Topic
Food dehydrators
A dehydrator moves warm air across thin food to carry moisture away. Box units with a rear fan dry trays evenly; stackable round units are cheaper but may need trays rotated.
- Jerky step (USDA FSIS)
- heat meat to 160 F, poultry to 165 F
- Even drying
- horizontal airflow from a rear fan
In a box dehydrator a fan and heater at the back push air horizontally across every tray, so trays dry at about the same rate. In a stackable unit the fan sits in the base or the top and air travels through the stack, so trays near the fan dry faster.
Look for an adjustable thermostat, enough tray area for your batches and trays that are easy to clean. Listings state wattage, tray count and temperature range, and our guides compare those facts.
For jerky, USDA FSIS advises heating meat to 160 F and poultry to 165 F before or after drying so the drying step does not have to kill bacteria on its own.
Common mistakes
- Cutting pieces in uneven thickness, so some stay moist.
- Making jerky without the 160 F (meat) or 165 F (poultry) heating step.
- Packing dried food while it is still warm, which traps condensation.
Pages on this topic
- What can you dehydrate in a food dehydrator?What you can dehydrate in a food dehydrator: fruits, vegetables, herbs, jerky, fruit leather and pet treats, plus foods that do not dry well or safely at home.Explainer
- How to make jerky in a dehydratorHow to make beef jerky in a food dehydrator: slicing, marinating, and the USDA step of heating meat to 160 F (poultry 165 F) before or after drying.How-to
- How to dehydrate herbsHow to dry herbs in a dehydrator: low temperature settings, whole leaf vs stem drying, how to tell when they are done and how to store them for color and aroma.How-to
- Horizontal vs vertical airflow dehydratorsHorizontal vs vertical airflow dehydrators: rear fan box units against stackable round ones on evenness, tray rotation, flavor mixing, capacity and price.Comparison
- Food dehydrator vs air fryer with a dehydrate settingFood dehydrator vs air fryer: tray area, lowest temperature and run time limits that decide whether an air fryer can stand in for a real dehydrator.Comparison
- Food dehydrator temperature and time chartFood dehydrator temperatures by food from NCHFP and USDA guidance: herbs, fruit, vegetables and jerky, with typical drying times and how to tell when food is done.Explainer
- Dehydrator drying unevenlyWhy some dehydrator trays or pieces dry faster than others: airflow design, overloaded trays, uneven slices and room conditions, plus when and how to rotate trays.Fix
- Dehydrated fruit still sticky or softDehydrated fruit sticky or not drying? Sugar content, case hardening and humidity explained, plus how to test dryness and condition fruit before storage.Fix
Gear for this topic
- Best stainless steel dehydrators with metal traysStainless steel food dehydrators compared by tray material and count, housing material, maximum temperature and wattage, from the listings.Gear guide
- Best food dehydrators from $150 upSeven premium food dehydrators compared by drying area, tray count and material, temperature range, timer and power as each listing states them.Gear guide
- Best Excalibur dehydrators: 5 to 10 trays comparedSeven Excalibur dehydrators from 5 to 10 trays compared by drying area, tray material, temperature range, timer length and door style.Gear guide
- Best dehydrators for jerky that reach 160 F and upJerky dehydrators compared by tray count, maximum temperature, drying space and wattage, using only what each Amazon listing states.Gear guide
- Best commercial dehydrators for big batchesSeven 10 to 24 tray commercial dehydrators compared by square feet of drying space, tray count, temperature range, timer and wattage.Gear guide