Nesco Food and Jerky dehydrator, 15.25 x 10.25 x 15.63 inches, White review and price compare 2025
you can compare the product price from Costco, wayfair, bestbuy, lowes, target, homedepot, Walmart, ebay, amazon to find the best price for you
you can compare the product price from Costco, wayfair, bestbuy, lowes, target, homedepot, Walmart, ebay, amazon to find the best price for you
Product overview
| Brand | NESCO |
| Material | Plastic |
| Color | White |
| Wattage | 700 watts |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 15.25 x 10.25 x 15.63 inches |
product features
- by entering your model number.
- Adjustable thermostat (95-160º F)
- Powerful Top Mounted Fan. 700 watts of drying power
- Expandable to 8 trays. (Outside Tray Dimension 14.5 x 14.5 x 1)
- Patented Converga-Flow drying system forces air down the exterior pressurized chamber (not through the trays). The hot air is forced horizontally across each individual tray, converging on the core for fast, even and nutritious drying. No flavor mixing and no need to rotate trays
- Includes: 2 Jerky Spice and Cure Packets 1 Clean-A-Screen
- Made in the USA of Global and Domestic parts
- Easy-to-use dehydrator for drying fruit, vegetables, herbs, and jerky
This fits your .
From the manufacturer
NESCO FD-80A Food and Jerky Dehydrator
The NESCO FD-80A Food and Jerky Dehydrator is perfect for making jerky as well as dried herbs, fruits and vegetables. This dehydrator comes with four square trays (14.5” x 14.5”) and expands up to 8 trays so you can dry larger quantities, with no tray rotation needed. The NESCO FD-80A Food and Jerky Dehydrator provides the drying power for dehydrating great jerky and fruit snacks for the active lifestyle. Additional Add-A-Trays (SKU: SQT-2) sold separately.
Features
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700 Watt PowerheadGenerates maximum speed and quality for dehydrating foods safety. | Adjustable ThermostatAllows user to dry different foods at proper temperatures (95°F - 160°F). | Converga-Flow SystemProvides even heat distribution without having to rotate trays. |
Features
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BPA Free Drying TraysMade of high-quality food grade plastic. Each tray provides 1.2 sq. ft. of drying space. | Expandable Up To 8 Drying TraysIncrease the overall drying area by expanding your dehydrator with additional trays. | Recipe BookletGreat recipes, tips, and tricks to help you get the most out of your dehydrator. |
| Watts | 400 | 600 | 700 | 1000 | 1000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # Trays | 4 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 4 |
| Max Tray Capacity | Expandable Up To 7 | Expandable Up To 12 | Expandable Up To 8 | Expandable Up to 30 | Expandable Up To 20 |
| Temperature Control | Fixed | Digital Controlled | Adjustable Thermostat | Adjustable Thermostat | Digital Controlled |
| Additional Accessories (By SKU) | LM-2-6, LSS-2-6, WT-2SG | LM-2-6, LSS-2-6, LT-2SG | SQM-2-6, SLD-2-6, SQT-2 | MS-2-6, SLD-2-6, TR-2 | MS-2-6, SLD-2-6, TR-2 |
| Approximate Size, Inches (L x W x H) | 13.5 x 13.5 x 9 | 13.5 x 13.5 x 9.75 | 14.5 x 14.37 x 9.75 | 14 x 14 x 10 | 15 x 15.5 x 9.5 |
product description
Product Packaging:Standard Packaging
The NESCO FD-80 Food and Jerky Dehydrator is perfect for making jerky as well as dried herbs, fruits and vegetables. The adjustable temperature control (95°F -160°F) gives you the flexibility to achieve the best results when drying different foods that need varying temperature settings. This dehydrator comes with four (14. 5” x 14. 5”) square trays and expands up to 8 trays so you can dry larger quantities, with no tray rotation needed. Additional Add-A-Trays sold separately. The quiet, powerful Converga-Flow fan forces heated air down the exterior pressurized chamber, then horizontally across each individual tray. The air flow then converges in the center for quick, consistent drying that is four times faster than other dehydrators. Sample seasoning and cure is included to get started. The NESCO FD-80 Food and Jerky Dehydrator provides the drying power for dehydrating great jerky and fruit snacks for the active lifestyle.
product details
important information
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Questions about Nesco Food and Jerky dehydrator, 15.25 x 10.25 x 15.63 inches, White
Q:
My heating element no longer works..can it be replaced?
