Excalibur EXC10EL, Manual

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Your dehydrator can help satisfy your creative cravings by shortening the drying times for ceramics, dough art or decoupage . It’s a boon
for the impatient! You can even use your dehydrator to dry photographs .
Potpourri
Nearly any garden blossoms, leaves, herbs, spices or cones can be used for potpourri . Fixatives must be added to the potpourri to prevent
the fragrances from evaporating . orris, benzoin, calamus and oak moss are common fixatives . Flavoring oils can usually be purchased
from a craft supply shop or catalog . Using scissors, cut only unblemished herbs and flower heads; one decaying leaf or petal can destroy
a whole potpourri . Spread the petals or herbs sparsely over the drying trays . Try to avoid drying both at the same time to prevent the
distinctive fragrances from mixing . Dry for 6 to 8 hours at 110°F/43°C until dry and brittle . Let cool .
Making the Potpourri: Use 1 quart (4 handfuls) of herbs and flowers, 1 to 2 tablespoons of mixed spices, and 1 to 2 tablespoons of fixative .
If adding a flower oil, use it sparingly to avoid concealing the other aromas . 3 to 5 drops is more than enough . Place the dried flowers
and herbs in a large glass or stainless steel bowl and toss them gently with your hands to mix . In a separate small glass dish, combine the
spices, fixative, and flower oil and blend well . Take the combined spices and sprinkle them evenly over the flower mix, gently crushing
some of the herbs as you do .
Sachets: Your potpourri mix can also be sewn into sachets to be placed in drawers and closets or on the backs of chairs and sofas for a
sweet aroma .
Drying Flowers
You’ll definitely have “flower power” when you start making your own dried flowers with your dehydrator . The controlled conditions of
the dehydrator make sure that all parts of the flower dry quickly and evenly . Flowers tend to darken as they dry, so select ones that are
several shades lighter than the desired final product .
Photographs
Treat and wash as usual; then shake or blot off the excess liquid . Place on the dryer trays . Dry until no wet spots remain . Note: Dry only
photographs that have been printed on resin-coated stock; other paper types will crinkle unless pressed flat .
Pomander Balls
These charming, old-fashioned aromatic delights dry quickly and easily in a dehydrator . For each pomander, select a ripe, attractive
apple, lemon, lime, or orange . Using an ice pick or awl, punch holes evenly all over the skin of the fruit and push a whole clove in each; the
skin should be completely covered . Roll the ball in a mixture of 1/2 oz ground cinnamon, 1/2 oz ground allspice or nutmeg, 1 tsp powdered
orris root, and a sprinkling of glitter . Thoroughly coat . Let it stand in the mixture for several days, turning occasionally . Next arrange on a
Paraflexx® sheet and place in Excalibur dehydrator with the thermostat set at the lowest temperature . Dry till shrunken and lightweight;
then tie a long ribbon or cord around it for hanging . .
Dried Macrame Beads
With a little ingenuity, you can dehydrate vegetables for use as beads in macrame and other crafts .
Dough Art
Dough art is a fun craft for children and adults . It’s inexpensive and requires no special equipment beyond your dehydrator . Roll the
dough, coil it, braid it, stamp it, or press it to make wall plaques, napkin rings, jewelry, figurines, small sculptures, and even Christmas tree
ornaments .
PoTPoURRI, ARTS & CRAFTS