Flag This Hub

Nesco Food Dehydrator: Affordable Food Preservation with Great Taste and Nutrition

By


Nesco Food Dehydrator

A Nesco food dehydrator not only preserves food, but you can make your favorite snacks. Do you love jerkey and dried fruits? Do your kids love fruit roll ups? You can even grow your own spices and dry the plants. Jerkey, dried fruit, and spices are all expensive. Nowadays, in today's economy, anything you can do to save money is important. Not only can food dehydrators save money, but they can prevent spoilage and wasted groceries. If you have a dehydrator, next time your fruits or vegetables start to go bad, just slice them and put them in the dehydrator. Later you can enjoy the dried fruits as a snack or in recipes or have a savory bowl of steaming soup of strew made out of your dried vegetables. Furthermore, in addition to preserving food, unlike canned or frozen fruits and vegetables, if you're a single household or small family, it allows you to eat only what you want rather than wasting food by having uneaten leftovers. In addition to these benefits, whereas canning and freezing use extreme temperatures to preserve food, dehydration is the least destructive method. It retains the most nutrient value of food.

Preserving Tomatoes

Benefits of a Nesco Food Dehydrator

Nesco makes a wide line of food dehydrators, and they have several great benefits. Some of the benefits of a Nesco Food Dehydrator are:

  • Most of their models have top-mounted fans and a patented converge-drying system. This system forces air down a pressurized exterior chamber and then across each tray horizontally. Insuring even drying, it eliminates the need to rotate the trays.
  • Adjustable thermostats from 90 to 160 degrees
  • Vita-save exterior - Nesco dehydrators have an opaque exterior which prevents light from destroying the nutrient value of some foods.
  • Expandable - In most models, you can expand the number of trays used.
  • Many different models with most of them at an affordable price.

If you're looking for a food dehydrator, don't waste another day. Check out these great products and buy one today!

Ten Cheapest Nesco Food Dehydrators on Amazon

Food dehydrators can vary in price considerably. These are the ten cheapest Nesco food dehydrators on Amazon.

  • Nesco American Harvest 5-Tray FD-35 425-Watt Snackmaster - $39.49
  • Nesco American Harvest FD-28JX Jerky Xpress Dehydrator Kit with Jerky Gun - $39.95
  • Nesco FD-39 500-Watt - $48.99
  • Nesco American Harvest FD-35BJW-5 Snackmaster Entre Fodd Dehydrator with Jerky Kit - $54.99
  • Nesco FD-75PR 700-Watt - $54.99
  • Nesco FD-60 Snackmaster Express 4-Tray - $59.99
  • Nesco 4-Tray -$60.22
  • Nesco American Harvest FD-61 Snackmaster Encore - $63.77
  • Nesco FD-61WHC Snackmaster Express All in One Food Dehydrator Kit 5 Tray W/ Jerky Gun - $65.50
  • Nesco Snackmaster Express - $66.00

 

Best Nesco Food Dehydrator for the Money

Out of the ten cheapest Nesco Food Dehydrators, I think the best value for the money is the Nesco FD-75PR 700-Watt at $54.99. It has the most wattage at 700 watts. It has 5 trays which are expandable up to twelve trays. Furthermore, out of 170 Amazon customer reviews, all but 37 reviews were five stars, and the remaining reviews were four stars.

Comparison Chart for Nesco Food Dehydrators

 
Amazon's Price 
Star Rating 
# of Watts
# of Trays
Size
Includes
Nesco FD-75PR 700-Watt
$54.99 
41/2 
700
5
13.5 x 10.9 x 13.3 inches ; 10.6 pounds
recipe book, 2 solid sheets, 2 mesh sheets, and 3 jerky spice packets
Nesco FD-80 American Harvest Square-Shaped
$67.79 
41/2 
700 
 
15.2 x 15.2 x 10 inches ; 9.3 pounds  
 
Nesco American Harvest FD-61WHC Snackmaster Express
$129.98  
41/2 
 
13 x 11 x 13 inches  
fruit roll sheet, clean-a-screen for drying herbs or sticky fruit; recipe guide 
Nesco American Harvest FD-1010 Gardenmaster
$118.29  
41/2 
1000  
4, expandable to 30 trays
17.3 x 17.3 x 11.5 inches ; 13.9 pounds  
1 solid sheet, 1 mesh sheet, and 1 packet jerky spice 
Nesco American Harvest FD-61 Snackmaster Encore
$63.77 
41/2 
500 
 
