Nevco dehydrator -- smell

[cdeato]

I'm using my dehydrator for the first time, and there is a smell a little bit like burning plastic. It's not too strong...I'm probably the only one who's noticing it. At first I thought it would only last a little while, but it's been plugged in for hours. I'm sure it's from heating the element for the first time. I'll try cleaning the element before I use it again. Has anyone experienced anything similar? I'm worried about us breathing the fumes, plus afraid to give the fruit roll ups I'm making to my daughter.

[suziquzie]

Most new appliances do that in my experience. My new oven smelled the first 3 times I used it.
I doubt the fumes are anything to worry about, there's nothing actually burning in there.

[Michael in FtW]

Mine had a funny smell the first few times I used it - the food didn't have a funny flavor or smell to it, and nobody got sick from eating anything I made in it (beef jerky, banana chips, fruit leathers/rollups).

As for cleaning the heating element, IMHO I wouldn't. The metal is porous and it will give off a smell from whatever you use to clean it the next time you heat it up.

Like suziquzie said - I've never had a new appliance that didn't have a funny smell the first few times I used it.

[mcnerd]

I agree with everyone. Next question is....what did you decide to dehydrate for your first try?

[Michael in FtW]

Apparently, mcnerd - Chris (the OP) is making "fruit roll ups" on her inaugural attempt for her daughter if you reread her post.