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The Best Food Dehydrators of 2024
If you’re looking for a way to preserve your food, you should consider investing in a food dehydrator. Food dehydrators are devices that allow you to dry out your food, which will help extend its shelf life. What’s more, you can make healthy snacks, preserve a food’s flavor, and get creative with your cooking! In this guide, you will discover the best food dehydrators of 2024 chosen by our team for their convenient features and unique styles. The Chefman Food Dehydrator is our top choice thanks to its digital touch settings and innovative design. Read on for more selections!
Our Top Picks For Food Dehydrators
View all ContentsThe Best Food Dehydrators
Best Overall
Experience the art of dehydration made simple with the Chefman Food Dehydrator, which is a versatile kitchen companion that revolutionizes the way you preserve and enjoy your favorite foods. With its thoughtful features and innovative design, this dehydrator becomes an essential tool for healthy snacking and culinary creativity.
Equipped with six adjustable BPA-free plastic trays measuring a spacious 13×12 inches, the Chefman Food Dehydrator allows you to diversify your dehydrated delights in a single batch. Gone are the days of relying on store-bought dried foods with questionable ingredients; now you can enjoy homemade goodness at a fraction of the cost. This is a game-changer for those with allergies, as you have full control over the ingredients – no preservatives, no hidden additives.
The digital touch settings take the guesswork out of the equation, offering preset temperatures ranging from 95°F to 158°F. The integrated countdown timer, with a range of up to 19.5 hours, ensures precise drying times and temperatures, empowering you to create an array of delicious treats. From dried fruits and herbs to savory jerky and even yogurt, the possibilities are endless with this best overall food dehydrator.
Pros
- Digital touch settings with preset temperatures and countdown timer
- Innovative design maximizes airflow for consistent, even drying
- Clear door for easy monitoring without interrupting the process
Cons
- Plastic trays may feel flimsy
Best Features
Preserve your food with this 600-watt food dehydrator, which provides even heat distribution and fast drying times. Up to four times faster than other food dehydrators, this device features adjustable temperature control (ranging from 95 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit), giving you the flexibility to achieve perfect results while drying different foods that need varying temperature settings. What’s more, this powerful machine can handle large quantities of food at once and comes with various accessories to make dehydrating your food easier than ever. The best part is that it can be expanded to 12 trays, providing you with more capacity in less space. Plus, if it’s your first time using a food dehydrator, this machine comes with a user guide and jerky cure so you can get the hang of things in no time!
Pros
- Features an easy-to-carry handle
- Adjustable temperature control
- Includes expandable trays
Cons
- You cannot see the food
Top Noise-Reduction
Looking to preserve your food? The COSORI Food Dehydrator is the perfect solution! This dehydrator is made with food-grade stainless steel and a glass front door to let you watch your food dehydrate. What’s more, it includes six stainless steel trays, one mesh screen, one fruit roll sheet, and an instruction manual. Plus, with the digital control panel, you can easily set the timer in 30-minute increments for up to 48 hours.
Exceptionally quiet, the noise level of this machine is less than 48 dB, which equals the noise levels recorded in a library, so you can dehydrate your food and go to sleep without worry. The tray liners are BPA-free and the dehydrator features overheat protection and are safe to use. As an added bonus, the trays are dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup.
Pros
- Features noise-reduction features
- BPA-free, safe-to-use liners
- Automatically prevents overheating
Cons
- Contains only one fruit tray
Most Compact
Looking to preserve your food without any added chemicals or preservatives? The Elite Gourmet Food Dehydrator is perfect for you! This dehydrator is safety tested and ETL listed. Plus, it features adjustable temperature, horizontal airflow, and even heat distribution. With its large viewing window, you can easily monitor the drying process and its five-tier design ensures you can dry more food in less space, making it perfect for small kitchens. Weighing less than 6 pounds, this food dehydrator is also easy to carry. Plus, each dehydrating tray is BPA-free and dishwasher-safe. You don’t have to worry about maintenance since the trays are dishwasher-friendly. So what are you waiting for? Start dehydrating food today!
Pros
- Space-saving, compact design
- Easy-to-clean trays
- Lightweight and portable
Cons
- Does not have a timer
Top Professional
Have you ever wished you could preserve your food for longer? Well, now you can with the Magic Mill Food Dehydrator. This dehydrator is equipped with a rear-mounted drying fan and air flow circulation technology to promote even drying, so there’s no need to rotate the shelves. You can also monitor the drying process easily through the transparent door window. Plus, the digital thermostat and timer ensure that your food is dehydrated at the optimal temperature and time. What’s more, once the timer is done, the dehydrator will automatically shut off. If that wasn’t enough, the spacious, adjustable stainless steel trays are dishwasher-safe, making cleanup a breeze. Go ahead and dehydrate your jerky, granola, fruit leathers, breadcrumbs, and more with this handy dehydrator.
