This dehydrator gets pretty high reviews and deserves the high reviews that it gets. It is a decent price and has most of the features you would want, like a motor on top so that the drippings don't get into it. We have used it for fruit, jerky, and some vegetables. It has handled everything we have used it for.

TedawgPark

USA

Before I got the Gardenmaster from Nesco I had the Snackmaster and loved it. I didn't have to keep track of the trays or rotate them as the food was drying out and it was super quiet when it was running. One by one the trays started cracking but I openly admit that I used this a lot and knew that eventually I would have to buy replacement trays or a whole new unit. There is an adjustable temperature thermostat so you can dehydrate everything from vegetables and fruits to meats to make jerky. This isn't something that's 100% accurate but you are getting a ballpark range to work with; the ambient room temperature could play a part in the internal temperature so if possible use this in a room that isn't too cold or too hot. If the room is too cold it is going to suck heat away from the machine, if it is too hot it could cause the machine to drop five or more degrees. When I am looking in to upgrading my dehydrator I always check the amount of power that it is using and the actual size of it. If you are using this in the kitchen you need to have at least fifteen inches (square) of counter space. There are some models that have more trays but less surface room to work with inside it so you are getting the same amount of dehydrated goods but it might take longer because the heat won't be able to make it to the top couple of trays if the fan isn't strong enough. That means diligent rotation of trays and keeping track of how they are being shuffled. The Snackmaster is one of the easiest dehydrators that I have ever owned and even though I used it mostly to make turkey jerky, beef jerky and deer jerky I did use it to make fruit leather snacks that were so close to Fruit Roll Ups that most people couldn't tell the difference. Ease of Cleaning The trays need to be hand washed. If you try to put them in the dishwasher you are almost guaranteed to have food stuck in the slats. Durability Over time the trays are going to crack but this lasted five seasons of hunting and jerky making. Design It is a little on the wide side but the airflow is excellent so no tray rotation is needed.

AlexFortune

Undisclosed

I had always wanted a dehydrator because I grow a garden every year and there is only so much room in my freezer for all the vegetables I get from it. So last year when I got my tax return I decided I was going to get one. I looked online and the Nesco dehydrator seemed to be able to get the job done and was in my price range. I was so excited when it came in the mail that I had to open it and try it out! I got out some vegetables out of my freezer then loaded the trays up and turned it on. Since everything started from frozen it took about 8 hours to get everything dehydrated but I knew it would take a while. I checked my vegetables through out the day and it seemed to dehydrate evenly, even with the extra two trays I had ordered. I was very pleased with the outcome. I knew then that I could store my vegetables much easier because everything was much smaller and could go in my pantry. It also came with a kit to make beef jerky and a how to book with tip and tricks for dehydrating which I loved. I have not used the beef jerky kit yet so I can't comment on what the seasoning tastes like but will try it one day.

stardust764

Louisville, KY

This dehydrator has been a good tool for our family. I can a lot of food from the garden but it is sometimes nice to dehydrate some of it too. The one thing I have learned though is to spray each layer with non-stick spray to help your food come off easier. Ease of Cleaning Use the non-stick spray to help in cleaning. Durability No problems. Design It works for me.

kfreekave

Byhalia, MS

Just to mention beforehand, I have NOT tried making any kind of meat jerky or spices with this dehydrator so my review is based purely on my uses of dehydrating fruit and vegetables. Earlier this year I went vegan and started finding most vegan recipes required some level of dehydration, especially in the "raw" vegan world where foods can be prepared under 120 degrees F. This dehydrator goes up to 165 degrees so it's good to keep in mind that if it's that high, this food is literally being "cooked" and the raw fruits and veggies do lose their enzymes. I have found this dehydrator EXTREMELY easy to use and to clean. The only problems I have is I wish I had more trays and more fruit trays (just need to buy some more). I have made delicious whole fruit roll-ups with no sugar or additives even adding things like chia seeds, cinnamon, and other natural flavors. The fruit roll-ups peel very easily off the fruit trays. I also make delicious kale chips, zucchini chips, squash chips....I don't recommend the apples, blueberries or carrots....I didn't like the texture, but that has everything to do with me and nothing to do with the dehydrator. This is literally one of those set it and forget it products and it hardly makes any sound but a soft unobtrusive whirring. I highly recommend this dehydrator as a basic for anyone interested in dehydrating foods and recipes. Ease of Cleaning The trays can be tricky, best to use hot water and a scrubbing brush to get between the tray tracks. Durability so far it's held up beautifully. Design Not very attractive, but a great easy to use design with only the lid having an electrical component.

CelesteB

USA

We bought this unit specifically because it had a jerky kit included with it. We already have another Nesco, but use it exclusively for fruits and veggies. After we used it a few times, we realized that we could order jerky kits from a lot of places and didn't have to buy this unit just to get one. Like the other Nesco we have, since the hit and fan are on the bottom, the bottom trays cook quicker than the upper ones, and you have to rotate them often (like every six hours) to get even drying where all trays are done at the same time. If you don't rotate trays, then you'll finish first with the lower tray and it'll be a much longer process for the upper trays. A real pain if you want everything done at the same time. Ease of Cleaning All the trays and cover can be washed in warm, soapy water. I don't trust them to my dish washer due to the higher temperatures inside. We let all the parts air dry. Durability So far, so good. I think it'll last until a tray or two breaks, but I believe you can buy replacements or find some at yard sales. Design Fan should be in a better place for more even drying.

BobbettJascor

USA

Comes with a recipe book and it's simple and easy to use. I would have given it a 5, but there isn't a timer to let you know when your food is done. It just gives an estimated time. Factors like what types of food you are drying can increase or decrease time. I had to check the fruit rollups I was making every few hours to make sure they didn't get too dry and leathery. Good for drying herbs from the garden, and vegetables for cooking later on during the winter! Ease of Cleaning I can take it apart easily and put it back together. Durability Made of heavy duty plastic. Design Sometimes arranging food in a circle gets challenging, but otherwise good.

dvorah13

Austin, TX