13.5 x 13.8 x 9.8 inches ; 7.5 pounds  
 
Nesco American Harvest 5-Tray FD-35 425-Watt Snackmaster
$39.49  
 425
5, expands to seven trays  
14.1 x 14 x 10 inches ; 4.4 pounds  
 
Nesco FD-1018P American Harvest 1000-Watt Gardenmaster Dehydrator and Jerky Maker
$147.10  
41/2 
1000 
17.2 x 17.2 x 15.9 inches  
8 clean-A-screens, jerky spice and cure, and a how-to book  
Nesco American Harvest FD-35BJW-5 Snackmaster Entre Fodd Dehydrator with Jerky Kit
$54.99  
41/2 
425 
13 x 9 x 13 inches  
jerky gun  
Nesco Snackmaster Express
$66.00 
41/2 
500 
 
 
Nesco FD-39 500-Watt
$48.99  
21/2 
500 
4, expanded to up to seven trays
13.9 x 9.7 x 13.8 inches  
 
Nesco American Harvest FD-28JX Jerky Xpress Dehydrator Kit with Jerky Gun
$39.95  
350  
 
jerky gun with 3 custom tips, 4 spice & cure pack 
Nesco FD-60 Snackmaster Express 4-Tray
$59.99  
N/A 
500 
4, expandable to 12 trays
13.6 x 9.8 x 13.5 inches ; 8.2 pounds  
fruit roll sheet and 2 original-flavor jerky spice and cure packets  
Nesco Gardenmaster 4-Tray
$119.95  
1000  
4,expandable to 20 trays
 
Fruit Roll Sheet & Original Jerky Spice  
Nesco FD-1018 Gardenmaster
$166.00  
1000  
8, expandable up to 30 trays
17.50 x17.25 x11.25 inches
 
Nesco FD-75BJ9 700-Watt
$79.99  
N/A 
700 
 
 
fruit roll sheet, Clean-A-Screen, and 9 original jerky spice and cure packets  
Nesco FD-1018P Gardenmaster Pro 8 Tray
$159.99  
N/A 
 
 
 
 
Nesco FD-61WHC Snackmaster Express All in One Food Dehydrator Kit 5 Tray W/ Jerky Gun
$65.50  
N/A 
500 
5, expandable up to 12 trays
13.5 x 11 x 13.6 inches  
Jerky Gun  
Nesco 4-Tray
$60.22 
N/A 
500 
4, expandable up to 12 trays
 
 
Metalware/nesco FD-75PR "Nesco" Professional Food Dehydrator 700-watt
$70.59  
N/A 
700 
5, expandable up to 12 trays 
 
Roll Sheets, 2 Clean A Screens For Drying Sticky Fruit & Herbs & 3 Original Jerky Spices & Cure Packets 
Nesco Snackmaster Express
$66.99 
 
 
 
 
Nesco FD-1018P Snackmaster 8 Tray Food Dehydrator (FD1018)
$147.99 
N/A 
1000 
8, expandable up to 30 trays
 
8 fruit roll sheets, 8 drying screens and the HP-9 How to Dry Foods book by Deanna Delong 

