If you’re like most people, when you’re in the mood to snack, you probably turn to cakes, chocolate bars, and potato chips.
Although undeniably tasty, these are not the healthiest foods. And to be snacking on them at regular intervals is actually very bad for your health.
One of the best ways to get healthy snacks is to invest in a food dehydrator.
Not only will you enjoy delicious and healthy snacks, but you also have the benefit of enjoying food made right in your very own kitchen.
Food dehydrators have lots of benefits. They save you money on snacking, avoid waste, and also allow you to enjoy out of season fruits and vegetables any time of the year.
So let’s take a closer look at some of the best dehydrators on the market.
Best Food Dehydrator Reviews & Recommendations For 2019
- Gourmia GFD1680 Premium Countertop Food Dehydrator
- Samson Silent Dehydrator
- Homeleader Electric Food Dehydrator
- Hamilton Beach 32100A Digital Food Dehydrator
- COSORI Premium Stainless Steel Food Dehydrator Machine
Gourmia GFD1680 Premium Countertop Food Dehydrator
The Gourmia Premium food dehydrator is a top brand dehydrator that has excellent features.
Six trays provide ample space to dry a variety of foods at the same time. The cutting edge design also has 360° air circulation for even and fast food drying.
Thanks to the uniform heating feature, there is no need for tray rotation.
This machine features a beautiful and transparent door so you can glance at your food while it is dehydrating.
Overall it is safe ETL certified and dries food naturally without the need for preservatives or additives.
This machine has adjustable time and temperature settings. This allows you to set drying time in 30-minute increments.
There’s also each 8 temperature settings that range from 95° to 158° Fahrenheit.
Now you don’t need to depend on store-bought processed food which is unhealthy.
Create colorful and nutrient-dense snacks in the comfort of your own kitchen.
It’s much cheaper than commercial products, and thanks to its premium quality, this food dehydrator is energy efficient as well.
Some of the bonus features include a fruit leather sheet and a drip tray.
The dehydrator is fairly quiet, so it will not disturb you while drying your food.
The tray sizes are 13 inches long and 12 inches wide. It’s also excellent for drying herbs and works wonderfully when drying icing on cookies.
The dehydrator is easy to use, so figuring out how to get your first set of food dried will be pleasant and straightforward.
The Gourmia premium food dehydrator is lightweight and means that you can move it around the kitchen from one spot to another effortlessly.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Lightweight
- ETL certified
Cons
- Trays are not dishwasher safe
Technical Specifications
- Weight: 17.85 pounds
- Dimensions: 19.6 x 14.8 x 13.6 inches
- 360 Circulation: Yes
- BPA Free: Yes
- Number of Trays: 6
Samson Silent Dehydrator
The Samson Silent dehydrator has a push-button digital timer, which allows you to set the timer at 30-minute intervals.
It also has an LCD screen control panel with 400 W of power going to the fans and heaters.
Ultimately it is a balanced combination of heat and airflow for quick and efficient food drying.
The temperature increase and decrease buttons have different temperature variations.
It comes with a handy preparation chart that guides you when drying over 40 food items.
There are six plastic trays that are dishwasher safe and does not require scrubbing.
The food dehydrator has a plastic case and is a rectangular design, as well.
It’s fairly lightweight, which means that you can move it from one spot to another in your kitchen easily.
The digital controls are placed very conveniently on the dehydrator, and the machine is well priced.
Ultimately it works extremely well for fruit in small items as they dry evenly.
Pros
- Trays are dishwasher safe
- It is quiet
- Has a quick drying time
- UL Approved
- Endorsed by Vibrant Health Institute
Cons
- The top vent does not open
- Plastic casing feels flimsy
Technical Specifications
- Weight: 12.05 pounds
- Dimensions: 17.8 x 12.5 x 13.5 inches
- 360 Circulation: No
- BPA Free: Yes
- Number of Trays: 6
Homeleader Electric Food Dehydrator
The Homeleader electric food dehydrator is ideal for jerky, fruit, vegetables, nuts, and various other items that you would like to dehydrate.
It comes a time and temperature control that allows you to use customized settings depending on the type of food you are drying and the type of results you want to achieve.
It is an LCD display digital setting that accurately dries your food to perfection.
The adjustable heating temperature control ranges from 35° to 70°F. This is ideal for apple, and banana chips, dehydrated vegetables, and even dried soup mixes.
It has a fairly compact design which is fashionable as well. And the clear glass door gives you easy viewing throughout the drying process.
The machine has five BPA trays made of high-quality plastic materials.
It’s equipped with an auto shut off mechanism just in case you forget to switch off, and this will prevent it from overheating.
These trays are also fully dishwasher safe.
The Homeleader electric food dehydrator is also ETL approved, so you can be assured that when you purchase this item, you’re buying a product that is quality guaranteed.
Pros
- Easy to clean
Cons
- A bit noisy
Technical Specifications
- Weight: 5.25 pounds
- Dimensions: 14.9 x 10.5 x 12.7 inches
- 360 Circulation: Yes
- BPA Free: Yes
- Number of Trays: 5
Hamilton Beach 32100A Digital Food Dehydrator
Are you looking for snacks that are high in nutrients and low in calories?
