Top 16 Best Food Dehydrators
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I have been in food dehydrating for a while so far. I found that it is an easier way to store food, that dehydrated fruits have fewer calories than salty snacks, etc.
When I started to dehydrate food regularly, I noticed less food waste and that my kitchen wasn’t such a mess. I also got the inspiration for creative recipes and improved my nutrition.
Before we jump on to the best food dehydrators reviews, let’s talk about food dehydrators, the types and some general information about food dehydrators.
What Is a Food Dehydrator?
A food dehydrator is an appliance that can remove moisture from the food and improve preservation. Dehydrating fruit, meats, and vegetables isn’t just a modern hype. Moreover, ancient people were aware of the benefits of food dehydration, so they practiced this method for food preservation. That way, they were able to have some food and veggies in the off-season.
A food dehydrator uses heat and airflow to remove the moisture. That can be very effective, because the major ingredient in fruits and veggies is water, by 70-80 percent. After you remove the moisture, the food shrinks, changes the shape and color and tastes better.
Types of Food Dehydrators
There are two types of food dehydrators, based on the airflow direction – vertical and horizontal.
Vertical Flow Food Dehydrators
Stackable or vertical flow food dehydrators feature heating elements on the top or at the bottom of the device. The fan is also at the bottom. The vertical food dehydrators have trays or racks for food.
While benefits include the price, the ease of use and maintenance, the only disadvantage is that sometimes you have to rotate trays if you want a perfect beef jerky. Otherwise, they are excellent for every day, home use.
Horizontal Flow Food Dehydrators
Shelf food dehydrators or horizontal flow food dehydrators resemble an oven with the heating element and the fan on the back of the device. They provide excellent and consistent heating, so you never have to rotate trays. Those come with a higher price tag but can dehydrate all food without issues.
How to Use a Food Dehydrator?
Food dehydrators usually come with the manual and have instruction labels on the device itself. A device like a dehydrator is easy to use and stress-free. All you have to do is cut the food on 2mm thin slices. Place them evenly on the trays and set the temperature.
The temperature can vary, but you find the appropriate temperature for dehydrating online or in the instructions. For example, you can dehydrate fruit at 135 degrees Fahrenheit, but for meat, you will need a higher temperature.
The process can take from six to 14 hours after you should place the food in the sealed baskets.
For example, grapes can take 30 hours for dehydration, while mushrooms need only three hours.
Is Food Dehydrator Worth It?
Dehydrators come in the various price range. Best dehydrator under 100$ can sometimes perform flawlessly within all tasks. However, people who plan to use dehydrator every day for the variety of meals, for example, raw vegans, should consider investing in a long-lasting unit that can withstand years of use.
What Can You Do With a Food Dehydrator?
The fundamental purpose of the food dehydrator is to dry moisture from food. That means that you can prepare fruit and vegetable chips, which are healthy and low-calorie. On the other hand, you can use it to prepare beef, pork or chicken jerky, dry mushrooms and herbs, to make your own spices.
Food such as tomatoes, pumpkin, celery, squash, onions, beets, greens, carrots, beans, peas, corn, broccoli, apples, raspberries, blueberries, peaches, bananas, strawberries, apricots and meat taste excellent after dehydrated.
However, there are many creative recipes involving dehydrating food. You can make and dry pasta in just an hour.
Because a dehydrator will remove moisture from the food, it will shrink and won’t need as much space for storage. It is great for leftovers and making snacks for backpacking because you don’t need to store it in the fridge anymore.
What Food to Never Dehydrate?
While the list of food you can dehydrate is extensive, the list of ingredients you should never put in the dehydrator includes non-lean meats, avocados, dairy products, etc. Also, avoid store-bought condiments and juices and other liquids.
For example, avocado, being very rich in fats will go rancid soon after dehydration, and the same goes for non-lean meat and butter.
If you are looking for a food dehydrator, you can check my food dehydrator reviews.
I dug deeply into the good and the bad sides of each product and prepared a buying guide for you.
That way, you can identify your needs and get the best food dehydrator accordingly.
