Introduction
I started homesteading like most of us did: slow and steady, one improvement upon another. First a garden, then "Tupperware", freezer bags, canning goods, etc...followed by endless hours over the winter scouring the internet for tools that would make the job of harvesting and food prep more manageable.
Basically, I started dehydrating food due to an overflowing freezer and a more efficient, long-term way of preserving food that didn't require entire days set aside for canning. So, I bought a used dehydrator at a second-hand store and got to work.
What I discovered along the way was not only more freezer and shelf space, but a whole new world of possibilities, like preparing tea, herbs & spices, dry soup mixtures, scalloped potatoes...and the list goes on. That said, with all these new food storage items, it quickly becomes obvious that efficiency, capacity and durability are key factors in food dehydrating.
Why Choose a Food Dehydrator?
Besides opening up new possibilities, and saving time and space, food dehydration has the added benefits of long-term storage without spoilage, and in many cases is far superior than other food preservation methods in terms of retaining nutritional value over the life of the food. For example, the high heat required for canning (as well as the low temperatures associated with freezing) gradually but surely change the chemical structure of raw nutrients. Loss of nutrients is especially true of canning, due to moisture content, oxidation, and leaching of nutrients into the brine, which is often spilled off before cooking.
Dehydrating food at home obviously saves a fair bit of cold hard cash, too! Not only because you've grown or raised your own food, but because electricity is far cheaper than the grossly inflated surcharge retail and wholesale outlets tag on for the drying/seasoning process.
Dehydrating food is not rocket science; if you're willing to wait a week or two at a time, all it requires is some warm weather and some drying screens. But, who has months of warm enough weather after harvest...without hungry mating flies and squirrels making a mess of things?
With the right equipment for your needs, a good food dehydrator is a quicker, more controlled, cheaper, and more diversified food storage option.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Food Dehydrator
Size and capacity suitable for homesteading needs.
Power consumption and energy efficiency.
Types of dehydrators: stackable vs. box-style.
Temperature control settings for different foods.
Cleaning and maintenance ease.
1. Excalibur 3926TB 9-Tray Food Dehydrator
BEST CAPACITY, VERSATILITY & RESULTS
Great for large families, craftspeople, and sportsmen 9-tray dehydrator, 15 square feet of drying space Black VOLTAGE: 110V, 600 Watts
Plastic trays measure 15 x 15 inches
Customers like the functionality, quality, and capacity of the food dehydrator. They mention it works very well, the results are superior, and the nine trays are handy for larger portions. Customers also appreciate the ease of cleaning, heating performance, and ease of use. However, some customers differ on the noise level and durability.
Excalibur 3926TB 9-Tray Food Dehydrator
2. Nesco FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator
BEST DESIGN - BUDGET
600-Watt 5 tray food dehydrator dries in hours instead of days
Top-mounted fan; adjustable thermostat from 95-to-160 -Degree F
Flavors don't mix; no need to rotate trays; opaque exterior blocks harmful lights
Includes recipe book, 2 solid sheets, 2 mesh sheets and 3 jerky spice-Packets
Customers like the effectiveness, performance, and ease of use of the food dehydrator. They mention it works fantastic, is efficient, and the quality seems pretty good. Customers also appreciate the versatility, saying it makes great dried fruits and vegetables as well as meat jerky. They also like the noise level, drying time, and texture.