Nesco Food Dehydrators

Nesco FD-75PR 700-Watt Food Dehydrator
Dry fruit, vegetables, and jerky in hours instead of days with this 700-watt food dehydrator. The unit's patented Converga-Flow drying system forces air down the exterior pressurized chamber, then horizontally across each individual tray, converging in the center, for fast, even, and nutritious drying. Flavors don't mix, and there's no need to rotate the trays. Its top-mounted fan eliminates the worry of liquids dripping into the heater chamber, and an opaque Vita-Save exterior helps block harmful lights in order to retain more of the food's nutrients and vitamins during the drying process. The unit's adjustable thermostat ranges from 95 to 160 degrees F, providing the flexibility needed to ensure excellent results. Five trays come included, but the unit can be expanded to up to 12 trays (additional trays sold separately) for drying larger quantities at one time. Accessories include two fruit roll sheets, perfect for drying semi-liquids like soups, sauces, and fruit rolls; two Clean-A-Screen flexible screens, which allow for easy drying of small items such as herbs, spices, and potpourri; and three original jerky spice packets for making jerky. A 52-page recipe and instruction book also comes included. With a sleek, contemporary design, the food dehydrator measures approximately 13 by 13 by 10 inches.
Amazon Price: $55.99
List Price: $79.99
Nesco/American Harvest FD-80 Square-Shaped Dehydrator
Dry slices of fruit and vegetables, herbs and flowers, granola, or strips of jerky using this easy-to-operate dehydrator. With its square shape, the countertop appliance provides 41-percent more room for drying compared to round dehydrators. It also features a unique air-circulation system with a top-mounted fan and patented Converga-Flow Action, which pressurizes heated air downward through the outer ring and horizontally across each tray, converging at the center. This delivers not only speedy results but uniformity, so foods dry evenly--no need to rotate the trays around during operation. Its 700-watt motor also helps ensure fast drying times for results in hours versus days. A simple control knob adjusts the heat from 95 degrees to 155 degrees F to accommodate appropriate drying temperatures, and printed guidelines on the motor housing help determine the correct thermostat setting. Other highlights include a bale handle for removing the power head, dishwasher-safe parts, and an instruction manual for getting started. The dehydrator measures 14-1/2 by 14-1/2 by 9-5/8 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.
Amazon Price: $59.94
List Price: $79.99
Nesco American Harvest FD-61WHC Snackmaster Express Food Dehydrator All-In-One Kit with Jerky Gun
The FD-61WHC Snackmaster Express All-In-One kit has a top mounted fan. Easily dries fruit, vegetables and jerky quickly and evenly. Dries food in hours not days. Comes with 5 trays and jerky gun. Unit disassembles easily and all parts are dishwasher safe except the power head. The Opaque Vita-Save exterior helps block harmful lights which destroys nutritional content of food being dehydrated. The Patented fan flow radial air action forces air down the center of the unit and horizontally across each tray for fast, even-drying. No need to rotate.
Amazon Price: $64.98
List Price: $82.99
Nesco American Harvest FD-1020 Gardenmaster 1000-Watt Digital Food Dehydrator
Easily dry fruit, vegetables, and jerky in hours instead of days with this 1000-watt digital food dehydrator. Its quiet 2400 RPM motor and specially designed 4-1/2-inch fan deliver faster, more nutritious drying--four times faster than dryers with no fan or motor. Fruit rolls only take three to six hours, beef jerky four hours, apples four to six hours, bananas five to eight hours, and pineapple four to six hours. Flavors don't mix, and there's no need to rotate the trays. The unit's patented Converga-Flow drying system forces heated air down the exterior pressurized chamber, then horizontally across each individual tray, converging in the center, for fast, even, and nutritious drying. Its top-mounted fan eliminates the worry of liquids dripping into the heater chamber, and an opaque Vita-Save exterior helps block harmful lights in order to retain more of the food's nutrients and vitamins during the drying process. The unit's adjustable digital thermostat ranges from 90 to 160 degrees F, and its digital timer can be programmed for up to 48 hours of drying time. Four trays come included, but the unit can be expanded to 20 trays (additional trays sold separately) for drying large quantities at one time. Accessories include a no-spill fruit roll sheet, perfect for drying semi-liquids like soups, sauces, and fruit rolls; a Clean-A-Screen flexible screen, which allows for easy drying of small items such as herbs, spices, and potpourri; and a jerky spice packet and cure for making jerky. A 52-page recipe and instruction book also comes included. The unit disassembles easily, and all parts are dishwasher-safe except for the power head. The food dehydrator measures approximately 15 by 15 by 9 inches.
Amazon Price: $109.44
List Price: $154.99
Nesco American Harvest FD-61WHC Snackmaster Express Food Dehydrator All-In-One Kit with Jerky Gun