Food Dehydrators Comparison Table
Having so many options on the market can be overwhelming. Therefore, you can check a comparison table and get crucial information about food dehydrator I reviewed for this article.
What Are The Best Food Dehydrators?
Physical characteristics don’t determine the quality of the food dehydrating process. Here is the list of my best dehydrators, including various lifestyles and needs.
- Best Overall – NESCO Snackmaster FD-75A Food Dehydrator
Easy to use, expandable, no mixing flavors, high capacity and excellent performance - Best Budget – Presto 06300 Food Dehydrator
Affordable, easy to use, decent capacity, expandable and easy to clean - Best Expandable – Nesco Gardenmaster FD-1040 Food Dehydrator
High expandable capacity, no trays rotating, quick and easy performance, works with semi-liquids - Best for Beginners – Excalibur 2400 Food Dehydrator
Safe and even drying process, compact and easy to use and clean, temperature range suitable for variety of food - Best for Jerky – Excalibur 3926TB Food Dehydrator
Modern and powerful machine with programmable time, jerky-safe and lots of drying space - Best for Fruits – L’EQUIP 528 Food Dehydrator
Stable and solid dehydration, suitable for fruits, two knobs for controls, simple design - Best Premium – STX Dehydra 1200W-XLS Food Dehydrator
Durable machine with useful features such as preset programs, digital controls, high drying power and dehydration guidelines cookbook - Best for Home Use – Chefman Food Dehydrator and multi-tier food preserver
Easy to use and monitor, suitable for variety of ingredients, great additional features, excellent for healthy nutrition - Best Small Size – NutriChef PKFD06 Food Dehydrator Machine
Compact, user-friendly, portable and quiet food dehydrator with one-button controls and high temperature settings - Best for Raw Vegan – Tribest Sedona Express SDE-S6780-B
Raw, fast and combo setting, quiet and powerful food dehydrator, digital control and efficient operation
Top 16 Best Food Dehydrators Reviews
Get the bigger picture of each food dehydrator from the list with my extensive reviews. Keep reading because there are more items, more features, performance reviews, and other viewpoints.
1. NESCO Snackmaster FD-75A Food Dehydrator
(Best Overall)
This food dehydrator from Nesco has five trays, but you can expand them up to 12 trays. It has an adjustable thermostat, so you can adjust the temperature for different food. As I learned by experience, some food turns out better when you dry them at a lower temperature.
The machine features the Converga-Flow drying system, which serves to ensure even drying, across the trays, without flavors mixing.
It has a powerful 600 Watts fan on the top of the unit. The controls are simple with the knob and come with the guidelines for the best system of drying a specific food.
Key features:
- Even drying operation
- 600 Watts powerful fan
- 5-12 trays
Pros
- Easy to use and clean
- Suitable for fruit, vegetables, jerky, dog treats
- Adjustable thermostat
Cons
- Doesn’t have a timer
Product specifications:
| Weight | 7.75 pounds |
| Dimensions | 13.8 x 22.1 x 13.9 inches |
| Number of trays/Expandable | 5/12 |
| Material | Plastic |
| Warranty | 1-year limited warranty |
Watch our best buy food dehydrator Nesco FD-75A in action:
2. Presto 06300 Food Dehydrator
(Best Budget)
This Presto food dehydrator, model 06300 features simple operation. All you have to do is to plug it in and it will start working.
The unit has four trays and transparent cover, so you can easily monitor the process. The fan is on the bottom and improves the optimal drying performance. The expandable system offers up to eight trays in total.
There is no temperature control, but it works on average temperature around 165 degrees.
The design is compact and convenient, so it doesn’t take much space on the counter. The cord has its place in the base, and the trays and covers are dishwasher-safe.
Key features:
- 600 Watts of Power
- 165 degree operation
- Fan on the bottom
Pros
- Beginner-friendly
- Budget-friendly
- Compact
Cons
- No temperature control
- No timer
Product specifications:
| Weight | 7.5 pounds |
| Dimensions | 14.5 x 15 x 6.2 inches |
| Number of trays/Expandable | 4/8 |
| Material | Plastic |
| Warranty | 1-year limited warranty |
Watch the video to learn more about this budget food dehydrator:
3. Nesco Gardenmaster FD-1040 Food Dehydrator
(Best Expandable)
This model FD-1040 from Nesco has the maximum expandable capacity of 20 trays. In standard use, it has four trays. It uses the power of 1000 Watts and it has a digital adjustable thermostat from 90-160 degrees Fahrenheit.
