Q on using the dehydrator

[willychez]

I'm really new at 'raw' and bought a ronco dehydrator for $4 at a tag sale this weekend! I was so excited to find it -- it has 7 trays...

anyway, my question is...

on the top lid -- there are these vents that i can close or open all the way and am not sure what setting to use .... duh!

also,

i used coconut milk instead of water (that's what i had) with oats and dates (trying to make cookies) -- do you think milk will go bad -- it's been dehydrating since last night and although it's drying -- it's still a bit moist... i'm thinking it might be ready tomorrow -- fingers crossed.

any and all comments will sure be appreciated... i'm just learning as i go... thanks

[DebB]

Hi ~ I've got probably the same model of Ronco you're talking about. I've always had the top vents fully open. I figured it would help the moisture escape.

My own opinion is that you'll be fine on the cookies. I would make them nice and flat in the future since things tend to take a bit longer in the Ronco.

And in case you're not aware of it - be sure and rotate the trays 2-3 times a day. The trays on the bottom, nearest the heating element are going to get done the quickest.

I wonder if you can find a copy of the instructions to your unit on Ronco's site? *Ü*

[spicyfull]

No advice........In Joy your New Find.

[betty boop]

I don't have any advice either but I do have a Ronco. I haven't used it yet so I am following this thread looking for hints. I got lucky and got mine from freecycle last week, I don't think it was ever even used.

thanks DebB for the tip on the vents.

[willychez]

thanks for your responses... really helpful... i knew i could count on you guys!

ok... so here we are the morning on the third day of starting to dehydrate and the results are great!

tomatoes, kiwi, strawberry, apples, pears, bananas, garbanzos --

the cookies are still moist -- and did i understand you correctly -- that the coconut milk will not go bad after being in there for so long???

my DH seems to think it has gone bad or will go bad very soon... i really hope not, since it is filled with such great, yummy, organic ingredients :(

thanks and have a great day!

[Myca]

Coconut is not dairy. Maybe he is thinking it is similar to dairy.
Congrats on your great deal!
Where did you get the recipe for the cookies?

[willychez]

Hi Myca --

Thanks for reassuring me -- I can't wait to dig in!

I didn't have a recipe -- I just knew that I wanted it to taste like coconut and ginger -- so i just threw oats, dates (soaked & pureed), coconut milk, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg -- next time i'll add nuts -- but i'm going on school trip and we can't bring any foods that contain nuts -- YIKES! Nuts is what i'll be without nuts the next few days!!