The FD-61WHC Snackmaster Express All-In-One kit has a top mounted fan. Easily dries fruit, vegetables and jerky quickly and evenly. Dries food in hours not days. Comes with 5 trays and jerky gun. Unit disassembles easily and all parts are dishwasher safe except the power head. The Opaque Vita-Save exterior helps block harmful lights which destroys nutritional content of food being dehydrated. The Patented fan flow radial air action forces air down the center of the unit and horizontally across each tray for fast, even-drying. No need to rotate.
Amazon Price: $64.98
List Price: $82.99
Nesco American Harvest 5-Tray FD-35 425-Watt Snackmaster Dehydrator
Drying apple slices in just five hours and beef jerky in seven, this 425-watt dehydrator is exceptionally fast for its price range. Its patented hot-air circulation system ensures not only speed but uniformity, so foods dry evenly. Each of the five trays is 13-1/2 inches in diameter and 1/2 inch deep (the plastic dehydrator stands 10 inches high), providing more than 12 square feet of tray space for drying lots of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers at one time. Available separately is a two-tray accessory pack that expands the dehydrator to seven trays. Also available separately are accessories for drying fruit rolls, soups, and sauces and for making jerky from ground meat. Accompanying the dehydrator is a detailed instruction booklet with a drying-time chart for various foods and recipes for cooking with dried foods. --Fred Brack
Amazon Price: $43.99
Nesco American Harvest FD-1018P 1000 Watt Food Dehydrator Kit
Dry slices of fruit and vegetables, herbs and flowers, and strips of jerky with this easy-to-use dehydrator. The countertop appliance features a patented Converga-Flow drying system that forces heated air up the unit's exterior pressurized chamber (not through the trays), then forces the air horizontally across each individual tray, converging at the center. This process ensures fast and even drying--no flavor mixing and no need to rotate the trays around during operation. Its powerful 1000-watt motor also helps ensure fast drying times for results in hours versus days. Furthermore, its opaque Vita-Save exterior blocks light to retain more of the food's nutrients and vitamins during the drying process. A simple control knob adjusts the heat from 95 degrees to 150 degrees F to accommodate proper drying temperatures, and the base and drying trays can be completely immersed in water for easy cleaning. Accessories include eight trays, eight fruit roll sheets, eight clean-A-screens, original jerky spice and cure, and a 160-page soft-cover How to Dry Foods book by home-economist Deanna DeLong. The book contains lots of recipes, hints, and tips; covers the history, methods, and equipment for drying; and includes sections on fruit, fruit leathers, vegetables, herbs and spices, nuts and seeds, meat, and fish. The dehydrator and jerky maker measures 15 by 15 by 15-5/8 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.
Amazon Price: $131.99
List Price: $189.99
Nesco American Harvest FD-35BJW-5 Snackmaster Entr?e Fodd Dehydrator with Jerky Kit
The FD-35BJW-5 Snackmaster Entrée has a top mounted fan with 425 watts of drying power. Easily dries fruit, vegetables and jerky quickly and evenly. Dries food in hours not days. Comes with 5 trays and jerky gun. Unit disassembles easily and all parts are dishwasher safe except the power head. The Opaque Vita-Save exterior helps block harmful lights which destroys nutritional content of food being dehydrated. The Patented fan flow radial air action forces air down the center of the unit and horizontally across each tray for fast, even-drying. No need to rotate trays.
Amazon Price: $54.99
FD%2D60 Snackmaster Express %2D 4 Tray with Fruit Roll Sheet%2C 2 Orig%2E Spices
Specifications: Snackmaster Express is the newest dehydrator in the Nesco/American Harvest family. It's sleek, contemporary design features a top mounted fan, 500 watts of drying power, and generates maximum speed and quality for dehydrating fruits, vegetables, and jerky. Helps dry food in hours, not days like ordinary food dehydrators. Features Include: Adjustable Thermostat. The adjustable thermostat allows you to dry different foods at proper temperatures (95-155F), providing the flexibility to produce the best drying results. New-Powerful Top Mounted Fan. Top mounted fan and 500 watts of drying power generate maximum speed and quality for dehydrating fruits, vegetables, and jerky. Helps dry food in hours, not days like other food dehydrators. Expandable FD-60 comes with 4 trays, but is expandable to 12 trays with optional Add-A-Trays. Vita-Save Exterior. Opaque Vita-Save exterior helps block harmful light which destroys nutritional content of food being dehydrated. Patented Converga-Flow drying system forces air down the exterior pressurized chamber (not through the trays). The hot air is forced horizontally across each individual tray, converging on the core for fast, even and nutritious drying. No flavor mixing and no need to rotate trays.
Amazon Price: $63.95
List Price: $99.99
Nesco FD-39 500-Watt Food Dehydrator
