Nesco FD-37 Food Dehydrator, NO SIZE review and price compare 2025
you can compare the product price from Costco, wayfair, bestbuy, lowes, target, homedepot, Walmart, ebay, amazon to find the best price for you
you can compare the product price from Costco, wayfair, bestbuy, lowes, target, homedepot, Walmart, ebay, amazon to find the best price for you
Product overview
Brand | NESCO |
Material | Plastic |
Color | White/Clear |
Wattage | 400 watts |
Item Dimensions LxWxH | 14.12 x 14.25 x 9.2 inches |
product features
- by entering your model number.
- 400-watts of drying power
- Expandable to 7 trays and the warranty for this item is 1 year
- Clear top to monitor the drying process
- Fan forced radial air flow means no tray rotation needed
- Made in USA
From the manufacturer
NESCO, FD-37 Food Dehydrator, White Speckled/Marbled, 400 watts
NESCO, FD-37 Food Dehydrator features an innovative top mounted powerhead that dries food quickly and evenly with superior results. Detaches to make dehydrator dishwasher safe for easy clean up. Fan-Flow technology means faster, more even drying with no tray rotation necessary. Make great tasting beef jerky or venison jerky! Also makes delicious turkey jerky, fish jerky, homemade trail mix, apple snacks, banana chips, dried soup mixes. Dry tomatoes, watermelon, cantaloupes, papaya and many other fruits. Additional Add-A-Trays (SKU: WT-2SG) sold separately.
Features
| | |
400 Watt Powerhead Generates maximum speed and quality for dehydrating foods safety. | On/Off Switch With Fixed Temperature Continuously regulated temperature setting that makes dehydrating easier. | Clear Top Cover Allows for convent viewing of dehydrating food. |
Features
| | |
Expandable Up To 7 Trays Increase the overall drying area by expanding your dehydrator with additional trays. | BPA Free Drying Trays Made of high-quality food grade plastic. Each tray provides 0.75 sq. ft. of drying space. | Seasoning and Cure Sample starter pack for immediate jerky making. Try our full line of flavors. |
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Watts | 400 | 400 | 600 | 700 | 1000 | 1000 |
# Trays | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 4 |
Max Tray Capacity | Expandable Up To 7 | Expandable Up To 7 | Expandable Up To 12 | Expandable Up To 8 | Expandable Up To 30 | Expandable Up To 20 |
Temperature Control | Fixed | Fixed | Digital Controlled | Adjustable Thermostat | Adjustable Thermostat | Digital Controlled |
Additional Accessories (By Sku) | LM-2-6, LSS-2-6, WT-2SG | LM-2-6, LSS-2-6, WT-2SG | LM-2-6, LSS-2-6, LT-2SG | SQM-2-6, SLD-2-6, SQT-2 | MS-2-6, SLD-2-6, TR-2 | MS-2-6, SLD-2-6, TR-2 |
Approximate Size, Inches (L x W x H) | 13.5 x 13.5 x 9 | 13.5 x 13.5 x 9 | 13.5 x 13.5 x 9.25 | 14.5 x 14.37 x 9.75 | 14 x 14 x 10 | 15 x 15.5 x 9.5 |
product description
The NESCO FD-37 Food & Jerky Dehydrator is perfect for a beginner or an experienced jerky maker! This dehydrator comes with four (13 1/2″ diameter) trays and expands up to 7 trays so you can dry larger quantities, with no tray rotation needed. Additional Add-A-Trays sold separately. The fixed temperature control takes the guesswork out of finding the optimal drying temperature when making jerky and the quiet, powerful fan forces heated air down the center chamber, then across each individual tray for consistent drying. The clear top cover lets you conveniently watch the drying process. Sample seasoning and cure packs are included to get started. The NESCO FD-37 Food & Jerky Dehydrator provides the drying power for dehydrating great jerky snacks for the active lifestyle.
product details
important information
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Questions about Nesco FD-37 Food Dehydrator, NO SIZE
Q:
Temp of the 400 watt nesco dehydrator FD 37
Answer: I used a ThermoPop stuck in the middle vertically from the side, it takes a while to stabilize and get an accurate reading because it draws air from the sides. But it settles in around 140-145.
Answer: I believer 160 is the set temperature, but mine is running between 180-190 now. (One I've had for a while, not brand new out of the box)
Answer: I believe the temperature is 90 degrees or better, I can dry fresh mint leaves in one hour with the racks full as can be. Drying is simple, but this unit does not shut off automatically. so I bought a timer that turns it off for me.
Answer: I really don't know. However, I find it works faster than my last one (Ronco).
Q:
Are the trays made of plastic, aluminum, non-stick or other harmful materials?
Answer: The trays are made from good quality plastic.
Answer: Hello, the trays are made of plastic material. Hope that helps!
Answer:
Answer:
Answer: Plastic
Answer: Just a thin plastic like mesh it's a nice I've had no problems
Q:
how big are the trays
Answer: The entire device is 14" in diameter and 8" tall. Each tray is 14" in diameter by about 1.5" tall.
Answer: The trays are 14-16 in diamenter with the circle approx 4 in diamenter. They hold a large amount of food.
Answer: The trays are approximately 12" to 15" in diameter and plenty big for our needs, especially since there are so many trays.
Answer: About 14 or 16 inches in diameter. Between the five trays, they will hold four apples sliced up.
