Presto 06301 Dehydro Digital Electric Food Dehydrator review and price compare 2025
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Product overview
| Brand | Presto |
| Material | Plastic |
| Color | White |
| Wattage | 750 watts |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 14.5 x 15 x 7.25 inches |
product features
- by entering your model number.
- Six-tray system for dehydrating foods at a fraction of the cost of commercially dried foods with no additives or preservatives.
- Makes jerky from meat, poultry, and seafood includes sample packets of jerky spice and cure
- Digital thermostat and timer for precise drying time and temperature choose drying temperatures from 90 to 165 degree f
- The bottom-mounted fan and heating element provide consistant air flow for optimum drying No rotation needed
- Includes six drying trays (expands up to 12 trays), two fruit roll sheets, two nonstick mesh screens trays and cover are dishwasher safe
- Item Shape: Circle
- Included Components: Presto 06301 Dehydro Digital Electric Food Dehydrator 6- Tray System Digital Thermostat Bottom-Mounted Fan
This fits your .
From the manufacturer
*Additional Drying Trays, Fruit Roll Sheets, Nonstick Mesh Screens, and Jerky Seasoning sold separately. A Jerky Gun is also available.
Presto Dehydro Digital Electric Food Dehydrator
- Expandable six-tray system dehydrates fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices. Includes two nonstick screens* for drying small foods and sticky fruits.
- Great for homemade jerky. Use your choice of meat, poultry or seafood. Includes sample packets* of jerky spice and cure.
- Make healthy, nutritious snacks. Includes special sheets* for making fruit rolls and strips from fresh, frozen, or canned fruit.
- Dries fruits and vegetables with no additives or preservatives. Dehydration maintains natural vitamins and minerals.
- Digital thermostat and timer allow the selection of precise drying times and temperatures. Shuts off automatically to prevent overdrying. Choose from any drying temperature from 90° to 165°F. and any drying time up to 48 hours.
- Big drying capacity. Six drying trays are included. Expands up to 12 trays* for added drying capacity.
- Bottom-mounted fan and heating element provide consistent air flow for optimum drying. No tray rotation needed and no mixed flavors.
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| Saves space. The drying trays nest when not in use for a 43% reduction in storage space and the cord stores in base. | Adjustable thermostat for the convenient selection of drying temperatures. Choose any temperature from 95° to 160°F. | Make healthy, nutritious snacks. Includes special sheets for making fruit rolls and strips from fresh, frozen, or canned fruit. |
product description
Dehydrate fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices, as well as make great-tasting jerky and fruit rolls. This deluxe digital dehydrator includes six drying trays, expandable to 12 trays for added drying capacity. The drying trays nest when not in use for over a 40% reduction in storage space. Dehydration maintains natural vitamins and minerals--with no additives or preservatives. Make homemade jerky using your choice of meat, poultry, or seafood. Includes starter packs of jerky spice and cure. Also included are two Fruit Roll Sheets for making healthy fruit rolls and strips from fresh, frozen, or canned fruit and two Nonstick Mesh Screens for drying small and sticky foods. The digital timer and thermostat provide precise drying times and temperatures that range from 90 degrees to 165 degrees F. The bottom-mounted fan and heating element provide consistent air flow for optimum drying with no tray rotation necessary. A see-through cover on the top tray lets you monitor drying progress. Drying trays and cover are fully immersible and dishwasher safe. Accessories sold separately. 120 volts, 60 Hz only
product details
important information
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Questions about Presto 06301 Dehydro Digital Electric Food Dehydrator
Q:
how long does it take to make chicken jerky treats for dogs
Answer:
Answer:
Answer: It depends on how thick the cut of meat is as well as how dry you want the jerky. Thin cuts take less time and get "crispier." We make dog treats all the time & do different chicken thickness but 1/4 thick is good. It dehydrates at 160 degrees for about 4-55 hrs. Then you cook it in the oven for 10 min to make sure the bacteria is killed.
Answer: That depends on the size and thickness of the piece of chicken. I would estimate about 12 hours.
Answer: About 4 hours for thick ones and only 2 hours or less for thin sliced.
Answer: 3 to 4 hours
Q:
Is the plastic BPA free
Answer: I JUST called the customer service line and found out that all Presto dehydrators are now BPA free. Prior to the 43rd week of 2015, the parts that contained BPA were the cover over the indicator light and a part in the motor.
Answer: Presto Customer Service just told me (9/8/15) that any surface that touches food (i. e., the trays) is BPA free, but the outer surfaces do contain it.
Answer: IMO, if it is BPA free then is should state it right in the description (which this does not). They can deny "what someone told you on the phone" but they can't deny what's in print. This is why I'm not going to order this one.... it should absolutely state BPA free in writing!
Answer: People, quit asking this question. BPA is never an opaque plastic in food containers or appliances. It is (was) only used for transparent, glass-like plastic structures, containers, or can liners.
Answer: Seems this product is now officially BPA-FREE with regards to food contact surfaces but just keep in mind that many of the BPA alternatives now used by mfgs exhibit similar negative health side effects. No harm in trying but you're kinda hosed either way. :-(
Answer: The trays do not contain BPA. The lid does contain BPA.
Answer: Check out the website: Eco-friendlycookware.com....it states that this item is BPA free.
Answer: Yes. walmart and targets site states bpa free
Answer: Review of user's manual, exam of product, and review of web site details did not provide answer. Recommend you visit website at www.GoPresto.com and submit an inquiry.
Answer: If people don't know the answer, then why do they answer??
Q:
how can I get the grease out of the bottom that came from my meat?
Answer: First of all, try to avoid reoccurrence of this situation by lining the bottom of the dehydrator with aluminum foil prior to use. Be careful not to block air flow.
Answer: If making beef jerky. Wring out the juices. Then Lay paper towels down. Lay out meat on top of it. Put paper towels in top of meet. Press gently. Then get meet and put on your trays. Meet should not be dripping with juices when placed in dehydrator.
Answer: An easy way to prevent the grease in the bottom is to place an empty rack with a fruit leather sheet on it as the lowest rack. The leather sheet should collect any drippings.
Answer: Line the fruit leather tray with foil and put that on the bottom of the machine (under the lowest rack). I have had no problems with drippings and easy cleanup if something does drip.
Q:
what is the lowest temperture setting
Answer: 90' is lowest setting
Answer: 90 degrees.. But if u have a bunch of racks it's technically cooler at the top
Answer: 90'
Answer: 90 degrees
Q:
Can anyone tell me how favorably this compares to the Nesco FD-75A? Each brand seems to claim their fan location is better (Presto -bottom, Nesco -Top)
Answer: Can only tell you our experience: had two Nescos, one bottom heater, t'other top. She likes the bottom one as she found a better drying of fruit sauces into fruit leathers (no sugars needed). She also used apple sauce as a base for drying other fruits like strawberries, blackberries & such. The bottom Nesco lasted 20 years, while the top heater one lasted only 5. Your mileage may vary.
Q:
how actually noise is it? like the microwave hood fan running on low or quieter?
Answer: Probably little quieter more like a room fan on medium, we put ours on table just outside backdoor deck. We are enjoying drying a lot of different fruit this summer. Hope this helps!
Answer: Just like a really good hood fan.
Answer: It is actually a little louder than expected but I think you described it perfectly. It is about the microwave hood on about medium. But not too bad. It won't keep you up over night or be bothersome throughout the day if you leave it running and want to have a conversation in the same room.
Answer: No, I would say a Microwave describes the audio levels perfectly. If it stays working.
Answer: Very noisy
Answer: In a small room it sounds like a fan. Otherwise the noise is similar to a running dryer - by it's loudness. Microwave is less noisy. I left it on during the day and went to work - worked perfectly. Haven't left it on overnight, but not because of noise, rather convenience.
Answer: It sounds like a normal fan running on low, it's a little louder than i thought it would be. However it works really great!!!!
Answer: It is like the hood fan running. I do wish it were quieter but, it is like white noise. Hope that helps.
Answer: Its fairly noisy...About like fan on hood range on high, or a little noisier.
Answer: Good question. My oven fan is pretty loud even on low and the dehydrator isn't that loud but you can hear it. I would say it is as loud as a box fan on medium. If you are in another room, you can hear it but to me it isn't a nuisance. Hope this helps. :)
Answer: It is comparable to my hood vent on low. Maybe a bit quieter, depending on the hood.
Answer: You would not want to try to sleep or watch TV with it running in the same room with you. Maureen's answer is very accurate.
Q:
can I dehydrate soups or meals for backpacking?
Answer: This works well for chili and fruit purees like applesauce. If you want to bring soup for a backpacking trip, I would recommend making the soup and writing down the exact amounts of dry ingredients and water. Then you just package the dry ingredients and boil water then add. So to your original question, this will not dehydrate soup.
Answer: instead of drying the soup, why not dry the ingredients for the soup. meat, veg, spices etc. then add water when needed.
Answer: Great for that. I've done chili, spaghetti, etc. Haven't tried soups yet but it comes with (2) tray liners to do liquids. If you do a lot of liquids you'll probably want to get a few more liners. They're inexpensive, though. I've found I get ~1 big serving per tray.
Answer: Presto Customer Service Department is available to address any customer concerns or questions. We can be reached Monday-Friday 8:00-4:15 Central Time by phone (1-800-877-0441) or e-mail (contact1@gopresto.com).
Answer: Iam think anything solid yoi can
Q:
Can I dehydrate juice into powder with this unit?
Answer: Unfortunately no. If it is 100 percent juice you can dehydrate it down to like a fruit roll up but that's the best the machine can do
Answer: No, I don't think you can.
Q:
Can you run it with the fan but without the heat? I candy fruit that needs to just sort of dry out between soaking, then back in sugar
Answer: No, you can not run just the fan but the lowest temperature setting is 90 degrees, which is practically running it with just the fan.
Answer: I haven't truest it, but you set the temp your self. Why. Not put it the low setting & try it.
Q:
Curious about experiences using this product long term? Mine stopped working after only a few weeks.
Answer: I bought a renewed version from Amazon to make chicken jerky for our dog every couple weeks. It’s worked fine for several years, upward of 100 batches.
Answer: I have only used mine a dozen or so times. I do let it run 24 hours or more at a time since I set the temp at 105 degrees to preserve the raw enzymes. Works great for me so far.
Answer: hi: i stopped dehydrating for couple months, but used it for the first time and seem to work ok. i bought is for doing buuter?
Answer: I've only had it for about a month. I'm not sure how long it would last. Hopefully it won't die on me any time soon.
Answer: I have only used it about 10 times, and I expect that it last much more...
Answer: I use mine a few times a week and it runs like a champ.
Answer: It is unfortunate that you encountered this situation. However, when an issue does arise, you can reach out to Presto Customer Service Department so that we can assist you. You can call (1-800-877-0441) or e-mail (contact1@gopresto.com) Monday-Friday 8:00-4:15 CT. We are here to help.
