The food dehydrator is a little-known device but which nevertheless does a great service for the preparation of food recipes. It is a device that will dry fruits and vegetables in a cage by evaporating the water they contain, which can significantly increase the shelf life of fruits and vegetables you buy.
It is thus possible to make many very original recipes thanks to a food dehydrator in addition to being able to increase the duration of their conservation. There are two main types of dehydrators: horizontal and vertical, which is reminiscent of electric juice extractors which are also available in horizontal and vertical versions .
Each device has its advantages and weaknesses, it is necessary to realize it to get closer. We have the list of best food dehydrators for you.
List of 8 Best Food Dehydrators
1. BioChef Arizona Sol Food Dehydrator 9 x BPA FREE Stainless Steel Drying Trays & Digital Timer
In the first row of our ranking, we chose the BioChef Arizona. This food dehydrator offers a timer up to 19.5 hours and an adjustable thermostat from 35 ° to 70 ° C with digital display so that you can easily configure it according to your needs. Dry a good amount of fruit or vegetables thanks to its 9 stainless steel drying trays.
With its powerful 600 Watt motor and its horizontal drying system, this kitchen device guarantees a constant and homogeneous drying of your food while preserving its flavor. Enjoy dried, tasty fruits and vegetables that can be stored longer with the BioChef Arizona. This device has exceptional quality for its cost and is designed with non-harmful BPA-free materials.
2. Aicok Food Dehydrator, 5-Tray Food Dehydrator Machine with Extensible Capacity for Jerky Meat Fruit Vegetable and More
In 2nd position, we have the Aicok Food Dehydrator with its 5 drying trays and its magnificent design. This device is a small revolution in kitchen technology that allows you to dry your fruits, vegetables and meats efficiently while preserving their flavors and the nutrients they contain. It is designed from non-hazardous materials (BPA free) for our health, which makes it ideal for the whole family.
Depending on your preferences, you can adjust the heating temperature from 35 to 70 ° C and the drying time up to 72 hours for optimal results. An easy-access control panel and LCD screen are included on the Aicok for easy use. The container and the cover are removable, allowing easy cleaning.
3. Excalibur 2400 Electric Food Dehydrator with Adjustable Thermostat Accurate Temperature Control Faster & Efficient Drying
Excalibur dehydrators are the undisputed leaders in the food dehydrator market. The brand has developed several ranges of dehydrators from 4 to 9 trays which allows Excalibur to be able to offer models for all prices and meet different needs.
Overall, consumers prefer Excalibur dehydrators for their purchase insofar as opinions show that these devices are very efficient (surely among the best) and that they are reliable in the long term, it is a professional dehydrator which is therefore aimed at people who want to have a quality dehydrator allowing uniform and efficient drying.
4. BioChef Savana Food Dehydrator Machine BPA FREE Stainless Steel Trays
To have more than satisfactory drying of food, this model is highly recommended. The BioChef Savannah dehydrator is among the most efficient on our list. Equipped with a double fan, it offers more precise and easier dehydration. It also has an innovative two-stage temperature timer. Its thermostat is also adjustable between 35 to 70 °. In addition, three purchase options between 6, 9 and 12 are available for the number of trays which, by the way, are made of stainless steel.
But that’s not all, because with this model you can preset the drying mode to your liking and you can choose between 3 types. It is a dehydrator designed according to European standards and its outlet is suitable for the standard domestic circuit. From the point of view of quality and range, you therefore have nothing to worry about. The result will undoubtedly be up to this quality of the device. And all this is guaranteed for three years under conditions to be seen with the seller.
5. NESCO FD-75A, Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator
Our favorite choice of the day is the Nesco Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator, which is an ideal choice for making (seriously) homemade dog treats and snacks to take on hikes. For the home, however, it’s still a great choice, with an adjustable thermostat to tackle a variety of food types and a drying power of 600W. Despite this power, it is also energy efficient.
The trays are expandable to maximize your dehydration options, perfect when you have a lot of guests coming in and want to show it off, while Converga-Flow technology ensures even drying without rotation. If you like dried meat, there are free spices to make you eat immediately. All in all, it is a reliable, easy to place and powerful dehydrator at an excellent price that can fool you at first glance, but will immediately attract you with consistent results. Don’t forget to also check out our list of the best air fryers for other items like this.
6. Magic Mill MFD-6100 Magic Mill Professional Dehydrator Machine
With a huge potential of 9 pounds, the Magic Mill professional food dehydrator is our best choice for dehydrating all the foods you’ve always wanted. It comes with several trays and hanging supports to control and satisfy your jerky cravings, and the timer ensures perfect drying of everything.
The rear fan guarantees uniform heat distribution, with a maximum programmable duration of 19.5 hours. It is safe to use, allowing you to settle in and forget about and come home with great results. It is quieter than a microwave oven for uninterrupted evenings and nights when preparing food, and the overheat protection prevents damage to parts. The unit is well built, giving you the longevity you expect from kitchen appliances and, even with heavy use, you can plan the next decade and more dehydrated food with this bad boy.