Answer: Trays are a very nice size and are big enough to hold tons of fruits and veggies
Answer: The trays are about 14 inches in diameter with an inner circle of about 3 and a half inches cut out for the cylinder motor which drops down through the trays to the bottom of the unit. I like to make my sheltie, Bailey, chicken jerkey strips with the hydrator. I know then that there are no preservatives, etc. on them and it's less expensive than store packaged chicken jerky treats. It's a very good product.
Answer: I dried some apples and it holds about one and a half apple (medium sized) slices in each tray.
Answer: The trays are approx 16 in diameter and the center is approx 4 in diameter. I tend to spread out my food and still have plenty of room for apple, carrots, and other larger slices of fruit and veggies.
Answer: They are 13 1/2 inches across from edge to edge with a 3 inch hole in the middle to accomodate the motor/dryer.
Answer: As Elizabeth said, they are about 13 1/2 inches across with a 3 inch hole in the middle.
Q:
Is there an option to use it with no heat? So just air
Answer: No, it has an off/on switch that powers both.
Answer: No there is not
Answer: No.
Answer: No there isn't.
Q:
have been feeding my dog jack links jerky - vet says all the salt is killing him. have never used a hydrator but he must have his jerky! is it hard to make? do i slice meat thin first? does this hydrator come with instructions? thanks for any help - new to this dehydrating idea.
Answer: It makes excellent jerky. Instructions are included about jerky but we found our favorite marinade on line. Most jerky has salt in it as part of the curing. My recipe uses soy sauce. It must be cut in strips 1/4 inch thick or less. Time consuming but worth it. I do 20 pounds of meat at a time and it lasts 6 months without spoiling. Just be sure it's dry and look out for fatty deposits.
Answer:
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Answer: I remove the excess fat from a boneless/skinless chicken breast, slice it thin and make jerky for my dog. No seasonings at all. The dogs absolutely loves it!!
Answer: I have 2 Jack Russell's who would LOVE healthy jerky from our Nesco. I've been jerking meat & fish for years so know exactly how to make it for the dogs. First, in answer to your question about 'is it easy'..YES, and YES it comes with a recipe book but I agree with the others who responded to your question: I would NOT use ANY seasonings. Too much salt in them and Dogs don't need anything other than the taste of the meat in it's natural form. I'll bet we can even find other suggestions on the web! Good luck, I'm going to make some for my two boys very soon..
Answer: My husband slices the beef 1st then marinates it before dehydrating. He does use quite a bit of salt but you have the ability to adjust the recipe it a variety of ways. We did receive instructions with the dehydrator.
Answer: I use Bottom or top round meat. Cut it thin and marinate in Soy sauce as well as liquid smoke. For a dog, I wouldn't marinate in anything because of the high salt content. It comes with instructions as well:)
Answer:
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Q:
does motor overheat and shut off
Answer: I have had this run for 8-12 hours a stretch, a few times a week. I've been using it for a few months and have not had a problem with overheating of the motor. As far as I am aware (and I admit I have only had it a few months, but it gets great use), there are no motor problems, and mine is still going strong.
Answer:
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Answer: I have used it back to back with very little time in between and it has never over heated.
Answer: have not experienced that issue so far with the machine.
Answer: I bought it as a gift
Q:
are the plastic trays BPA free?
Q:
how many kilos of fruit I can put in a cycle of dehydration?
Answer: With four trays, I say 4 to 5 kilos. At one time. It does depend how you slice the fruit. Or if you are making leathers, it could take more. Also making jerky uses a lot of meat. But it is good.
Answer: I'm really sorry it took me so long to answer. I'm not sure in kilos. But I've only used it for beef jerky. It can hold at least 4 lbs. Others have commented about the noise. And the fan is a bit loud.
Answer: I only done 2 kilos of meat
Answer: I haven't done fruit yet
Answer: About 1 kilo
Answer: It holds a good amount. I do a bundle of sliced bananas at once
Q:
bpa free?
Answer: You also need to be concerned with BPF and BPS, chemicals replacing BPA in some products.
Answer: According to NESCO BPA-free, and dishwasher safe trays
Answer: I'm sorry, "BPA"? a product chhemical question should go to manufacturer.
Answer: I don't know. Sorry. But the answer below is probably right, you should ask the manufacturer.
Answer: yes
Answer: Yes
Q:
Are the FD-35 trays interchangeable with this unit?
Answer: I'm sure they are. After purchasing the D-37 I wanted more then the 4 trays it came with. I bought a pack of two trays that are for the 30's series which would include the 35.
Q:
Might be a stupid question, but I assume this works for any food items I want to dry, right? like , eggs?
Answer: It's a dehydrator. You put something in it and it moves warm air over the item inside to remove moisture. You can put anything in there. Eggs, beef, an old shoe, etc, and it will dehydrate it.
Answer: I use mine to make beef jerky and to dehydrate fruit. I really don’t know how you would do eggs on it.
Answer: Yes, but why eggs???
Answer: Yes. Just keep in mind the trays have small holes for the air to circulate.
Q:
This did not include any type of instructions or paperwork,just the dehydrator itself in box,(not even plastic or bubble wrap) is this normal or did I get a used machine instead of new that I ordered?
Answer: mine came with a "cookbook"/instructions. Yours may still be considered "new" if the person never used it. But they just didn't include the paperwork.
Answer: Mine came with instructions/ jerky mix but no plastic wrap. Ask your shipper.
