Top products from r/dehydrating

Personally, I'd skip the very expensive Excalibur units at this time. Stick with a cheaper and more basic ones at first to see if it's something you'll continue to do over time.

I have only had 1 dehydrator; the Nesco FD-75. I bought it about 1.5 years ago and I absolutely love it. It comes with 5 trays but can be expanded to 12 trays. I bought 2 extra trays because I need 7 trays to make a 5lb (beginning weight) jerky batch. I use is probably twice a month for jerky, dried fruits, or to dehydrate meals for backpacking. I think the biggest surprise was a backpacking Ratatouille. I made this for backpacking but I've used it more for pot lucks and dips for guests.

It has a temperature control but not a timer which, for me, isn't an issue. If I need a timer then I use one of these timers because I already have 3 of them for other uses. Clean up is easy since the heating and fan are on top. Everything below can be either hand washed or go through the dishwasher.

The best thing about this unit is the price; less than $70. This made it a reasonable investment at the time so I could see if I would use the dehydrator like I planned. I didn't want to spend a couple of hundred dollars for something and end up not using it. So far I've used this dehydrator for about 20 months and it looks like it's going to last for a while longer. I haven't had the first issue.

I just posted this comment elsewhere, I have had a good experience with this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Nesco-Snackmaster-Food-Dehydrator-FD-75A/dp/B0090WOCN0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418357260&sr=8-1&keywords=nesco+snackmaster
It can be used to many so many different cool snacks, and the best part is that YOU made them!
it works very well for making beef jerky. It dries evenly.
If anyone is interested, heres a quick list of useful things:

1.) The beef jerky you make should cost about 35% of store bought beef jerky.

2.) Use large freezer bags to marinade the beef jerky.

3.) Try to time your day out when you make jerky, put the jerky in marinade overnight and then right when you get home put it into the dehydrator, that way you can stay up a little bit late if it takes too long, or take it out when it's ready so it doesn't overdehydrate and get brittle. You don't want to be away from home with it running in the dehydrator, because sometimes it will go quicker and then it may get overdried. It seems like it would take a LOT for that to happen though, a few hours past the correct time.

4.) Make sure to cut the meat across the grain, it will be super tough if you cut it with the grain. My best results are having the meat cut at 1/2 inch thick, across the grain, with "eye round roast" beef.

5.) Make sure to clean the dehydrator well when you are done. Be careful that you don't deform or melt the plastic trays in the dishwasher.

6.) Follow this recipe for jerky, it worked great for me http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Docs-Best-Beef-Jerky/

I have both the Presto dehydrator and the Nesco American Harvest FD-1040 Gardenmaster 1000-Watt Digital Food Dehydrator. I like them both but the Nesco is definitely better quality than the Presto (but also more expensive). The Nesco is easier to clean and I like that the fan and heating elements are on the top which prevents them from getting dripped on.

I have used the Nesco to make beef jerky from ground beef as well as fruit leather and dried lime and lemon.

The Excalibur's get great reviews but or more pricey. I have seen smaller less expensive Excalibur versions at Walmart.

I bought this one used but in new condition from Amazon Warehouse and it was brand new just repackaged and works great for my jerky and dehydrating apples etc. Goes up to 160 degrees and has a timer that can go 24 hours and auto shutoff. Usually I set it for 160 degrees for 6 hours overnight for my jerky and it's ready in the morning. I bought it in the U.S. but here is a link to it on Amazon EU and check under the used link for cheaper but also free shipping and the same warranty thru Amazon. Good Luck!

https://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-32100A-Dehydrator-Vegetables/dp/B012CG8N26/ref=sr_1_10?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1525404563&sr=1-10&keywords=dehydrator

I copied my reply to another post but still holds up

I borrowed a dehydrator from a friend and it had an on/off switch and that was it. I had no idea how warm the thing got or anything. I tried dehydrating a few different things with it but the results always varied and sometimes cooked/burned more than dehydrated. So I would definitely recommend one with adjustable temperatures.

One temp definitely doesn't fit all purposes. I ended up getting a Nesco off Amazon. I got this one. It's a little pricy than a thrifted one but I haven't regretted it and have made perfectly dehydrated mushrooms, fruit leather, and herbs. I still want to try an onion (outdoors!) and jerky.

Mine takes up less than 3 sq ft. Probably less than 2. Here's a link:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002WSQHU/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I bought the maximum number of trays I could along with the tray inserts for sauces and fruit leathers and drying herbs, when not in use they all sit inside the dehydrator which sits in the bottom of my pantry or on top of the fridge if it's running. I've had it since 2013 and while I don't see it saving space on food much it's been a worthwhile investment. I think it would be just fine in that amount of space, I pulled it off in mine with 2 people, 3 cats, too much furniture and 150 sq feet of that being a studio space. Also! They are super light so they can stack pretty much anywhere. I can carry the whole thing stacked up with all the trays with one hand when it's ready to store it.

I went the same route - the Nesco is a beast for the price! I gave it to a friend when I upgraded to the monster 9-tray Excalibur & she's still using it to this day!