7. Gourmia GFD1650 Premium Electric Food Dehydrator Machine
Easy to use and suitable for any kitchen, the Gourmia 9 Shelf Premium counter food dehydrator simplifies the process like few other options available at a similar price. From the countdown in the control center, you can program increments of 30 minutes up to 19.5 hours and enjoy all the wonders of your dehydrated treats by getting up in the morning or returning from the office.
It provides air flow throughout the unit with a 360 degree Circusmart distribution, ensuring quality and consistency, no matter the filling level, and the 8 preset temperatures may require you to do nothing except slide into the shelves . These shelves are adjustable and their operation is so quiet that you will forget that they work. The automatic shutdown also protects the dehydrator and your kitchen, giving you peace of mind when you are outside the home. While waiting for it to end, you can also lean your nose towards the door and see the progress that you have already planned to make, we are sure.
8. Presto 06300 Dehydro Electric Food Dehydrator, Standard
The Presto Dehydro Electric dehydrator is a compact option for small kitchens or those who are not yet sure whether dehydration is for them (wait, however). Although it only has 4 trays, these are expandable, which increases the drying capacity once your confidence soars and you want to try something a little different. Its small size also helps you focus better on healthy eating, not too much or too little, and knowing that there are no additives or preservatives means that you can trust everything you do, and the kids are sure to like it too.
The transparent cover helps you check what’s going on inside, and it heats up faster than you imagine, reading the optimal temperature in just twenty minutes. It doesn’t distribute the air as evenly as the other models, but you have to find a way around this, and for the price, you can’t complain.
Food Dehydrator Buying Guides
Buying a food dehydrator is not an approach since the market for dehydrators has grown considerably in recent years, particularly with the arrival of increasingly sophisticated products. Also, in addition to the different brands that have arrived in this sector, it is therefore new ranges of dehydrators that have landed with each their own specificities but also their strengths and weaknesses. If you are a bit lost in the world of food dehydrators, we have put together a buying guide that will allow you to easily choose a food dehydrator according to your needs but also according to your budget.
The 4 important points
Here are 4 great things to consider when purchasing your food dehydrator:
- The capacity of the dehydrator
- Its shape and therefore its drying mode
- Its propensity to preserve nutrients
- Sound volume
These three criteria will allow you to already be able to make a large selection among all the models of dehydrator existing on the market. You should also know that there are two main families of food dehydrators: vertical dehydrators and horizontal dehydrators , a bit like vertical and horizontal juice extractors. Here are the differences of these two big families always to help you find your way in the world of dehydrators.
Horizontal dehydrators
The horizontal dehydrators are distinguished by the fact that these devices generate a ventilation of dried air in a harmonious and total way. Indeed, the motor being positioned at the bottom of the dehydrator, this allows that each tray receives harmoniously the same amount of air and therefore that the process of dehydrating your food is done optimally.
It is an important parameter to consider that that of the control of the temperature concerning the drying of the device. However, vertical food dehydrators allow from this point of view to be able to conserve a maximum of nutrients to the extent that would be able to manage the temperature of the dehydration process. Also, be aware that horizontal dehydrators often have a very large capacity. So if you have a large family of drying surfaces it may be important to consider which food dehydrator to choose. The main problem with this type of dehydrator lies in their tendency to clutter but also in the fact that overall they emit a higher sound volume than vertical dehydrators. In addition, a higher budget must be provided for this type of dehydrator, but with a higher quality of dried food and also with better nutritional quality (- 47 ° C).
Vertical dehydrators
The vertical dehydrator is differentiated by the fact that its drying will be carried out by the base of the device insofar as the motor will be housed there. It is therefore under the action of this motor that a fan will activate and the dried air will rise in the trays of the dehydrator by the path of their aeration device. The vertical dehydrator is a device an advisor for all those who wish to discover food dehydration and who has a reduced budget for it. In fact, the vertical dehydrator is a cheaper device than its horizontal counterpart, but which has less interesting characteristics regarding drying and preserving the nutritional quality of food.
Also, be aware that the vertical dehydrator on a device much more compact and less bulky than can be the horizontal model, which can be interesting if you have little space to dedicate for your food dehydrator. The vertical dehydrator will also be recommended for single people since the capacity of the device is less and who really wants to use the device occasionally. It should also be known that dehydration is less harmonious with this type since from 5 trays, you will have to alternate the position of the trays stacked on each other to obtain a homogeneous dehydration. This type of dehydrator is therefore not not recommended for live feeding .
Conclusion
Dehydrating food is a traditional technique that is both healthy and inexpensive in terms of energy. And since there are foods that rot quickly, having a dehydrator is a luxury you can afford to keep your food at home. In fact, a large number of foods can be dehydrated for better prolonged storage.
Why do you need this device? Well, simply to consume your food differently and experience various culinary pleasures without necessarily paying for a restaurant. When we talk about dried food, the best known are dried fruits, dried meats, dried fish, spices and many more. And when we talk about a food dehydrator, we can cite the Aicok, Excalibur or the Biochef Savanna.