If you are, then the Hamilton Beach food dehydrator is just for you. Create delicious snacks for your family to top up your morning oatmeal or replace that bag of potato chips at lunch.
This food dehydrator helps you accomplish all of these goals by taking food preparation to the next level.
Endless possibilities are available with the Hamilton Beach dehydrator.
It has five adjustable and stackable drying trays and 500 watts of power so it’s easy to dry your favorite fruits and vegetables or even make homemade beef jerky.
The continuous supply of airflow provides even drying, and there’s no need to rotate the trays.
This machine includes an adjustable thermometer for even better performance and a timer with automatic shutoff.
It also comes to specialty sheets for added versatility.
The mesh sheet allows you to dry garden herbs for your year round enjoyment or purée some of your favorite fruits and spread it on a solid sheet for homemade fruit rolls.
Now wholesome and homemade snacks for the entire family are achievable right from the comfort of your kitchen.
Pros
- Has specialty sheet for making fruit rolls
- Simple design
Cons
- Fan is noisy
Technical Specifications
- Weight: 8 pounds
- Dimensions: 10.5 x 13 x 11 inches
- 360 Circulation: Not specified
- BPA Free: Not specified
- Number of Trays: 5
COSORI Premium Stainless Steel Food Dehydrator Machine
This COSORI Premium Food Dehydrator has six stackable and is made from food-grade stainless steel housing. It ultimately gives you great cooking experience.
There’s also an intuitive touch control display that has 50 included recipes. Now you can pick and choose your delicious and wholesome snacks for weeks to come.
The food dehydrator makes everything from zesty beef jerky to flavorful for fruit rolls.
Some other features you can expect from this exceptional food dehydrator is a customizable timer. Set the timer up to 48 hours in the 30-minute increments.
It also has an auto shut off timer for your safety and energy conservation, as well. The trays and liners are entirely dishwasher safe, so clean up is a breeze.
Now you don’t have to worry about throwing out uneaten fruit, as you can dry it in season and save it for later. Your food will be packed with nutrients and store all of the flavors.
It’s easy to preserve your meat by turning it into beef jerky and eliminating store-bought preservatives.
This ensures that you’re eating the healthiest dried meat. Also, make your own homemade spices from tried herbs.
Pros
- Clean up is easy
- Accurate temperature control
Cons
- Dried meat outcome could be better
- Food sticks to the trays
Technical Specifications
- Weight: 23.6 pounds
- Dimensions: 13.4 x 17.8 x 12.4 inches
- 360 Circulation: Not specified
- BPA Free: Yes
- Number of Trays: 6
Food Dehydrators FAQ
Food dehydrators use airflow and a heat source to reduce the content of water in food.
These machines are used for various purposes, but mainly for drying food. Here are some of the reasons why it is so popular.
What Is A Food Dehydrator Good For?
Food dehydrators are trendy kitchen gadgets that are an easy and economical way to make your own beef jerky, dried fruit, and vegetables.
However, the question is, are they worth making the counter space for? Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of food dehydrators.
Food dehydrators create healthy and inexpensive snacks, and you can use anything from meat fruit, vegetables, and herbs to create healthy homemade snacks.
These machines are the latest trend in healthy eating and a must-have for every kitchen.
At first glance, these machines seem to be quite bulky looking and not attractive at all. However, the size means that they can bulk dry lots of ingredients in a simple go.
Each machine has lots of stackable trays, and food dehydrators work by gently pumping warm air upwards and drying out food items as they lay on the trays.
Some of these machines work with manual temperature dials and timers; however, you need to periodically check in on the progress until you’ve gotten the hang of it.
You should note that food dehydrators will take various amounts of time to dry to different food items.
So while some items can be dried in a matter of a few hours, others could take up to 36 hours. Results will also vary from one machine to another and from one food to another.
While these dehydrators are created to be energy efficient, you should bear in mind that the longer it works, the more consumption will add up. The trays also need to be rotated for evenness.
However, if you do buy dried fruit and beef jerky constantly, then this is one of the most inexpensive ways to create your very own in the comfort of your own home.
So while it may not dry fruit that looks like the store-bought ones you enjoy, it will definitely save you money.
Are Food Dehydrators Safe?
If you’re wondering if food dehydration is safe, then you are not alone. Many people often ask this question.
And if you are a health-conscious person, then this is a question you should be asking.
While some dehydrators are costly, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they are better than cheaper ones. Ultimately, the quality of materials used in manufacturing should be considered.
Food dehydrators are available in two types, plastic, and stainless steel.
There’s lots of debate about whether plastic dehydrators are better than stainless steel ones or vice versa.
Ultimately, it’s not about whether your food dehydrator is made from plastic or stainless steel.
However, it’s more about the other materials that are used and how safe they are.