Q:
What's the difference between this model and the 06303?
Answer: I believe the 06303 has a manual control knob while this one has digital controls. I love it! Turn it to your preferred time and it turns off by itself when done.
Answer: Presto has 3 dehydrators available on the market. Below is a link that will take your directly to our current models.
Q:
Do you have to use all the trays?
Answer: No, you only have to use alternate trays (one handled then a non-handled and so on) if you use more than one tray.
Answer: You do not have to use all the trays with the 06301 dehydrator. If you have any questions or concerns do not hesitate to contact Presto Customer Service Department Monday-Friday 8:00-4:15 CT by phone at 1-800-877-0441 or visit our website at www.gopresto.com. You may also e-mail (contact1@gopresto.com) We are here to help.
Answer: No. You can use as many or as few as you chose. I think the lid only fits on every other tray (they have to be seated correctly), but you can run the dehydrator with an empty tray if necessary.
Answer: You can use any number of plates, one or all!
Answer: No
Answer: No
Q:
How long does it take to make beef jerky?
Answer: That all depends on the settings and your preference of moisture content and thickness. I believe the minimum recommended temperature for beef is 155 but this units goes as high as 165. It will take longer at 155 than it will at 165. It will take longer to dry thicker pieces than it will drying thinner pieces. Drying at a higher or lower temperature may affect the way the outside and inside dry. I personally use 8 racks at 160 for 4.5 to 6.5 hours. Experiment a little until you find what you like best.
Answer: Drying time in the 06301 dehydrator varies between 4-8 hours, depending on the thickness and moisture content of the meat. If you have any questions or concerns do not hesitate to contact Presto Customer Service Department Monday-Friday 8:00-4:15 CT by phone at 1-800-877-0441 or visit our website at www.gopresto.com. You may also e-mail (contact1@gopresto.com) We are here to help.
Q:
is this better then the 06302 model?
Answer: I have never used the 06302 model. I chose this one because I can adjust the temperature and it came with the variety of drying racks.
Answer: Main difference is 6302 has only a dial thermostat opposed to the digital controls of the 6301. The controls of the 6301 include a timer/ auto shut-off which we find invaluable when your drying cycle ends in the wee hours of the morning. Spend the extra for the 6301 unless you don't mind shutting off the machine manually.
Answer: I'm not sure, it seems the same to me.... But the 01 has worked terrifically for me:)
Answer: Have not used it for it was purchased for someone else.
Q:
how much surface area do the trays have?
Answer: The trays are aprox. 15" round with about a 2 1/2 " hole in the center.
Answer: These trays have a lot room where you lay your food its 11 1/2 wide and you get 6 trays. Its well worth the money, a little noisy but works great...Very happy with item for me it was a good choice.....
Answer: The trays for the 06301 dehydrator measures 14.5 inches in diameter. If you have any questions or concerns do not hesitate to contact Presto Customer Service Department Monday-Friday 8:00-4:15 CT by phone at 1-800-877-0441 or visit our website at www.gopresto.com. You may also e-mail (contact1@gopresto.com) We are here to help
Answer: Just about 1 square foot per tray.
Answer: about a square foot give or take a few inches
Q:
How long has it lasted without any problems (mechanical or electrical)?
Answer: I have had mine almost a year now and use it several times a month. It works perfectly. I have had no problems with it at all. I would strongly recommend it to anyone.
Answer: I've used it for a couple of years now & it's still going strong. Have had no problems with it.
Answer: We bought it just over a month ago. There are no mechanical issues, as we only used it twice.
Answer: We only had it a couple months.....so far so good. Not much to go wrong, heater and a fan.
Q:
Where is this made
Answer: The design, marketing, sale, and distribution of this product takes place in the U.S. The actual manufacturing is done in China. Quality Testing is done in both the U.S. and China.
Answer: China
Q:
How many WATTS ?
Answer: on Amazon's comparison chart it says 750
Q:
Can you dehydrate eggs enough to put in blender to make a ?
Answer: It takes a long time to dehydrate scrambled eggs. Try not to use a lot of butter or oil when cooking. Once theyre well dried, you may be able to grind the bits small enough for whatever youre going to do.
Answer: Presto Customer Service Department is available to address any customer concerns or questions. We can be reached Monday-Friday 8:00-4:15 Central Time by phone (1-800-877-0441) or e-mail (contact1@gopresto.com).
Q:
Does it, by chance, come with a 'recipe book'? for someone who is just getting into this and doesn't know how long to run it for certain foods?
Answer: It does come with a 'recipe book'. And the book is a great place to start. However, I have found that some of the times and temperatures suggested in the book were just not correct. For instance, the jerky dehydration time in the book is entirely too long. My jerky took much less time than the manual suggested. The same is true of herbs. I dried sage and it took much longer than the book suggested.
Answer: There is an instruction manual that comes with it, but there are many books written on dehydration and also you can always do an internet search and find most of what you are looking for. It really isn't that complicated to dehydrate.
Answer: The 06301 dehydrator comes with a user's manual. The manual also includes recipes and time tables for your convenience. If you have any questions or concerns do not hesitate to contact Presto Customer Service Department Monday-Friday 8:00-4:15 CT by phone at 1-800-877-0441 or visit our website at www.gopresto.com. You may also e-mail (contact1@gopresto.com) We are here to help.
Answer: It comes with a pamphlet that has general guidelines.
Answer: Yes, it gives times and temps for lots of fruits, veggies and herbs.
Answer: Yes!
Q:
i want this to make beet and zuchinni chips. how does it dry veggies? well?
Answer: it does a great job, and even comes with mesh trays for sticky or small items. The manual recommends you blanch certain veggies first for a few seconds in boiling water so they retain their color. I've done chili peppers, banana chips, homemade raisins, dried strawberry chips, dried mango chips, beef jerky, and applesauce fruit rolls so far since I bought it. No complaints - great results for the price, and I love the timer feature. It is best to slice the veggies very thin for best results and to cut down on drying time.
Answer: It's worked very well for us. We have not done beets but we have done zuchinni, Kale, carrots... I think you could do just about anything.
Answer: Food with a lot of water content, like veggies, do take a lot longer to dehydrate. However, I think you will be pleased with this dehydrator for any type of foods.
Answer: yes I have dried zucchini chips. For best results, cut them as thin as possible.
Answer: For questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact Presto Customer Service Department. We are available Monday-Friday 8:00-4:15 Central Time at 1-800-877-0441 or contact1@gopresto.com
Q:
Are the plastics bpa and phtalate free?
Answer: I called the customer service number today and found out that this is now BPA free. Models made prior to the 43rd week of 2015 had small amounts of bpa covering the indicator light and on/in a piece inside the unit.
Answer: Presto Customer Service Department is available to address any customer concerns or questions. We can be reached Monday-Friday 8:00-4:15 Central Time by phone (1-800-877-0441) or e-mail (contact1@gopresto.com).
Answer: No its located in the base
Q:
Does it really come with two fruit roll sheets and two nonstick mesh trays ?
Answer: Hey Allie, yes the dehydrtor comes with two roll sheets and two mesh trays.
Answer: Yes and for the money it is excellent.
Answer: Yes
Answer: Yes
Answer: Yes it does
Q:
How deep are the trays?
Answer: From the tray to the top edge the trays measure about a half inch. For questions or concerns, please reach out to Presto Customer Service Department Monday-Friday 8:00-4:15 Central Time by phone (1-800-877-0441) or e-mail (contact1@gopresto.com). We are here to help.
Answer: The food side is about 3/4 of an inch. Total height of the trays is about 3 inches. I hope this helps.
Answer: Two inches in height. The racks approximately in the middle. So the Bob trace would have about 2 inches of the top tray has less because of the lid. These are exactly like that trays that come machine. It said you can use up to 12 trays. Don't have quite that many but I have quite a few and they dry all the way up.
Answer: About 3" but I could be wrong! I do
Answer: One half inch
Q:
Did anyone take out the extended insurance, and are glad that they did - any longer term reliability issues?
Answer: No problems so far. I have had the dehydrator for a couple months and it has worked flawlessly every time. It seems to be a well built machine.
Answer: So did you buy the extra protection? I'm just wondering if the manufacturer's warranty makes the Amazon protection plan useless?
Answer: The motor on mine stopped working after the return period, but that seems to be a one-off with this model.
Answer: Absolutely no problems at all. Solid product
Q:
Anyone notice this product contain chemical which casuse cancer and birth defective?
Answer:
Answer:
Answer: Hmmm. I don't remember seeing a warning but have used it and LOVE it. It is probably something that is found in minuscule amounts in the dehydrator and has been linked to cancer in mice when consumed in HUGE amounts. I would not worry. Enjoy the product.
Answer: Please identify which chemicals you are referring to. Thanks.
Answer: It's made of plastic so I would say of course it does!
Q:
Do you like thihs for drying herbs??
Answer: I didn't do a lot of herb drying but what I did it did fairly well, my only thing is as with any dehydrator is that once it gets close to dry and gets crunchy it can break up and fall through the drying racks, but it's easy to clean up the little bits as they just fall down to the bottom.
Answer: It works well for that but expect it to take a while longer than it tells you in the directions.
Q:
What is the wattage?
Answer: The 06301 dehydrator operates at 750 watts. If you have any questions or concerns do not hesitate to contact Presto Customer Service Department Monday-Friday 8:00-4:15 CT by phone at 1-800-877-0441 or visit our website at www.gopresto.com. You may also e-mail (contact1@gopresto.com) We are here to help.
Answer: 750 watts
Q:
It says "two nonstick mesh screens trays and cover are dishwasher safe" Does it mean that it comes with 2 or just letting us know?
Answer: The dehydrator does come with 2 nonstick mesh trays and I have put them in the dishwasher and they came out fine. Hope this helps.
Answer: There should be a period after screens. Should read: "Includes six drying trays (expands up to 12 trays), two fruit roll sheets, two nonstick mesh screens. Trays and cover are dishwasher safe."
Answer: It comes with two. I never put any plastic items in the dishwasher though.
Q:
Does heating element stays on all the time or does it shut off and turn on like an electric oven as needed?
Answer: The heating element on the 06301 dehydrator stays at a constant temperature throughout the dehydrating process. If there are any questions, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Department Monday-Friday 8:00-4:15 Central Time at 1-800-877-0441 or contact1@gopresto.com.
Answer: The heating element definitely cycles on and off. About 50w while off and 700w when on. Duty cycle will depend on temperature setting, ambient air temperature, etc. Right now drying some lemon slices on 12 trays at 130F in a 65 degree room and it is about 10 seconds on, 10 seconds off.
Answer: Much like an oven it turns on and off
Answer: I really do not know, but since you set the temperature, I would think it would have to go on and off to maintain that temp. Hope that helps. I use mine 3 times a week to make chicken jerky for dog treats. I love it.