The dehydrator comes with the digital programmable timer. With this Nesco food dehydrator, you can prepare jerky in four hours, apples in six hours, bananas in eight hours, etc. It features excellent and fast performance and works with a variety of food.
It is also suitable for drying semi-liquids food such as soups, sauces or fruit rolls.
The fan is on the top of the machine, and no liquids are dripping in the food chamber.
Product features:
- 1000 Watts power
- Digital timer
- Expandable to 20 trays
Pros
- BPA-free
- Comes with the recipe book
- Fast drying
Cons
- A bit noisier
Product specifications:
| Weight | 8.95 pounds |
| Dimensions | 15.5 x 15.5 x 9.5 in |
| Number of trays/Expandable | 4/20 |
| Material | Plastic |
| Warranty | 1-year limited warranty |
See for yourself, Nesco Gardenmaster FD 1040 in action:
4. Excalibur 2400 Food Dehydrator
(Best for Beginners)
This food dehydrator from Excalibur comes with solid construction and simple controls. It has four square feet of drying space in total, divided into four trays.
You can use it for drying food and veggies, but it show an excellent performance when it comes to preparing meet jerky. It meets all standards for professional jerky and dries on the higher temperature.
The temperature is adjustable from 95 to 165 degrees Fahrenheit, and you can use lower temperature for veggies and higher for beef or pork.
The Excalibur dehydrator model 2400 features new technology – Hiperwave fluctuation which keeps the air hot to dry the food, but low for the enzymes to preserve.
Product features:
- 95-165 adjustable temperature
- Even process – no tray or food rotation
- 4 square feet of useful space
Pros
- Straightforward use
- Easy to clean
- Versatile product
Cons
- No timer
- Not expandable
Product specifications:
| Weight | 8 pounds |
| Dimensions | 16.25 x 13 x 6.5 inches |
| Number of trays/Expandable | 4/ |
| Material | Plastic |
| Warranty | Not specified |
Learn more how to use this model, how it works and how to remove the trays and put them back:
5. Excalibur 3926TB Food Dehydrator
(Best for Jerky)
This Excalibur food dehydrator has 15 square feet of drying space and nine trays. It is USA-made and features plastic construction.
This Excalibur model has a 26 hours programmable timer and adjustable temperature. The temperature range is from 105 to 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
It has a 7-inch fan, and power of 600 watts. During the dehydration process, there is no need to rotate the trays or food, because it provides even drying.
This Excalibur model is suitable for a wide range of ingredients but has an excellent performance in preparing jerky.
Key features:
- 26-hour Timer
- Temperature range: 110-165 degrees Fahrenheit
- 15 square feet of space for food
Pros
- Easy to use
- 10-year warranty
- No rotation needed
Cons
- High price tag
Product specifications:
| Weight | 22 pounds |
| Dimensions | 19 x 17 x 12.5 in |
| Number of trays/Expandable | 9/ |
| Material | Plastic |
| Warranty | 10-year limited warranty |
Watch the review of the Excalibur food dehydrator and see how it perform with beef:
6. L’EQUIP 528 Food Dehydrator
(Best for Fruits)
This L’equip food dehydrator model 528 comes with six trays and is expandable to 20 trays in total.
You can adjust the temperature from 98 to 158 degrees Fahrenheit to dry different food.
The unit has 530 Watts of power and is energy efficient.
This food dehydrator features simple control with on and off switch and temperature knob. The design is sleek and simple, so it will blend in the kitchen of all styles.
The machine comes with six drying trays, two leather trays for drying fruits and six mesh screens. It uses the Centra Flow air technology to ensure a consistent flow of hot air and has a fan on the top of the unit. Additionally, it uses a microprocessor sensor to control the heat and ensure a stable and solid drying process.
