Food preservation is one of the most important processes for basic survival. It includes techniques like canning, freezing, adding preservatives, salting and dehydrating. It is especially important for the winter season.

What is food dehydration and how helpful it is

Dehydration is the process, where 90% of the original moisture in meat, fruits, and vegetables are removed so that the food stays intact for at least a month without any refrigeration.

In previous times the food was dried under the sun by cutting it into thin slices. However, nowadays with the advancement of technology, These devices which are available in the market and can help to simplify the process of dehydration.

Dehydration’s most important benefits include:

No chemicals and preservatives.

No chemicals and preservatives. No colors, flavors or additives.

No colors, flavors or additives. The taste is concentrated as it dehydrates well. You get the natural taste, which tastes good.

The taste is concentrated as it dehydrates well. You get the natural taste, which tastes good. The size of shrinks to half of its size and thus can be stored easily In the freezer for months.

The size of shrinks to half of its size and thus can be stored easily In the freezer for months. All the nutrition like vitamins and minerals are preserved due to dehydration.

All the nutrition like vitamins and minerals are preserved due to dehydration. It also allows you to save money by purchasing large qantity at the same time.

Are you someone who would like to dehydrate food so that it can last for an extended period of time?

If so Then choose from some of the best models that can dry everything.

Before buying one, you should ask yourself these 3 questions:

What kind of food do you want to dehydrate?

What kind of food do you want to dehydrate? How much food do you plan to dry?

How much food do you plan to dry? How often do you plan to use the machine?

Top Products For 2017

Check out some of these choices for 2017

1# Nesco FD-75A Snackmaster Pro

The Nesco FD-75A Snackmaster Pro is the best choice as it comprises of a top mounted fan with an adjustable thermostat from 95-to-160 degrees F.

It is a 600-watt unit that can do it fast. The opaque exterior helps to block all harmful lights, and you would not have to rotate the trays.

Dry’s all kinds of fruits and vegetables in just a few hours instead of days.

The unit comprises of a Converga-Flow drying system that forces down air into the exterior pressurized chamber and then horizontally across each tray for fast and nutritious results.

The flavors do not mix, and you would not have to rotate the trays.

The fan prevents the liquids from dripping into the heater chamber.

It measures 13-inch by 13-inch by 10-inch and is available in a speckled gray design. It comes with five free tray racks and a free booklet of recipes.

To summarize, this bad boy is a smart gadget that can help produce results in the best and easiest way.

Pros The dryer contains enough space along with the appropriate expandability. It comes with five trays of 13” width.

The dryer contains enough space along with the appropriate expandability. It comes with five trays of 13” width. The Nesco FD-75A Snackmaster is manufactured from a dense plastic material that stops the light from entering into the device.

The Nesco FD-75A Snackmaster is manufactured from a dense plastic material that stops the light from entering into the device. The dehydrating trays for the Nesco Snackmaster Pro FD-75A can be washed in the dishwasher, and thus it is easy to maintain. Cons No power buttons. Therefore you have to keep an eye on the contents of the tray.

No power buttons. Therefore you have to keep an eye on the contents of the tray. No timer.

No timer. The appliance is less power sufficient.

The appliance is less power sufficient. It is not compatible with round shaped trays.

It is not compatible with round shaped trays. The base comprises of less capacity.

2# Excalibur 3926TB

This is a great machine that will help get the job done in the appropriate way.

The box unit provides nine easy to access trays with 15 feet of drying space.

The rear heat source with horizontal airflow provides complete drying with their Hyper-wave fluctuation technology.

The dryer features a 26-hour timer and highly accurate thermostat that can be controlled from 105 to 165 degrees.

The large unit is around 17 by 19 inches wide with a height of 12 inches that is pretty big

This is a very high-quality machine that includes the best important features for successful results. It is great for heavy-duty users during peak seasons as well.

Pros Large capacity and large storage.

Large capacity and large storage. Produces even and consistent drying results.

Produces even and consistent drying results. Lots of tray space and is useful for peak season processing.

Lots of tray space and is useful for peak season processing. Has an adjustable temperature that works well.

Has an adjustable temperature that works well. Has an automatic shut down timer.

Has an automatic shut down timer. Accommodates thick and tall items. Cons It is expensive compared to the normal ones.

It is expensive compared to the normal ones. Makes a little noise.

Makes a little noise. Does not include solid sheets for fruit leathers.

