The best food dehydrators
Food Dehydrator – Buying Guide, Opinions and Analysis
A food dehydrator is designed to extract moisture from some foods, preventing the proliferation of bacteria and extending the usefulness of the product. In addition, this makes them easier to transport and they can be hydrated when they are going to be consumed. Among the models available on the market, we recommend first of all the Lacor 69123, a food dehydrator with a capacity of 13.5 liters and several trays, which will allow you to organize food more easily. Secondly, you can consider the Vita5 Nobel Pro 6, a model that stands out for having a 24-hour timer and a temperature selector that will facilitate the work of extracting moisture.
The 9 Best Food Dehydrators – Opinions 2022
If you have been interested in knowing the benefits of dehydrated food and want to prepare it at home, here you will find a selection with some models of food dehydrators that could be what you are looking for. We invite you to evaluate them in detail, in order to decide if any of them deserve your investment.
Lacor food dehydrator
1. Lacor 69123 Food Dehydrator 245W
Lacor could offer the best food dehydrator with its model 68123, an intuitive equipment to use and easy to maintain.
This dehydrator has a power of 245W, with which you can choose temperatures between 36 °C to 70 °C, depending on the type of food you have placed on the trays. In addition, you can use fruits, vegetables or herbs as you prefer.
On the other hand, the Lacor food dehydrator offers a capacity of 13.5 liters divided into 5 stackable trays. These, apart from being spacious, are transparent, facilitating control of the process at all times.
As for its size, it has dimensions of 30 x 32 x 27 centimeters, while its weight is 2.79 kilograms, allowing it to be stored without many inconveniences, if necessary.
Considered possibly the best food dehydrator of the moment, we invite you to know its pros and cons:
Pros
Capacity: It offers a considerable capacity, with which you can easily organize food to dehydrate it.
Trays: It has stackable trays, to divide the food that you are going to put into the equipment by type.
Thermostat: With the thermostat you can properly control the temperature, depending on the type of food.
BPA: The manufacturing materials are free of BPA, being a safe equipment for use in the kitchen.
Cons
Noise: Keep in mind that it produces noise when it works, so it could be annoying if it is left on at night.
professional food dehydrator
2. Vita5 Food Dehydrator Stainless Steel 24 Hour Timer
An alternative that may be among the best food dehydrators of 2022 is the Vita5.
The Pro 6 model corresponds to a professional food dehydrator that you can keep unattended for a period of up to 24 hours, thanks to the capacity of its timer. In addition, it has a thermostat to select the desired temperature, which can range from 35 °C to 70 °C.
It has an attractive design, robust finishes with stainless steel details, to facilitate cleaning and increase its useful life. In addition to this, among its trays you will find 3 fine mesh trays and 1 anti-drip tray, designed to keep the dehydrator clean.
As for its size, it measures 34 x 30 x 45 centimeters with a weight of approximately 10.6 kilograms, details that you must take into account to know where to install it.
Vita5 may one day become the best brand of food dehydrators and this option in its catalog provides striking advantages:
Pros
Horizontal: Works with the horizontal ventilation system, which guarantees a more homogeneous distribution of heat.
Trays: The trays are made of materials resistant to corrosion and easy to clean.
Timer: It has a 24-hour timer that will prevent you from having to keep an eye on the dehydrator.
Drip: The purchase includes an anti-drip tray that will be responsible for keeping the interior of the equipment clean.
Cons
Weight: Do not overlook that it has a considerable weight, which can make it difficult to store.
Other products
3. Severin OD 2940 Automatic Fruit Dehydrator
To more easily decide on the best food dehydrator to buy, you need to know everything they have to offer.
In this sense, you should know that the Severin OD 2940 model has a power of 250W with which you can dehydrate your food in a short time by providing the necessary force to the fan.
It offers a total of 5 trays of 31 centimeters in diameter each, to offer a comfortable space in which to organize food. In total, the device measures 32.9 x 32.9 x 19 centimeters and weighs 2.4 kilograms, making it relatively compact when compared to other alternatives.
On the other hand, the presence of a light indicator stands out that will let you be aware of the dehydration process, as well as a transparent cover to be able to see the interior of the equipment during its operation.
If you don’t know which food dehydrator to buy, evaluating some extra features may help you decide:
Pros
Transparent: Its transparent plastic casing so you can monitor the state of dehydration.
