The market is flooded with numerous food dehydrators, but it's crucial to identify the type that best suits your requirements. Here are some suggestions to help you select the ideal food dehydrator for your use. If you foresee the need to dehydrate a substantial amount of fruits or vegetables simultaneously, a larger model could be fitting. Conversely, if your space is limited, a smaller model might be more appropriate.
Consider how often you intend to use it too; if it'll just be used occasionally, then something that doesn't cost much might suffice, but if you're looking for something that can go 24/7, then investing in a more expensive model would probably be worth it. We have compiled this list of the 5 best food dehydrators you can buy.
What is a Food Dehydrator?
A food dehydrator is a small kitchen appliance that dries out food by blowing air through it. It's great at preserving the nutrition in your food while also extending its shelf life. This way you'll be able to enjoy home-made snacks and foods long after their expiration date!
Food dehydrators are also very versatile, so if you get creative with your recipes, you can use them for everything from jerky to fruit rolls!
There are various types of food dehydrators available on the market. You've got your standard electric models, which plug into a wall outlet and have a fan inside that blows the hot air through your food. Then there's also solar dehydrators, where sunshine does all the work.
Benefits of Using a Food Dehydrator
If you're a fan of dried fruit, vegetables, and meats, then a food dehydrator is a must. They're also great if you love making your own healthy snacks or meals at home. Here are some benefits of owning one:
1. Prevent waste
By drying out your food, they'll last much longer than their fresh counterparts. In fact, fruits will last as long as three years! If you bought these products from the store, they would have been packaged months ago, where the date on the package would be completely irrelevant now. You can eat them whenever you want with this method, instead of being forced to throw them away because they've gone bad before you planned to use them.
2. Healthy food
By drying out your food, you'll retain most of its natural nutrients while avoiding adding in preservatives to make them last longer in stores or on shelves at home.
3. Make jerky/dehydrated meat
Whether it's for camping trips or just an evening snack, homemade dehydrated meats are healthy and super tasty! You can find dried beef recipes here.
4. Save space
If you have a small kitchen, then having bulky appliances is never ideal. With a food dehydrator, you'll save lots of cupboard space because they're flat, compact devices!
5. Make crafts with your food
If you're creative, then you can transform your dried fruits, vegetables, and meats into beautiful-looking snacks! This is a great way to impress guests too.
6. Make vegan jerky
Yes, there are vegan versions of dehydrated meat available! You won't be able to get the exact same texture as regular jerky, but it's definitely close enough to enjoy for all vegans out there!
List of 5 Best Food Dehydrators Reviews
1. Nesco FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator
- EVEN HEAT DISTRIBUTION: 600 watts of drying power provides even heat...
- ADJUSTABLE TEMPERATURE CONTROL: The adjustable temperature control (95°F...
- EXPANDABLE TO 12 TRAYS: Comes with five (13 1/2″ diameter) trays and...
- The Nesco FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator is only 600 watts! With an adjustable temperature setting from 95°F to 160°F, even a novice chef can dry anything. The cause of inconsistent food dehydration might be that you're not drying evenly with the other models on the market. Trade in those one-size-fits-all models for this well-rounded dehydrator and never have to worry about unevenly dried fruit again.
- The Nesco FD-75A is the perfect food dehydrator for those who need a lower power usage dehydrator or those with limited counter space. This model comes with 5 trays and has the capability to expand its size up to 12 trays if needed.
- It also features an exterior that blocks out harmful light, which ensures your dried foods maintain more of their nutrients and vitamins during the process.
- Dried fruits stay fresh longer when you include an accompanying Fruit Roll Sheet—it's a mesh sheet made from edible natural ingredients that allows airflow while removing excess moisture from the fruit roll as it dries, enabling sweet flavors to come through.
2. VIVOHOME Electric 400W 5 Trays Food Dehydrator Machine
- POWERFUL DRYING CAPACITY - Equipped with 400W drying power, this food...
- ADJUSTABLE TIMER & TEMPERATURE - Features adjustable timer and temperature...
- 5 LAYERS OF TRAYS - This food dehydrator is designed with 5 large-capacity...
- The VIVOHOME Electric 400W 5 Trays Food Dehydrator Machine is the professional choice for preserving foods at their nutritional value. The machine allows you to set a timer or temperature depending on what kind of food you are dehydrating, with no worries about pollutants seeping in because it has a powerful hot air fan that will turn on automatically.