Answer: I've found that it does stay on.
Answer: It is thermostatically controlled so I would think the element has to go on and off to keep constant temperature.
Answer: There is a timer on it.
Q:
How many seasoning packets does it come with?
Answer: There are 2 packets of seasoning (and cure) included with the 06301 dehydrator. If you have any questions or concerns, or would like to place an order for more seasoning, do not hesitate to contact Presto Customer Service Department Monday-Friday 8:00-4:15 CT by phone at 1-800-877-0441 or visit our website at www.gopresto.com. You may also e-mail (contact1@gopresto.com) We are here to help.
Answer: It comes with 2 packets of jerky seasoning and 2 packets of jerkey cure. So technically 2 sets for seasoning.
Answer: I think three? maybe four. not a lot, but i've only used one so far. i recommend looking up different recipes and finding something that you like yourself. its way more fun that way.
Answer: 2 packs of jerky spice.
Answer: Four
Q:
how actually noise is it? like the microwave hood fan running on low or quieter?
Answer: Probably little quieter more like a room fan on medium, we put ours on table just outside backdoor deck. We are enjoying drying a lot of different fruit this summer. Hope this helps!
Answer: Just like a really good hood fan.
Answer: It is actually a little louder than expected but I think you described it perfectly. It is about the microwave hood on about medium. But not too bad. It won't keep you up over night or be bothersome throughout the day if you leave it running and want to have a conversation in the same room.
Answer: No, I would say a Microwave describes the audio levels perfectly. If it stays working.
Answer: Very noisy
Answer: In a small room it sounds like a fan. Otherwise the noise is similar to a running dryer - by it's loudness. Microwave is less noisy. I left it on during the day and went to work - worked perfectly. Haven't left it on overnight, but not because of noise, rather convenience.
Answer: It sounds like a normal fan running on low, it's a little louder than i thought it would be. However it works really great!!!!
Answer: It is like the hood fan running. I do wish it were quieter but, it is like white noise. Hope that helps.
Answer: Its fairly noisy...About like fan on hood range on high, or a little noisier.
Answer: Good question. My oven fan is pretty loud even on low and the dehydrator isn't that loud but you can hear it. I would say it is as loud as a box fan on medium. If you are in another room, you can hear it but to me it isn't a nuisance. Hope this helps. :)
Answer: It is comparable to my hood vent on low. Maybe a bit quieter, depending on the hood.
Answer: You would not want to try to sleep or watch TV with it running in the same room with you. Maureen's answer is very accurate.
Q:
can you dehydrate raw cashews? how long to soak, getting conflicting times, and how long to dehydrate?
Answer: Short answer: No. They need 200-250F.
Answer: Can you even get raw cashews? I've never seen them at least not actual raw ones, I've seen them called raw but they were actually steamed. I've seen on TV shows that raw cashews contain a toxic chemical on them (similar to what's in poison ivy) this is why you never see cashews sold in the shell.
Answer: i do not know. I've only dried apples, nectarines, and peaches, never cashews.
Q:
In addition to the "fan noise" (which I don't mind), this dehydrator makes a constant humming sound. Is this normal to the machine?
Answer: Right now this dehydrator is back in storage.
Answer: Yes, this is the normal sound. I used it, and i like it.
Answer: Presto Customer Service Department is available to address any customer concerns or questions. We can be reached Monday-Friday 8:00-4:15 Central Time by phone (1-800-877-0441) or e-mail (contact1@gopresto.com).
Answer: Yes that is normal
Q:
In addition to the "fan noise" others have mentioned, my dehydrator makes a constant humming sound. Is this normal to the machine?
Answer: mine has only fan noise, which is not bad.
Answer: Presto Customer Service Department is available to address any customer concerns or questions. We can be reached Monday-Friday 8:00-4:15 Central Time by phone (1-800-877-0441) or e-mail (contact1@gopresto.com).
Q:
Can this unit be used to dehydrate soaked nuts and seeds?
Answer: You can use the trays you make the fruit leathers to dry stuff like that. I just dried all my sunflower seeds i grew this summer dried them fast too
Answer: It comes with 2 mesh screens. It would work for nuts, berries and such, but seeds are probably too small.
Answer: Yes, actually I used recently to dry some garlic tubers that were ewashed, put it on 95° for about two hours.
Q:
Can this drying seafood
Answer: The booklet of directions for use that came with this machine does not mention how to dry seafood. It only tells you how to dehydrate fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices and how to make jerky from meat strips. You could contact the manufacturer at www.GoPresto.com and ask them.
Answer: Yes it is possible to dehydrate seafood especially fish.
Answer: Presto Customer Service Department is available to address any customer concerns or questions. We can be reached Monday-Friday 8:00-4:15 Central Time by phone (1-800-877-0441) or e-mail (contact1@gopresto.com).
Answer: Amazon carries a number of dehydrator cookbooks, OR you could try You-Tube. Ask for "how to dehydrate..." and you'll more answers than you can write down!!
Answer: Yes
Q:
Can I dry vegetables like spinach kale greens ginger beets etc to grind and reconstitute for juice?
Answer: You can dehydrate almost anything. I have not tried to reconstitute and then make juice with anything I dehydrated though. Just not sure as to the quality of juice it may make.
Q:
can i use this for potato's to make chips
Answer: I haven't tried potatoes because I think oil is the key to making great potato chips. So I couldn't tell you for sure, but I did make apple chips and they were pretty tasty. My only mistake was slicing them too thin. They shriveled into almost nothing.
Q:
if using multiple trays, which ones dry faster, top or bottom?
Answer: I believe that the ones nearest the bottom dry faster but I am not 100% sure on that. I use the timer and check at the least time and everything I have done so far as come out great.
Answer: They seem to all dry at the same rate. I only dry kale in it, though.
Answer: Presto Customer Service Department is available to address any customer concerns or questions. We can be reached Monday-Friday 8:00-4:15 Central Time by phone (1-800-877-0441) or e-mail (contact1@gopresto.com).
Answer: I have only been doing pineapple slices.. I haven't seen much difference .. Pretty even...
Q:
Does it work well if you add extra trays beyond the 6 that come with the product? How many trays have you been able to effectively add?
Answer: I bought 4 extra trays and regularly use 10 with no problem. Halfway through the drying cycle, I rotate the trays (moving the top trays to the bottom) to even out the drying time, as the top trays do take a bit longer since the heat source comes from below. LOVE THIS DEHYDRATOR. (Note: My original one stopped working after 11-1/2 months and Presto shipped me a brand-new one right away. And they didn't ask me to ship them the old one, as some companies do; they simply asked me to email a photo of the old one with the cord cut off.)
Answer: According to the packaging and instructions your can use up to 12 trays total. I have used mine 3 days and just ordered 6 trays to maximize capacity (I backpack a lot and intend to make my own "just add water" trail meals). I have used all 6 trays and found they dried evenly enough that I believe additional will be fine.
Answer: Up to 12 trays may be used in the 06301 dehydrator. If there are any questions, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Department Monday-Friday 8:00-4:15 Central Time at 1-800-877-0441 or contact1@gopresto.com.
Answer: I've used all 6 trays before. The top 2 take a tad bit longer, but not much. But I haven't used any more then 6.
Answer: Are you kidding? The machine work less than two minutes after I assembled it by instruction and set the timer and temp control. I had to send it back as I could not get to do anything after that. What a piece of crap.
Answer: Have not used extra trays
Answer: I have not used extra trays
Answer: I haven't added any additional trays.
Q:
how many watts does it take to run it?
Answer: The 06301 dehydrator operates on 750 watts. For questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact Presto Customer Service Department. We are available Monday-Friday 8:00-4:15 Central Time at 1-800-877-0441 or contact1@gopresto.com
Answer: 750 watts 120 volts
Answer: It says 750 watts on the bottom.
Answer: 750 watts
Answer: 750 watts.
Answer: You are very welcome. I love mine and bought two sets of extra trays. I buy the huge pkgs. of boneless, skinless chicken breasts. I use my meat slicer that I bought from amazon and then put it in the dehydrator @160° for 8 hours. Then I have chicken jerky treats for my dogs. Much cheaper than the chicken jerky treats sold in the pet stores and healthier. They will keep a long time in the refrigerator in a zip lock bag.
Q:
How well does it hold it's temperature at 90 degrees?
Answer: I have never used it at 90 deg. Only 135.
Answer: Presto Customer Service Department is available to address any customer concerns or questions. We can be reached Monday-Friday 8:00-4:15 Central Time by phone (1-800-877-0441) or e-mail (contact1@gopresto.com).
Q:
fruit leather sheet what is it?
Answer: It's a solid plastic sheet that is laid on top of the tray so that you can pour a pureed fruit on top of it to make fruit roll ups.
Answer: It is used to make snacks like fruit roll up or other such things like that
Answer: It is used to make snacks like fruit roll up or other such things like that
Answer: Presto Customer Service Department is available to address any customer concerns or questions. We can be reached Monday-Friday 8:00-4:15 Central Time by phone (1-800-877-0441) or e-mail (contact1@gopresto.com).
Q:
Can i using just fan for dry my meat ?
Answer: Would depend on your climate but I suspect that you might want to dehydrate the meat faster then that so as not to risk spoilage.
Answer: Presto Customer Service Department is available to address any customer concerns or questions. We can be reached Monday-Friday 8:00-4:15 Central Time by phone (1-800-877-0441) or e-mail (contact1@gopresto.com).
Answer: YES
Q:
Do people who dehydrate food often find they need an on/off switch?
Answer: I am a novice (been doing this 3 days), but I purposely chose a model with a timer to shut off. It has already been most valuable. I was dehydrating a pasta sauce, and saw recommendations to check it after about 10 hrs and turn it over when it is solid enough. At 10 hrs it was not ready, but was a couple hrs later, when I was ready to go to bed. So I turned it over, set the timer for a few hours, went to bed and my dehydrated sauce was ready to package this morning.
Answer: The most important item is a timer that switches the unit off. An on/off switch is a good idea to stop the process when the food is sufficiently dried. But you can always unplug the machine.
Answer: The answer to this question is based on personal preference. I have two dehydrators and one has an on/off switch the other does not. I find it makes no difference because I unplug both anyway. Neither one of my dyhydrators has a timer. Again a timer is also personal preference. I am fine with no timer since my dog acts as the timer and seems to know when his treats are done.
Answer: Mine Has a stop/start button, and yes you will need to stop it if you're food gets done before the timer shuts it off
Answer: its better that it has a timer to shut it off automatically
Answer: So far I haven't. I set the time and it shuts off automatically. Works great.
Answer: yes but with the timer function of the Presto you essentially have that.
Q:
Tried to dry sweet potatoes for dog jerky. 13 hrs later, still not done. I cut into about 1/4 inch slices and steamed as recommended. Suggestions?