Light: You will have an internal light available, to better observe the food dehydration process.
Adjustable: The trays allow you to adjust their height, helping to make better use of the equipment space.
Cleaning: It is easy to clean, so you can keep it free of bad odors or stains.
Cons
Manual: The instruction manual should be more extensive and explanatory, to help master all the functions of the equipment.
4. Clatronic DR 2751 Food Dehydrator 5 trays 250 W
One of the cheapest food dehydrators on the list is the one offered by the Clatronic brand, but don’t be fooled by its price, as it is more practical than it seems.
This model has a modern and attractive design made of plastic, which you can easily keep clean. It has 5 trays, as well as their respective lid, helping to speed up the dehydration process.
Reviewing its power, the Clatronic team has a 250W motor that, in addition to providing a constant air flow, makes the food dehydrate simultaneously in all the trays.
It is also highlighted that it has a safety system against overheating, which will be responsible for avoiding forced operations that could endanger the integrity of the dehydrator.
Being able to consider both the advantages and disadvantages of this food dehydrator will give you valuable information before you buy:
Pros
Design: It has a design with good finishes and 5 trays, for your greatest comfort.
Power: It works with high power, guaranteeing good air flow and high temperature.
Durability: Being made of resistant materials, you can use it for a long time in your kitchen.
Safety: The food dehydrator is equipped with an overheating system, which will turn it off if it is detected.
Cons
Time: Compared to other models, it may take longer to finish the dehydration process.
5. Beper Fruit Dehydrator 90.506 Adjustable Temperature 245W
The features and affordability of this model could make it the best value for money food dehydrator, so you should keep it in mind for your possible purchases.
The Beper 90.51 equipment has a comfortable design to handle, with dimensions of 32.9 x 32.9 x 27 centimeters and a weight of 2.8 kilograms, allowing you to take it out and store it only when you are going to use it.
Its aesthetic is simple, but pleasing to the eye and it has 5 stackable trays with transparent finishes, which you can easily clean with tap water in case they get dirty.
The power, meanwhile, reaches 245W and has an adjustable temperature that goes from 35 ° C to 70 ° C, depending on your needs and the type of food you want to dehydrate.
If you are looking for one of the cheapest options in food dehydrators, you should know the pros and cons of the Beper 90.506:
Pros
Power: Its power is sufficient for domestic use, offering a good dehydration time.
Temperature: It has a temperature range that goes from 35 °C to 70 °C easily selectable.
Capacity: The total capacity of the food dehydrator reaches 1 kilogram, so you can put enough quantity in one time.
Containers: You will have 5 containers available in which to distribute the food to dehydrate it.
Cons
Finishes: Their manufacturing finishes should be improved, to make them more resistant to use.
6. Klarstein Fruit Jerky Plus 6 Dehydrator Automatic dehydrator
Horizontal dehydration technology models can be more efficient than others for large quantities of food and this Klarstein alternative could be of interest to you.
The Fruit Jerky Plus 6 food dehydrator has a power that can vary between 450W and 500W, providing an air flow capable of housing the entire interior of the equipment, in order to avoid heat accumulation in one tray more than in another.
This leads us to mention its temperature, as the Klarstein team allows you to choose a range between 35 °C and 70 °C, more than enough for home use. As for its size, it measures 35 x 32 x 34 centimeters and has a considerable weight of 7.2 kilograms, so you must choose carefully where you are going to install it in your kitchen.
In case you want to purchase the Klarstein food dehydrator, we now invite you to evaluate details about its performance:
Pros
Power: It is a high power model, with which you can reach the desired temperature in a short time.
Non-stick: Its grids have a non-stick coating to prevent food from sticking.
Cleaning: It is easy to clean, thanks to the fact that the trays can be easily removed and are resistant to oxidation.
Cable: The power cable has a length of 1.2 meters, so you can connect it freely.
Cons
Instructions: One of its disadvantages is that its instruction manual is not in Spanish.
7. Hopekings 5 Tier Fruit & Vegetable Food Dehydrator
In the line of horizontal food dehydrators, we could not forget to review this Hopekings product, a model with a modern and compact design, with a power that reaches 400W.
The AMB005330 offers 8 trays for food, being spacious enough and comfortable to handle, even though it is horizontal. In addition, you can leave it running for up to 72 hours in a row. It is made of BPA-free plastic and has stainless steel areas with a brushed finish, which give it a modern and durable look.