Key features:
- 550 Watts Power
- 98-158 degree Fahrenheit temperature range
- Six drying trays
Pros
- Sleek design
- Simple controls
- Expandable to 20 trays
Cons
- Somewhat slower performance
Product specifications:
| Weight | 11 pounds |
| Dimensions | 17 x 10 x 11.8 inches |
| Number of trays/Expandable | 6/12 |
| Material | Plastic |
| Warranty | 10-year limited warranty |
See the professional review and performance demonstration of this food dehydrator:
7. STX Dehydra 1200W-XLS Food Dehydrator
(Best Premium)
This STX Dehydra Model 1200W-XLS is large and powerful food dehydrator with strong construction and efficient operation.
It has stainless steel construction and ten stainless steel drying racks. The food dehydrator is suitable for fruits, vegetables, and jerky.
The dehydrator from STX has 1200 Watts of drying power and rear-mounted motor with a 7-inch fan.
This premium machine is easy to use with simple digital controls and seven preset temperature programs, from 97 to 165 degrees Fahrenheit. The preset programs are convenient for people who are new in food dehydration because they show which program works the best for each ingredient. It has a digital 15 hours shut off timer, too.
Additionally, the machine comes with a useful and valuable manual with 270 dehydrating recipes, shelf life comparison of a variety of food, fruit and vegetable drying guide, but also meet and jerky guide.
Product features:
- Stainless steel construction
- 1200 watts of drying power
- Digital controls
Pros
- Large drying space
- Preset programs save time
- Powerful dehydrator
Cons
- Heavier
Product specifications:
| Weight | 38.5 pounds |
| Dimensions | 20 x 17.5 x 15 inches |
| Number of trays/Expandable | 10 |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Warranty | 3-year warranty |
Learn more about the device specifications and parts:
8. Chefman Food Dehydrator and multi-tier food preserver
(Best for Home Use)
This food dehydrator from Chefman comes with six drying trays and a transparent door, and it is easy to monitor the drying process. The trays are BPA-free and spacious. You can put various foods on each and dry them in one dehydration process.
The machine has a digital display and has preset temperature settings from 95-158 degrees Fahrenheit. It also has a 19.5 timer and planning on your snack gets easier with it.
When it comes to the design, the Chefman food dehydrator features convenient designed for ensuring even drying in the food chamber. It is suitable for herbs, fruits, meat or to refresh your cookies and crackers.
Key features:
- Six trays
- Temperature range 158-165 degrees Fahrenheit
- Drying power 480 watts
Pros
- Transparent door
- Digital timer
- Easy to use and clean
Cons
- A bit bulkier
Product specifications:
| Weight | 14.1 pounds |
| Dimensions | 10.7 x 14.7 x 13.5 inches |
| Number of trays/Expandable | 6 |
| Material | Plastic |
| Warranty | 1-year warranty |
See the food dehydrator do its magic in this in-depth video review:
9. NutriChef PKFD06 Food Dehydrator Machine
(Best for Small Size)
This NutriChef dehydrator has simple controls with only one operation button. You can set the desired temperature up to 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
The dehydrator comes with five trays that are easy to remove and clean.
The dehydrator is compact and portable, so you can easily take it with your family if you are going on a trip. The unit doesn’t produce loud noise and is easy to assemble.
The dehydration process is even across all trays, and the dehydrated food preserves up to 97 percent of vitamins and minerals.
The trays are easy to remove, and made of stain-resistant material. You can wash them with soap and water after each use.
Key features:
- Compact
- Maximum temperature 180 degrees Fahrenheit
- Five stackable trays
Pros
- Lightweight
- Simple operation
- Adjustable temperature
Cons
- Trays suitable for hand wash only
Product specifications:
| Weight | 3.1 pounds |
| Dimensions | 13.19 x 13.19 x 7.87 inches |
| Number of trays/Expandable | 5 |
| Material | Not-applicable |
| Warranty | 90 ays warranty |
Let’s have a quick video overview of this machine:
10. Tribest Sedona Express SDE-S6780-B
(Best for Raw Vegan)
This food dehydrator from Tribest, model SDE-S6780-B comes with digital settings and display. This innovative model features three additional programs – fast, raw and combo, which makes it suitable for people who are on raw vegan nutrition.