- The VIVOHOME Electric 400W 5 Trays Food Dehydrator Machine is the perfect way to enjoy your favorite snacks without chemicals. This product features 5 layers of trays that are large enough for any food item, ensuring uniform dehydration. Its 5 trays give you room to classify different foods and increase productivity at the same time.
- Made of tough premium materials, including a stainless steel base and BPA-free plastic trays, this machine is safe for use in your home because everything involved is free from harmful additives frequently used in commercial processors. The digital LED screen makes it easy to actually SEE how dehydrated your food has become with accurate temperature setting controls while also providing an attractive addition to any kitchen counter.
3. COSORI Premium Food Dehydrator Machine
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- The COSORI food dehydrator is a great family-sized machine that comes with a separate mesh screen and fruit roll sheet. Perfect for making raw meat jerky, healthy treats, preserving herbs and flowers—this appliance will have your kitchen ready for anything!
- The COSORI food dehydrator has been approved by the USDA/FDA to regulate its temperature from 95°-105° Fahrenheit. The extra-large capacity of 12 trays can dry up to 24 pounds of meats at one time, or 8 pounds per tray on the included 6 trays Plastic injection-molded casters make it easy to move from room to room while always staying within an allowable height from nearby cabinets.
- The COSORI Premium Food Dehydrator Machine is the best new way to effortlessly dryly prep food, whether you're prepping for a family hike or just running low on snacks. Though others may cost less, COSORI's powerful 600W motor powerhouse dries foods with accuracy and efficiency.
- It has overheat protection features that activate if the dehydrator overheats. Perfect for people who are looking to cut back on their calorie intake without sacrificing what they crave, this professional-grade machine is ETL-listed and FDA compliant. The quiet noise level of 48 dB is equivalent to normal library levels!
4. Presto 06300 Dehydro Electric Food Dehydrator
- Great for homemade jerky and dehydrating nutritious fruits and vegetables....
- This particular model is 06300-05.
- Top-mounted fan and heating element provide consistent air flow for optimum...
- The sleek design of the Presto 06300 Dehydro Electric Food Dehydrator makes saving money on dried foods easy! With four trays, you have plenty of space to dry all your favorite snacks. The see-through cover lets you monitor drying progress so food never gets too dark or lost in an overly packed tray.
- You'll find this dehydrated fruit is sweeter than ever, perfect for topping off rice dishes with a tangy yet sweet flavor profile that will impress everyone at dinner time. No longer does "chicken jerky" mean old, hard strips of meat. It can now be crunchy and chewy with natural flavors popping through every bite!
- It takes no time at all to learn how to use the Presto 06300 Dehydro Electric Food Dehydrator. The four trays are easy to fill with fruit, vegetables, meat, or sauces.
- With Presto's new design, you can monitor your food by looking through the see-through top cover that lets light shine in and out without obscuring drying progress.
- Bottom-mounted fans and heating elements work together for optimum airflow during drying stages, minimizing any chance of spoiling food while it is dehydrating.
5. Hamilton Beach 32100A Digital Food Dehydrator
- 5 STACKABLE, BPA-FREE TRAYS: The food dehydrator machine trays provide up...
- ADJUSTABLE TEMPERATURE CONTROL, DIGITAL TIME & AUTO SHUTOFF: Easily adjust...
- CONSISTENT, EVEN DRYING WITHOUT HAVING TO ROTATE TRAYS: The powerful 500...
- The Hamilton Beach 32100A Digital Food Dehydrator provides a reliable and efficient way to dry fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices, flowers, and other delicacies you would rather preserve than simply eating them fresh. The adjustable digital thermostat allows you to set the output of this best food dehydrator wherever it suits your needs by ranging from 100 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
- There is also an added bonus that makes drying more convenient: with its fast 48-hour timer that will automatically turn off once the time has elapsed, there is no worry of overstraining any foods accidentally. With these wonderful features as well as a clear lid for monitoring food progress, this model makes itself very useful in creating healthy snacks on the go!
- This Hamilton Beach Digital Food Dehydrator features five stackable drying trays and comes with an exterior cover to help maintain optimal temperature. With a powerful 500 watts, continuous airflow provides even drying throughout the unit.
What Should I Look for in a Food Dehydrator?
