Nesco Food Dehydrator User Manual

Average 

Food

Preparation Drying 

Time

Uses

Mushrooms*

Clean with soft brush 

4-10 hrs.

Rehydrate for soups, meat 

or cloth. Don't wash

dishes, omelets or frying 

Onions

Remove skins, tops, and 

6-12 hrs.

Soups,  stews and sauces. 

root ends. Slice 3/8" thick

Powder for seasoning salt 
Package immediately

Peas

Shell, wash and blanch

5-14 hrs.

Soups, stews and mixed
vegetables

Peppers 

Remove stem & seeds.  

5-12 hrs.

Soups, stews, pizza, meat 

Cut into 1/2" pieces

dishes and seasoning 

Peppers (hot) Wash, slice or cut in half

3-20 hrs.

Soups, stews, pizza, 

remove seeds if you desire

and seasoning 

a milder pepper.

Potatoes

Use white potatoes. Peel and

6-12 hrs.

Stews, soups and casseroles

slice 3/8" thick.Blanch.
Rinse and dry**

Tomatoes

Wash and slice 3/8" circles 

6-12 hrs.

Soups and stews. Powder in 

or dip in boiling water to

blender and add water for 

loosen skins, halve or quarter

paste or sauce.*** Dry in 
roll-up form for pizza sauce

Zucchini or

Wash, remove ends and

5-10 hrs.

Breads, chips with 

Squash 

slice 3/8" thick or grate.

dip, soups and casserole.

Steam if you plan to rehydrate

(1 week shelf life)

* Dry at 80°-90°F for 2 to 3 hours then turn temperature up to 120°-125° and dry 

for remaining time.

**Blanch for 5 minutes or until translucent. If not steamed long enough, they will turn 

black during drying and storage.

***For information on rehydrating tomato powder and uses, see page 20.