I actually just donated my Excalibur to a friend because I upgraded to a Breville Air (combination airfryer, convenction oven, bread proof, and dehydrator)...it's a lot smaller & I have to angle my Paraflexx sheets to make them fit, but I have a tiny kitchen & only had room for one gadget, so this way I can dehydrate almost every night...fruit, veggies, herbs, spices, fruit rollups, jerky (sous-vide jerky lately!), and so on (or keep my no-knead bread in a warm environment, as it's been pretty cold where I live, haha!).

With the caveat that I haven't tried either of these, the prices have dropped quite a bit on nice-quality machines that have automatic timers & temperature ranges of 95F to 158F. Homdox has a well-reviewed 8-tray stackable dehydrator:

• https://www.amazon.com/Dehydrator-Machine-Digital-Temperature-Vegetable/dp/B07QXNSSJM/
  
  Gourmia has made kind of a mini Excalibur for $90 with 6 trays that is more appliance-style:
  
  
• https://www.amazon.com/Gourmia-Countertop-Dehydrator-Temperature-Circulation/dp/B07J5G6T6Q/
  
  Lots of nice options out there today!

Check out the Bear Creek line of dried soups to copycat. They taste great, so they put some research into things that work. Also check out Amazon for things like cheese powder, etc. that are hard to make at home. I can personally recommend Peak milk powder, got it for camping and continued it for use as creamer at home, it's honestly delicious.

What price range are you looking for? I purchased my excalibur off amazon for way less than the $400+ you mentioned.

This is the model I purchased and it's been treating me well. It is only about $160 as well, which while not cheap is imo worth it for the square trays and large drying area.

This all depends on what you want to do with it though. I make jerky frequently so the bigger area is great for larger batches.

Yes, I used something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Bakers-Angel-Flake-Sweetened-Coconut/dp/B003ZZ8DEC

good luck!

I just got the Excalibur 2400... $149 on Amazon. Been loving it so far. Aaaand, looks like it's $40 off right now. http://www.amazon.com/Excalibur-2400-4-Tray-Economy-Dehydrator/dp/B0047WOWHE#

conditioning means putting it into a jar and closing the lid and waiting a a day so the moisture goes from piece to piece so all evenly dried.

but i wouldnt wait that long and would eat right away.

my sister got me this book and has great temps and directions.
[book] (http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Idiots-Guide-Dehydrating-Guides/dp/1615642269)

i'd check craigslist first. you can get some really good deals there.
having a timer is a nice feature but it can be easily replicated by adding a plug timer. I couldn't find exactly what i was looking for but this gives you an idea: http://www.amazon.com/401A-Mechanical-Multiple-Lighting-Polarized/dp/B00435FRXS/ref=sr_1_4?s=lamps-light&ie=UTF8&qid=1409237089&sr=1-4&keywords=light+timer

I got this for $175. It works great!

I would do it. They’re cheap and it’s good insurance. Here’s 50 for $10. https://www.amazon.com/Dry-Premium-Packets-Desiccant-Dehumidifiers/dp/B00DYKTS9C

Make sure you store the leftover packets correctly.

If you have the choice find a unit with the fan/heating element at the rear instead of the top or bottom. Also square is easier to work with than round. I have the 5 tray version of this http://www.amazon.com/LEM-Products-Dehydrator-Digital-Timer/dp/B004VLKT3W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1451493203&sr=8-1&keywords=dehydrator+lem Which is the LEM version of this http://www.amazon.com/Excalibur-3500B-Deluxe-Dehydrator-Black/dp/B002SHNIW0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1451493100&sr=8-2&keywords=dehydrator+5+tray.

I have the Nesco 60 which works pretty darn good for me. I wouldn't mind a timer, but you can always add them on the power cord.

i guess the excaliber is nicer...since you can remove the trays for doing dough proofing.

That was my first thought. I hope OP has one of these doodads.

A little late to the discussion, but if you're starting out and making jerky, you'll want the larger Nesco than the one previously recommended. Less than 10 bucks more gets you a lot more room for drying jerky (essential) and a square form-factor.. both features essential for jerky production.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0090WOCM6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I use this one and I love it. When I bought it it was $49, but I'd buy it again at $59.

Hamilton Beach 32100A Digital Food Dehydrator 5 Tray Gray https://www.amazon.com/dp/B012CG8N26/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_ASBxCb96YS7JX

Nesco Snackmaster Pro works well for me.

Haha I got a two tray expansion and the fruit leather tray so I’m assuming that my mom also got me the dehydrator to go with it. Unless she’s being a total jerk.


NESCO FD-75A, Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator, Gray https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0090WOCN0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_a8e1DbEK4DXFV

Hmmm, not a good deal. You can get this same dehydrator on Amazon (with or without Prime) for $35.71


MidwayUSA is selling it for $38.50 after the cheapest shipping options are applied.

You can get a Nesco FD-37A on Amazon for a penny more, which is a much more reputable brand.

I use this to prep apples for the dehydrator. I just got through 6lbs in about an hour over the weekend.

Get the $75 Nesco Dehydrator instead of messing around with fans and air filters, and you will never look back.

I use this

https://www.amazon.com/FoodSaver-T03-0023-01-Wide-Mouth-Jar-Sealer/dp/B00005TN7H