It comes with 11 stainless steel trays and a large capacity. The glass hinged door allows you to easily monitor the process.
What I like about this one is the quiet operation, and you won’t be aware that it is running.
The temperature is adjustable, with a maximum temperature of 167 degrees Fahrenheit. On the plus side, the unit has a removable and washable air filter, which prolongs the lifespan of the machine. The central fan is powerful and the Sedona Express dehydrator has a safety feature – overheat protection.
Key features:
- Three programs – raw, fast, combo
- Maximum temperature 167 degrees Fahrenheit
- Overheat protection
Pros
- Quiet
- Transparent glass door
- Multiple settings
Cons
- High price tag
Product specifications:
| Weight | 20.4 pounds |
| Dimensions | 17.5 x 12 x 14 inches |
| Number of trays/Expandable | 11 |
| Material | Steel |
| Warranty | 10-year warranty |
Watch the video for more information about performance, parts, and programs:
11. NutriChef PKFD25 Food Dehydrator
(Best for Cookies)
This model PKFD25 from NutriChef comes with ten removable trays. The machine is easy to use due to digital LED screen and simple control panel with temperature knob, on/off switch, timer and guide for food dehydrating.
You can use the NutriChef model PKFD25 for fruits, vegetables, fish and meat, to prepare homemade healthy snacks and famous jerky. The maximum operating temperature is 155 degrees Fahrenheit and a minimum of 84 degrees Fahrenheit.
It has a large capacity and consistent hot airflow, which makes the dehydrating process stable, resulting in tasty food.
The drying power is 800 watts, and the machine can significantly increase the shelf life and reduce food waste. Furthermore, it can make dehydrated cookies in four to six hours.
Key features:
- Large capacity with 10 trays
- 800 watts of drying power
- Maximum temperature 155 degrees Fahrenheit
Pros
- Easy operation
- Large capacity
- Efficient
Cons
- Higher price tag
Product specifications:
| Weight | 14.6 pounds |
| Dimensions | 20 x 15 x 19.2 inches |
| Number of trays/Expandable | 10 |
| Material | Not-applicable |
| Warranty | Not specified |
Learn more about this NutriChef dehydrator in this video:
12. Hamilton Beach 32100A Food Dehydrator
(Best for Apples Chips)
This food dehydrator from Hamilton Beach features a compact and convenient design with a clear lid. Therefore, I was able to check the process occasionally.
The model 32100A has a 48 hours timer and a temperature range from 100 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit. The machine is easy to get used to, because of the simple controls.
It comes with five removable trays, and useful fine-mesh sheets, which I used to dry herbs and smaller ingredients such as nuts. Also, you get one solid sheet for making fruit rolls.
The drying power is 500 Watts. It is versatile and handy kitchen tool, suitable for a variety of recipes and healthy snacks.
Key features:
- 500 Watts of drying power
- 48 hours timer
- 100-160 degrees Fahrenheit temperature range
Pros
- Clear lid
- Easy to use
- Excellent for herbs
Cons
- A bit noisier
Product specifications:
| Weight | 8 pounds |
| Dimensions | 10.5 x 13 x 11 inches |
| Number of trays/Expandable | 5 |
| Material | Plastic |
| Warranty | 90 ays |
Watch the review and determine whether this one will fulfill your needs, especially if you love blueberries:
13. Nesco Snackmaster FD-61WHC Food Dehydrator
(Best for Herbs)
This Nesco Snackmaster food dehydrator, model FD-61WHC has solid drying power of 500 watts and has even heat distribution across food chamber.
The machine comes with five BPA-free removable trays that can expand up to 12 trays. The product is manufactured in USA.
It has a standard temperature range from 95 to 165 degrees Fahrenheit and simple, one knob controls. You will get one jerky gun with attachments, and instructions book. The book is useful, and I found interesting recipes for dried fruits, herb and meat.
This model FD-61WHC has a simple design with top mounted fan, which removes the risk of liquids spilling across the food chamber. The trays are dishwasher safe.
