A meat dehydrator may not exactly fall under the category of basic, must-have kitchen accessories, but anyone who owns one knows that this single appliance can entirely revolutionize the snacking game in your home. What’s your go-to snack when you’re watching a good movie or hosting a couple of friends? Chocolates? Potato chips? Oreos? Popcorn? All those are fine but how about switching it up a little and going for homemade beef jerky?
Don’t get too excited and run off to buy a dehydrator just yet though. With so many dehydrator brands in the market having plenty of variations, you first need to consider which features you are looking for on your homemade jerky machine. This review will break down all there is to know about dehydrators along with in-depth reviews of some of the best meat dehydrators 2018 you can buy in the market. Let’s dive into it !
Top 5 Meat Dehydrators 2018 List
| Brand | Air Flow | Temp Range | Trays | Dimension | Weight | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Excalibur Best Pick |
Horizontal | 105-165 °F | 9 | 19x17x12.5 inch | 22 lbs | Check Price |
 |
Gourmia | Horizontal | 95-158 °F | 9 | 17.8x13.5x16 inch | 18.9 lbs | Check Price |
 |
Nesco Reasonable Price |
Vertical | 95-160 °F | 5 | 13x13x13 inch | 8.6 lbs | Check Price |
 |
Presto | Vertical | 165 °F | 4 | 14.5x15x6.2 inch | 7.5 lbs | Check Price |
 |
Magic Mill | Horizontal | 95-167 °F | 10 | 23.8x22.2x19 inch | 52 lbs | Check Price |
#1 Excalibur 3926TB – Best Dehydrator Overall
If you intend to do some fairly heavy duty food dehydration, or if you have a large family that enjoys snacking on dried veggies or beef jerky, then this Excalibur® food dehydrator would be perfect for you. To begin with, this particular unit comes with 9 trays, therefore giving you a total drying space of 15 square feet. Also, this is a horizontal style dehydrator meaning the fan and heating element is located at the back of the unit to draw in cool air, heat it then distributes it evenly over each tray. Horizontal configurations are perfect if you are particularly concerned about even heat distribution, and for improved airflow, this model features Excalibur’s patented Parallex Horizontal Airflow feature. This hastens the dehydration process and guarantees that your food will retain more nutrients for a better look and better taste.
The 26-hour timer is another handy feature that comes with this jerky dehydrator. This way, you can program the unit in advance, and do not necessarily have to be around during the drying process. For safety, the unit also comes with an automatic shut off feature ensuring that you can go about your business completely forgetting about the unit.
Additionally, for ease of use, this unit comes with a shelf tray design thus eliminating the need to rotate trays now and then. In case you are drying some taller foods, you can remove some trays to make room. This allows you to use the unit to re-crisp bread before serving, cultivate homemade yogurt or proof dough when baking. The trays also come with a flexible poly-screen insert which prevents foods from sticking on the tray’s surface. The adjustable thermometer has a range of 105°F – 165°F which is low enough to preserve healthy enzymes in herbs, fruits, and vegetables, but still high enough to meet the required safety standards when dehydrating meat to make jerky.
Pros
Cons
✓ It has a conveniently large capacity
✓ It has a 26-hour timer and automatic shut off
✓ The 7” fan largely increases air circulation
✓ It has easy-to-clean dishwasher-safe trays
✓ Includes Hyperwave Fluctuation Technology
✘ This unit is a bit bulky and might not fit under small kitchen cabinets
✘ The control panel is inconveniently located at the back of the unit
- Performance 94%
- Design 91%
- Price 90%
#2 Gourmia GFD1950 – Best Mid-Range Jerky Dehydrator
You should always opt for dehydrators that come with plenty of room allowing you to make large batches of dried meat and this Gourmia® dehydrator is no exception. Although this might be a bit intimidating for those who are new to the whole concept of dehydrated foods, the more experienced ones will appreciate the large drying space. This unit comes with 9 drying trays which are removable for ease of cleaning and they also come with a non-stick surface to prevent food from sticking. These trays are made of BPA-free plastic, so you never have to worry about harmful fumes or toxins getting released when the dehydrator is running. Additionally, this unit comes with a fruit leather sheet and a drip tray which comes in handy when you are dealing with liquids such as fruit purees.