Answer: I dehydrate 1/4 inch slices of sweet potato for dog treats by first blanching for 5 minutes followed by an ice water bath to stop the cooking process. My dehydrator is a cheap model without thermostat or timer and they are usually done in about 10 hours depending on the consistency of my slices.
Answer: Presto Customer Service Department is available to address any customer concerns or questions. We can be reached Monday-Friday 8:00-4:15 Central Time by phone (1-800-877-0441) or e-mail (contact1@gopresto.com).
Answer: When we have had foods that didn't dry in the allotted time, we just raised the heat and did a few hrs. more at a time, checking to see how it was doing. Maybe drying the potatoes with towels before putting them on the racks could have helped.
Answer: Hi there...I found that the temperature inside was lower than what the reading said. I used my husbands temperature gun and it showed it was off by about 10 degrees. So I turned it up abit and that worked. Hope this helps you..good luck!
Q:
Does it shut off automatically with the timer?
Answer: The 06301 dehydrator will automatically shut off when the timer reaches 00:00. If you have any questions or concerns do not hesitate to contact Presto Customer Service Department Monday-Friday 8:00-4:15 CT by phone at 1-800-877-0441 or visit our website at www.gopresto.com. You may also e-mail (contact1@gopresto.com) We are here to help.
Answer: Yes it will turn off with the timer, until the unit breaks... Which it will.
Answer: Yes, it does shut off and the green light just flashes.
Answer: Yes
Answer: Yes, I believe so.
Q:
The sound of the fan-blown air is tolerably low, but the high-pitched whine that goes in and out is not. Does this go away?
Answer: I don't recall ever hearing a high pitched whine ... my hearing is bad, but no one in the house that's here when I dehydrate has said anything about a whine. I use my unit 4-5-6 times a month. Could it be a problem with your unit?
Answer: I have not heard a high pitched whine. I use my dehydrator 3 to 4 times a week. I make chicken jerky treats for my dogs.
Answer: I have used mine about a half dozen times and cant say I've heard any high pitched whine.
Answer: Presto Customer Service Department is available to address any customer concerns or questions. We can be reached Monday-Friday 8:00-4:15 Central Time by phone (1-800-877-0441) or e-mail (contact1@gopresto.com).
Answer: I didn't notice the sound you are referring to - I wonder if this is a problem with this unit.
Q:
What is the effictive height of each individual tray ? Im concern it may be too shallow to hold thick slices of fruits or cherry tomatoes
Answer: They suggest slices no more than 1/4 to 3/8 inches depending on type of fruit or veggie. I measured the clearance height between trays to be approximately 3/4 inches. I hope this helps.
Answer: There is about 1 inch of space between stacked trays. I personnally have dried halved cherry tomatoes & thick slices of apple & regular tomato.
Answer: I used for figs. The space between trays are a little smaller than bigger figs, I pushed the tray down to make the bigger figs flat a little. That's fine.
Answer: the height is approximately 1" between trays.
Answer: About 2 inches. Am guessing as not home for awhile, does it not say in specs?
Answer: A good inch.
Product reviews of Presto 06301 Dehydro Digital Electric Food Dehydrator
Lowern Keirn : Five Paw approval
The unit is well made and works perfectly. The fan is a little noisy but it drys in half the time of our old unit. The unit was shipped with only one fruit roll up tray. I called customer service and they shipped a new set of two trays no charge. A class operation!
I use the tray in the bottom to catch any drippings making cleanup so easy. Just put it in the dish washer.
We use the dehydrator to make natural chicken jerky for our 60 pound female Standard Poodle. She gives it a 5 paw approval. When I get the unit out she starts wagging her tail in hyper speed.
Update, 4 days after calling the vendor customer service 2 new trays were delivered to our door. This is an example of world class customer service.
I use the tray in the bottom to catch any drippings making cleanup so easy. Just put it in the dish washer.
We use the dehydrator to make natural chicken jerky for our 60 pound female Standard Poodle. She gives it a 5 paw approval. When I get the unit out she starts wagging her tail in hyper speed.
Update, 4 days after calling the vendor customer service 2 new trays were delivered to our door. This is an example of world class customer service.
aileenr : Great!!
It’s about as noisy as a microwave. The temperature is not very hot, but then again it’s meant to be that way. I made beef jerky in this dehydrator and I wish I would’ve made more. It came out delicious! It did not dry out the meat and it was perfect consistency. I followed the instructions in the pamphlet that came with it.
Amanda Rose : Going great so far!
So far I love this little appliance. It's currently got mango, pineapple, kiwi, zucchini, and banana in, in that order from bottom to top shelf.
I used the mesh like trays they gave me for the pineapple and mango, just because they drip more.
I put the pineapple and mango on the bottom because they take the longest, and they drip more. The heat is vertical, meaning the heat is all at the base of the machine and works it's way upward. I heard that this can be a bad thing but I had no issue with my beef jerky I made earlier yesterday. All the pieces were even and I had 4 trays. This appliance comes with 6 trays expanding to 12 which I thought was awesome since the trays can compact to save space when not in use (which I don't see happening anytime soon).
Anyways, the reason I put the fruit in that order isn't because I'm thinking the stuff on bottom will cook faster with being closer to the heat, but because I'm sure it will evenly dehydrate and I want the stuff that has less dehydration time to be on top for easier access, like the bananas. Not really into lifting all those trays in the opposite order, I'm prone to accidents.
I'm excited to see how it turns out, the bananas should be about done after 6-10 hours and the pineapple can go for up to 12 hours!
I have a photo of my apple chips (which honestly needed more time) and jerky. I will be uploading what's in now, when it is finished!
I used the mesh like trays they gave me for the pineapple and mango, just because they drip more.
I put the pineapple and mango on the bottom because they take the longest, and they drip more. The heat is vertical, meaning the heat is all at the base of the machine and works it's way upward. I heard that this can be a bad thing but I had no issue with my beef jerky I made earlier yesterday. All the pieces were even and I had 4 trays. This appliance comes with 6 trays expanding to 12 which I thought was awesome since the trays can compact to save space when not in use (which I don't see happening anytime soon).
Anyways, the reason I put the fruit in that order isn't because I'm thinking the stuff on bottom will cook faster with being closer to the heat, but because I'm sure it will evenly dehydrate and I want the stuff that has less dehydration time to be on top for easier access, like the bananas. Not really into lifting all those trays in the opposite order, I'm prone to accidents.
I'm excited to see how it turns out, the bananas should be about done after 6-10 hours and the pineapple can go for up to 12 hours!
I have a photo of my apple chips (which honestly needed more time) and jerky. I will be uploading what's in now, when it is finished!
Monique1 : There are some good things and some really bad things
I am not entirely sure how I feel about this product yet. I was so excited to get it as I have a garden and herbs just going to waste. First, the thing is huge. Be prepared for it to take up some real estate in your cupboard and on your counter. This stinks if you are in a tight space but it does allow for a good amount of area to dry in. Second, it's loud. Annoyingly loud. If my basement wasn't so dusty I would put it down there because you can hear this thing running from everywhere in my house.
The first thing I dried was basil. It was awful. The manual says 95 degrees for 10-18 hours. It took 41 hours and I jumped the temp from the suggested 95 to 105. I got so sick of listening to it at that point that I threw out the ones that were still just rubbery. I was prepared to send it back that day but I decided to give it another shot with an herb that was slightly less leathery. I did flat leaf parsley. It dried at the suggested temp in just over the 8 hours it gives as a max for that herb.
We haven't tried jerky yet and that is the next thing we will be trying. If it does not perform better than it has so far it will be returned and I will get something that will likely dry just as well but won't sound like the loudest fan you've ever heard running constantly for days.
The first thing I dried was basil. It was awful. The manual says 95 degrees for 10-18 hours. It took 41 hours and I jumped the temp from the suggested 95 to 105. I got so sick of listening to it at that point that I threw out the ones that were still just rubbery. I was prepared to send it back that day but I decided to give it another shot with an herb that was slightly less leathery. I did flat leaf parsley. It dried at the suggested temp in just over the 8 hours it gives as a max for that herb.
We haven't tried jerky yet and that is the next thing we will be trying. If it does not perform better than it has so far it will be returned and I will get something that will likely dry just as well but won't sound like the loudest fan you've ever heard running constantly for days.
Amanda : Easy Dehydrator
This is my first dehydrator. I can't believe how easy it is to use. You just set the temp and time. It shuts off automatically after time runs out. It takes some trial and error before you get things exactly right. You definitely have to make sure your trays aren't too full as well. Food should be in an even layer with breathing room so air can get where it needs to. I also cover all of the trays with parchment paper to make cleanup easy and so small pieces don't fall through the mesh.
B. Bailey : Simple to use and does a great job!
I've been using this dehydrator nonstop for weeks to make apple chips with all of our fall apples from our trees. The apple chips are amazing and the kids can't get enough of them. I like that you can use as many or as few trays as you want. Simple put the lid on top of whatever tray you want. I can get about a dozen medium sized apples on the trays sliced up. The timer and temperature are easy to use and set up. The recipe book is handy and makes me want to try a lot of other things when I finish the apples. It does put out a lot of heat and quite a bit of noise so I keep it out in the garage when it is running. Great value for what you get out of it!
Heather Lowry : Great inexpensive dehydrator
Great dehydrator! Very easy to use especially if you haven't used one before. The instructions are easy to understand and it works great. I don't get why everyone is complaining about the noise. It isn't very loud at all. I ran it yesterday for over 10hrs and only heard it while in the kitchen. It's an appliance so yes expect some noise, but it's normal and not very loud.
Monique1 : There are some good things and some really bad things
I am not entirely sure how I feel about this product yet. I was so excited to get it as I have a garden and herbs just going to waste. First, the thing is huge. Be prepared for it to take up some real estate in your cupboard and on your counter. This stinks if you are in a tight space but it does allow for a good amount of area to dry in. Second, it's loud. Annoyingly loud. If my basement wasn't so dusty I would put it down there because you can hear this thing running from everywhere in my house.
The first thing I dried was basil. It was awful. The manual says 95 degrees for 10-18 hours. It took 41 hours and I jumped the temp from the suggested 95 to 105. I got so sick of listening to it at that point that I threw out the ones that were still just rubbery. I was prepared to send it back that day but I decided to give it another shot with an herb that was slightly less leathery. I did flat leaf parsley. It dried at the suggested temp in just over the 8 hours it gives as a max for that herb.
We haven't tried jerky yet and that is the next thing we will be trying. If it does not perform better than it has so far it will be returned and I will get something that will likely dry just as well but won't sound like the loudest fan you've ever heard running constantly for days.
The first thing I dried was basil. It was awful. The manual says 95 degrees for 10-18 hours. It took 41 hours and I jumped the temp from the suggested 95 to 105. I got so sick of listening to it at that point that I threw out the ones that were still just rubbery. I was prepared to send it back that day but I decided to give it another shot with an herb that was slightly less leathery. I did flat leaf parsley. It dried at the suggested temp in just over the 8 hours it gives as a max for that herb.