Key features:
- Sleek design
- Simple control panel
- Five expandable trays with total of 12 trays
Pros
- Expandable
- Trays are dishwasher safe
- Comes with additional tools
Cons
- A bit slower performance
- Jerky gun not convenient to use
Product specifications:
| Weight | 8 pounds |
| Dimensions | 13.5 x 13.5 x 9.25 inches |
| Number of trays/Expandable | 5/12 |
| Material | Plastic |
| Warranty | 1-year warranty |
See how this dehydrator performed with dried fruits:
14. Excalibur 3926TB Food Dehydrator
(Best for Mushrooms)
Excalibur makes some great kitchen tools, such as this food dehydrator model 3926TB. It comes with nine trays, with a total of 15 square feet of useful drying surface. It can dry large amounts of food at a time, and ensure even heat distribution.
It features a 26-hours programmable timer and adjustable temperature. The range goes from 105 to 165 degrees Fahrenheit. For example, you dry fruits at a lower temperature to keep the vitamins and dry meat on high temperatures to ensure a safe process.
The drying power is 600 watts, and you don’t have to move or rotate food nor trays, during the operation.
Key features:
- 15 square feet of drying surface
- Suitable for fruits and meat
- Automatic shut off timer
Pros
- Contemporary design
- Efficient
- Perform well with the fruits, herbs and meat
Cons
- High price tag
- Bulkier
Product specifications:
| Weight | 22 pounds |
| Dimensions | 19 x 17 x 12.5 inches |
| Number of trays/Expandable | 9 |
| Material | Plastic |
| Warranty | 5-year warranty |
See inside of the food chamber and results of seven hours drying process in this video:
15. Aroma Housewares AFD-815B Food Dehydrator
(The Quietest)
This food dehydrator from the Aroma Housewares model AFD-815B caught my attention with the seven preset programs. From my experience, there is food that is trickier to dry, so this one came in handy. The programs are adjusted automatically to match fruit, beef or herbs.
The capacity is moderate, with six trays and because it has a rear-mounted fan, the drying process is effortless and there is no need for tray or food rotation.
Key features:
- Preset programs
- Six trays
- Moderate capacity
Pros
- Straightforward use
- Adjustable thermostat
- Suitable for herbs and spices
- Quiet
Cons
- Slower performance
Product specifications:
| Weight | 11.68 pounds |
| Dimensions | 17.72 x 13.58 x 12.4 inches |
| Number of trays/Expandable | 6 |
| Material | Plastic |
| Warranty | 1-year warranty |
16. Presto 06301 Food Dehydrator
(Best for Dog Treats)
This food dehydrator from Presto model 06301 has six trays for drying herbs, fruits, and vegetables.
The trays can extend to 12 trays and significantly increase the capacity of this kitchen machine.
The unit comes with two non-stick mesh screens, which I used for herbs, and two fruit roll-sheets.
The parts are safe for washing in the dishwasher.
The dehydrator model 06301 has a digital thermostat, and you can adjust the temperature from 95 to 165 degrees Fahrenheit. The control panel is simple with on/off switch and buttons for adjusting temperature and time.
It has an auto shut-off feature that prevents overheating. The fan is on the bottom and it improves the airflow, so there is no need to rotate trays.
Key features:
- Bottom mounted fan
- Timer and adjustable thermostat
- Six trays, expandable to 12 trays
Pros
- Parts are dishwasher-safe
- Excellent for herbs
- Auto shut off
Cons
- Noisy
- Expensive replacement trays
Product specifications:
| Weight | 8.5 pounds |
| Dimensions | 14.5 x 15 x 7.25 inches |
| Number of trays/Expandable | 6/12 |
| Material | Plastic |
| Warranty | 1-year warranty |
Get to know this Presto digital food dehydrator with this review:
Things to Consider When Buying Food Dehydrator
My reviews serve to show you more about each product, but now I want to talk about food dehydrators in general. There are some things that you should be aware of to learn what makes a good food dehydrator for dried fruits, veggies, herbs, and homemade jerky.
If you are still unsure whether you need a food dehydrator for home use, let’s talk first about the benefits of having this kitchen appliance.