Pros
- Rear-mounted fan dries food evenly
- Adjustable tray heights for different foods
- Includes fruit roll trays
Cons
- Bulky and requires a lot of space
Best Digital
If you’re looking for a food dehydrator that’s high quality and easy to use, the Hamilton Beach Food Dehydrator is the perfect option for you. With five stackable drying trays and 500 watts of power, this dehydrator is ideal for drying various fruits and vegetables. The continuous airflow feature provides even drying, eliminating the need to rotate trays. What’s more, this dehydrator includes an adjustable thermometer for better performance and a timer with automatic shutoff. Plus, this food dehydrator features two specialty sheets for added versatility. Use the mesh sheet to dry garden herbs for year-round enjoyment or puree summer fruits and spread them on the solid sheet for homemade fruit rolls. Making wholesome, homemade snacks for the entire family has never been easier!
Pros
- Digital display for temperature settings
- Auto-shutoff option prevents burning
- Stackable and compact design
Cons
- Racks are too close to each other
The Best Buying Guide for Finding a Food Dehydrator
When it comes to choosing a food dehydrator, there are many things you need to consider. Depending on what types of food you plan to dry, the size of your kitchen, and how much food you need to dry, you can narrow your search down to the perfect pick. Our detailed buyer’s guide has everything you need to know about these handy gadgets.
What Are the Types of Food Dehydrators?
There are three main types of food dehydrators:
1. Stackable dehydrators
These dehydrators have trays that stack on top of each other. They are the most popular type of dehydrator on the market and are great for those with limited counter space.
2. Shelf dehydrators
Shelf dehydrators have shelves where food is placed and dried. These are great for people who want to be able to dry large quantities of food at once.
3. Cabinet dehydrators
Cabinet dehydrators are the largest type of dehydrator and are great for those who have a lot of counter space. They are also the most expensive type of dehydrator.
Factors To Consider When Buying a Food Dehydrator
Now that you know the different types of food dehydrators, it’s time to consider what factors you need to look for when buying one. Here are some things to keep in mind:
Airflow and heating
The airflow and heating elements are the two most important factors to consider when buying a food dehydrator. The dehydrator needs to have good airflow so that the food dries evenly. What’s more, the heating elements need to be high quality so the food doesn’t cook or burn.
Ease of use
You also want to make sure that the dehydrator is easy to use. The controls should be simple and the dehydrator should be quick to clean. Some dehydrators have controls with images or charts for what foods can be cooked at specific temperatures. These features make it easier for you to navigate the controls.
Capacity
Another factor to consider is the capacity of the dehydrator. If you plan on drying large quantities of food, you’ll need a dehydrator with a large capacity. Some dehydrators can dry up to 20 pounds of food at a time. Along with capacity, you need to make sure your dehydrator has many trays to allow thinly sliced foods to be dried. Additional trays go a long way and save a significant amount of electricity.
Noise
Some dehydrators can be pretty noisy. If you plan on using your dehydrator at night or while you’re sleeping, you’ll want to make sure it’s not too loud. Many modern dehydrators have noise-reduction technologies that make them about as loud as microwaves.
Energy efficiency
The last factor to consider is the energy efficiency of the dehydrator. If you plan on using your dehydrator often, you’ll want it to be energy-efficient. Efficient dehydrators use less than 200 watts of power, which is the same as a light bulb. Consider investing in an energy-saving option to reduce your electricity bills in the long run.
Horizontal flow or vertical flow
The final thing you need to know about food dehydrators is the difference between horizontal and vertical flow machines. Horizontal flow dehydrators have fans that blow air horizontally across the food. This dehydrator is excellent for those who want to dry large quantities of food at once. Vertical flow dehydrators have fans that blow air vertically across the food. This type of dehydrator is excellent for those who want to dry thin slices of food.
People Also Asked
How long does a food dehydrator take to make vegetable chips?
It takes about four to six hours to make vegetable chips in a food dehydrator. The thinner you slice your vegetables, the shorter the drying time will be.
Can I dry out non-food items in a food dehydrator?
While you can dry out non-food items in a food dehydrator, you should only use your dehydrator in this way if it's specifically designed for it. Some items you can dry out in a food dehydrator include herbs, flowers, potpourri, and crafts.
Is it possible to burn food in a dehydrator?
Yes, burning food in a dehydrator is possible if the temperature is set too high. To avoid this, make sure to read the instructions that come with your dehydrator. When in doubt, set the temperature to a lower setting.