We haven't tried jerky yet and that is the next thing we will be trying. If it does not perform better than it has so far it will be returned and I will get something that will likely dry just as well but won't sound like the loudest fan you've ever heard running constantly for days.
Amazon Customer2 : Takes forever to dry apples!
I was so excited to use this dehydrator to dry apples. It was suppose to take between 4 & 8 hours, however, I left them in from 3 p.m. until 5 a.m. and they still were sticky. I am drying them again now, they have been in for almost 8 hours and STILL sticky! Not sure if I have a faulty machine or if anyone else has trouble getting theirs to dry to a crisp or not. It is also very loud. Not sure if I am going to keep this or not, I really was excited to try dehydrating many things, but now, not so sure if it's going to take days and still not the way they should be!
Amazon Customer2 : Takes forever to dry apples!
I was so excited to use this dehydrator to dry apples. It was suppose to take between 4 & 8 hours, however, I left them in from 3 p.m. until 5 a.m. and they still were sticky. I am drying them again now, they have been in for almost 8 hours and STILL sticky! Not sure if I have a faulty machine or if anyone else has trouble getting theirs to dry to a crisp or not. It is also very loud. Not sure if I am going to keep this or not, I really was excited to try dehydrating many things, but now, not so sure if it's going to take days and still not the way they should be!
The short guy with big feet : Does the job, but uneven heat and air movement require monitoring progress
Used this all summer to make sun-dried tomatoes. I did find that pieces near the out side edge dried out more quickly, and that the pieces near the center were more likely to get scorched even at 125 degree setting. I'm guessing that the heat is highest in the center, but the air movement is highest along the outside edge. It meant monitoring progress every 2 or 3 hours to remove those that had reached proper dryness, and moving the remaining pieces around so that the ones near the center ring would not scorch.
nerd_up : cherry tomatoes (with black pepper and garlic powder its amazing! ) and about six pounds of steak for ...
Since I purchased this item, I use it almost every day. So far I have dried clementines, dill, jalapeno peppers, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes (with black pepper and garlic powder its amazing!) and about six pounds of steak for beef jerky. i'm totally hooked.
the only problem is it sounds like a jet engine landing. i solved this by putting it in the basement. that also solves the "my entire house smells like meat" dilemma.
the timer is accurate, but i do wish it would turn itself off when it ran out. not a big deal, but still uses some energy.
i wish i could give it a higher rating. if you're thinking of getting a dehydrator, do it. its pretty awesome.
the only problem is it sounds like a jet engine landing. i solved this by putting it in the basement. that also solves the "my entire house smells like meat" dilemma.
the timer is accurate, but i do wish it would turn itself off when it ran out. not a big deal, but still uses some energy.
i wish i could give it a higher rating. if you're thinking of getting a dehydrator, do it. its pretty awesome.
PunkieBee : but I will tell you I simply love the ease of the beautiful little machine
My trusty dehydrator of almost 30 years finally gave up and after reading all the reviews and researching I decided in this. My review is not going to be as eloquent and fact-filled as some, which you should read for those facts...but I will tell you I simply love the ease of the beautiful little machine! I do a lot of dehydration of my garden bounty and cannot keep my husband stocked with enough banana chips! I honestly would have given up my old one long before now had I known how fantastic this was! I like having the ability to choose time and moisture.
E J : Awesome product from a trusted brand!
It does what it’s designed to do. I bought this to better help keep track of the time I’m dehydrating my deer jerky for because I tend to over do it and my first batch came out amazing. Made three pounds of cayenne pepper and hickory jerky for a vacation and it was probably my best batch in two years, definitely recommend!
Slow-N- Low : HUGE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK!!!!!!
This is truly an awesome machine!!!! @ 750w you definitely get a big bang for your $$$. The unit is 14 3/4in. round and just shy of 12in. tall when using all 6 trays. These dimensions may not seem very big but when it's sitting on your counter-top you'll see that the unit has plenty of space to jam-pack your dehydrateables into. The 7 1/4 in. you see in the product detail is the storage height. If you haven't read it already, the unit also comes with 2 fruit roll trays, two mesh trays and 4 packets of jerk marinade (2 spicy and 2 regular flavor). I had initially ordered 2 of the Food Dehydrator Machine by Wintergreen and sent them back as soon as I saw the wattage on the electrical cord. The seller (Vibrant Kitchen) doesn't post the wattage (only 230w, very low) and it doesn't come with any extras like this one. Horrible advertising on it and it's really small for the $60. The Presto 06301 Dehydro Digital Electric Food Dehydrator is a true workhorse at a whopping 750w for only $55!!!! A bit of advise: Purchase the No-Hassle insurance, it's only $9 for 4 years. BIG THUMBS UP!!!!!
Mr. Hydro
Mr. Hydro
Dann : Great product
Fantastic item we use it mainly to make doggie treats
Careful for using fatty beef it will smoke up ur house
We do chicken and beef Jerky and sticks
We have found if we put aluminum foil in the bottom and curl up the edges from the vents on the side and the motor in the center it grease collects in that makes it easy to clean
Now we stop the machine when we smell or see a little smoke in the kitchen also we have been putting it under the over vent to extract smoke while it's running
Anyway we stop the machine put enough paper towels so we can remove the shelves and set the whole pile on the paper towels
Then use other paper towels to sop up grease in the aluminum foil. Make sure u don't get it in the center Motor and heating element. Or u will have a lot of smoke.
We love this machine. We also have picked up the Jerky and beef sticks maker. Omg
It makes making them sooooo much easier.
Careful for using fatty beef it will smoke up ur house
We do chicken and beef Jerky and sticks
We have found if we put aluminum foil in the bottom and curl up the edges from the vents on the side and the motor in the center it grease collects in that makes it easy to clean
Now we stop the machine when we smell or see a little smoke in the kitchen also we have been putting it under the over vent to extract smoke while it's running
Anyway we stop the machine put enough paper towels so we can remove the shelves and set the whole pile on the paper towels
Then use other paper towels to sop up grease in the aluminum foil. Make sure u don't get it in the center Motor and heating element. Or u will have a lot of smoke.
We love this machine. We also have picked up the Jerky and beef sticks maker. Omg
It makes making them sooooo much easier.
kris10 : Great for the whole family!
So easy, even someone that knows ZERO about dehydrating or cooking can easily get into it.
They have really made this a seamless process. Even the lid has a quick temperature guide so I don't even need to rifle through their instruction book.
Not only did I not know anything about dehydration, I am honestly a horrible cook. But this is simply amazing.
I have 3 kids and this is the perfect tool to create fun, heather snacks for them. Even for my 1 year old, dehydrated fruit make for the perfect "teething" snack.
I highly recommend this one over the next level down, because you can see the temp and how long it's been on for.
So far I have made:
Jerkey, apples, raisins, strawberries, pears (my favorite), kiwi, and even watermelon!!!
My kids love to participate in making stuff, it's a great way to spend time with them and use it as a way to teach healthy eating.
I was worried this would go the way of the bread maker, collecting dust somewhere in the garage but unlike a bread maker, this is a very versatile addition to your kitchen that you can try so many different things with!
HIGHLY recommend this.
They have really made this a seamless process. Even the lid has a quick temperature guide so I don't even need to rifle through their instruction book.
Not only did I not know anything about dehydration, I am honestly a horrible cook. But this is simply amazing.
I have 3 kids and this is the perfect tool to create fun, heather snacks for them. Even for my 1 year old, dehydrated fruit make for the perfect "teething" snack.
I highly recommend this one over the next level down, because you can see the temp and how long it's been on for.
So far I have made:
Jerkey, apples, raisins, strawberries, pears (my favorite), kiwi, and even watermelon!!!
My kids love to participate in making stuff, it's a great way to spend time with them and use it as a way to teach healthy eating.
I was worried this would go the way of the bread maker, collecting dust somewhere in the garage but unlike a bread maker, this is a very versatile addition to your kitchen that you can try so many different things with!
HIGHLY recommend this.
Marni M. : Great value and easy to use
After reading many reviews and searching for a dehydrator, I took the plunge and purchased this one. It is my first time dehydrating, so I don’t have a lot of comparisons. I can say, after reading the instructions before attempting my first batch of blueberries and mangos, it was easy! My fruit turned out delicious and can’t wait to try more things. Set up and cleaning was simple. Some reviews mentioned noise...I found the whirling of the motor to be fairly quiet compared to my Rumba. I set my machine up in the garage and let it run without any issue. The most challenging part of dehydration is the prep. This is nothing to do with the machine. Two thumbs up!
packrat : It's good for a beginner leaning how to dry food.
I have dried apples and bell peppers. And, I also made plum fruit leather.
The fan sounds like a hair dryer but its not a bad sound.
You learn to appreciate the time and work involved in drying and preserving food compared to canning.
The fan sounds like a hair dryer but its not a bad sound.
You learn to appreciate the time and work involved in drying and preserving food compared to canning.
alyoop : Great home dehydrator for doing small amounts of jerky, fruits and anything you want to dry.
This dehydrator met all of my expectations. It has 6 trays which allows me to dry about 2 lbs of meat at a time. It takes about 5 hours to dry the whole 6 trays and since there is a timer, you can just set it and it will turn off on its own. This makes it very convenient. I also bought 4 extra inserts ( comes with 2) for a total of 6 which keeps the jerky off the grates and makes cleanup much easier. I've been making jerky and dried apples and giving it to friends and relatives.
Rando Calrissian : Works Well But Noisy
My wife just got this as a means of dehydrating apples (and probably other stuff) for dog treats and for snacks in general. The stacked trays seemed to work well; they allow you to dehydrate many pieces at once. The unit seems well put together so far as well. The main downside is the fan is very noisy. Especially if you have a smaller kitchen and/or adjoining television room, or if you are in an studio apartment or similar small space. Prepare to leave the room or turn the TV way up. :)
Slow-N- Low : HUGE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK!!!!!!
This is truly an awesome machine!!!! @ 750w you definitely get a big bang for your $$$. The unit is 14 3/4in. round and just shy of 12in. tall when using all 6 trays. These dimensions may not seem very big but when it's sitting on your counter-top you'll see that the unit has plenty of space to jam-pack your dehydrateables into. The 7 1/4 in. you see in the product detail is the storage height. If you haven't read it already, the unit also comes with 2 fruit roll trays, two mesh trays and 4 packets of jerk marinade (2 spicy and 2 regular flavor). I had initially ordered 2 of the Food Dehydrator Machine by Wintergreen and sent them back as soon as I saw the wattage on the electrical cord. The seller (Vibrant Kitchen) doesn't post the wattage (only 230w, very low) and it doesn't come with any extras like this one. Horrible advertising on it and it's really small for the $60. The Presto 06301 Dehydro Digital Electric Food Dehydrator is a true workhorse at a whopping 750w for only $55!!!! A bit of advise: Purchase the No-Hassle insurance, it's only $9 for 4 years. BIG THUMBS UP!!!!!