Does not include solid sheets for fruit leathers. Controls located at the back of the machine.

3# Deni 7200

The Deni provides a 480 square inches of drying space for different kinds of fruits, vegetables, herbs and meat.

It is a BPA-free model that is affordable and economical as well.

The model is imbibed with a bottom mounted heater and a fan that provides a balanced result.

It provides you with six square trays that allow you to dry a wide variety.

If you are looking for an appliance that is not too expensive, then Deni 7200 is the ideal model for you. It is fast, efficient and functional as well.

Pros The durable 350 watt motor runs very quietly and a 7-inch fan for an even faster process.

The durable 350 watt motor runs very quietly and a 7-inch fan for an even faster process. The machine comes with an easy to read instruction and a free recipe book.

The machine comes with an easy to read instruction and a free recipe book. The unit is small and easy to use and is space saving as well.

The unit is small and easy to use and is space saving as well. Has enough trays for big quatities. Cons The machine is not dishwasher safe.

The machine is not dishwasher safe. Does not have a timer of temperature control, so the contents needs to be monitored.

4 # Nesco Garden Master FD 1040

The Nesco Garden Master is one of the most premium products in the Nesco line of products.

It provides superior control of the drying process.

The Converga-flow system with a digital temperature and timer system helps in the drying process.

The 1000 watts unit maintains your desired temperature between 90-160 degrees for up to 48 hours.

The base model has 4 trays but is expandable to 20 trays if desired.

The Nesco Garden master is an affordable dehydrator that is easy to use with proper functionality and good features. It is ideal for any homemaker.

Pros The Nesco Garden master is equipped with a horizontal heat distribution system.

The Nesco Garden master is equipped with a horizontal heat distribution system. Has a patented converga-Flow hat forces hot air down a specially pressurized chamber to ensure even drying.

Has a patented converga-Flow hat forces hot air down a specially pressurized chamber to ensure even drying. The model comes with 4 trays and an expandable feature but can also sustain 20 trays at a time if required. Therefore, you would not have to open the tray and rotate the machine if needed.

The model comes with 4 trays and an expandable feature but can also sustain 20 trays at a time if required. Therefore, you would not have to open the tray and rotate the machine if needed. Comes with a digital display control panel. Cons The appliance emits a little bit of noise

The appliance emits a little bit of noise Some customers also complained that the machine stopped working after 4-5 uses but do not worry because there is 1 year warranty.

Some customers also complained that the machine stopped working after 4-5 uses but do not worry because there is 1 year warranty. The dehydration process takes too long.

5# The Warring Pro DHR 30

The Warring Pro is a bare bone food dehydrator that comes at an affordable price.

Though the equipment does not have any timer, it offers you crude temperature control with only a fan.

This particular dryer is not one of the most professional ones in the market but it is best for new users.

The three settings, thermostat makes it easy to use and it is packed with all the basic features that help you to enjoy great functions.

Waring Pro is a well-known brand that makes a number of quality products and they also offer warranty on the machine. Though it has a few drawbacks, the machine is worth using and is a good choice for homemakers.



Pros Great capacity at a reasonable rate

Great capacity at a reasonable rate Can work with a number of 9 trays at a time and is expandable

Can work with a number of 9 trays at a time and is expandable Has an adjustable thermostat with limited settings options

Has an adjustable thermostat with limited settings options Has a 5 year warranty period on motor and 1 year warranty on the appliance Cons Has no automated timer

Has no automated timer Very limited temperature control

Very limited temperature control Has a bottom mounted fan that requires tray rotation for even drying

Has a bottom mounted fan that requires tray rotation for even drying No mesh inserts available

6# Presto 6300

The Presto 6300 electric food dehydrator has a four-tray system for dehydrating food in a fraction of a second.

It helps you get results with no additives or preservatives.

It also has a see-through cover to monitor the drying process on the top tray.

The bottom-mounted fan and heating elements provide consistent drying for the best results.

The drying trays and the covers are dishwasher safe.

It has an easy to store drying tray for compact storage.

There are four drying trays that can be expanded to eight trays for added capacity.

The new Presto 6300 combines portability along with efficiency in equal measurements. This helps to dehydrate large qualities of beef jerky, and thus is a choice that can be carried along with you.

Pros Extremely light and portable with a see-through cover that allows the viewer to see the dehydration process.

Extremely light and portable with a see-through cover that allows the viewer to see the dehydration process. Excellent wattage is offered with immiscible racks.

