marshmallows???

Well, I went ahead and ran it an hour anyway. Other than helping keep the kitchen warm I don't see that it hurt anything.

[NCLee]

NotSoFast, that was going to be my suggestion. Just turn it on and run it empty for a few minutes.

I'd like to hear about those marshmellows, too.

Lee

[Junie]

I wanted to see if you could dehydrate marshmallows, so I spread miniature marshmallows in a single layer on a leather tray and turned the dehydrator on about 115 degrees, then I watched them. They puffed up a little, and I was starting to worry, but they deflated back to their normal size and dried pretty fast. When they were done, they were crunchy all the way through. They're like the marshmallows in Lucky Charms, but bigger. I love 'em!

But, they're not just good for eating. They're also good to use in stuff, like fruit or jello salads, granola (after it's cool), and even on sweet potatoes. I didn't think they'd soften and puff up, but they did.

I tried it with circus peanuts, too, but they got too hard.

[annabella1]

Your circus peanuts were probably too old, Fresh ones dry nicely. They get crispy.

[Junie]

I'll have to look for fresher ones, then. I'd love to have a bunch dehydrated. I like them, but not if they're too hard. Crispy would be good.