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Which Dehydrator Is The Best For You?

Written by Sarah Hansen
A corporate-sales professional turned entrepreneur
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Food dehydrators are an important addition to any kitchen, especially if you want to save money on food costs over time. With dehydrators, you can make lots of healthy snacks, from all-natural fruit roll-ups to crunchy kale chips. You can make your own jerky or powdered milk as well. Food dehydrators are an economical way to store food while keeping 90% of its nutritional value. This saves you time by making a large amount of food at once, and money in creating homemade recipes for half the cost of store-bought items.

There are a range of dehydrators to choose from at prices to fit any budget. Here are my top six favorite food dehydrators.

Ronco 5-Tray Electric Food Dehydrator

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    This is the least expensive option. It’s a great purchase for those who are hesitant to buy a pricier model.

    Price

    $26.26

    Rating

    3.2/5 (433 reviews)

    Pros:
    Limited 10-year warranty
    Quiet
    Small and light, fits anywhere
    Heats food up to 133 degrees Fahrenheit

    Cons:
    Longer drying time.
    Only five food trays = not a lot of surface area to dry food
    Trays not dishwasher safe

    It is true that you get what you pay for. If you want to get a lot of use out of your dehydrator, I would suggest paying for some of the heavy hitters at the end of this article. That said, some people aren’t sure how much they will use their dehydrators. If you need a place to dip your baby toe in, the Ronco Dehydrator is a low-cost exploration in the market.

    Nesco FD-75PR 600-Watt Food Dehydrator

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      The Nesco FD-75PR is a great buy for the price. You get a powerful fan and the ability to dry food quickly.

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      Price

      $58.49

      Rating

      4.5/5 (444 reviews)

      Pros:
      Easy to clean
      Adjustable temp from 95 – 160 degrees Fahrenheit
      Compact
      Food flavors don’t mix
      No need to rotate trays
      Blocks UV lights to keep food nutrient quality higher

      Cons:
      No on / off switch
      Loud
      Takes up a lot of counter space
      No warranty advertised

      The Nesco FD-75PR is still affordable and gives you a lot of power for a relatively low cost.

      Waring Pro DHR20 525-Watt Food Dehydrator

      Waring Pro DHR20 525-Watt Food Dehydrator

        *Currently out of stock

        If looks and kitchen style are important to you, this is your best option. Most dehydrators are more functional than fancy, but this dehydrator manages both well.

        Price

        $60 – $130

        Rating

        4/5 (18 reviews)

        Pros:
        Attractive exterior, which is rare
        Top mounted fan
        Sealed trays so flavors don’t mix
        Dishwasher safe trays for easy clean up
        5-year warranty

        Cons:
        Can’t set exact temperature (just low, medium, and high)
        No timer to set it and forget it.
        Loud
        Takes up a lot of counter space

        The biggest drawback is the inability to set the air temperature. But, the Waring Pro DHR20 will definitely still do a great job preserving your food.

        L’ Equip Filter Pro 530-Watt Food Dehydrator

        LEquip FilterPro Food Dehydrator

          For the germophobic customer, the thought of filtering the air used for drying food just makes sense. This is a great buy for anyone wanting clean food at a great price.

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          Price

          $120

          Rating

          4.6/5 (75 reviews)

          Pros:
          7.2 Square Feet of space
          Can accommodate up to 20 trays
          Filters air before heating it to ensure clean air for clean food
          Set temperature between 95 – 155 degrees Fahrenheit
          Energy efficient
          24-month warranty

          Cons:
          Loud
          Takes up a lot of counter space

          With plenty of tray space and filtered air, you will enjoy making fresh recipes from L’ Equip Filter Pro for many years to come.

          Weston VegiKiln 600-Watt Food Dehydrator – $220

          Weston VegiKiln Tray Food Dehydrator

            This dehydrator gives you a lot of space, is energy efficient, and quiet. Since it takes several hours to dry food, silence is golden.

            Price

            From $105

            Rating

            4/5 (38 reviews)

            Pros:
            8 Square Feet of drying space
            No need to rotate trays
            Lots of power for the money
            Rear-mounted fan dries food evenly
            Very quiet
            Energy Efficient
            Can set thermostat from 84 – 155 degrees Fahrenheit
            Very light and compact for the amount of drying space available

            Cons:
            No timer
            No warranty advertised

            The Weston VegiKlin is a quality product that works so quietly that you won’t notice anything but the amazing aroma in your kitchen.

            Excalibur 2900 600-Watt Dehydrator – $250

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              Excalibur is the most trusted name in dehydrators, as it has been the market leader for 30 years. They must be doing something right. This is the dehydrator I own. I use it oI love it!

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              Price

              $168

              Rating

              4.6/5 (395 reviews)

              Pros:
              Produced by a solid company making dehydrators for over 30 years
              9 trays = 15 square feet of drying space
              Rear mounted fan dries food evenly
              Easy to clean
              Can set thermostat and timer from 85 to 155 degrees Fahrenheit
              10-year warranty

              Cons:
              Size – takes up a lot of counter space
              Loud

              You can’t go wrong with Excalibur! They know dehydrators!

              No matter what dehydrator you choose, using this convenient method to store and create healthy foods will be an investment in your health.

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