Answer: Not normal. Mine came beautifully packaged and with instructions and a recipe guide etc.
Answer: I received mine complete with instruction book, parts list and recipes. I ordered it from Amazon.
Answer: No it is not. We received instructions, wrapper, etc. You should bring it up to them.
Answer: You are definitely missing the instructions.
Answer: Mine came complete with manuals jerky mix packed in plastic looks like you got a used one.
Answer: Mine also came with the jerky mix
Q:
does it works whith 220 v?
Answer: no it is made to operate on 120 volt a/c current
Answer: 110 v
Q:
Are fd-37 & fd-37a trays interchangeable?
Answer: Yes, the trays are interchangeable between these units.
Q:
Can you add more trays
Q:
what is no size means
Answer: No size means just that. It is standard. It is not small, medium or large. It comes in one size.......standard.
Answer: Its just part of the description. Not sure why it was added but the dimension's given are correct. Don't let the words "NO SIZE" keep you from buying it. Its a great dehydrator and you can't beat the price. I use mine a lot to dry herbs from my garden I then turn into powders. Great product.
Q:
How loud is the unit? Say compared to a blender...
Answer: Compared to a blender, it makes no noise at all. The fan is very quite. My house is small, the bedroom is only about 30 feet from the kitchen, when I run the dehydrator at night I am still able to have a good sleep.
Answer: It isn't as loud as a blender. It is more like a window fan which runs steady for as long as you have the dehydrator on. In the other room you can't hear it too much. It is kind of like a refrigerator in that you know it is running but forget it. You let your refrigerator run when you leave don't you?
Answer: It's the same loudness of your bathroom fan, so if you have it on, there is a lot of white noise. The unit doesn't have a timer, so we plugged it into a timer for our Christmas lights and then we could set it to run at night so it wasn't too loud while we were up.
Answer: It is quieter than a blender. In my experience blenders are really loud and you have to stop talking or talk louder. With the dehydrator you can talk with the dehydrator on, even have a phone conversation. You can't talk on the phone with a blender.
Answer: Probably between a fan on high speed and a blender....plus you had better watch out, it might catch fire. I threw mine out after just using it once.....it was red hot and the room that I had it in was totally hot, i.e., well over 100 degrees..............just be careful that's all........use it outside if you have a covered area........good luck....I was glad to get rid of the thing!!!!
Answer: Not loud at all. sounds like a computer fan.
Answer: It's about as loud as a floor or box fan.
Answer: The unit is actually really quiet. It is like the box fan you have in college, you can hear it but you don't really notice it. It just becomes background whitenoise.
Answer: About half or more less loud as my blender. Sometimes I forget it's going....:(
Answer: A blender is louder. Its not that bad...
Q:
Is it dual voltage?
Answer: It is not dual voltage. I am happy with the product myself.
Answer: If you mean more than one speed, no it isn't. If it is usable in a country other than the United States, it has the standard 110 V plug for the U.S. so it would also be a "no."
Answer: No
Q:
What size ad on tray do i buy for my FD60?
Answer: Nesco LT-2SG Set of 2 Add-A-Tray for FD-61/FD-61WHC/FD-75A and FD-75PR. This set of two trays fits Nesco 60 series. You can buy the set right here on Amazon for $13.99.
Answer: Only come in one size.
Q:
Can the heat be shut off?
Answer: With ours it goes down to 95 degrees, a cool heat with the fan blowing!
Answer: No. The switch turns both the fan and the heating element on and they DO NOT work interchangeably.
Answer: Nope. It's either on and heating or off
Answer: the blower and heat are on together.
Answer: There is a switch that turns the unit on and off. Heat is not separate from the blower.
Answer: No, you cannot shut off the heat. Hope this helps
Answer: And run only the fan, no.
Q:
What are the two plastic handles for?
Answer: If you mean the two white plastic stays, they snap all the trays together on the sides to keep everything stable and together.
Answer: The handles hold the top to the unit....
Answer: these lock down the top of the unit. if you are drying some items that are slightly taller than the normal space, the clips hold the whole thing together,
Answer: They are to keep the trays and lid tightly in place during shipping. I actually use them while drying because it keeps the trays aligned and sealed tightly. Can't use them though if you use more trays. They aren't really a necessity
Answer: People use them for different . Some people use them when drying incase they need to move the dryer around the kitchen. You can also use them to keep everything together if you need to take your dryer to someone elses house whether in the middle of drying or just loaning it someone it makes it safer transport. I know one lady who uses them when she stores it away on her shelf so it makes it harder to knock off the shelf and to keep the trays from getting lost. It's up to you.
Answer: They are just 'holdowns' for shipping, I think because you don't need them. Absolutely not necessary to hold trays in place or seal them. Can't use them anyway if you get more trays.
Answer: You clip them top to bottom to keep the unit together. I carry the filled unit from my kitchen to my basement so I don't hear it.
Answer: To hold the trays together.
Answer: We use them to secure all of the baskets during and to keep a tighter seal.
Q:
Would someone please tell me why it would cost $53.85 shipping to Oregon?
Answer: Mine was shipped free to WA because it was over $25. Check the different sellers that offer this item. They may have different shipping rates.
Answer: I don't know why. We shipped this to Oregon and the shipping was free.
Answer: yikes - am in oregon too, gonna read fine print
Answer: Maybe u live in a rural area. It should give free shipping if u buy it with amazon prime.
