Food Dehydrator?

**spierceisu** · 01-21-2013, 05:30 PM

I have been thinking about getting a food dehydrator to make jerky and some dried fruit snacks. Does anyone here have any experience with one? Do you use it much? What brands would you recommend?

**brianhos** · 01-21-2013, 05:44 PM

My wife got one a year ago for xmas, it has never left the box.

**Acylum** · 01-21-2013, 05:52 PM

Originally Posted by brianhos

My wife got one a year ago for xmas, it has never left the box.

TWSS.
The Germans make good stuff. Or so I've been told.

**whirlybirds** · 01-21-2013, 05:56 PM

The Nesco brand is good and I never had a problem with it.3

**cyclonedave25** · 01-21-2013, 06:24 PM

I had one when I was a kid and made beef jerky all the time. It was so damn good. Although, it takes awhile. Id usually put them in at night and they'd be done the next morning.

**terryleebr** · 01-21-2013, 07:25 PM

I make jerky on mine all the time. I am out of town and don't recall the brand.

**stevefrench** · 01-21-2013, 07:28 PM

jerky comes out much better on a smoker IMO. but the dehydrator is great for fruit. NESCO will get it done for you if you aren't trying to do huge poundage at a time

**Doc** · 01-21-2013, 07:33 PM

Originally Posted by stevefrench

jerky comes out much better on a smoker IMO. but the dehydrator is great for fruit. NESCO will get it done for you if you aren't trying to do huge poundage at a time

I think i'm gonna start working in huge poundage to my daily convos.

**intrepid27** · 01-21-2013, 08:20 PM

I have a Nesco one as well and make jerky all the time. Get the square one as it is much easier for jerky than the round trays. I ordered the extra tray kit and can get 9-10 lbs of hamberger per batch. Their spices are good as well and come in paks that season one lb which is nice.

I have a LEM jerky gun that is very handy and easy to clean.

**CYclist** · 01-21-2013, 09:56 PM

I pretty much just use mine for dried peppers. Fill it with red peppers, jalapenos, and habaneros, you have great pepper sprinkles for months. I've always found that the fruit doesn't last long enough for the effort.

**iahawkhunter** · 01-22-2013, 07:05 AM

Another vote for NESCO. I haven't used it for jerky, but it works great for fruits and vegetables.

**klamath632** · 01-22-2013, 07:08 AM

Here's some study material. Read up.

**00clone** · 01-22-2013, 08:05 AM

Originally Posted by intrepid27

I have a Nesco one as well and make jerky all the time. Get the square one as it is much easier for jerky than the round trays....

Along the 'square' line...I have this one:

Commercial Food, Fruit & Beef Jerky 9-Tray Large Excalibur Dehydrator

Food Dehydrator?-3900b_angle_open_pullout_w_copy.jpg

15 square feet of rack space.

Don't use it as much as I thought I would, but it works good.

**oldman** · 01-22-2013, 08:14 AM

I also have a Nesco, but it's round. I make deer jerky often, using the Nesco spices, takes about five hours. Haven't had any problems, just makes arced jerky. I have six trays and can make 4 lbs of ground venison at a time. Actually another company bought the spice line I think, but Scheel's carries them. I get the variety pack and use a teriyaki, spicy, and two regulars for my batch. The neighbor says I should market it.

**NickTheGreat** · 01-22-2013, 11:53 AM

I have a Nesco or American Harvest (can't recall which) and use it for jerky quite a bit. I remember seeing somewhere that some of the cheaper dehydrators don't have the 160°F setting that you want for meat. Not sure as mine was a gift so I didn't exactly shop around.

I think the square could be interesting, as my round one I have to get creative with how the meat goes in (TWSS). Wouldn't think the airflow wouldn't be as uniform on a square, though.