Stuck in the dilemma of selecting the best food dehydrator for yourself? Then, read the following article for important points that will help you in selecting one.
Food dehydrators are also known as ‘food dryers’. You can dry almost anything with a food dehydrator and store or preserve it for a longer period. There are many different varieties in the food dehydrators available in the market. They vary depending on their size, purpose, price and quality. If you don’t know much about food dehydrators, then this article is going to be of great help to you. I am going to list down a few points that you need to consider before you buy a food dehydrator.
Points to Consider
1. Purpose
The first point is to find out your purpose of buying a food dehydrator. Figure out how often would you need to use it and for which all food items. For example: vegetarian food will take less time and non-vegetarian food will take more time.
2. Budget
Once you have figured the purpose of buying a food dehydrator, look at the budget you have for it. I have asked you to first find the purpose of buying a food, so that you know how important it is for you and then you set a budget for it.
3. Size
Consider how much would you be needing to dry at a time. If there is no major load for you to dry often then, you can buy a small dehydrator. However, if you are using a food dehydrator for a confectionery sort of a business, then you will need a big one.
4. Thermostat
A few food dehydrators come with a non-adjustable thermostat. An adjustable thermostat enables you to assign different temperatures for different food items. You can easily use a food dehydrator with an adjustable thermostat for drying a variety of food products.
5. Durability
How long do you think you’d want to or need to use a food dehydrator? If you are looking at a life long companion then, you need to get a unit that is of a good quality, high capacity and durable. It may require more investment, but will benefit you eventually.
6. Trays
If there are many trays facilitated in your dehydrator then, it will enable you to dry a few things together at a time. So, if you are looking at a product that will dry more than one thing at a time then, look for a dehydrator that has more trays.
7. Time Taken to Dry
Also keep in mind how fast you want the dehydrating to be done. Fast and efficient drying will take a bigger portion of your wallet. So, make a cost benefit analysis.
8. Shape
Food dehydrators come in two shapes, a rectangle or square and a round. Round shaped dehydrators are nice, but they occupy more space, whereas a rectangle or square shaped dehydrators will easily fit in your kitchen furniture.
Best Pick
Given below are the best food dehydrators, as per consumer survey reports and reviews.
Excalibur 3900 Deluxe
Features:
Adjustable Thermostat
10 Year warranty
9 Trays; 15 square feet
Rectangle Shaped
26 Hour Timer
Price: $279.95,
On Sale: $229.95
Nesco American Harvest FD- 1020
Features:
All in one kit
500 Watts of power
5 trays, and expandable to 12 trays
Includes: Jerky gun, 5 cures, 3 tips, and 5 seasonings.
Price: $82.99
L’Equip FilterPro Food Dehydrator
Features:
LED time and temperature display
Adjustable Thermostat
6 trays; Expandable to 20 trays
Includes: 2 fruit leather trays, yogurt accessory, and 6 mesh screens
Price: $159.99
You either choose one of the above given models or look up for more product reviews to choose the best model. Consider the above mentioned points and get yourself a food dehydrator that suits you the best. A food dehydrator in your kitchen can make your life simple, convenient and comfortable. It is a must have kitchen gadget.