Q:
Is the fan supposed to run constantly? I started using this for the first time today to make some jerky. After about an hour of drying the fan just turned off completely, like nothing was happening anymore. 45 mins later it flicks back on. Is this normal? or is it overheating? Thanks everyone for your replies. Turns…
Answer: I haven't used it to make jerky. But if I had to guess I would say no it is not normal. So far I have only dehydrated crackers, nuts and kale in it. When I start to dehydrate something I plug it in and turn the switch on. It has a loud fan but I have never have had the fan turn off and later turn back on again. It stays on until I switch it off. I think it was made to handle jerky. It sounds like it isn't operating like it is supposed to.
Answer: Yeah the fan is supposed to run constantly. I don't know what to tell you. This doesn't sound good. Does turning it off or taking the plug out and replugging it work? Usually when overheating happens I see smoke or smell a burning smell. I hope that everything turns out ok.
Answer: Sounds like it is overheating. I've never had a problem with mine "shutting" off. The fan should constantly be on, when it is plugged in and turned on.
Answer: The fan on our dehydrator runs constantly throughout the entire process. I would check out your connections. Warranty time.
Answer: i have used mine atleast a hundred hours and the fan and heater run constantly.
Answer: We are also having trouble with our dehydrator. It just stopped working in the middle of making jerky. We had to throw out our meat. The next day it worked fine. STRANGE!!!!
Answer: as an after thought the fan might be shutting off on thermal overload which indicates a fan problem. better get your warranty papers out.
Answer: The fan on mine has never turned off by itself.
Answer: I was getting on to answer your inquiry but it seems as though you got your answer! That's good! (FYI-Mine never stops running until I turn it off) I hope you're enjoying yours as much as I do mine! God bless!
Answer: Oh I am sorry I can't answer that, I just know that the one I purchased heated up the whole room and did not do what it was supposed to.....I followed instructions, however, was too scared to use it again in case of a fire.....threw it out!
Product reviews of Nesco FD-37 Food Dehydrator, NO SIZE
William Stohl : Great Product
If you want to dehydrate food and a low cost, this is the product you will want to buy.
earltash : It came with a big dent in corner of box ...
It came with a big dent in corner of box. No protection inside at all. No Styrofoam or anything.
But at least there was no damage to the unit. I plugged it in and it works. Fan blows warm air.
I now have it drying some apple slices n orange pieces along with some hot peppers.
The test.....I'll add to this review after i see how it works.
Richie Rich and The Valens : For the price it's a great device
If you manage to pick this up for under $35 then you will not be sorry. It delivers a decent amount of dried items after each run and it's easy to clean. Other reviewers are right though in the fact that it doesn't hold up well to multiple washes and uses and starts warping early on which may effect me being able to lock it in place over time. For now though strawberries, apples and oranges turned out perfect each time, crunchy or soft. Bananas, pineapples, and blueberries on the other hand were a disaster but that could have been the solution I soaked it in, how thin I sliced it or the cooking time which all vary. Do not hesitate if you want dried apples, strawberries, and pears this dehydrator is fast and consistent. It does run on the loud side but you can suffer for 4-10 hours a week and you won't ever waste any fruit or vegetables again.
infinitime : Works well, but make sure you use it in a well ventilated area, preferably somewhere far away
I've always wanted a dehydrator. All those infomercials I watched growing up instilled the unshakable belief that home-made raisins and apple chips are infinitely superior to store bought variants. After 20 years, I finally bought one!
The unit we bought is nicely designed, being easy to use and to clean. While I didn't expect it to be whisper quiet, I also didn't expect it to sound like a hairdryer on full blast. Upon reflection, it makes sense, as the construct is very similar to a hairdryer, with a heating element and a fan to circulate the hot air.
Thinly sliced apple chips are done in about 5 hours, banana chips in about 16 hours, and raisins... well, after 24 hours the grapes are still quite plump.
Overall, this is a good deal for $35, but unless you are comfortable with the constant drone of a spinning fan, this unit is probably best to leave in a faraway room, where it does its magic out of earshot.
I also question the longevity of the item, as the plastic trays are quite thin, and have began to warp already after two days of (constant) use.
Toni Leland : Excellent
I read all the reviews and thought this would be the one to buy. And I'm not disappointed. Many reviewers said it was too noisy, but I don't find it any worse than the window air conditioner or a box fan.
It works great, dries food quickly and is easy to clean. Plan to buy more trays once the growing season arrives!
Ann : Love it
Okay folks don't do what I did. If you are use to American Harvest this one is different. It doesn't have a temperature control so it only runs on high. Since this one has a blower that goes down the middle from the top you have to do 3 trays at a time but you can put in empty ones if you need to. This does NOT come with any extra trays for rollups or herbs so if you are planning on doing those things look at what is usually bought with this to get the right size trays to go with it. Also note that if you need rollups trays they are normaly sold 2 at a time.
So now that you know it's downfalls let me tell you it is a good machine. The trays are durable and it does a great job. If you haven't used this kind of dehydrator before you need to keep an eye on it your first time. Every area is different because of humidity and evelation so be careful. Normally my rollups would take about 10-12 hours but this runs so hot it only took 9 hours.
Good luck and enjoy.
Trevor Collins : Simple, cheap, but a little noisy
This product is exactly what you think it should be...a glorified hair dryer forcing hot air around 4 trays of food. I ordered this out or pure experimentation and have to say that it worked great!