Fun and easy to use, this countertop food dehydrator makes delicious beef or turkey jerky, homemade trail mix, apple snacks, banana chips, dried soup mixes, and more in a matter of hours instead of days--it can also be used to make potpourri and dried flowers for any occasion. The unit's 500-watt 4-inch fan and top-mounted power head eliminates the worry of dripping liquids, while its radial-air Fan-Flow technology means faster, more even drying with no tray rotation necessary. Four break-resistant trays come included, but the unit can be expanded to up to seven trays (additional trays sold separately) for drying larger quantities at a time. Other details include a fixed temperature setting to ensure simple operation, clear ABS trays and top cover for monitoring the drying process at a glance, and dishwasher-safe trays (with the power head removed) for quick clean up. The food dehydrator measures approximately 13-8/9 by 13-4/5 by 9-2/3 inches.
Amazon Price: $39.99
List Price: $48.99
Nesco FD-60 Snackmaster Express 4-Tray Food Dehydrator
Dry fruit, vegetables, trail mix, jerky, and more in hours instead of days with this 500-watt food dehydrator. The unit's patented Converga-Flow drying system forces air down the exterior pressurized chamber, then horizontally across each individual tray, converging in the center, for fast, even, and nutritious drying. Flavors don't mix, and there's no need to rotate the trays. Its top-mounted fan eliminates the worry of liquids dripping into the heater chamber, and an opaque Vita-Save exterior helps block harmful lights in order to retain more of the food's nutrients and vitamins during the drying process. The unit's adjustable thermostat ranges from 95 to 155 degrees F, providing the flexibility needed to ensure excellent results. A set of 4 trays comes included, but the unit can be expanded to up to 12 trays (additional trays sold separately) for drying larger quantities at a time. Accessories include a fruit roll sheet and two original-flavor jerky spice and cure packets for making jerky. With its sleek, contemporary design, the food dehydrator measures approximately 13-1/2 by 13-1/2 by 9-4/5 inches.
Amazon Price: $49.96
List Price: $67.99
FD%2D60 Snackmaster Express %2D 4 Tray with Fruit Roll Sheet%2C 2 Orig%2E Spices
Specifications: Snackmaster Express is the newest dehydrator in the Nesco/American Harvest family. It's sleek, contemporary design features a top mounted fan, 500 watts of drying power, and generates maximum speed and quality for dehydrating fruits, vegetables, and jerky. Helps dry food in hours, not days like ordinary food dehydrators. Features Include: Adjustable Thermostat. The adjustable thermostat allows you to dry different foods at proper temperatures (95-155F), providing the flexibility to produce the best drying results. New-Powerful Top Mounted Fan. Top mounted fan and 500 watts of drying power generate maximum speed and quality for dehydrating fruits, vegetables, and jerky. Helps dry food in hours, not days like other food dehydrators. Expandable FD-60 comes with 4 trays, but is expandable to 12 trays with optional Add-A-Trays. Vita-Save Exterior. Opaque Vita-Save exterior helps block harmful light which destroys nutritional content of food being dehydrated. Patented Converga-Flow drying system forces air down the exterior pressurized chamber (not through the trays). The hot air is forced horizontally across each individual tray, converging on the core for fast, even and nutritious drying. No flavor mixing and no need to rotate trays.
Amazon Price: $63.95
List Price: $99.99
Nesco American Harvest FD-28JX Jerky Xpress Dehydrator Kit with Jerky Gun
The Jerky Xpress has a powerful 350 watt element / fan driven power head. Comes with 4 drying trays and a jerky gun with three attachments. The four spice and cure packs are enough to dry four pounds of ground meat. The patented drying technology dries fast and evenly in hours not days with no tray rotation.
Amazon Price: $42.99
List Price: $49.99
Nesco FD-75BJ9 700-Watt Food Dehydrator
Dry fruit, vegetables, trail mix, jerky, and more in hours instead of days with this 700-watt food dehydrator. The unit's patented Converga-Flow drying system forces air down the exterior pressurized chamber, then horizontally across each individual tray, converging in the center, for fast, even, and nutritious drying. Flavors don't mix, and there's no need to rotate the trays. Its top-mounted fan eliminates the worry of liquids dripping into the heater chamber, and its Vita-Save exterior helps block harmful lights in order to retain more of the food's nutrients and vitamins during the drying process. The unit's adjustable thermostat ranges from 95 to 160 degrees F, providing the flexibility needed to ensure excellent results, and its expandable design up to 12 trays (additional trays sold separately) allows for drying larger quantities at a time. Accessories include a fruit roll sheet, a Clean-A-Screen flexible screen, and nine original jerky spice and cure packets for making jerky. With its sleek, contemporary design, the food dehydrator measures approximately 13-1/2 by 13-1/2 by 11 inches.
Amazon Price: $79.99
FD%2D61WHC Snackmaster Express Food Dehydrator All%2DIn%2DOne Kit with Jerky Gun
