Best Food Dehydrators: Find the Right One for Your Homestead

Use this guide to find the best food dehydrators out there. You’ll learn how to pick the right one for your needs, whether preserving fruit and veggies or making tasty jerky. Plus, we’ll cover all the important features and options to consider. This way, you can make a smart choice for your homestead.

Why I Love Dehydration for Food Preservation

Did you know the global food dehydrator market is set to hit $1.2 billion by 2027? This shows how popular these kitchen tools are, especially for homesteaders who aim to store a year’s worth of food.

Learning how to dehydrate food is an essential homesteading skill. It is a great place to start learning about long-term food preservation because it offers a short learning curve and can fit the bill when looking for food preservation tools on a budget.

Not only is it simple and affordable, but dehydrated food is lightweight and compact, allowing for more space for other staples in your pantry while still preserving many of the nutrients to enjoy in the off-season. Check out my top dehydrating tutorials here.

Before purchasing a dehydrator, it’s important to understand the difference between dehydration and freeze-drying, and that there are some foods that you should not dehydrate. Once you have these basics nailed down, you are ready to consider what to look for in a food dehydrator.

What to Consider Before Purchasing a Dehydrator

Finding the right food dehydrator to fit the individual needs of your homestead is key. When the tool you are using is a good fit for the task, it makes it more enjoyable securing a greater return on your investment because you are more likely to use it.

Here are some important aspects to keep in mind while you are shopping for a dehydrator.

• Primary Use – What will you primarily be dehydrating? Some dehydrators are specially designed workhorses for big tasks like jerky, while others are ideal for delicate foods such as fresh herbs. Identify what food item you will use your dehydrator for the most.
• Capacity – Once you determine what you will be dehydrating, it’s important to also identify how much. Choosing a larger capacity dehydrator will allow you to preserve your food more efficiently. On the other hand, if your dehydrator is oversized for your needs, you will end up with wasted space, energy, and a potentially inferior finished product.
• Dimensions – Before purchasing your dehydrator, identify an ideal space to run your machine. It should be a warm, dry space away from windows and air vents. Measure the area and compare that to the dimensions disclosed by the manufacturer to make sure it will fit.
• Temperature Control – Accurate temperature control is crucial in food dehydration. It ensures your food dries evenly and keeps its nutrients and color. Look for dehydrators with a wide temperature range, from 95°F to 165°F. This lets you adjust the settings for different foods. Advanced models may have digital controls and programmable settings for easy use.
• Airflow Dynamics – The airflow in a dehydrator affects drying quality. Dehydrators have either horizontal or vertical airflow. Horizontal airflow dehydrators dry food evenly, which is ideal for delicate items. Vertical airflow dehydrators stack trays, saving space. They work well for tougher foods like vegetables or meats. Choose based on your drying needs and preferences.
• Noise Level – Food dehydrators can be very different in how loud they are. Some have special features like insulated bodies and slow fans to keep the noise down. These quiet ones are great if you’re using the dehydrator in a shared area or when you want peace, like during meals or when your kids are asleep.
• Ease of Cleaning – Choosing the right food dehydrator means thinking about how easy it is to clean. You want a machine that dries your food well and is easy to clean. Look for dishwasher-safe parts and stainless steel to make cleaning simple.
• Accessories – Food dehydrators come with many add-ons that boost efficiency and quality. Many dehydrator models offer extra tray sets, fruit leather sheets, mesh herb screens, jerky racks, non-stick silicone mats, and more.
• Price – Many food dehydrator options are available to fit a wide variety of budgets. Watch for sales, and remember to consider whether shipping is included in the purchase price. These are also often items that can be found at thrift stores or garage sales.

Dehydrating Tips and Hacks

Using your food dehydrator to its maximum potential helps you get the most out of your investment. Follow these tips to use your dehydrator like a pro and save money on dried foods. 

• Pick the Right Produce – 
  • Choose in-season, locally grown fruit and types of food for the best flavor and nutrition.
  • Go for fruits and vegetables that are just ripe, not too ripe or too green.
  • Avoid produce with blemishes, bruises, or damage, as it can dry unevenly and spoil.