The temperature, like most models, ranges between 35 °C and 70 °C, but the air flow produced stands out, since it can cover a 360° space inside the dehydrator, making sure to reach every corner and tray.
To make the most of your money, it is necessary to choose the best model in food dehydrators and you can determine this by knowing all its aspects:
Pros
Design: It features a practical, attractive and modern design with easy-to-clean transparent trays.
BPA: All manufacturing components are free of BPA, offering confidence to be in contact with food.
Settings: You can adjust the time and temperature in a simple way, using rotary buttons.
Horizontal: Uses the horizontal ventilation system, for better heat distribution.
Cons
Time: Dehydration processes, although simple, may require several hours to finish properly.
8. Ostba Food Dehydrator 240W Fruit Dryer
Ostba offers you a very practical food dehydrator for demanding processes, mainly thanks to the presence of a 72-hour timer that you can program according to your needs. Along with it, a 260W motor works to provide air and heat, also allowing the temperature to be adjusted based on the type of food that you want to dehydrate.
On the other hand, it offers 5 BPA-free plastic trays that you can easily remove for cleaning. This will help extend its useful life, in addition to maintaining hygiene at all times, avoiding contaminating your own food.
Evaluating its design, the food dehydrator has dimensions of 26.1 x 25.3 x 21 centimeters with a weight of 2.6 kilograms, being one of the most compact models among those mentioned. Ideal for those who have little space in their kitchen.
If you think that the Ostba food dehydrator could be the right one, we advise you to carefully study its positive and negative aspects:
Pros
Height: The trays can be rotated, in case you need more space between them to place the food.
Timer: The timer offers up to 72 hours of automatic operation, preventing you from having to check every moment.
Dishwasher: You can place the containers in the dishwasher, to keep them clean and free of odors.
Noise: Its noise level is low, avoiding causing unnecessary disturbances at home.
Cons
Indicator: The audible alert that activates when the timer has expired cannot be deactivated.
9. Springlane Fruit Vegetable Meat Herb Food Dehydrator
Springlane has a large capacity food dehydrator for you, which you can comfortably manage your kitchen.
The Springlane 943552 model presents a modern aesthetic design, with good finishes and manageable dimensions: 32 x 25 x 21 centimeters with a weight of 4.2 kilograms.
It has a power of 400W and a thermostat, so you can adjust the temperature without problems. In addition, you can also make use of a practical timer with which you can practically automate the dehydration process.
The control panel, for its part, is modern, presenting an LCD screen with which it will be easy for you to know the remaining time of the process and the assigned temperature. It has 5 stackable trays for food and a very practical recipe book is included, for those who do not have experience with dehydrated food.
In order for you to make an informed and successful purchase, you will now find more features regarding this food dehydrator:
Pros
Design: This option has an attractive design, with good finishes and made of resistant materials.
Screen: It has a practical screen, where you can see the set time and temperature.
Recipe book: A practical recipe book is included, with which you can get more out of the dehydrator.
Accessories: You can use trays, grids and even a mold for cereal bars with it.
Cons
Size: Its dimensions can make it a bit large for some kitchens, although it is light and easy to handle.
Shopping guide
If you need a guide to buy the best food dehydrator, you are in luck, since in the following space we will analyze what are the most important characteristics that you should know before choosing one of these devices. Thus, it will probably be easy for you to choose which one to buy.
food dehydrator design
If you are wondering how much a food dehydrator costs, you should know that this is influenced by its design, since some may have more resistant or easier to clean manufacturing materials than others.
In this sense, you should know that most of the options for domestic consumption are made of plastic, with casings and trays of different finishes. To acquire a good model, something very important to consider is that this plastic is free of BPA, since this agent could contaminate food when it is at high temperatures.
There are also stainless steel ones, offering greater resistance to wear, as well as a more elegant and attractive aesthetic. These models can be entirely made of steel or have certain parts made of this material, which facilitates their general care.
On the other hand, and taking into account that food dehydrators are usually bulky, it is necessary to know the dimensions and weight of the model of your interest, in order to be able to take home a device that is comfortable for you to handle and install in your kitchen..
Number of trays
Modern food dehydrators are designed so that you can prepare a certain amount of food with a single charge, which is very useful considering that certain foods can take many hours inside the equipment to be ready.