Introducing the Snackmaster Express. It's sleek, contemporary design features 500 watts of drying power, and generates maximum speed and quality for dehydrating fruits, vegetables, beef jerky, and venison jerky. Helps dry food in hours, not days like ordinary food dehydrators. The top mounted fan eliminates the worry of liquids dripping into the the heating chamber! Adjustable Thermostat (95-155 degrees F) providing the flexibility to produce the best drying results Top mounted fan and 500 watts of drying power generate maximum speed and quality for dehydrating fruits, vegetables, and jerky. Helps dry food in hours, not days Includes 5 trays, but is expandable to 12 trays with optional Add-A-Trays Opaque Vita-Save Exterior(blocks harmful light) Patented Converga-Flow drying system forces air down the exterior pressurized chamber (not through the trays) The hot air is forced horizontally across each individual tray, converging on the core for fast, even and nutritious drying. No flavor mixing and no need to rotate trays Includes 5-trays and Jerky Gun
Amazon Price: $79.95
Nesco FD-1018P Gardenmaster Pro 8 Tray Food Dehydrator (FD1018P)
Nesco FD-1010 Gardenmaster/ 8 Tray Food Dehydrator (Fd1010) Features & SpecificationsNesco FD-1018P Gardenmaster Pro 8 Tray Food Dehydrator (Fd1018P) Nesco's "Top of the Line" Dehydrator with extras!Dry you food in a matter of hours with theNesco FD-1018P Gardenmaster Pro. The FD-1018P boasts a patented Converga-Flow drying system that forces hot air down the exterior pressurized chamber and horizontally across each individual tray for even drying. The Nesco Gardenmaster FD-1018P at 1000 watts is their most powerful dehydrator yet, and can be expanded up to 30 trays allowing you to dry large quantities at once! Dehydrating is a great way to add a new way of consuming foods without damaging valuable nutrients which may be lost during high heat cooking! Dried foods are a great treat to snack on because they hold almost all of their nutritional value and flavor.This unit is equipped with a Special Vita-Save Exterior that blocks light to retain more of the food's vital nutrients during the dehydrating process.Features:Thermostat adjusts from 95 - 155 degreesIncludes Fruit roll sheet, clean-a-screen, and original spicePatented Converga-Flow TechnologyOpaque Vita-Save Exterior8 Square Feet of drying spaceTrays can be removed to expand the drying chamber Specifications: ModelFD-1010Weight13 lbs.DimensionsDepth17.50"Width:17.25"Height:11.25"Power1000 WattsVoltage120 V / AC / 60HzThermostatYes (Adjustable 95-155 degrees)Number of Trays8 Included (Can add up to 30 Trays)Amount of Drying Space8 SQ FT.Fan Size4 1/2"Built ofThick plastic housing
Amazon Price: $177.27
List Price: $199.00
Nesco FD-61 Snackmaster Encore Four Tray Food Dehydrator
Snackmaster Encore features 500 watts of drying power, and generates maximum speed and quality for dehydrating fruits, fruit rollups, banana chips, beef jerky, and venison jerky, and other healthy snacks. Adjustable thermostat allows you to dry different foods at proper temperatures (95 -155 degree F), providing the flexibility to produce the best drying results. Comes with 4 expandable trays, but is expandable to 12 trays with optional Add-A-Tray assessiories, (sold separately). No flavor mixing and no n eed to rotate trays. Grey top and speckled design.
Amazon Price: $58.73
List Price: $59.69
Nesco American Harvest FD-1020 Gardenmaster 1000-Watt Digital Food Dehydrator
Easily dry fruit, vegetables, and jerky in hours instead of days with this 1000-watt digital food dehydrator. Its quiet 2400 RPM motor and specially designed 4-1/2-inch fan deliver faster, more nutritious drying--four times faster than dryers with no fan or motor. Fruit rolls only take three to six hours, beef jerky four hours, apples four to six hours, bananas five to eight hours, and pineapple four to six hours. Flavors don't mix, and there's no need to rotate the trays. The unit's patented Converga-Flow drying system forces heated air down the exterior pressurized chamber, then horizontally across each individual tray, converging in the center, for fast, even, and nutritious drying. Its top-mounted fan eliminates the worry of liquids dripping into the heater chamber, and an opaque Vita-Save exterior helps block harmful lights in order to retain more of the food's nutrients and vitamins during the drying process. The unit's adjustable digital thermostat ranges from 90 to 160 degrees F, and its digital timer can be programmed for up to 48 hours of drying time. Four trays come included, but the unit can be expanded to 20 trays (additional trays sold separately) for drying large quantities at one time. Accessories include a no-spill fruit roll sheet, perfect for drying semi-liquids like soups, sauces, and fruit rolls; a Clean-A-Screen flexible screen, which allows for easy drying of small items such as herbs, spices, and potpourri; and a jerky spice packet and cure for making jerky. A 52-page recipe and instruction book also comes included. The unit disassembles easily, and all parts are dishwasher-safe except for the power head. The food dehydrator measures approximately 15 by 15 by 9 inches.
Amazon Price: $109.44
List Price: $154.99
Nesco American Harvest FD-61 Snackmaster Encore Dehydrator and Jerky Maker
The Snackmaster Encore has 500 watts of drying power and generates maximum speed and quality for dehydrating fruits, vegetables and jerky. Helps dry food in hours, not days. Hot air is forced horizontally across each individual tray, converging on the core for fast, even and nutritious drying. No flavor mixing and no need to rotate trays. Adjustable thermostat allows user to dry different foods at the proper temperatures. Opaque Vita-Save exterior helps block harmful light which destroys nutritional content of food being dehydrated.
Amazon Price: $49.50
List Price: $68.99