Some of the safest materials that are used in the manufacturing of food dehydrators include:
- Polypropylene
- Low-density polyethylene
- Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
- Silicone
- Acrylonitrile Styrene
Whenever you see these materials printed on the back of the food dehydrator, then it should give you peace of mind knowing that these materials are free from toxins.
Most manufacturers won’t list these materials unless you request information from them.
Generally, food dehydrators a safe; however, you need to choose the right one.
None of them have been reported to be dangerous to health; neither have there been reports that people should stay away from them. However, some options are still better than others.
Food dehydrators are considered safe because they remove the water content from food.
Food tends to spoil due to the bacteria contained in the water, which is inside your food.
So dehydrated items have a much longer shelf life than fresh items. Therefore, foods such as meat, vegetables, and fruits can be dried and safely stored away for delicious treats.
What Is The Benefit Of Dehydrating Food?
Food dehydrators have many benefits. Let’s take a closer look at some of the life-changing benefits that these machines offer.
Nutrition
Food dehydrators retain the original minerals, enzymes, and vitamins in foods far better than other forms of cooking or preservation.
In fact, studies have shown that dried fruits like grapes, cranberries, and plums have twice the amount of antioxidants as their fresh counterparts.
Since we are surrounded by packaged and chemically altered food in this day and age, this type of nutritive value is extremely important.
Certain healthy foods are not available all year round. Therefore dehydrating these foods in season and enjoying them all you around is one of the bonuses of owning a food dehydrator.
Besides the health benefits that food dehydrators deliver, there are also tons of delicious options to choose from. Some examples of food dehydrators include:
- Veggie chips from kale, carrots, zucchini, green beans, and sweet potatoes
- Dried fruit snacks or chips from bananas, apples, oranges, prunes, pears, and lemons
- Create your very own beef jerky from chicken, lamb or salmon
- Create fruit leathers or rolls from puréed dried fruits
- You can also create your very own homemade granola and crispy nuts and seeds
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Dried herbs and flowers
- Crackers and bread
No Preservatives
Dehydrated food contains a single ingredient, and that is the specific food that you are drying.
So there’s no need to be wary of chemicals or other elements in your diet.
In fact, fruits and vegetables that are dehydrated in your very own home will last you for months and in some cases, up to an entire year.
It Is Economical
If you’re like most people, then you love looking for ways to save money.
One of the ways that a food dehydrator helps you achieve this is by allowing you to purchase bulk produce at a grocery store and then dehydrate it at home and make it available to eat later.
Ultimately this saves you extra trips to the grocery store, which means you save gas and will still be able to enjoy gourmet foods like sun-dried tomatoes or kale chips in the comfort of your home.
As a bonus, you can enjoy these foods without added preservatives, oils, sugars, and salts.
Easy Storage
Food dehydrators remove the moisture content in your food. In turn, this inhibits the growth of bacteria, so your food stays fresher for much longer.
In the same breath, you shrink the size of your food, so storage becomes effortless as well.
So ultimately, you have healthier foods in your kitchen for a much more extended period of time, and you don’t have to worry about it spoiling or taking up too much space.
Variety
Homemade meals and snacks are recommended over a store-bought package version someday because they are healthier.
When you purchase food prepared in a store or restaurant, there’s no telling what ingredients or chemicals are used in making them.
With a food dehydrator, you can prepare foods in your kitchen and have a variety of options at your disposal. However, food dehydrators of other purposes as well, such as:
- Drying herbs
- Herbal teas
- Creating dog treats
- Potpourri and dried
- Creating paper from drying the pulp of recycled items
So ultimately, aside from creating healthier food options inside your home, a food dehydrator can improve several aspects of your lifestyle.
Portability
If you’ve traveled a lot, you know that one of the hardest things to do is eat healthy while traveling.
However, thanks to the mobility and portability of a food dehydrator, you can now save money from dropping in at the drive-through.
Dehydrators will provide healthy and ready to eat snacks on the go. Feel free to use it while camping, backpacking, or even in a car or plane.
Plant-Based Diets
If you are on a fruit and vegetable diet, then you will definitely benefit from this machine.
They are lots of plant-based recipes that you can make using your food dehydrators such as fruit snacks, roll bread, crackers, and vegan jerky.
Reduce Waste
If you’ve ever bought a large amount of fruit or vegetables only to realize that you’re not going to be able to finish it before it goes bad, you will appreciate these benefits.
Dehydrating food extends the shelf life, so you don’t have to throw your foods away, and ultimately, you will be eliminating waste. So get the most out of your food and your money.
Prepares You For Emergencies
There’s a saying that you can never be too prepared; however, you do have some control over how well you respond in an emergency.
Dehydrated snacks are the perfect resource in an emergency since they are healthy food supply and well preserved at the same time.
In fact, you can dehydrate entire meals for your entire family in case of an emergency.
Is Dehydrated Food Healthy?
Dehydrated food is good for you, and here are some reasons why. The sourced food is 100% natural, and the calorie content is preserved.
The mineral and vitamin content is also maintained, and dehydrated food has a higher concentration of fiber and antioxidants.
There’s also no need for added chemicals or conservatives when creating them.
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