Here are some factors to be considered when choosing your food dehydrator:
Capacity
The capacity of a food dehydrator is measured in square inches. So when looking at models online or in stores, always check the square inches it can cover. This will determine just how much food can fit into one batch. If you have lots of mouths to feed in your household, choose a model with a large capacity so you'll be able to prepare larger batches in one go! But if it's just going to be used by yourself and perhaps 1-2 others, then medium-sized units should suffice.
Portability
Some people prefer having appliances that are easy to move around, while others are fine with them being stationary. If you need to transport your dehydrator often, make sure it's light and compact enough for you to be able to carry it wherever you go! Also, take into consideration the amount of space that it will consume on your counter or shelf.
Noise
Dehydrators can be incredibly loud when in use, which isn't ideal if you're trying not to disturb people nearby. While all food dehydrators are noisy during operation, some models are quieter than others, so do consider this feature before making a purchase.
Digital Controls
The convenience of digital controls cannot be overstated! With just one touch of a button, your machine is programmed for automatic cooking. This makes controlling it a breeze, and you can always come back for perfectly dried food. All models in the top-rank list below have digital controls, so keep this in mind when shopping to increase your chances of finding a great dehydrator!
Price
Food dehydrators are budget-friendly appliances, but you don't want to end up scouring the market only to find nothing affordable. Luckily there's a wide range of prices available on our recommendation list, so regardless of how much cash you're willing to spend on a dehydrator, take a look at what we've got for sale!
Durability
The last thing you want is an appliance that breaks down after just a few uses. Look online or in stores for customer reviews regarding durability before buying anything. This will help you avoid faulty or low-quality products.
How to Use a Food Dehydrator
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long do dehydrated foods last?
As long as the dehydrated food is stored in a cool, dry place and in an airtight container, it will last for several years. Food that lasts longer than expected doesn't mean it's spoiled or not safe to eat. It just means that its quality has declined.
The quality of dried foods lasts much longer when they're sealed and placed in storage containers such as mason jars. You can even use canning lids with rubber gaskets instead of the flat metal lid screws to keep oxygen out and moisture-sealed inside.
2. Does a food dehydrator use a lot of electricity?
The answer is yes; food dehydrators can use a lot of electricity. There are many factors that affect electric power usage, but it may be between 100-200 watts/hour to 300-400 watts/hour per tray for an average food dehydrator. The electric power usage depends on your drying temperature and operation time. Higher the temperature = more the electric power usage. Longer the operation time = more the electric power usage, etc.
Always keep in mind that any appliances use a higher amount of electrical energy during the initial warming-up stage, no matter how long they stay on, while after that their electric energy consumption becomes minimum or nearly zero, which means this heating phase makes its presence felt in your utility bills while you remove food from trays once they are dried. So, you can minimize that effect by removing food trays once they are dried.
3. Is dehydrated food tasty?
It totally depends on your recipe. Some recipes make food tasty while others don't. But definitely, it is healthier than fried food, processed (chemical stuff added) food, canned (tinned) food, etc.
4. Does dehydrating food take away nutrients?
No, the food dehydrator doesn't remove any nutrients from food; rather, it helps to retain more vitamins and minerals in your healthy dried food. This is because there is no heat or drying time retention while storing the dehydrated food in airtight glass containers, which prevent further nutrient loss for a long time.
For example, Vitamin C is a water-soluble and heat-sensitive vitamin that is lost by heating, but if you add lemon juice while cooking meat, then it's available in cooked meals and does not get lost with heating and processing of food (in canning).
5. What are the disadvantages of dehydration?
The major disadvantage of dehydration is that it takes a lot of time (time is money) and electricity (electricity is money too). It doesn't produce instant results like other modern appliances, such as microwave ovens. It needs patience and planning; if you are in a hurry, then dehydration may not be the best option for you.
Conclusion
With the best food dehydrator on your side, you can preserve and prepare all of those delicious fruits and vegetables for years to come. Constantly rotating through the products in your fridge is a great way to eat healthier, but it also means that some items will inevitably go bad before they get eaten.
Investing in a good-quality food dehydrator may be one of the smartest decisions that you make this year! Our team has compiled 5 top-rated models from different price ranges, so there's something perfect for any budget here. From small units with just two trays up to large commercial-grade machines, we're sure that everyone will find what they need at an affordable price point right here.
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