Mr. Hydro
Mr. Hydro
KcKerry : Great product. Dried apples are great.
This arrived quickly and worked great on my first dried apples. I bought suggested fruit roll and small item extras.. It comes with a few of these, so not needed to add extras, unless you want to do all trays for rollups.
It is pretty loud, and heats up a room. Sort of like small forced air heater.
I sliced apples with peeler/slicer/core device (available at amazon for under $20).
Set at 135 degrees for 5.5 hours was about perfect. I did lemon juice bath. I sprinkled cinnamon sugar on some and they were great.
Can't wait to make jerky.
I measured kilowatts used and it was just under 9. So depending what you pay per kilowatt, it costs around $1 to dry small bag of apples slices.
It is pretty loud, and heats up a room. Sort of like small forced air heater.
I sliced apples with peeler/slicer/core device (available at amazon for under $20).
Set at 135 degrees for 5.5 hours was about perfect. I did lemon juice bath. I sprinkled cinnamon sugar on some and they were great.
Can't wait to make jerky.
I measured kilowatts used and it was just under 9. So depending what you pay per kilowatt, it costs around $1 to dry small bag of apples slices.
Faith Warrior : Good beginner unit
I've only used this product once. I dried parsley I harvested from my garden. I had enough to fill all racks fully and made sure to place it in one even layer as best as I could. Following the directions, I turned the dehydrator to the highest setting to warm it. Then I lowered the temperature to 95 degrees (the dial is efficient) for the herb to dry properly. It did a fine job drying but took much longer than I would have expected, nearly a day and a half. I can't imagine how long it would take to dry fruit slices or meat. I plan on doing onions next. Outside of course.
I did love that when I turned it on, it wasn't loud at all. I was expecting something akin to my hairdryer. Thank goodness it was nothing like that at all.
I did love that when I turned it on, it wasn't loud at all. I was expecting something akin to my hairdryer. Thank goodness it was nothing like that at all.
Dale V Hawley : When you really need something dry
I have a "non standard" use for this item in that I use it to speed up the drying and more importantly the cure time for acrylic paints on plastic models. I started out with the non-timer, one temperature model which I found at a yard sale but once I started working with PLA I realized I needed more temperature control to avoid melting or deforming the plastic. This unit gives you a good range of time and temperatures to use and the thermostat is pretty accurate so I get fantastic drying results. I can only imagine it would also work very well for its' intended purpose of food dehydration as well.
D. Moore : I bought this to make banana chips and then learned ...
I bought this to make banana chips and then learned that banana chips are generally not dehydrated in this fashion.. This will really only make chewy dehydrated products, not crisp fruits. Oh well, I'll use it to make fruit leather and other chewy things.
Marni M. : Great value and easy to use
After reading many reviews and searching for a dehydrator, I took the plunge and purchased this one. It is my first time dehydrating, so I don’t have a lot of comparisons. I can say, after reading the instructions before attempting my first batch of blueberries and mangos, it was easy! My fruit turned out delicious and can’t wait to try more things. Set up and cleaning was simple. Some reviews mentioned noise...I found the whirling of the motor to be fairly quiet compared to my Rumba. I set my machine up in the garage and let it run without any issue. The most challenging part of dehydration is the prep. This is nothing to do with the machine. Two thumbs up!
Teresa : know what we are eating, make it ourselves
I have had this a short while so I don't know how long it will hold up but it is easy to use and easy to clean. I bought it primarily to make healthy dog snacks for my two dogs who are very spoiled. They get treats often and it bothered me that the healthy snacks are so expensive so this is a great solution. The cost of the dehydrator is reasonable and will pay for itself in short order with the savings of over priced dog treats that I no longer have to buy. I make sweet potato chips for them which they can't get enough of and I have also bought the chicken and beef that is discounted at the grocery for sell by date being close so its cheap but its good and I slice it and make the meat snacks that don't have the extra additives so I feel much better about giving it to my furkids. Its so easy to do I may even start making some snacks for myself to take to work and not just use for dog snacks.
Ruth : Fire Hazard
I've owned this dehydrator for less than 2 years. I've used it monthly to make turkey jerky for my dog which takes about 4 to 5 hours each time. Already, the light on it is blinking and the plug gets too hot to use it any longer. I had my son (an electrician) take it apart to fix the wiring and we found that the wire coatings were disenegrating (cracked and splitting open). This machine is un-fixable and now good for nothing but the trash. I won't buy anything from Presto again as they are obviously using cheap junk from china for their product's parts. Not worth the risk of a fire.
Marie : Happy with purchase!
I reviewed the numerous reviews by other purchasers on Amazon for all the different dehydrators that were programmable and decided to purchase the Presto model because it did the same thing and was more cost effective for those of us on a budget then the others. The one concern I had was that the description did not mention if the area where the food was dried was BPA free. I called Presto and the very nice customer service person said that it was. I suggested they put that on their product description on Amazon as that was a concern among consumers. It is a bit loud but it seems, per the reviews, so were the other programmable dehydrators that cost more. I just put it in another room and after awhile do not even hear it. So far am very happy with it and their customer service.
Robert Gundersen : Stopped working after a few months
Worked well for a while, and then just stopped. No digital display, nothing. Worst part is that had some stuff that needed immediate drying or will go bad, so ended up opening the unit and rewiring so only fan works - totally bypassing heat and digital control. I would avoid this one.
Amazon Customer : Highly recommend!
I love that it comes with the extra trays for making fruit rolls and such! I did not know that it came with those! A trick I figured out is to put the solid plastic fruit tray at the bottom of the dehydrator underneath all the racks while you are dehydrating your food so that it collects all the crumbs/ drippings and you can pull out all the trays and put them in the dishwasher when you’re done and not have to wipe down the actual dehydrator after. Keeps it clean! I love that you can set the temperature and time for dehydrating! Now I can put my foods in to dehydrate before I go to bed or work and not have to worry about if they dry out too much! Other dehydrators require you to manually turn them on or off and you can risk over drying your foods if you don’t pay attention!
Steven : Pretty much my favorite cooking device in the world.
Okay, I'm not a foodie...far from it. Nor do I get excited by cooking equipment all that much. I sort of enjoyed getting a panini press at some point, but to me it was just another thing to clean. So my lovely girlfriend and I were driving to NY once, and she happened to bring up the idea, in passing, of drying your own fruits. Since I eat a ton of fruits and veggies, it sort of just hit me.. I had never thought about the idea...hell, I never even knew that dehydrators existed. While she drove I quickly google'd these alleged dehydrators... The rest is history.. I went all out and got the one with the timer (I really...really suggest dropping the extra cash for this upgraded model. You don't have to worry about over "cooking" anything or waking up at like 5 am to turn the thing off)
So far I've dehydrated: Bananas, Eggplant slices, Yellow Squash slices, Kabocha Squash, Butternut Squash, Apple slices, pear slices, pineapple slices, mushrooms, blueberries, and oranges.
Everything...minus the oranges, came out fan-freaking-tastic. The oranges were actually gross...will not do that again... But seriously, my mother would throw out bananas that were too ripe for her. NOPE. Grab those suckers, and dehydrate 'em. Then they last far far far longer.
Seriously.. if you like fruit/veggie chips, and wish to make snacks to go, grab some fruits, dehyrdrate 'em over night, and you're set.
So far I've dehydrated: Bananas, Eggplant slices, Yellow Squash slices, Kabocha Squash, Butternut Squash, Apple slices, pear slices, pineapple slices, mushrooms, blueberries, and oranges.
Everything...minus the oranges, came out fan-freaking-tastic. The oranges were actually gross...will not do that again... But seriously, my mother would throw out bananas that were too ripe for her. NOPE. Grab those suckers, and dehydrate 'em. Then they last far far far longer.
Seriously.. if you like fruit/veggie chips, and wish to make snacks to go, grab some fruits, dehyrdrate 'em over night, and you're set.
thekp : A Goliath of a unit and is louder than most units.
I didn’t use the unit, but I did return it after seeing how large and loud it was. I’m familiar with dehydrating and some other units- so I know what the machine should do and what the process is like.
The price is reasonable and the unit is nice, it had nice ‘extras’ like the two trays for roll ups and two mesh trays for smaller items. Comes with a (2?) pack of seasoning for jerky.
But before ordering I didn’t see the reviews where some units catch on fire. That’s a big deal because I would never want to leave the house while the unit is on, and dehydrating takes hours, sometimes days depending on how much and what you’re doing.
But when I plugged it in, it really is loud. Almost as loud as my small air conditioner or a hair dryer. Also, the unit is absolutely huge. I have no idea where I would store this thing considering it’s round shape and I also have small kitchen space.
Returned it to by a smaller unit that is square for more money.
The price is reasonable and the unit is nice, it had nice ‘extras’ like the two trays for roll ups and two mesh trays for smaller items. Comes with a (2?) pack of seasoning for jerky.
But before ordering I didn’t see the reviews where some units catch on fire. That’s a big deal because I would never want to leave the house while the unit is on, and dehydrating takes hours, sometimes days depending on how much and what you’re doing.
But when I plugged it in, it really is loud. Almost as loud as my small air conditioner or a hair dryer. Also, the unit is absolutely huge. I have no idea where I would store this thing considering it’s round shape and I also have small kitchen space.
Returned it to by a smaller unit that is square for more money.
Sean Buck : Love it!
This is my first dehydrator, and I got it for the purpose of making my own jerky/beef sticks, as well as chicken treats for our dogs. I've been really happy with this unit for the four times I've used it. The temperature setting on this goes up to 165 degrees. Being a suspicious kind of guy, I figured the internal temperature probably never really matched the digital setting on the display, so used a calibrated probe thermometer to verify the accuracy of the dehydrator display temperature. To my incredible surprise, the digital probe thermometer read 164.9 degrees when the dehydrator was set to 165. This has given me an extra level of comfort when dehydrating beef/poultry for food safety reasons.
Initial startup and setup was incredibly easy and basic. The six trays provided should be alternated based on trays that have or don't have tabs hanging off the edge of the tray, which read "This Side Up". As you get the trays oriented, slap some beef or fruit on the trays, put the lid on, set the time/temp, and hit the start button. Wait X hours and eat.
On my first batch, I mixed the provided spice and cure packs that came with the dehydrator into 1 pound of 93% lean beef, and it came out pretty damned good after 4.5 hours at 165 degrees. I wouldn't add a star onto my review or knock one off based on the results of spice packs that come with any dehydrator, but It was nice that my first attempt was a decided success. If that's the only recipe I ever did with this dehydrator, I'd be very happy to stick with it.