I only have 2 cons for it:
1) The fan inside the machine is definitely not whisper quiet, though quieter than a hair dryer. I only noticed it as being annoying because the device takes 8-20 hrs to dry what you want it to dry. Beef jerkey took 8 hrs, but blueberries took over 15 hrs.
2) There should be a timer to turn the device off after X hrs. I felt like I had to babysit a load of laundry that wouldn't dry after 12 hours.
My Hummel Opinion : Perfect for making jerky (chicken is all I know, but I'm sure other meats would be great)
bought this thing to dehydrate chicken for dogs. What can i say? It works, Easy to clean it, and what I do is just turn it on and go, when I get home the stuff is finished. I am still using it in 2017, and the clients' dogs and my own are happy. If I could only find time to try something for the PEOPLE in this family, I'm sure they'd love me as much as the dogs love me.
Tim C : Very pleased
Very good product, used to make some venison jerky and it does a great job. Made 3 trays of jerky in just over 4 hours. Nice tender and flavorful jerky without getting to dry. I recommend cleaning this right after usage, once it dries on there it's very hard to clean the small grates on the trays. Overall great item, should have bought one years ago.
scaredofspending : Exorbitant satisfaction for the product received and the price payed!!!!!
No tricks, no skimps, no scams, no loopholes, none of that. You get exactly what is advertised for exactly how much it's worth. Stack it up, plug it in and press the on switch. Very simple design, doesnt dirty up very easy, and durable; a baby could be taught how to use this in 30 seconds, don't let your baby cut the fruits haha.
The dehydrator's diameter is that of 1.25ish IPads. It consists of about 4-6 and a cover with a dehydrating apparatus built into it. Dehydrating efficiency and duration vary in different climates, here in Boston I cut up some fruits before I go to bed and let it run over night and then popem out in th morning and they come out chewy semi-crispy which is just how I like it. What your essentially buying is a closed tray mounted fan ventilating what looks like to be 3-4 rungs of heated coils; a blow dryer.
You'll have it forever, you'll use it forever and, if ur in a Boston type climate at least, you haven't had had banana chips until you've made your own they are DIVINE. granny smith apples don't go well for some reason shoot for the redder the better and cut them as thin as possible for the best flavor. ALL CITRUS FRUITS COME OUT ACRID MESSY AND TEXTURALLY UNPLEASENT SAVE YOUR CITRUS' AND TIME, KIWI'S ARE PRETTY MUCH THE SAME DEAL.
Wanderexplore : This things awesome!
I dont really have anything to compare this to, being my first dehydrator, but I have been drying since I got it with no issues at all. I'm really bad at buying things and letting them go to waste, wanted to save money, and have easy, healthy snacks available. I also bought a food saver, so now I have tons of fruit, apples, pears, mango, kiwi, strawberries, bananas, etc dried and packaged in my freezer for whenever I want. I will be making jerky soon as well. It sounds like a hairdryer on low, so unless you sleep right next to your kitchen, you shouldn't hear it during the night.
infinitime : Works well, but make sure you use it in a well ventilated area, preferably somewhere far away
I've always wanted a dehydrator. All those infomercials I watched growing up instilled the unshakable belief that home-made raisins and apple chips are infinitely superior to store bought variants. After 20 years, I finally bought one!
The unit we bought is nicely designed, being easy to use and to clean. While I didn't expect it to be whisper quiet, I also didn't expect it to sound like a hairdryer on full blast. Upon reflection, it makes sense, as the construct is very similar to a hairdryer, with a heating element and a fan to circulate the hot air.
Thinly sliced apple chips are done in about 5 hours, banana chips in about 16 hours, and raisins... well, after 24 hours the grapes are still quite plump.
Overall, this is a good deal for $35, but unless you are comfortable with the constant drone of a spinning fan, this unit is probably best to leave in a faraway room, where it does its magic out of earshot.
I also question the longevity of the item, as the plastic trays are quite thin, and have began to warp already after two days of (constant) use.
Bob : Great for peppers!!
This product saved me a TON of time! I was spreading out all of my hot peppers on a cookie and letting them dry in the sun but that took soooooo long. With this I was able to dry a batch of cayenne peppers in just 1 day. However, bigger, juicer peppers like jalapenos required significantly longer, about 4-5 days depending on how many peppers you put in. But for the price and the fact that it's made in the USA, it's a great product!!
MJ : Looking for cheaper dehydrator
I have used this 3 times now to make apple crisp chips, kale chips, and eggplant bacon. This is a great inexpensive dehydrator. However, if you are a big family that does not have a lot of time to waste then you will want to find one that is a little bit more $$ and powerful.
Beemama : Great way to save surplus garden tomatoes
We saw one of these in use at a friend's house and wondered why we had never thought to get one for ourselves. We always have surplus cherry tomatoes at the end of summer and just can't eat as many as we pick. Drying them has been a great help and an added treat to take in lunch to work. It is amazing how sweet the little tomatoes are. We also dry apples which we sprinkle with cinnamon prior to drying. Can't keep enough of them on hand. They go down so easily. The machine holds several layers and different things can be dried at the same time. The only draw back is the noise that the motor makes. We put it in a rarely used room. Problem solved. Well worth the money. It has already paid for itself.
MTK : Basic but solid
Would like additional temperature control options, but has held up well over 8 years of intermittent use.
dgassaway : Good for the price!