Answer: Beware! I replaced the fuse and seemed to work fine but found out the thermostat no longer kept the temperature that it was set at. It never cooled down and was not able to be regulated any more. It started to melt my trays and made them mis-shapened before I caught what was happening. Just an FYI for all us "do it your selfers" ou there! (Nesco Gardenmaster Dehydrator)
Answer: Beware! I replaced the fuse and seemed to work fine but found out the thermostat no longer kept the temperature that it was set at. It never cooled down and was not able to be regulated any more. It started to melt my trays and made them mis-shapened before I caught what was happening. Just an FYI for all us "do it your selfers" ou there! (Nesco Gardenmaster Dehydrator)
Answer: My first two worked great for years. I think the quality has gone way downhill because my last two have died in less than 18 mos. I do use them a lot. I think the fuse is gone in the most recent one, but I also noticed that the housing around the blower is cracked and chipping away - which is what happened to my last one. If I didn't have a significant investment in extra trays I wouldn't buy another. For some reason, I think the round model holds up better, but that could just be my imagination as I don't use that one as often as I use the square one.
Answer: 99% of the chance is fuse gone. The heating coil is fine, just buy SF126E fuse, open the lid and replace it. It is quite easy to DIY, if can't search you-tube, there is a tutorial on how to fix it, the model is different though.
Answer: No! I have bought 2 of these in the past year & Nesco will not do anything for you after a year! Called Nesco myself and told me good luck! Looked for heating element and no luck! Gonna find a new dehydrator without the Nesco name on it and I feel screwed! Good Luck!
Answer: I have never repaired one of these but basically there is going to be a thermal fuse in series with the heating element. Odds are that fuse has activated by open circuit /defect. It's a common problem with devices operating near the fuse threshold. You would take it out, read the rating marked on the side of it, order a replacement on an electronics supplier website like Digikey, then put a new one in. It needs to be brass crimped on due to the heat, not soldered.
Answer: The fuse blown. It is not difficult to change it. Just buy SF129E from ebay, use Philips screw driver to open it, you need to unscrew about 6 short and 6 long screws. Then cut the old fuse out, and squeeze the new one in. I don't use solder, just push it in, make sure it is not loose.
Answer: I have purchased two of these units, both have failed heating units and Nesco will not repair or replace out of warranty. What a disappointment.
Answer: Mine died after less than a dozen uses! I got the RMA but NESCO wont pay for the shipping back for repair! BUT Ill make a point of NEVER buying another NESCO product & would not recommend to others. Overall very flimsy - lower quality than most Chinese made stuff these days.
Answer: I do not know but presume for the price & that you've owned it awhile, I'd just buy a new one & save the shelves
Q:
Does this unit have a built in timer?
Answer: No timer or power switch. Just a temperature control. To time it, you would need an external timer switch rated for at least 700 watts -- the power rating on the heater/blower unit. The timer will need a three-prong (grounded) outlet, as well. One listed on Amazon is the "Woods 50009 Indoor 7-Day Heavy Duty Digital Outlet Timer with 2-Outlets."
Answer: No, I'm not sure a timer would be much use. I've made alot of beef jerky I haven't found a consistent time when it is always dried exactly right. I generally check it at about 4-1/2 hrs... And sometimes it's done, other times it may take 5-1/2 hrs... I think it's affected by the ambient temp, as well how consistent the thickness of your cut is.
Answer: It neither has a timer nor an on/off-switch. It is operated by plugging it into the outlet to start it, and plugging it out to stop it. In this sense you can time it by purchasing a timer-unit for a few dollars to put on your outlet.
Answer: its a really nice unit, but no built in timer
Answer: No it does not have a built in timer.
Answer: It does not have a built in timer. Only settings ate to controll what temp the fan will be on.
Answer: The only control is for temperature. No timer; not even a power switch. Thought about getting an outlet timer for it, but haven't seen the need, yet.