One thing you will definitely like about this unit is the easy-to-use LCD control panel. This panel also contains a countdown timer that can be set up to 19.5 hours, and upon counting down to zero, the machine rings to alert you that your drying is done then it automatically shuts off instantly. This way, you can put your food in the unit, set the timer, then go off to do other things or even sleep without worrying about the drying process. Another handy feature on this unit is the adjustable temperature setting ranging from 95°F to 158°F.
This dehydrator comes with a back-mounted fan integrated within the Circusmart 360° Air-Flow Circulation System for sufficient and consistent airflow. This is essentially an automatic, electronically-controlled circulator fan which is surprisingly silent when running. In addition to the fan at the back of the unit, there is also an exhaust fan at the top of the unit which is meant for moving out excess heat if the unit becomes too hot. You are also going to appreciate the transparent door on this unit, which allows you to easily monitor all the 9 sheets without having to open the door.
Pros
Cons
✓ It is made from BPA-free plastic
✓ It has a high power wattage ideal for faster drying
✓ It has a 19.5-hour programmable timer and 8 pre-set temperature settings
✘ The trays are not dishwasher safe
✘ The power cord of this dehydrator is rather short
- Performance 92%
- Design 91%
- Price 88%
#3 NESCO FD-75A – Best Budget-Friendly Meat Dehydrator
Being very affordable and coming with plenty of convenient features, the Snackmaster Pro food dehydrator by NESCO® is among the most popular food drying machines in the market. To begin with, this is typically a 5-tray configuration, with each tray measuring 13” in diameter, but it is expandable to 12 trays as long as you buy the additional 7 trays separately. This unit comes with a powerful top-mounted fan with an RPM of 2100 and a wattage of 600 Watts. A powerful fan is necessary for a vertical dehydrator because it guarantees sufficient airflow that can handle the stacked design. Besides promoting sufficient airflow, the top mounted fan also eliminates the chances of having liquids dripping into the heating chamber of the dehydrator.
If you are concerned about the safety of using this unit, then you should know that its trays are made of BPA-free plastic so they will not release any fumes or toxins when heated. Also, the exterior casing of this food dehydrator is made from an opaque Vita-Save material, and the reason of this is to screen harmful light rays which can destroy the nutritional content of the food being dehydrated.
The patented Converga-Flow drying system used in this dehydrator ensures even heat distribution for faster and more nutritious drying. This system forces air down the pressurized system on the exterior of the unit, and this hot air is then forced to flow horizontally across the trays, eventually converging at the core. The trays do not need rotation, and you also do not have to worry about flavors mixing, in case you are drying different foods on separate trays. Regarding the range of foods that can be dried using this unit, there is an adjustable thermostat with a range of 95°F – 160°F. This way, you can use a temperature low enough for herbs and fruits or a temperature high enough for jerky. Besides the adjustable temperature setting, this dehydrator also has a reference labeling system that comes in handy to show you the optimal drying temperature for different foods.
Pros
Cons
✓ Budget friendly
✓ It has an expandable tray capacity
✓ It retains maximum nutrition in foods
✓The drying pressure will automatically adjust going by the number of trays in the unit
✓ It has a reference labeling system perfect for beginners
✘ This unit comes without a programmable or an automatic shutoff function
✘ The trays are not dishwasher-safe
- Performance 91%
- Design 89%
- Price 94%
#4 Presto 06300 – Best Low Range Dehydrator
Investing in a premium high-end food dehydrator makes sense if you are a gardener with a lot of produce to preserve, or if you have a large family or if you are simply a dehydration enthusiast. If you are new to dehydration though, it will make more sense to start off with a low range dehydrator that still performs as expected and this one from Presto® would be perfect for just that. Measuring 15” in diameter and weighing a mere 7.5 pounds, this small unit can conveniently sit on your countertop. When not in use, this Presto dehydrator can be stored away easily without taking up too much space: the trays nest together for compact storage and the cord stores in the base.