I have always loved the idea of dehydrating food. Its great for the price. The only thing I wish there was, was an automatic shut off switch on a certain time but you do get what you pay for in many instances and this is one of these things. There is nothing I hate more than knowing its a 6 hour time and having to wake up to turn the machine off.
Wisnic : Great for small jobs.
My parents have a similar dehydrator to this one, design wise, but a good 15 years older. This guy seems to have improved circulation and drying time. I wish it were smaller, prettier, and easier to store, but for the options available I'd buy it again.
The top of it does get quite hot. I don't fear lighting our cats whiskers on fire or anything, but I don't *really* like leaving it on while I'm not home... for similar reasons that I always unplug the toaster.
For the money, this is a good deal. I feel like it will last for many years-- and the dried pineapple and peaches were worth it!
JIM F : DEHYDRATOR
Item came on time with no problems. This dehydrator is great if you have never tried one before, simple to use and easy to clean and comes with some helpful tips and recipes. The roll ups are fun to make so I recommend you spend the extra six dollars for the trays. I have used it for many left over items from my garden, jerkeys and spices and it does a good job on all. The fan is a little loud but I do not find it an issue most things take 6 to 8 hours so I just run it overnight. A good beginners item for a casual user so I hope you decide to get and enjoy this dehydrator.
B F : Nope
Never worked right. For what I paid for it, it should of worked better. Was hoping to make bananas and beef jerky.
Lizbeth Navarrete : Great purchase
So far so good! I’m loving it
Rikki : Food Dehydrator
My sheltie, Bailey, has a preference for chicken jerky treats. The expense of store bought chicken jerky was escalating, and there are many comments on the Internet about problems with chicken jerky from digestive issues to toxins. So I purchased the Nesco Food Hydrator, never having used one before, and I just love it. Bailey does, too!
William Stohl : Great Product
If you want to dehydrate food and a low cost, this is the product you will want to buy.
Wisnic : Great for small jobs.
My parents have a similar dehydrator to this one, design wise, but a good 15 years older. This guy seems to have improved circulation and drying time. I wish it were smaller, prettier, and easier to store, but for the options available I'd buy it again.
The top of it does get quite hot. I don't fear lighting our cats whiskers on fire or anything, but I don't *really* like leaving it on while I'm not home... for similar reasons that I always unplug the toaster.
For the money, this is a good deal. I feel like it will last for many years-- and the dried pineapple and peaches were worth it!
Juniorverse : Loving this product, especially for the price
Having never owned a dehydrator before, I wasn't sure what to expect from this product. All I knew is that the last time I bought dried apple slices from Whole Foods they were very expensive but OH SO GOOD. With this dehydrator, I was easily able to recreate the dried apple chips with cinnamon at a fraction of the price... they came out GREAT! It takes about 7 hours for perfect crispy dried apple slices if you fill all 5 trays.
I also put some sliced bananas in there and they made quite the treat!
The great book that comes with this product includes a lot of sample recipes and tips for getting the best results, and you also get a packet of seasoning for making your own beef jerky! I will have to try that soon.
Cleanup is super quick, and each rack is machine washable. If you've ever thought of getting a food dehydrator, I highly recommend this model. I am very happy with this purchase.
Richie Rich and The Valens : For the price it's a great device
If you manage to pick this up for under $35 then you will not be sorry. It delivers a decent amount of dried items after each run and it's easy to clean. Other reviewers are right though in the fact that it doesn't hold up well to multiple washes and uses and starts warping early on which may effect me being able to lock it in place over time. For now though strawberries, apples and oranges turned out perfect each time, crunchy or soft. Bananas, pineapples, and blueberries on the other hand were a disaster but that could have been the solution I soaked it in, how thin I sliced it or the cooking time which all vary. Do not hesitate if you want dried apples, strawberries, and pears this dehydrator is fast and consistent. It does run on the loud side but you can suffer for 4-10 hours a week and you won't ever waste any fruit or vegetables again.
Juniorverse : Loving this product, especially for the price
Having never owned a dehydrator before, I wasn't sure what to expect from this product. All I knew is that the last time I bought dried apple slices from Whole Foods they were very expensive but OH SO GOOD. With this dehydrator, I was easily able to recreate the dried apple chips with cinnamon at a fraction of the price... they came out GREAT! It takes about 7 hours for perfect crispy dried apple slices if you fill all 5 trays.
I also put some sliced bananas in there and they made quite the treat!
The great book that comes with this product includes a lot of sample recipes and tips for getting the best results, and you also get a packet of seasoning for making your own beef jerky! I will have to try that soon.
Cleanup is super quick, and each rack is machine washable. If you've ever thought of getting a food dehydrator, I highly recommend this model. I am very happy with this purchase.
omegalegend : work well for mushrooms
no temperature guage. but drys out my mushies fast and well
Jeremy : Greatest ever
I love this thing and it works really fast and have never had problems of it reaching to high a temperature for ANYTHING.
Pros:fast and not that noisy if you put it in a cupboard or something.