• Properly Load the Trays – Properly setting up your trays is crucial for even drying. Arrange thicker items on the bottom trays and delicate items on top. Be careful not to overcrowd the trays, leaving space for air circulation.
• Regularly Check Moisture Levels – Check your food often and adjust the temperature and time to keep it just right. This makes sure your dried foods don’t over dehydrate and maintain the desired texture.
• Follow the Manufacturer’s Guidelines – The best temperature and time for drying vary by food type and machine. Most fruits and veggies should be dried at 95°F to 135°F. The exact temperature depends on the food’s moisture and the texture you want. Meats need higher temperatures, between 145°F and 155°F, to kill harmful bacteria. Use a food thermometer to keep the temperature right, adjusting as needed.
• Avoiding Over-Drying – Don’t dry your food too much. It’s important to remove moisture, but over-drying can make your food taste bad and lose nutrients. Check your food often and take it out of the dehydrator when it’s just right. It should be pliable and still have a bit of moisture when you squeeze it. Homesteading Hack: Even the best dehydrators will dry food unevenly. Check your trays and move them around throughout the drying session for even drying. If some items are finished before others, remove them mid-session so they don’t get over-dried.
• Use Best Practices for Storage – Store dehydrated items in airtight containers like Mason jars or Mylar bags, and consider investing in a vacuum sealer. Light and heat can make food spoil faster, so store dehydrated food in a dark place with a steady temperature for the best preservation.
• Regularly Clean Your Dehydrator – Regularly clean the trays to stop food residue from building up. This can cause uneven drying or leave moisture behind. Also, make sure it’s dry before storing to avoid mold or bacteria growth.
• Properly Store Your Dehydrator – When storing your dehydrator, keep it in a cool, dark spot. Direct sunlight or high temperatures can damage the device or degrade the materials. 

Choosing the Best Food Dehydrator for You

Choosing the right food dehydrator is key for your homestead. The dehydrator’s capacity is crucial. A big one lets you dry more food at once. It’s great for big families or those who preserve a lot of food. But, a smaller dehydrator with fewer trays is better for small kitchens or less dehydrating.

The size of the dehydrator also matters. Tall units are good for drying big items like fruits or thick meat slices. Wide models are good for drying flat items like vegetable chips or fruit leather. To pick the right size, think about your kitchen or food preservation space and what you want to dry.

Large Capacity Dehydrators to Consider

Excalibur 9-Tray Food Dehydrator 3900B

I use and recommend the Excalibur 3900 B dehydrator for homesteaders who dehydrate on a large scale. We value companies like Excalibur which manufactures in the USA. Excalibur provides a quality product ideal for dehydrating a wide range of foods such as fruits, vegetables, and jerky. 

Excalibur uses what they call Parallexx horizontal airflow, which distributes air evenly over each tray. This allows the food to dry faster and taste better without the need for rotating trays.

Their Hyperwave Technology keeps the temperature low enough to maintain enzymes and nutrients in foods being dehydrated by controlling evaporative moisture. When it comes to wellness, Excalibur promotes the “tortoise mentality” that low and slow will win the immunity race. 

Average Customer Review Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐3.8 Stars (out of 18 reviews)

“I bought this Dehydrator after using a Non-name brand circular dehydrator. What a workhorse. Gets the job done. The greatest thing is you do not have to rotate trays with the fan being located in the back. Well done!” – Excalibur Customer Review

Magic Mill Food Dehydrator MFD-9100

The Magic Mill Food Dehydrator MFD-9100 is not manufactured in the USA, but it does offer some great features at an affordable price. 

The transparent door window makes it easy to monitor the dryer’s process. The adjustable thermostat includes a timer, an automatic shut-off, and a keep-warm setting for up to 24 hours after the cycle is complete. 

Additionally, the regular trays are made from stainless steel, and the unit also includes a mesh tray for nuts and herbs, a fruit leather tray that can double as a drip tray, and a hanging rack for jerky.

Average Customer Review Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐4.6 Stars (out of 11,911 reviews)

“The product has ample capacity and trays. Like the location of the fan. The noise level is bearable. Well built. Serious misses – On-Off switch, a Pause button and a memory setting. Tedious to set the time and temperature every time the door is open. On the whole, good value.”

Cosori CP267-FD

The Cosori CP267-FD is manufactured in China and has many of the same features as the Magic Mill, such as the stainless steel tray, transparent window, adjustable thermostat that includes a timer, an automatic shut-off, and a keep-warm setting. 

This unit is smaller (6 trays instead of 10) but is less expensive, and Cosori offers a couple of bonuses the Magic Mill does not, such as a two-year warranty and a recipe book.

Average Customer Review Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐4.8 Stars (out of 68 reviews)

“It’s definitely by far the best dehydrator I’ve owned. Amazing quality! Stainless steel racks. Dries faster than my previous one. My only negative is that the screen in the back that protects the fan isn’t removable. Liquids can splash on parts behind the screen, and there’s no way to clean them.” – Cosori Customer Review

Tribest Sedona Express SDE-S6780-B

The Tribest Sedona Express SDE-S6780-B is manufactured in South Korea. 