Typically, the Presto comes with 4 trays, but it employs an expandable system whereby you can buy 4 more trays separately and include them in the unit thus giving you a total capacity of 8 trays. This added drying space could be just what an intermediate dehydration enthusiast needs, which is what makes this the best meat jerky dehydrator for both beginners and intermediate users. Also, in case you are curious about tracking the drying process, this unit comes with a see-through top cover through which you can catch a glimpse of the drying progress on the top tray. You might also be glad to know that both the cover and the tray are dishwasher safe, therefore making this unit conveniently easy to clean.
Unlike other units we have reviewed here, this dehydrator does not come with adjustable temperature settings. It operates at a pre-set temperature of 165°F. However, the fan and heating element located at the bottom of the unit provides sufficient airflow and heat distribution to guarantee that your jerky will cook through satisfactorily. Besides, there is no tray rotation required so you will not have to rush to the kitchen to check up on the dehydrator every so often. However, because this unit does not have a programmable timer, you will have to remain alert to turn it off when your dehydrated meat is ready.
Pros
Cons
✓ The trays and see-through cover are fully immersible and dishwasher-safe
✓ It uses an expandable tray system
✓ It is very lightweight and allows for very compact storage
✓ It is a low range model with sturdy, quality construction
✘ Food juices can drip onto the bottom-mounted fan and heating element
✘ This unit cannot be used to dry foods such as herbs and beer hops, which require considerably lower temperatures
- Performance 88%
- Design 90%
- Price 91%
#5 Magic Mill – Best High Tech Dehydrator
With an impressive wattage of 1000 Watts, this Magic Mill® unit is among the most powerful dehydrators you will find. This is the kind of gadget for people who are into heavy-duty dehydration, and it will not disappoint. This unit has 10 trays, with each tray having the capability to handle 1.3 pounds of food. In total, therefore, we are looking at a cumulative capacity of 13 pounds which is quite impressive.
The stainless steel exterior design complete with the half see-through door is quite sleek and elegant, and it even comes with placeholders on the side of the unit to ease transportation of the appliance. If you are looking for a dehydrator which employs cutting-edge technological features for faster and more effective drying, then this is just the unit to go for. To begin with, this dehydrator has a heat retentive front door thus reducing energy loss as much as possible, and this leads to a very efficient drying process.
The fan mounted at the rear of the dehydrator is also made of stainless steel. Metal mesh sheeting has been provided on the interior back wall of the unit to protect the fan from any damages especially while loading the dehydrator. There is a pretty decent horizontal airflow between the steel trays, and so you can be assured of uniform drying of your meat and produce. The control panel perfectly located at the front of the dehydrator allows you to place the unit in the cabinet, yet still be able to use it efficiently. You need to leave some breathing room at the sides of the unit though because this is the location of the holes which allow humidity to escape from the interior chamber.
Magic Mill drying machine also comes with a 24-hour digital timer located on the control panel, as well as with a digital temperature control ranging 95°F – 165°F and an automatic shut-off option. From nuts and herbs to fruits and vegetables and even on to beef jerky, this stainless steel dehydrator can be used to dry all kinds of foods. Upon purchasing this unit, you get extra accessories including 10 fine mesh sheets, 5 non-stick Fruit Leather sheets and a set of oven mitts.
Pros
Cons
✓ It features overheating safety protection
✓ It has 8 pre-set cooking functions
✓ It comes with a drip tray which is very easy to clean
✓ At 1000 Watts, this is a very powerful dehydrator
✘ The warranty has a one-year validity which is quite short
✘ This is not an expandable tray dehydrator
- Performance 95%
- Design 93%
- Price 87%
7 Features to Compare Meat/FOOD Dehydrators?
Wattage
This refers to the amount of power being released by the unit. Dehydrators with a lower wattage will consume less energy, but the unit will also take a longer time to heat up as well as to dry your food. Higher wattage units, on the other hand, are more powerful, and they heat up faster, but they also come with a costlier price tag and will also be more expensive to run.
Heat Distribution & Air Flow
When it comes to food dehydration, some foods will typically be closer to the heat source, and others will be further away. The biggest challenge, therefore, becomes ensuring even heat distribution across the food been dried. The best dehydrators tackle this challenge by providing for effective airflow through various design elements such as including fans.