Cons:noisy in a kind of white noise way
Super awesome though I will be ordering another one of these soon (because I moved not because it broke this thing is durable)
Heather : Definitely one of the best purchases I've ever made
I use this constantly! I expanded it with 2 more trays and I have 2 clean a screens and also a leather insert for every tray. This has already paid for itself many times over! Definitely one of the best purchases I've ever made. The only thing I may have done differently is pay a little more for one with a temperature gauge, but I pretty much only dehydrate fruits, vegetables and herbs, so a temp gauge isn't entirely necessary.
vivi : a bit loud, but a great purchase overall
I purchased this dehydrator to make jerky. I tried all kinds of jerky that can be found in grocery stores, and found all of them intolerably salty. I have tried oven baked homemade beef jerky, and always overcook them. I am so glad that I bought this dehydrator. Homemade jerky has never tasted better. I've tried all kinds of marinates. So far, my favorites are korean BBQ and pineapple teriyaki.
Now about the noise. It does sound like a blow dryer on low. You definitely don't want to be in the same room with this dehydrator running (unless with a top quality noise canceling headset, i guess.. ).. Also, it seems quite safe to leave it running all day without attending to it. The unit will stop automatically if it gets too warm.
It is very efficient. It takes about 3-4 hrs to make a batch of kale chips (humidity 60-70), and 6-7 hrs to make beef jerky (I sliced my jerky meat really thin though...) I have also tried apple chips. I read that you are supposed to pre-treat them by soaking them into lemon water to prevent them from browning - but honestly, that doesn't seem to make too much of a difference, my non-treated apple chips look just as good. But do remember to add a dash of cinnamon =) Strawberry and kiwi get sour after dehydrating (from the heating). I probably won't dehydrate strawberry ever again... But if you cut your kiwi a bit thicker (>=1/4 inch), it gets very chewy, yum. Bananas will turn out incredibly sweet, but they will also have that cooked banana after taste.
K. dillon : love love love this
I have had many dehydrators. some to small, some to big. this is just right........ It runs mostly night and day. the plastic trays sort of warp with the heat, but works great. easy to clean. much easier since the motor runs right through the middle.
MattRids : Great affordable dehydyator.
this is a great dehydrator, nothing fancy but it certainly gets the job done. As far as the other review that say it is noisy, i have to disagree. It make as much noise as a fan so unless you plan on spending the entire time in the same room as this I really don't see how it would be too noisy. It doesn't have a thermostat but I have used it so far for beef jerky and fruit rolls and had no problems (just make sure to keep an eye on it), though I could see it cooking herbs i little bit. If you are new to dehydrating or just on a budget this is definatly a winner.
kira : Skeptical Starter Vegan!
SO, I'm not one of those people who have a lot of money and can go buy those Excaliburs that lots of people have. I wanted something small, that I could make lil snacks to take on the go with me, I read all the bad reviews, and bought it anyways.
I LOVE IT!!!!
I can fill the 4 trays up with veggies, turn it on overnight, and wala! CHIPS!!!
I recommend this for any first time dehydrator, and to be honest..I dont think Ill ever upgrade! I actually plan to buy more trays for it and the fruit roll sheets!!! This is perfect!
My Hummel Opinion : Perfect for making jerky (chicken is all I know, but I'm sure other meats would be great)
bought this thing to dehydrate chicken for dogs. What can i say? It works, Easy to clean it, and what I do is just turn it on and go, when I get home the stuff is finished. I am still using it in 2017, and the clients' dogs and my own are happy. If I could only find time to try something for the PEOPLE in this family, I'm sure they'd love me as much as the dogs love me.
scaredofspending : Exorbitant satisfaction for the product received and the price payed!!!!!
No tricks, no skimps, no scams, no loopholes, none of that. You get exactly what is advertised for exactly how much it's worth. Stack it up, plug it in and press the on switch. Very simple design, doesnt dirty up very easy, and durable; a baby could be taught how to use this in 30 seconds, don't let your baby cut the fruits haha.
The dehydrator's diameter is that of 1.25ish IPads. It consists of about 4-6 and a cover with a dehydrating apparatus built into it. Dehydrating efficiency and duration vary in different climates, here in Boston I cut up some fruits before I go to bed and let it run over night and then popem out in th morning and they come out chewy semi-crispy which is just how I like it. What your essentially buying is a closed tray mounted fan ventilating what looks like to be 3-4 rungs of heated coils; a blow dryer.
You'll have it forever, you'll use it forever and, if ur in a Boston type climate at least, you haven't had had banana chips until you've made your own they are DIVINE. granny smith apples don't go well for some reason shoot for the redder the better and cut them as thin as possible for the best flavor. ALL CITRUS FRUITS COME OUT ACRID MESSY AND TEXTURALLY UNPLEASENT SAVE YOUR CITRUS' AND TIME, KIWI'S ARE PRETTY MUCH THE SAME DEAL.
dgassaway : Good for the price!
I have always loved the idea of dehydrating food. Its great for the price. The only thing I wish there was, was an automatic shut off switch on a certain time but you do get what you pay for in many instances and this is one of these things. There is nothing I hate more than knowing its a 6 hour time and having to wake up to turn the machine off.
chloemarie : A lot of fun, but def has hot spots
This thing is a hoot! So far I have dried peaches, apples and cherries and made beef jerky. That is more the function of how great dehydrators in general are though. THis one isn't ridiculously loud at all, as some people have said. You amy have to turn the TV up a few clicks if it is in the saem room, but you don't really notice it over a conversation or anything. Reasonable amount of space to dry stuff. My main issue is that it has major hot spots. I have to remove the fruit and stuff piece by piece every couple hours because some areas dry much mroe quickly. In retrospect, it would probably have been worth an extra $10 to find one without hotspots (but who knows, maybe that one would have them too and then I would have wasted $10). If this lasts through drying all of my produce this season, I will probably increase my review to 4 stars. Regardless, buy a dehydrator, even if it isnt this one!