Excellent wattage is offered with immiscible racks. The gadget also has a bottom mounted fan for heating element. Cons Does not come with a temperature nor time control.

7# Tribest Sedona SD-P9000 Digitally Controlled

The Sedona is an 110 V model that has an easy on and off power button switch with electronic digital temperature control and timer button.

It is a quiet and efficient energy saving operation with a see-through glass door.

The BPA-free plastic trays and tray mesh screens help you to do it in an effective way.

The Dual fan technology also contributes to cooling the air around and prevents leakage of oil and water.

The easy to read Led settings assists to program the machine.

The Sedona offers a total of 600 Watts using two independent 300-watt fans, two heating coils, and two heat sensors that are simultaneously controlled.

Sedona helps to dehydrate different kinds of fruits, meat products, and vegetables.You can even dehydrate stew, soups, and pot roast. It is one of the best choices that will help you in the best possible way so that it stays fresh and at the same time stored for years to stay.

Pros Comes with a 5 year warranty period.

Comes with a 5 year warranty period. Is constructed with high-quality material that helps to dehydrate live raw food in just hours. Cons A little expensive, but worth the price.

8# Ronco 5-Tray Electric

If you are a really calorie conscious person who loves eating healthy stuff, then you can create your own healthy snacks easily at home with the help of Ronco 5-Tray dryer.

Whip of a batch of beef or turkey jerky or even fruits like banana, plum, pineapple, herbs, vegetables and homemade yogurt.

This comes with a free recipe booklet that will guide you as to how to make the best kind.

125-watt with 5 interchangeable trays.

Electrical heating coil helps the content dry evenly in a balanced form.

Can operate at a temperature up to 133 degrees F.

It comes with a one-year warranty period.

Just like any other dehydrator, it will help you in preparing healthy standards, and it is available at a reasonable price as well. This is the best way to make healthy homemade items.

Pros Quiet and efficient.

Quiet and efficient. Can dehydrate a wide variety.

Can dehydrate a wide variety. Portable appliance that is lightweight as well.

Portable appliance that is lightweight as well. Requires less space.

Requires less space. Transparent cover so that you can watch the whole process of dehydration.

Transparent cover so that you can watch the whole process of dehydration. Consumes less power.

Consumes less power. Comes with a free recipe booklet. Cons It dries up all the content altogether mixing up the smell together.

It dries up all the content altogether mixing up the smell together. It is difficult to clean.

It is difficult to clean. No thermostat and timer present.

No thermostat and timer present. The trays are not expandable.

The trays are not expandable. Made with bad quality material.

Made with bad quality material. Has a very short cord.

Making beef jerky in a dehydrator

Various Dehydrators in the market can help you to make beef jerky in a jiffy. Here is how you can make beef jerky, using the 8 appliances mentioned above

Use a lean piece of meat that has as little fat as possible. Fat usually spoils the shelf life of the jerky. This can either be round, bottom round, top round or flank steak.

Trim off the visible fat from the meat.

Place the beef in the freezer so that it freezes for a while.

Mix with marinade and cut into thin strips.

Now keep in a container for some days till the beef is properly marinated.

Now take the beef strips and place on the dehydrator. Leave some spaces between them so that they a dry evenly. Depending on how thick your slices are, your beef jerky would be dehydrated.

Check your jerky from time to time so that it is not overdried. Now store the jerky in zipping log bags so that it can be consumed from time to time.

How to dehydrate fruits and vegetables in Dehydrator

Start with fresh fruits and vegetables that are firm and fresh. Ripe vegetables will not yield good results.

Clean all the fruits properly and slice them evenly into pieces

You can oxidize other fruits like apple, peach, and plum with citric acid before this so that the color of the fruit is retained

You can add salt, sugar or spices if needed.

Now take the fruit strips and place them in the dehydrator. Leave some spaces between them so that they a dry evenly. Depending on how thick your slices are, your fruit slices would be dehydrated.

Check your fruits from time to time so that it is not over dried. Now store the fruit in zip

log bags so that it can be consumed from time to time.

These are the various ways in which you can dehydrate beef jerky and fruits in a dehydrator. Try it out in one of the above for best results.

Summing Up For The Final Time

Food Dehydrators are one of the most common requirements for your home. So the best point for you would be to pick up any one of these above 8 Dehydrators today and enjoy the dehydrated food.