Top 10 Best Food Dehydrator Reviews in 2016

Dehydration is one of the healthiest methods of preserving food. Although dehydrated foods do lose some percentage of certain nutrients like vitamins, they do not lose everything altogether, and the nutrients that remain are really worth the dehydration process. There are many benefits of dehydrating food, that is why food dehydrators have become very popular in recent years. Currently, there are countless producers offering one form of kitchen counter-top dehydrator or the other. In the midst of all the offers, the ability to choose correctly becomes a problem. The solution to this problem is the following list of the best food dehydrators in 2016.

Understanding Dehydrator Types

In order to make the best possible choice, you need to understand the different dehydration methods and technologies employed in the production of counter-top food dehydrators. These differences are the basis for compiling this top 10 food dehydrator list. Following are some of these major differences between different food dehydrators:
– Stacked & Shelf Dehydrators
Stacked dehydrators consist of trays that can be placed snuggly on one another while shelf dehydrators are more like an oven where you place the individual trays on shelfs inside it. Stacked dehydrators are normally cheaper.

– Vertical & Horizontal Dehydrators
Vertical dehydrators have their hot air flowing either from the bottom up, or from the top down. Horizontal dehydrators have their fans on one side, usually in the back and equally blows air to all the trays. That’s why they are costlier that vertical dehydrators.

– Plastic and Solid Metal Dehydrators
Some are made from plastic, and others from metal. Metal dehydrators usually cost more than plastic ones because they are more durable.

The Top 10 Food Dehydrator List

10. Hamilton Beach 32100A Dehydrator

Hamilton Beach is a well known kitchen appliance brand and the maker of this dehydrator in position #10. It is the stackable type of dehydrator, with 500 watts of power consumption, an adjustable digital thermostat, and a 48 hour timer. It also includes a fine-mesh sheet that can be used for drying smaller food items like herbs, and a clear top lid, so that you can easily check the food you are drying.
Price: $59

9. Excalibur 3926TB Food Dehydrator

The Excalibur 3926TB is the first of two Excalibur food dehydrators featured in this review. It is a shelf-type dehydrator with nine trays which provide a total of 15 square feet (1.4 square meters) of drying space. This machine is thus relatively large compared to the others in the market and it is perfect for large families or small scale farmers that need to dry their own produce. It also features Excalibur’s patented Parallex Horizontal Airflow which provides an even and efficient dehydration. This is an overall wonderful machine, one of the best in the market, but because of its rather high price-tag, it ranks on position 9.
Price: $248

8. Presto Dehydro Digital Food Dehydrator

The Presto 06301 is a six tray stackable-type food dehydrator that can be extended up to 12 trays. It includes a digital timer and thermostat and offers a dehydrating temperature range between 90 and 165 degrees Fahrenheit ( 32 to 74 degrees Celcius). In addition, its trays and and cover are dishwasher safe.
Price: $59

7. DELLA 10-Tray 1200Watt Stainless Steel Food Dehydrator

This DELLA Commercial dehydrator is a rather big machine that is perfect for gardeners and large families. It’s solidly built with stainless steel, which guarantees a long service life. It features an LCD control monitor, a digital thermostat and a temperature dial to select temperatures between 95� and 155� Fahrenheit (35� and 68� Celsius). When you need to dehydrate large amounts of produce effectively, then this unit is definitely worth considering.
Price: $199

6. NutriChef Countertop Food Dehydrator

In the sixth position is this dehydrator from Nutrichef. It is the lowest priced item in this list and also the easiest to operate. It has just one ON & OFF button, and that’s it. It comes with 6 stackable-type trays, with hot air flow from the bottom. If you plan on making fancy dehydrated foods, then this may not be the gadget for you because there is no way you can adjust any settings, but if you need the most affordable and good quality entry level dehydrator in 2016, then this is definitely worth a consideration.
Price: $49

5. Nesco FD-61WHC American Harvest Dehydrator All-In-One Kit

The American Harvest all-in-one dehydrator kit comes with with a top mounted dryer, 5 tray system, with an adjustable thermostat to dry your food at the appropriate temperatures. The trays do not need to be rotated, as with other stackable tray dehydrators, thanks to Nesco’s patented Converga air flow system. Then there is a jerky gun, jerky spices, a recipe book and fruit roll sheets.
Price: $59

4. Gourmia Premium Food Dehydrator

This Premium counter-top dehydrator from Gourmia comes loaded with plenty of functionality. It features a digital thermostat and a timer, adjustable drying shelves, an ingenious air-flow technology and operating temperatures between 95� and 158� Fahrenheit (35� to 70�Celsius). This machine is an overall fast, efficient and lovable dehydrator.
Price: $99

3. Nesco FD-1040 – 1000 Watt Gardenmaster Food Dehydrator

Nesco is a popular food dehydrator brand, known for making quality dehydrating products, and they have not disappointed with this unit. The FD-1040 is very visually appealing, has a powerful 1,000 Watt dryer and requires no tray rotation because of Nesco’s patented air flow system. This dehydrator also comes with a 52 page recipe book, a top mounted dryer and a programmable digital control system. Moreover, its standard 6 trays can be expanded to 20 trays for some serious food dehydration sessions.
Price: $96

2. Excalibur 2900ECB Dehydrator

The 2900ECB from Excalibur is a 9 tray horizontal system. It features in addition to an ON/OFF switch, a thermostat for precise processing of your foods. If you need a system to quickly and effectively dehydrate your food items, something that is affordable, yet quite sturdy and built to last, then this machine could be it. A wonderful and high quality product from Excalibur, it sits unfortunately in the second position because of its comparatively high price-tag.
Price: $176

1. Aroma Housewares Food Dehydrator

When it comes to overall price and quality, then this dehydrator ranks number #1 on this list, for simply being as equally a high quality offering, as it is sensibly priced. It is a large capacity system, has 6 removable racks, an adjustable thermostat and it includes a drip tray. It is additionally, quite beautifully designed and will look great on any kitchen’s counter-top. It is solidly built, fast and efficient like the Excalibur, but much more affordable. For this reason, it is our number #1 product in this list.
Price: $129

Conclusion

All food dehydrators are not made equal, some are of a higher quality than others, while others are very well priced. If you are on a budget, then the #5 or #6 on this list should do. There are cheaper options of course, but they are just not your best option. The Excalibur offers are great if you can afford them, and the DELLA too, if you need a commercial grade, stainless steel dehydrator. If on the other hand, you are more concerned about a combination of price and quality, then the Aroma Housewares Dehydrator is what you need.