Answer: I don't believe so. Heating unit is on top and has several temperature settings. Could find no timer.
Answer: no, no timer
Answer: No timer inside
Q:
How many screen does this come with?
Answer: It comes with four and it may burn out in a few uses if you do not use all four based on the experience of others who have owned it. Please read the reviews
Answer: Comes with 4, but u can buy additional and works with up to 8
Answer: It comes with 4 trays and you can buy additional ones.
Answer: It comes with four trays.
Answer: There are 4 trays and one screen.
Answer: One but I have only used it once. The other slats aren't very big so nothing has fallen thru yet. I heard you can use the craft stuff and just cut it to fit. Much cheaper that stuff is like a buck at michaels or jo-anns
Q:
quiet?
Answer: I wouldn't want to sleep where it was going.. we keep it on a table in an entryway room next to the kitchen. Not whisper quiet, but quite acceptable.
Answer: it has a hum, like a quiet dishwasher going or the distant hum of a dryer when you are on the opposite end of the house. It definitely is not silent, but it is now loud.
Answer: I bought two extra trays, and the stack of 6 total fits nicely in the oven, with the door cracked for ventilation. It is practically silent that way, and makes the whole thing more efficient heat-wise.
Answer: Yes. I hums a little but does not make a long noise. I'm jerky this weekend. Have made a lot of it sense I purchase. It has paid for it self.
Answer: I have no other to compare it to, but I think it's a little noisy. But not to where I regretted purchasing it.
Answer: The noise doesn't bother me. It's more like having white noise where you know it's on but it doesn't bother you.
Answer: Yes, in comparison to the dehydrator I used in the past where you couldn't hear yourself above the din.
Q:
It won't start, is there an extra switch or something or is it just broken?
Answer: No extra button. Just plug it in and it should start. I would return it, which is easy through Amazon. I have had this happen on another product and Amazon makes it easy to return and replacement arrived within days. I do love this dehydrator so it will be worth it. Hey getting a lemon does sadly happen with all products. Hope this reply helps.
Answer: Try another outlet or reset the outlet (if it's one of those kind). If you are getting power but it still won't work, then I would imagine it's defective. There are many reviews of this brand not working straight out of the box. Luckily for me, I've had mine for over a year and have about 100 hours on it, and it still works fine. Mine does not have an on/off switch so I use a digital timer. If your motor won't turn on, hopefully you are in warranty and can return it for an exchange.
Answer: It must be broken. It should start upon plug in.
Answer: Mine just plugs in to start. Perhaps try another outlet. If it doesn't start then it's broken. Good luck.
Answer: there is no switch. go into your history on your account and see when you purchased. amazon has a great warranty. if out of their warranty go to nesco's website and they will probably help you out if the purchase is within a year.
Answer: The fuse is gone, buy SF126E fuse to replace. It is common issue.
Q:
How many watts for this model. What are the dimensions?
Answer: Approx 1200 to 1400---Dimensions 14"x14". Gives additional 200 sq inches of dehydration space with
Answer: Not sure about the watts but dimensions are :15.2 inches x 10.2 inches x 15.6 inches; 9.9 pounds
Answer: I tested, it consumes ~620W when heating is on and ~40W (fan only) when heating is off. Heating is on/off constantly depend on temp setting.
Q:
Does it come with fruit roll up tray?
Answer: No. But it is made to take the Nesco circle fruit roll up trays made for the garden (circle) model.
Answer: It does come with a "mesh" screen, but I think this is the Clean-A-Screen. It allows you to dry smaller items that would otherwise fall between the holes in the trays. The fruit roll up tray, I believe, has a lip. The screen that came with the purchase does not.
Answer: No. It does come with a clean screen that hass tiny holes. The clean screen prevent small pieces from dropping down. (Parchment paper works just as well). The roll up trays come in sets of two. If you going to make lots I suggest getting two sets.
Answer: It comes with a "clean a screen". I haven't look into that part of the system, but I believe it is mainly for jerky. There are screens made for fruit roll ups available separately though. The clean a screen is more for little items as it is perforated.
Answer: Yes it does actually. I haven't gotten to use that yet either. There's a few recipes in the book that comes with the Nesco dehydrator. The fruit roll up recipes sound amazing.