For this reason, we advise you to check how many trays the dehydrator you want to purchase can work with. The higher their number, the more food you can organize inside.
Likewise, it is convenient to know the diameter, if it is a round model, in order to be able to choose the one that is most practical. But don’t worry too much about having to spend more or less due to the number of trays, since even a budget model can be equipped with multiple units, for your convenience.
In addition to this, if the trays are made of stainless steel, we advise you to choose those that have a coating layer, in order to facilitate cleaning and prevent food remains from sticking to them.
fan location
The location of the fan is one of the most studied aspects in a comparison of food dehydrators, since it is a fundamental detail for performance during the process.
In general terms, the dehydrators can be classified due to the type of technology used for the treatment of food: horizontal or vertical. This responds to the location of the fan, whether it is on the top, bottom or rear.
According to some opinions, dehydrators that provide a horizontal flow have better performance, since the heat is better distributed within the equipment, so that all the pieces of food are ready at the same time. However, in the vertical models, you can choose to change the position of the trays, in order to ensure that they all receive the same intensity of heat.
Offered power
The power of the dehydrator is a very important aspect to consider when reviewing the capacity of each one, since this can affect the time required to finish the process properly.
Considering the usefulness of a common food dehydrator, it could be said that a minimum power of between 200W and 250W is sufficient for home use. With this level it will be possible to adjust the appropriate temperature, obtaining good results and in a relatively short time.
However, you also have available units that exceed this level, being able to reach 300W, 400W and even more, although this type of powerful dehydrators are more focused on professional use, such as restaurants, for example.
thermostat and timer
Many users recommend checking if the food dehydrator you want to buy is equipped with a thermostat and timer. Since not all food has the same percentage of water, it is necessary to adjust these parameters in various cases.
Depending on the model you choose, you may or may not have these tools on hand. If it does not have them, you should be attentive to its handling, since, although it may be more intuitive, it requires more attention from the user, to prevent the food from cooking.
In case you can use the thermostat and timer, we advise you to look at the maximum levels that they can reach, in order to ensure that you can set the required temperature according to the type of food and the operating time, based on the percentage of humidity.
Frequently asked questions
Q1: How does a food dehydrator work?
A food dehydrator is equipped with electrical resistances and fans. When activated, the resistances emit an intense heat, which can be regulated depending on the dehydrator model. At the same time, the fan will start to rotate, which causes a current of hot air that, when the equipment is closed, circulates inside and through the food.
The combination of air and heat is responsible for evaporating the moisture of the food almost completely, without affecting the nutrients or the flavor. Without water, bacteria cannot grow and therefore food will take much longer to break down.
Q2: How to use a food dehydrator?
To use your new food dehydrator, you must first prepare the groceries. If you’re using multiple types of vegetables or fruits, for example, be careful not to choose flavors that are too intense, as they could mix with each other.
Cut them into thin slices or, if possible, put them through a slicer, since the thinner they are, the faster the dehydration process will be. Now place each piece on the trays of the equipment, taking care not to overlap them, to guarantee a homogeneous result.
Put the trays in their place and close the dehydrator. Go to its control panel, where you must adjust the desired temperature according to the type of food, as well as the time stipulated for its dehydration. Press the power button and wait for the process to finish.
Q3: What can be done with a food dehydrator?
A food dehydrator is a very practical appliance and the fact that it can maintain flavors has allowed the development of multiple recipes, both sweet and savory.
Some of the preparations that you can create with your dehydrator are nuts, vegetable chips, dried seasoned meat, apricot rolls, seeds, cereal bars, among many other things.
Q4: How to make a food dehydrator?
If you don’t want to use electricity to dehydrate your food, you can build one that runs on sunlight. For this you will need a wooden drawer, support legs, a glass or plastic panel, a thermometer and grids of the material you prefer.
Start by cutting one side of the wooden box at a 50° angle, then cover the gap with the framed glass panel and a pair of hinges, allowing you to open it easily. This will provide a more intense heat input, without being completely direct.
Place the grid that you have prepared inside the box to place the vegetables, meats, fruits or any other food that you want to dehydrate next to the thermometer and make sure that it is at a temperature between 38 ° C and 60 ° C, for proper drying. At a lower temperature, the food could be damaged and if the limit is exceeded, it would be cooked.
Install the legs on the base of the box to raise it off the ground and everything is ready to use.