The chicken breast strips that I dehydrated were absolutely perfect. Keeping in mind that I am not a kitchen guru by any means, my unevenly cut strips dehydrated evenly enough that the end result was a major success according to the dogs. Knowing that I am feeding "the kids" 100% chicken with no preservative and foreign junk justifies the cost of this unit by itself.
I've only dehydrated on the first four trays, so based on that experience, the dehydration seems evenly distributed and I haven't found a need to rotate trays to get an even distribution of airflow. I know that more elaborate models such as the Excaliburs negate this need altogether by supplying airflow horizontally, but this unit doesn't seem to have a negative effect from bottom --> up airflow based on my limited experience.
I bought extra "fruit tray" solid platters separately so that I could keep one extra platter on the very bottom of the dehydrator to catch liquid drippings for easy cleanup. I haven't dehydrated anything marinated yet, so I haven't had to worry about cleanup on the bottom too much, but it sounds like a good tip.
At the end of the day, I'd say this is the unit I'd recommend for someone getting into dehydrating. Knowing what I know now, the single most important factor for me is that this unit can actually reach 165 degrees. Almost every dehydrating recipe I've found on the net has concessions for the dehydrator only reaching 150-155 degrees. These recipes typically include "in-your-face" warnings about having to bake your beef/poultry in your oven before/after the dehydration process to ensure food safety. I didn't realize that when I decided on this unit, but I'm glad I picked this one for the 165 degree temperature alone. I am not advocating this product to be 100% food safe based solely on the fact that it can reach 165 degrees; I just like the fact that the higher temperature gives me an added level of comfort with regard to food safety.
If you're looking to get your feet wet in the food dehydrating arena, I would suggest this product with high praise!
Initial startup and setup was incredibly easy and basic. The six trays provided should be alternated based on trays that have or don't have tabs hanging off the edge of the tray, which read "This Side Up". As you get the trays oriented, slap some beef or fruit on the trays, put the lid on, set the time/temp, and hit the start button. Wait X hours and eat.
On my first batch, I mixed the provided spice and cure packs that came with the dehydrator into 1 pound of 93% lean beef, and it came out pretty damned good after 4.5 hours at 165 degrees. I wouldn't add a star onto my review or knock one off based on the results of spice packs that come with any dehydrator, but It was nice that my first attempt was a decided success. If that's the only recipe I ever did with this dehydrator, I'd be very happy to stick with it.
The chicken breast strips that I dehydrated were absolutely perfect. Keeping in mind that I am not a kitchen guru by any means, my unevenly cut strips dehydrated evenly enough that the end result was a major success according to the dogs. Knowing that I am feeding "the kids" 100% chicken with no preservative and foreign junk justifies the cost of this unit by itself.
I've only dehydrated on the first four trays, so based on that experience, the dehydration seems evenly distributed and I haven't found a need to rotate trays to get an even distribution of airflow. I know that more elaborate models such as the Excaliburs negate this need altogether by supplying airflow horizontally, but this unit doesn't seem to have a negative effect from bottom --> up airflow based on my limited experience.
I bought extra "fruit tray" solid platters separately so that I could keep one extra platter on the very bottom of the dehydrator to catch liquid drippings for easy cleanup. I haven't dehydrated anything marinated yet, so I haven't had to worry about cleanup on the bottom too much, but it sounds like a good tip.
At the end of the day, I'd say this is the unit I'd recommend for someone getting into dehydrating. Knowing what I know now, the single most important factor for me is that this unit can actually reach 165 degrees. Almost every dehydrating recipe I've found on the net has concessions for the dehydrator only reaching 150-155 degrees. These recipes typically include "in-your-face" warnings about having to bake your beef/poultry in your oven before/after the dehydration process to ensure food safety. I didn't realize that when I decided on this unit, but I'm glad I picked this one for the 165 degree temperature alone. I am not advocating this product to be 100% food safe based solely on the fact that it can reach 165 degrees; I just like the fact that the higher temperature gives me an added level of comfort with regard to food safety.
If you're looking to get your feet wet in the food dehydrating arena, I would suggest this product with high praise!
Kayla : Pretty dope
This dehydrator has really been a game-changer. My husband won't let me in the kitchen, he only really trust me to make toast. But this thing is so easy to operate, I have been granted privileges to use this. Now I am torturing him with all the oddities I can think up to force some greens in his diet (it can't ALL be red meat, you know?). I'm going to start kale chips soon, I'm sure he will be ecstatic to try them. I am really happy we spent the extra $10 for a dehydrator with a temperature setting and a timer. I definitely recommend this model.
Ddaeng : Loud and obnoxious but does what I need it to do!
Oh I love this.
Pro:
Works so good for drying my tomatoes, sun-drying has become so much easier for me
I slice them thin, I put a few drops of olive oil on them and season them with basil, they are amazing.
Works amazing for apples!
I also used it to dry corn to grind to make my own corn meal.
It takes about the amount of time the booklet says.
I under dry my red apples if I am going to eat them that day, leaving them a bit mushier and not so crisp.
But I usually dry granny smiths for my daughter, its a good way to get them to eat fruit!
I have used it 3 times.
Con: It's loud and I am not the kind of person who trusts appliances to be left on all night so I have to use it in the day time, after about 5 hours I want to stop it all and turn it off!!
Because I have pets I can't just put it in another random room, so I leave it in my kitchen which is next to the family room which I spend most my time in.
I had asked and read reviews saying it was quiet. But it is not. Only if you have a hearing problem could this be considered quiet,
I had forgot it was on and thought my neighbor was mowing his lawn or blowing his drive off.
It is loud. Maybe not louder than other food dryers, but this is the first one I have ever owned, So I would not know.
Drives me crazy :P
Other than that, it's working out for me.
Pro:
Works so good for drying my tomatoes, sun-drying has become so much easier for me
I slice them thin, I put a few drops of olive oil on them and season them with basil, they are amazing.
Works amazing for apples!
I also used it to dry corn to grind to make my own corn meal.
It takes about the amount of time the booklet says.
I under dry my red apples if I am going to eat them that day, leaving them a bit mushier and not so crisp.
But I usually dry granny smiths for my daughter, its a good way to get them to eat fruit!
I have used it 3 times.
Con: It's loud and I am not the kind of person who trusts appliances to be left on all night so I have to use it in the day time, after about 5 hours I want to stop it all and turn it off!!
Because I have pets I can't just put it in another random room, so I leave it in my kitchen which is next to the family room which I spend most my time in.
I had asked and read reviews saying it was quiet. But it is not. Only if you have a hearing problem could this be considered quiet,
I had forgot it was on and thought my neighbor was mowing his lawn or blowing his drive off.
It is loud. Maybe not louder than other food dryers, but this is the first one I have ever owned, So I would not know.
Drives me crazy :P
Other than that, it's working out for me.
Cristeene : One of the best dehydrator I’ve owned
I’ve own several dehydrator in the past but always leave them behind for someone when I moved. This one was my favored. Came with 6 trays and more, everything you will need. Jerky and fruits easily wash off trays. Just don’t let them sit for days cause it will cake on as anything would. Also not as noisy as others I’ve owned. Definitely recommend to buy this one if you are looking for a dehydrator that will last! Please click on Helpful below to let me know if you find this helpful to you.
David B : Very tasty beef jarky!
Just received yesterday and have already made 2 batches of beef jerky and 1 of dehydrated apples. Jerky only took about 2 hours @ 165 (Recipe called for 3-4 hours) but was perfect! Easy to cleanup, goes right in the dishwasher, though the trays do not fit real well in mine - not Presto's fault for that though. Going to be doing so much more with this including making dehydrated camping meals, will update if any issues, but so far I am loving it!
Sean Buck : Love it!
This is my first dehydrator, and I got it for the purpose of making my own jerky/beef sticks, as well as chicken treats for our dogs. I've been really happy with this unit for the four times I've used it. The temperature setting on this goes up to 165 degrees. Being a suspicious kind of guy, I figured the internal temperature probably never really matched the digital setting on the display, so used a calibrated probe thermometer to verify the accuracy of the dehydrator display temperature. To my incredible surprise, the digital probe thermometer read 164.9 degrees when the dehydrator was set to 165. This has given me an extra level of comfort when dehydrating beef/poultry for food safety reasons.
Initial startup and setup was incredibly easy and basic. The six trays provided should be alternated based on trays that have or don't have tabs hanging off the edge of the tray, which read "This Side Up". As you get the trays oriented, slap some beef or fruit on the trays, put the lid on, set the time/temp, and hit the start button. Wait X hours and eat.
On my first batch, I mixed the provided spice and cure packs that came with the dehydrator into 1 pound of 93% lean beef, and it came out pretty damned good after 4.5 hours at 165 degrees. I wouldn't add a star onto my review or knock one off based on the results of spice packs that come with any dehydrator, but It was nice that my first attempt was a decided success. If that's the only recipe I ever did with this dehydrator, I'd be very happy to stick with it.
The chicken breast strips that I dehydrated were absolutely perfect. Keeping in mind that I am not a kitchen guru by any means, my unevenly cut strips dehydrated evenly enough that the end result was a major success according to the dogs. Knowing that I am feeding "the kids" 100% chicken with no preservative and foreign junk justifies the cost of this unit by itself.
I've only dehydrated on the first four trays, so based on that experience, the dehydration seems evenly distributed and I haven't found a need to rotate trays to get an even distribution of airflow. I know that more elaborate models such as the Excaliburs negate this need altogether by supplying airflow horizontally, but this unit doesn't seem to have a negative effect from bottom --> up airflow based on my limited experience.
I bought extra "fruit tray" solid platters separately so that I could keep one extra platter on the very bottom of the dehydrator to catch liquid drippings for easy cleanup. I haven't dehydrated anything marinated yet, so I haven't had to worry about cleanup on the bottom too much, but it sounds like a good tip.
At the end of the day, I'd say this is the unit I'd recommend for someone getting into dehydrating. Knowing what I know now, the single most important factor for me is that this unit can actually reach 165 degrees. Almost every dehydrating recipe I've found on the net has concessions for the dehydrator only reaching 150-155 degrees. These recipes typically include "in-your-face" warnings about having to bake your beef/poultry in your oven before/after the dehydration process to ensure food safety. I didn't realize that when I decided on this unit, but I'm glad I picked this one for the 165 degree temperature alone. I am not advocating this product to be 100% food safe based solely on the fact that it can reach 165 degrees; I just like the fact that the higher temperature gives me an added level of comfort with regard to food safety.
If you're looking to get your feet wet in the food dehydrating arena, I would suggest this product with high praise!
Initial startup and setup was incredibly easy and basic. The six trays provided should be alternated based on trays that have or don't have tabs hanging off the edge of the tray, which read "This Side Up". As you get the trays oriented, slap some beef or fruit on the trays, put the lid on, set the time/temp, and hit the start button. Wait X hours and eat.