It boasts a unique feature called the Two-Stage Sequential Temperature Timer (TST). Just set the Sedona® to the TST and watch it run in “Fast” mode of up to 167°F for the first few hours. Then, it automatically switches down to the “Raw” mode of 118°F or less for the remaining dehydration time.

Additionally, the Tribest Sedona Express offers the widest range of temperature choices from 77°F to 167°F.

While this unit matches many of the features of the other models in our comparison (large capacity, no need to rotate the stainless steel trays and variable temperature settings) the price point is significantly higher for the TST feature and expanded temperature range, so this is only relevant to those who value these features as a priority. 

Average Customer Review Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Stars (out of 23 reviews)

“This dehydrator is very easy to use. I like that I can program the numbers in digitally rather than with a dial- making it more precise. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it is very quiet when it runs. Unlike another dehydrator, I had tried in the past. It did a great job on my first run, and I plan to dehydrate much more this summer.” – Tribest Customer Review

Small Capacity Dehydrators to Consider

Excalibur 2400

For homesteaders who dehydrate on a smaller scale, I recommend the Excalibur 2400. This model is a smaller version of the Excalibur 3900B (mentioned above) and is also manufactured in the USA. Excalibur provides a quality product ideal for dehydrating a wide range of foods such as fruits, vegetables, and jerky. 

Excalibur uses what they call Parallexx horizontal airflow, which distributes air evenly over each tray. This allows the food to dry faster and taste better without the need for rotating trays. Their Hyperwave Technology keeps the temperature low enough to maintain enzymes and nutrients in foods being dehydrated by controlling evaporative moisture. 

When it comes to wellness, Excalibur promotes the “tortoise mentality” that low and slow will win the immunity race. 

Average Customer Review Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.1 Stars (out of 23 reviews)

“I received the 4-Tray dehydrator for Christmas in 1988 and have used it exclusively for beef jerky a minimum of two times per month since. (have a batch nearing completion as we speak) The unit has ALWAYS performed perfectly, and even though it appears a little rough for the wear, I can always count on its delicious rewards! THANK YOU, Excalibur, for producing quality that stands the test of time!!” –Excalibur Customer Review

Nesco FD-79 

The Nesco FD-79 is also manufactured in the USA and can be expanded by purchasing additional trays. 

The patented Converga-Flow™ Design features the dehydrator’s double outside wall design, which automatically adjusts the air pressure depending on how many trays you use, and additionally eliminates tray rotation—a rare feature in a round model. 

This little unit includes important features such as an adjustable temperature from 90° F to 160° F., a programmable digital timer with an auto-off function, and a top-mounted fan and heater design that prevents liquids from dripping into the motor or heater, making cleanup easy.

Average Customer Review Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐4.1 Stars (out of 601 reviews)

“This dehydrator is worth every penny! It’s easy to use, the directions are well-written, and it’s fun, too! I was able to begin dehydrating the first day and had even created gifts for the holidays.” – Amazon Customer Review

Hamilton Beach Digital Food Dehydrator

The Hamilton Beach® Food Dehydrator is manufactured in China. Its continuous airflow feature provides even drying, eliminating the need to rotate trays. 

Just load the trays and adjust the temperature (100°F-160°F) and timer (up to 48 hours), there is nothing to do until the timer goes off. However, if you like to watch, the clear lid allows for easy viewing.

Average Customer Review Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐3.5 Stars (out of 4 reviews)

“Dehydrator works great, but I only gave it a 4-star rating because there was only 1 fruit roll tray for fruit roll-ups and herbs. There was only 1 tray for drying fresh fruit. Also, I couldn’t find any of these items for sale on the website.” – Hamilton Beach Customer Review

Presto Dehydro Electric Food Dehydrator

The Presto Dehydro is manufactured in China and offers an affordable price for a small unit that can be expanded with the purchase of additional trays. The top-mounted fan and heating element design provides constant airflow, so no tray rotation is needed.

This basic unit does not offer temperature control (one standard setting at 165°F), but it is ideal for beginners who want to test dehydration for food preservation before making a large investment.

Additionally, the Presto Dehydro’s trays nest, using 22% less space for storage, 

Average Customer Review Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐5 Stars (out of 1 review)

“Works as advertised. Kind of wish it was clear and has an on/off switch though.” – Presto Customer Review.

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