Nesco FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator
3. Cosori Premium Food Dehydrator
BEST OVERALL VALUE
𝗕𝗜𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗥 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡 𝟳 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗬𝗦: With 6 stainless steel trays providing 6.5 ft² of drying space, this dehydrator is 27% larger than standard 7-tray models, allowing you to dry more food at once
𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗣𝗢𝗪𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗨𝗟 & 𝗘𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗧: Equipped with a 600W motor, rear-mounted drying fan, and upgraded airflow technology for faster, more even drying without manual intervention
𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗘𝗥 𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗘𝗧 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡: Features an advanced brushless motor with noise levels below 48dB, letting you dehydrate your food quietly—even overnight.120V, 600W, applies to USA and Canada
𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗟𝗬 𝗘𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗣𝗣𝗘𝗗: Comes with 6 dishwasher-safe trays, 1 mesh screen, 1 fruit roll sheet, 1 user manual, and a 50-recipe cookbook. Explore additional accessories by searching for 'COSORI Dehydrator Accessories', or 'C267-2MS', 'C267-2ST'
𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗜𝗦𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗟: Set the timer for up to 48 hours and choose your desired drying temperature between 95°F–165°F accurately down to the degree using the digital control panel
𝗦𝗔𝗙𝗘 & 𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗔𝗕𝗟𝗘: Auto shutoff kicks in right when the timer ends. Overheat protection will activate if the dehydrator overheats. Crafted with food-grade stainless steel for durable and safe snack-making
𝗪𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗬 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗗: An ideal for those who enjoy making homemade dried foods like fruits, meats, vegetables, pet treats and more. Perfect for various occasions like Christmas, Valentine's Day, and Thanksgiving
Customers like the effectiveness, quality, and quiet operation of the food dehydrator. They mention it makes everything perfectly, is easy to set up, and the stainless steel racks come clean in the dishwasher. Customers also appreciate the size, temperature settings, and material.
Cosori Premium Food Dehydrator
4. Presto 06300 Dehydro Electric Food Dehydrator
BEST VALUE - BUDGET
Great for homemade jerky and dehydrating nutritious fruits and vegetables. Even makes healthy pet treats.
This particular model is 06300-05.
Top-mounted fan and heating element provide consistent air flow for optimum drying.
No tray rotation needed; no mixed flavors.
Includes 4 drying trays; expands up to 8 trays. Additional trays sold separately.
Drying trays nest when not in use for a 22% reduction in storage space.
Cord wraps around cover for compact storage
Ideal for drying jerky made from beef, venison, and other meats.
Dries healthy fruits and vegetables with no additives or preservatives. Maintains natural vitamins and minerals.
Compatible fruit trays are part# 06313. Compatible mesh screens are Part# 06314. Compatible Trays are part# 06315.
4.5/5 stars; "Amazon's Choice"
Presto 06300 Dehydro Electric Food Dehydrator
5. Hamilton Beach 32100C Digital Food Dehydrator
BEST ENTRY-LEVEL
5 stackable trays
500 watts of power
Adjustable digital thermostat
Continuous air flow
Customers like the functionality, quality, and ease of use of the food dehydrator. They mention it works well, is a good entry-level product, and the settings are very easy to understand. Customers also say it's great for making homemade jerky. However, some customers disagree on the noise level, drying time, and temperature control.
Hamilton Beach 32100C Digital Food Dehydrator
Comparing Features and Values
For those on a budget, with smaller processing quantities, several very capable options are available for under $100 (Presto 06300 & Hamilton Beach 32100C), depending on whether design or ease of use is your thing.
If you're feeding an army, you'll probably want the 'Big Kahuna' (a.k.a. Excalibur 3926TB). It's pricy, to be sure, but reviews are more than positive, although durability is a bit of a question mark.
The best all-round design and performance for your buck is the Nesco FD-75A, at a very reasonable price point. The only drawback is a slightly less than show-stopping capacity.
Smack dab in the middle is the Cosori Premium, coming in at just over $200. For it's capacity, versatility, design and quality, this would be my bet...but, to each their own.
Final Thoughts
Food dehydration has, and continues to make preserving my harvest fun and more diversified.
In my experience, simply beginning the dehydrating journey is key to discovering the benefits and what is possible.
Feel free to share your comments/questions via the form below. We look forward to hearing from you!
Conclusion
Food dehydrators save space, time, and nutrient density, as well as increases food storage longevity and diversity in your food preservation options.
The above list is certainly not exhaustive, but the work of fighting the tyrannical old algorithm has been done here for you. Go forth and dehydrate!