Dehydrating123: Choosing a Good Food Dehydrator
Modern food dehydrators now come in a variety of different shapes, sizes and price ranges. How do you choose one that will allow you to dry a large amount of food in the shortest period of time, and with no hassle?
There are five key factors to take into account while choosing a good food dehydrator:
1. Wattage
More power means more efficiency and faster drying times. For best results choose a model with 400 watts or more.
2. Adjustable thermostat
This is one of the most important features for a dehydrator. Since different foods require different temperatures for drying out, look for a model that has a thermostat with full temperature control from 105F(40C) to 165F (74C).
3. Placement of fan and heating element
Placement of the fan and heating element significantly impacts how quickly and how evenly your food will dry out. Models with a rear-mounted fan allow air to freely circulate across all the trays, which ensures a more even dry without the need for rotating racks.
4. Capacity
Adding extra trays for more capacity can expand the taller, stackable units. However, box models with square trays have up to 20% more drying space.
5. Timer and automatic shutoff
With these useful and handy functions, you can leave the dehydrator unattended while you sleep, walk or work. You can be confident that it will switch off after a certain drying period.
Recommendations:
You’ll never go wrong if you choose an Excalibur dehydrator. It’s a bit pricey, but if you are serious about food dehydrating, it’s worth the investment. You can choose among 4, 5 or 9-tray models, depending on your needs and budget.
I personally have a 9-tray Excalibur with a 26-hour timer and temperature control. It’s fast, easy-to-use and jam-packed with special features. I can make any number of homemade treats, from banana chips to complete gourmet meals for backpacking.