Healthy Snacks and Less Food Waste
With a food dehydrator, you can prolong the shelf life of many foods. Instead of throwing a large amount of food, you can put it in the dehydrator, and get a healthy snack for later.
If you have other plans for lunch leftovers, you can use the dehydrator to prepare healthy chips, crackers, cookies, etc.
Instead of eating salty, unhealthy snacks during the day or on the movie night, or between meals, you can prepare snacks that are low-calories and healthy.
For example, beef jerky makes the best snack in the world – it is rich with nutrients such as proteins, and it has a high percentage of sodium. Therefore, it can help you restock electrolytes.
Food dehydrators can prepare jerky in hours, and it will taste delicious.
On the other hand, dried apples, bananas, blueberries, etc. are also the proper choice for a healthy snack.
Now, let’s move on to the significant factors for choosing the best food dehydrator.
Heat Distribution
When I started to research about food dehydrators, I learned that the final result depends on the heat distribution inside the food chamber.
Because of the design of the food dehydrator, some trays are going to be far from the source of heat. Therefore, some food can dry faster. However, which can be inconvenient for you. You would have to rotate trays, turn the food upside down to make sure that the moisture is evenly removed.
Luckily, you can find food dehydrators that use fans to disperse the heat evenly across all drying surface. Additionally, they use more heat sources and different fan locations, so the entire drying process is effortless for you.
I recommend you to always research the airflow method inside the food dehydrator, to make sure that you won’t have to monitor the drying process constantly.
Using the Dehydrator
If you are a beginner in food dehydration, you might want to consider getting the machine with preset programs. Fruits and meats require distinct conditions for dehydration, which can be overwhelming for beginners.
Getting the dehydrator with preset programs for meat, fruits, herbs, and spices can ease a lot of the work for you. Just place your food on the tray, put the tray inside, and find the appropriate program.
Size and Heating Power
The suitable size of a food dehydrator for you depends on your needs. If you just plan to use it occasionally for some snack, thank you can go with a smaller device. However, if you are on raw vegan nutrition, or you have plenty of food in your yard that you wish to dehydrate, consider getting an expandable dehydrator.
On the other hand, the drying power expressed in watts determines how powerful the machine is. However, for home and occasional use, you can get excellent results with 500-800 Watts food dehydrators.
If you want to use it daily, I conclude that going with 1000 Watts machines will get the work done sooner.
Features to Look For in a Food Dehydrator
Here is a shortlist of useful and convenient features that can help you prepare better-dried food.
Adjustable Thermostat
The standard temperature range you should look for is from 95 to 158 degrees Fahrenheit and a few degrees above. People who want a versatile machine should get the one with adjustable temperature, to make sure it can prepare spices and herbs, but also meat.
Timer and Auto Shut Off
The timer is convenient because food dehydration can take seven or more hours. You can easily forget about it. A timer will remind you that your food is ready!
If the device has an auto shut off feature, it will stop working when the heat limit approaches. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about coming home to see your kitchen on fire.
FAQs
[/su_spoiler] [/su_accordion]My Top Pick
When it comes to food dehydrators, they are an excellent way to turn to a healthier lifestyle without the need to cut off snacks.
My winner is Nesco FD-75A food dehydrator. The design, the performance, the ease of use and the price, amazed me.
It showed excellent performance compared to more expensive models with extra features.
No mixing flavors is the part that I enjoy the most, because I can dry apples and chicken at the same time, and still have the authentic taste and smell of both.
In the end, I must say that this one also turns out to be the best food dehydrator for dog treats.
What do you think about food dehydrators? Are they overhyped or you believe in the benefits? I believe they can improve nutrition habits and help me maintain a healthy lifestyle. Let me know
what you think in the comments and which model seems you would choose.
What makes the Presto 06301 best for dog treats?
Dear Swann,
First of all thanks for contacting me.
This model is is great for all purposes and not only dog food. I find that the Presto 06301 finishes the job of dehydrating the chicken breast faster than other models. This is why I suggested that it is ideal for preparing dob treats
Remember that this is my personal opinion and all products from the list are a great addition for every household regardless of your purpose.
Have a wonderful day and stay safe.
Loves, Amanda.