Comments

rkhyclak 2 years ago

Thanks for this! We've been thinking of getting a dehydrator for quite sometime. My brother bagged 3 deer this year and freezer space is running low and we love jerkey. This was right on time for us! We weren't sure which way to go, we've heard of the Nesco line and then the super expensive stuff at Cabela's but these are quite reasonable. Again, thanks!

rkhyclak 2 years ago

Thanks for this! We've been thinking of getting a dehydrator for quite sometime. My brother bagged 3 deer this year and freezer space is running low and we love jerkey. This was right on time for us! We weren't sure which way to go, we've heard of the Nesco line and then the super expensive stuff at Cabela's but these are quite reasonable. Again, thanks!

seamist 2 years ago

Hi Rkhyclak

You are very welcome. Yes, I understand about having enough room to freeze the deer. Living in rural Minnesota, we usually bag at least one deer a year if not more. My bf like to make a lot of jerkey out of his deer as do many others living up here. Have you ever tried turkey jerkey? While I was browsing the net tonight, I read about someone who absolutely loved turkey jerkey. Anyway, thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment!

Food Insurance 18 months ago

I've had one of those for a few years now. Love it, it works wonders.

seamist 17 months ago

Hi Food Insurance

I love mine too; they are sure convenient. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.

Submit a Comment
Members and Guests

Sign in or sign up and post using a hubpages account.



    Like this Hub?
    Please wait working