On my first batch, I mixed the provided spice and cure packs that came with the dehydrator into 1 pound of 93% lean beef, and it came out pretty damned good after 4.5 hours at 165 degrees. I wouldn't add a star onto my review or knock one off based on the results of spice packs that come with any dehydrator, but It was nice that my first attempt was a decided success. If that's the only recipe I ever did with this dehydrator, I'd be very happy to stick with it.
The chicken breast strips that I dehydrated were absolutely perfect. Keeping in mind that I am not a kitchen guru by any means, my unevenly cut strips dehydrated evenly enough that the end result was a major success according to the dogs. Knowing that I am feeding "the kids" 100% chicken with no preservative and foreign junk justifies the cost of this unit by itself.
I've only dehydrated on the first four trays, so based on that experience, the dehydration seems evenly distributed and I haven't found a need to rotate trays to get an even distribution of airflow. I know that more elaborate models such as the Excaliburs negate this need altogether by supplying airflow horizontally, but this unit doesn't seem to have a negative effect from bottom --> up airflow based on my limited experience.
I bought extra "fruit tray" solid platters separately so that I could keep one extra platter on the very bottom of the dehydrator to catch liquid drippings for easy cleanup. I haven't dehydrated anything marinated yet, so I haven't had to worry about cleanup on the bottom too much, but it sounds like a good tip.
At the end of the day, I'd say this is the unit I'd recommend for someone getting into dehydrating. Knowing what I know now, the single most important factor for me is that this unit can actually reach 165 degrees. Almost every dehydrating recipe I've found on the net has concessions for the dehydrator only reaching 150-155 degrees. These recipes typically include "in-your-face" warnings about having to bake your beef/poultry in your oven before/after the dehydration process to ensure food safety. I didn't realize that when I decided on this unit, but I'm glad I picked this one for the 165 degree temperature alone. I am not advocating this product to be 100% food safe based solely on the fact that it can reach 165 degrees; I just like the fact that the higher temperature gives me an added level of comfort with regard to food safety.
If you're looking to get your feet wet in the food dehydrating arena, I would suggest this product with high praise!
Robert Gundersen : Stopped working after a few months
Worked well for a while, and then just stopped. No digital display, nothing. Worst part is that had some stuff that needed immediate drying or will go bad, so ended up opening the unit and rewiring so only fan works - totally bypassing heat and digital control. I would avoid this one.
Emily C. : Effective and Easy to Use! Love the digital timer.
I love the stackable aspect of this dehydrator where I can add as many layers as I need. The heat flows well and evenly to all layers as long as you aren't over-filling the trays. It is quite noisy and difficult to clean, but that is the nature of a dehydrator from my experience. There are a lot of holes so the air can flow and that means there are a lot of nooks and crannies to clean.
I would (and have) recommended this to family and friends! I love being able to set the time and temp and forget about it, and the clear top with the recommended heat settings right on the lid.
Recommended recipe to give it your first shot: "Andy's Hot Fries" (made from Cauliflower!):
1 head cauliflower (chopped up into piece just a little larger than popcorn)
1 tbsp coconut oil (or another oil)
4 tbsp hot sauce (I use frank's)
1 tbsp smoked paprika
1 tsp cayenne
1/2 tsp ground cumin
Mix everything up and dehydrate for 12 hours at 135 degrees! Crunchy and spicy - just like Andy's hot fries!
I would (and have) recommended this to family and friends! I love being able to set the time and temp and forget about it, and the clear top with the recommended heat settings right on the lid.
Recommended recipe to give it your first shot: "Andy's Hot Fries" (made from Cauliflower!):
1 head cauliflower (chopped up into piece just a little larger than popcorn)
1 tbsp coconut oil (or another oil)
4 tbsp hot sauce (I use frank's)
1 tbsp smoked paprika
1 tsp cayenne
1/2 tsp ground cumin
Mix everything up and dehydrate for 12 hours at 135 degrees! Crunchy and spicy - just like Andy's hot fries!
MW White : Having fun!!
Ordered ours on 8Sep and it arrived 14Sep. Came from Amazon Warehouse Deals in a plain box sans the instructions which gave us a nice savings over a "brand new" model. No complaints with the order!!
As for the appliance itself, we are having a blast. Am new to growing edibles and decided we might try dehydrating the harvest, before tackling canning. Our neighbors have had enough of our squash and tomatoes. For the past month, have been drying tomatoes, strawberries, made fruit leather, beef jerky, and played with iterations of squash - chips, shredded, rounds. Some results better than others, but I figure that's the learning curve. The appliance itself is super easy to use, clean, store. The temp guide on the cover is especially useful as we're new to dehydrating. Don't find the operating especially disturbing - sounds like a fan - it's a white noise.
Totally recommend with just one reservation. Am having so much fun, have given thought to acquiring a bigger machine with more drying capacity. There is also the issue of how to store the masses of dried produce! This is a gadget that is both practical and lends itself to hobbyists.
As for the appliance itself, we are having a blast. Am new to growing edibles and decided we might try dehydrating the harvest, before tackling canning. Our neighbors have had enough of our squash and tomatoes. For the past month, have been drying tomatoes, strawberries, made fruit leather, beef jerky, and played with iterations of squash - chips, shredded, rounds. Some results better than others, but I figure that's the learning curve. The appliance itself is super easy to use, clean, store. The temp guide on the cover is especially useful as we're new to dehydrating. Don't find the operating especially disturbing - sounds like a fan - it's a white noise.
Totally recommend with just one reservation. Am having so much fun, have given thought to acquiring a bigger machine with more drying capacity. There is also the issue of how to store the masses of dried produce! This is a gadget that is both practical and lends itself to hobbyists.
ECC : Buy a different dehydrator.
This dehydrator stores well, is easy to clean and dehydrates well. I really want to like this dehydrator, but the whine it makes is tortuous. I called the company and was told it is normal and that some people put the dehydrator in their garage. I am not doing any sort of food preservation in a garage and I fail to see how that is an acceptable customer service answer. We have it placed in our most cutoff room in the house and can barely stand to be in our living room. I plugged it in for a friend and she said hers (I don't know what brand) is much quieter. Do not buy this dehydrator, find a different one. I rarely write reviews, but the whine of this product has been grating on my last nerve for about seven hours now.
Brittany : Stopped working
Turned it on once and it stopped working
KG101 : Pretty good, but LARGE and LOUD
Overall, does a pretty good job at making fruit leathers, onion/garlic/chili powders, cheese powder. Haven't tried jerky or fresh dried herbs yet, but I expect it would be great at that too. However it is very very loud. To the point I have to put it in the basement because I could hear it all the way upstairs in the living room and bedroom from the kitchen.
PROS:
- Great temperature range for all kings of things from delicate herbs to less-than-lean meats
- Large space with several layers that you can use or not, depending on how much room you need
- Collapsably-stacking trays make it grow from short to tall really easily for storage and use
- Easy controls, seems to keep good temps, display is very easy to read
- Trays are dishwasher safe
CONS:
- SUPER SUPER LOUD! Considering returning it or getting a RMA just because of that. No fan should be this loud!
- Very large diameter. Good for airflow and capacity, but bad for storage.
- Only comes with 2 mesh plates and 2 fruit leather plates, despite having 6 stacking trays. So prepare to spend another 25$ for another set of plates, or spend more time cutting out parchment paper. Rectangular dehydrators definitely make cutting parchment quicker and easier and have better storage-space-to-capacity ratio.
- Mesh plates and fruit leather plates are NOT dishwasher safe! So even though they give you a nice easy plate with a lip on it for making fruit leather, you STILL need to spend time cutting out a parchment or wax sheet to keep it from sticking. First time I tried without the paper, and was left with a bunch of small chunks of food, rather than sheets, and a big mess to clean up.
PROS:
- Great temperature range for all kings of things from delicate herbs to less-than-lean meats
- Large space with several layers that you can use or not, depending on how much room you need
- Collapsably-stacking trays make it grow from short to tall really easily for storage and use
- Easy controls, seems to keep good temps, display is very easy to read
- Trays are dishwasher safe
CONS:
- SUPER SUPER LOUD! Considering returning it or getting a RMA just because of that. No fan should be this loud!
- Very large diameter. Good for airflow and capacity, but bad for storage.
- Only comes with 2 mesh plates and 2 fruit leather plates, despite having 6 stacking trays. So prepare to spend another 25$ for another set of plates, or spend more time cutting out parchment paper. Rectangular dehydrators definitely make cutting parchment quicker and easier and have better storage-space-to-capacity ratio.
- Mesh plates and fruit leather plates are NOT dishwasher safe! So even though they give you a nice easy plate with a lip on it for making fruit leather, you STILL need to spend time cutting out a parchment or wax sheet to keep it from sticking. First time I tried without the paper, and was left with a bunch of small chunks of food, rather than sheets, and a big mess to clean up.
Cheryl Cabana : Dried Mangos
I made dried mangoes and ate the whole lot of them. I also tried strawberries and they were pretty good too. I’ll probably do a lot more while the fruit in season. We have a long winters here and freezing these things cause them to be mush I also tried strawberries and they were pretty good too. I’ll probably do a lot more while the fruits in season. We have long winters. This works awesome. I’ll probably buy a dozen more mangos so that I can make this for over the winter. I guess the only drawback is the noise. I heard somebody recommend putting it in the garage. Overall I’m really happy.
islot40 : Very Satisfied
Christmas gift from my husband to replace the one that I wore out two years ago (I just couldn't pull the trigger to spend the money). I am loving it and have been drying herbs and fruit like a crazy person lol. My old one rotated but this one works so much better that I find that unnecessary. I also love that I can set the timer so I don't have to babysit it like I did with my old one. The trays are sturdy and thicker which is nice.
Jobi1boloney : Awesome,
I bought a Cosori first for about $175.00 to Dehydrate food for our current global situation. I then bought the Presto for $62.00 as I wanted to dehydrate more. This one is much better than the Cosori and dehydrates much faster and seems to do a much more efficient job of dryring fruit and vegetables evenly. I had never used a dehydrator before, but this one is easy as it has it printed on the cover what temperatures to dry at. I usually do it for about 10 hours but check it as I go. I am thinking to buy another one as it is so awesome and was easy to use. I made a good choice with buying this and have been very happy. I run it almost continuously day and night.
Albert C. Doyle : Perfect for jerky, sun-dried tomatoes, and preserving your herbs and spices when you pull up the garden in the Fall
I use this all the time, year-round, for jerky. And at the end of the garden season, it's fantastic for drying out the herbs you pull up before the first frosts. I had parsley and oregano and basil and thyme and rosemary and sage and tarragon all winter long. Very easy to use. A little tricky to clean -- I end up putting all the trays into the dishwasher, lying flat, otherwise I can't get them clean with soap and water in the sink. But I really enjoy this machine.
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