Capacity
What quantity of dehydrated food do you expect to make in one batch and how much available kitchen space do you have? Smaller dehydrators will take up less countertop space and are easier to store when not in use, but they also have a smaller capacity and so will not hold much food.
Noise
Typically, food dehydrators come with a fan and so expect most models to produce some noise. What you should be looking out for therefore is the noise level, so that you can end up with a unit that is as quiet as possible.
Ease of Use
Look for a dehydrator that will cook food evenly without requiring you to keep switching the shelves around from time to time. Also, be sure to check the ease of cleaning the unit. How many parts does the dehydrator have? Are some parts dishwasher friendly?
Price
Some dehydrators go for $30 while others cost as much as $600. The price is mainly influenced by the size and capacity of the unit, what kind of foods you can dehydrate, its heat distribution and convenient perks such as having a timer and thermometer.
Convenient Features
Some food dehydrators, especially higher end models, usually come with certain extras such as automatic timing, digital thermometers, interior lighting, auto shutoff feature and kits such as jerky guns.
Types of Dehydrators
a) Vertical Dehydrators
These dehydrators have the heat source located either at the top or the bottom of the food trays. To dry the food, they draw air vertically from the bottom of the unit then up and over the trays. Typically, these units are round in shape, and they feature trays stacked one on top of the other with the lid being at the top of the unit. With this kind of configuration, you first have to remove the top trays to get to the trays at the bottom and so they are ideal units for low volume batch productions. Also, these dehydrators tend to be relatively affordable, and they work best with solid foods rather than liquids.
b) Horizontal Dehydrators
With horizontal style dehydrators, fans are located at the rear end of the unit, and they draw air horizontally across the trays, from the back to the front of the unit. The units are typically square in construction and have sliding trays with the door located on the side of the unit. With this configuration, you can load and unload a particular tray without moving the trays around it. Horizontal dehydrators come in a wide array of sizes with small countertops units having 4 shelves while larger floor models come with as much as 24 shelves or more. These machines are ideal for drying liquid, and semi-liquid foods and they are typically more expensive than vertical dehydrators.
How to Make Meat Jerky Using food DRying Machine
Meat jerky is very high in protein, which is what makes it the ideal snack to take with you whenever you are up and about and need a little protein boost such as after exercising, or during one of your backpacking adventures, for instance. However, store-bought beef jerky can also be quite pricey so why not save a pretty penny by making your own jerky at home?
Step 1: Take a lean piece of meat then go on ahead and trim off any visible fat from the meat.
Step 2: Freeze the meat for about 1-2 hours allowing it to harden slightly for easier slicing.
Step 3: Slice against the grain of the meat and aim for slices about 1/4” thick. If you want jerky that’s chewier, slice the meat with the grain.
Step 4: Prepare your marinade in a bowl then add your meat slices to the bowl ensuring that the marinade evenly covers all slices. Attempt to get creative with the marinade because this will largely contribute to the flavor of your jerky.
Step 5: Refrigerate for about 4-24 hours.
Step 6: Place the slices on the dehydrator racks ensuring no pieces are touching or overlapping. Leaving gaps between the slices allows for better air circulation and therefore faster drying.
Step 7: Switch on the dehydrator to about 140°F-160°F and let it run for about 5-10 hours. Keep checking the meat and switch off the dehydrator after the jerky reaches your desired consistency.
Is It Healthy to Eat Dehydrated Meat?
Dehydrated meats contain a hefty amount of proteins and can, therefore, be regarded as a filling, high-energy snack sufficient to fuel you through rigorous workouts. At the same time, they are also low in carbohydrates and can, therefore, be incorporated in a low-carb diet.
Dehydrated meat also contains a good dose of iron and zinc which are essential minerals for the health of the immune system. On the downside though, store-bought dehydrated meat can be quite high in chemicals and sodium, which are intentionally added to extend the shelf life of the meat and enhance its flavor. This is why it’s healthier to dehydrate your own meat at home though, because this way, you can dictate the amount of salt added to the food
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