WOW-MOM : Saving Our Health and Money!
After Nestle pulled their chicken and pork treat products off the shelf due to some antibiotic not approved in the US, I decided to make my own pet treats. I have dehydrated meats, sweet potatoes and fruits for my dog. The apples though have made their way to my kid's tummy each and every time. She tells me that they are better than the store bought. She has shared the apples and sweet potatoes with her hamster who eats them up too! So there you go... I have saved quite a few dollars in making stuff at home. I need to get the add on trays though, 1 sliced apple fits on one tray, so if you want to make more than 4 apples, additional trays would be needed. This weekend I am dehydrating a sliced up pork roast to make dried ham fillets..... I love this thing!!!!
MattRids : Great affordable dehydyator.
this is a great dehydrator, nothing fancy but it certainly gets the job done. As far as the other review that say it is noisy, i have to disagree. It make as much noise as a fan so unless you plan on spending the entire time in the same room as this I really don't see how it would be too noisy. It doesn't have a thermostat but I have used it so far for beef jerky and fruit rolls and had no problems (just make sure to keep an eye on it), though I could see it cooking herbs i little bit. If you are new to dehydrating or just on a budget this is definatly a winner.
Amazon Customer : Durability and cost are awesome
Never update this product it works as good as my old one did
omegalegend : work well for mushrooms
no temperature guage. but drys out my mushies fast and well
Ajax Dahgue : Great machine, but what a racket.
I got one of these as a gift and had a grand time making jerky, chicken strips for my dogs (good idea since the Chinese started poisoning our dogs) and dried herbs from my garden. I even wrote my own jerky recipe that friends now ask for.
I used it for a couple of years and the motor gave out. Only complaint I have it that it is noisy as hell. Had to banish it to my shop in the basement to make stuff. A bit of a pain, but for $35 this is a pretty good buy.
When it died, i replaced it with the Nesco FD-80 square model. It is about two-and-a-half times the price, but well worth it. It is whisper quiet and holds a ton of stuff - six racks about 12 inches on a side, which means six square feet of drying space. I also prefer the temp control. This one here - FD37 - runs at a constant temp around 170 degrees F. The FD-80 has a control you can set from 90 to 160/
My conclusion is if you're tight on cash this will do just fine. If you can afford the extra cost, the FE-80 is like having a Lexus dehydrator.
Pros:
Inexpensive. works fine. enough rack space for small to medium size production
Cons:
makes a crazy-loud racket.
Kathleena Sammy : Amazing product!!!!
This machine is fantastic. I bought it to solely make Jerky. The trays are large, easy to clean, the motor detaches so you can clean the lid. I was expecting for the Jerky to take at least two/three days to finish, but with this machine, I was already eating it the next morning.
The motor is quieter than any I have had in the past. I would say its as loud as your stove oven fan on low.
Buy this machine, I promise you won't regret;)
MTK : Basic but solid
Would like additional temperature control options, but has held up well over 8 years of intermittent use.
MTK : Basic but solid
Would like additional temperature control options, but has held up well over 8 years of intermittent use.
My Hummel Opinion : Perfect for making jerky (chicken is all I know, but I'm sure other meats would be great)
bought this thing to dehydrate chicken for dogs. What can i say? It works, Easy to clean it, and what I do is just turn it on and go, when I get home the stuff is finished. I am still using it in 2017, and the clients' dogs and my own are happy. If I could only find time to try something for the PEOPLE in this family, I'm sure they'd love me as much as the dogs love me.
LucyBug33 : Love it!
I got this last week and love it! I've already dried apples & peppers and made jerky with the enclosed jerky seasoning. Everything came out wonderful and didn't take much prep time at all! I would recommend this for a first dehydrator to anyone, and as a bonus they are made in the USA!
**Update 27/November 2012**
Now that I've had this for several months I thought it was time to update my review. I have made jerky about 20 times and have dried more apples, squash, made the fruit leathers. This device is still going strong and I've been using it a few times a month. Everyone loves the jerky ( I picked up the Nesco jerky gun for use with ground meat) especially. I have recommended this to several co-workers who also love it.
**Update 20FEB2013**
Well, I killed it in January. It stopped mid-dry. But it's okay because I called Nesco and they replaced the motor (under warranty) for FREE.Their customer service staff were wonderful and really liked hearing about my use of the dehydrator. I now have a brand new motor to go back to making jerky and all the other wonderful things I dry in this.
Yooks : which was fun. However
I bought it to experiment with food dehydration, which was fun. However, it uses SO MUCH power that you could see a dimming in the lights and microwave when it was on, and the power bill for the month I used it was through the roof.
Lulu Benoit : UPDATE Neat but died after six uses
It is only fair tomupdate. After contacting the company regarding the broken and glowing device, I found customer service to be helpful and knowledgable. they guided me through the return process and quickly replaced the device. since then it has been flawless and I have recommended the dehydrator to many.
former review: Love the machine conceptually, but after starting to sputter four uses in, but mid cycle on the sixth, it just stopped. I let it rest for an hour then tried again...still dead, but now glowing. Clearly a fire hazard.
you can compare the product price from Costco, wayfair, bestbuy, lowes, target, homedepot, Walmart, ebay, amazon to find the best price for you
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