Answer: There is a plastic mat. We were not sure what it was for but now it makes sense - so yes I would say it does have the fruit roll up tray. Its my husbands and I am sure he did not read the instructions completely. We do enjoy it. We have only made jerky but it has been delicious and the machine is easy to use.
Answer: No, 4 regular trays and an insert for herbs. We ordered 2 extra trays which seems to help balance drying time. The 2 trays closest to the drier, made the jerky obviously drier. My husband is absolutely having the best time with this!
Answer: Yes it does! It is a joy to use!! Not like the other round ones. No switching trays around. It is awesome!
Answer: Yes it comes with one insert. Additional trays and insurts are available for cheap. I've already axpanded mine :)
Answer: The mesh screen might be good for small herbs or very thick puree, but I have just tried to make some peach fruit roll up on it and since the puree was rather liquid I had peach juice dripping fast out of the bottom of the unit. I intend to get some solid roll up inserts (which I believe one can only get in the round style) for my next efforts.
Q:
Does this dehydrator have an on/off switch?
Answer: No, power is controlled only by the plug. Rotary switch on the top of the unit controls only a temperature selection for the type of food being dehydrated. Not a serious flaw in my opinion.
Answer: No, it does not. You just plug it in and select the appropriate temperature setting for the type of food you are dehydrating.
Answer: No, but I prefer it without the power switch, which often breaks on appliances. I just have it plugged into a power strip (which I bought previously for less than five dollars) and turn the power strip off and on.
Answer: Unfortunately, it does not have an on/off switch. It has to be unplugged but it really isn't a big issue for me.
Answer: No. You need to unplug it. And should do so if you are not going to be around
Answer: No, only a plug, but I purchase a timer from hardware store for $4.99 & it works great
Answer: No - you have to unplug it to turn off the power.
Answer: No, you control it by plugging/unplugging the power cord.
Answer: No it doesnt, the only bad thing about it. You just have to unplug it or use a timer of some sort. Hope that helps, great machine though.
Answer: no... unless you count the plug.. It is disappointing, but not the end of the world.
Q:
Why are we having such an issue with areas within the dehydrator not drying as fast as others? The areas are at 11 and 5 oclock.
Answer: I haven't had any issue of uneven drying in my unit. I suspect you have a defective unit.
Answer: Mine hasn't done that! I learned that the thicker items are better placed on the upper portion of the trays rather than the bottom section. but other than that I have not had a problem
Q:
What temperature do you use to make Chicken Jerky? e.g., sliced chicken breast. How do you store it afterward? Does it have to be refrigerated?
Q:
Can dehydrators be left unattended?
Answer: As long as it takes to dehydrate the item & where it will be safe. I put mine on top of my washer, there is a vent directly above it to help with the heat, I dehydrate chicken for my dogs so I use a high setting. I have left mine to go shopping or to
Answer: I made bacon jerky with mine and it ran unattended for over two days straight. So, to answer the question, yes. Absolutely.
Answer: For about 5 to 8 hours yes, I usually set it up late at night and when I get up in the morning it is done, or early mornings and when you get home from work it is done, if you making Jerky. Meat takes the longest time.
Answer: Yes I either turn it on before I go to sleep for the night or when I'm headed out to work.
Answer: yes
Q:
How loud was your experience?
Answer: not loud at all, works great
Answer: I have a room out in my garage that I use but it doesn't seem too loud to me.
Answer: I keep it in the kitchen when I'm using it. When i'm working in the kitchen I turn the T.V. on that is in the next room so that I can listen to the news. When the dehydrator is running it is loud enough that I have to turn the T.V. volume up a few digits higher than normal to hear it. Is it annoyingly loud? No. Is it noticeable? Yes. I hope this helps.
Q:
Can the unit be left under the kitchen cabinets when dehydrating or does it need to be set up in the open away from the cabinets?
Answer: The unit is blowing out a large quantity of very humid air when it is working. So I always put it in a well-ventilated area.
Answer: I am a cautious individual and I wouldn't put it in a closed cabinet.
Q:
Is it made in the USA?
Answer: Yes, manufacturer's website says it's made in the US.
Answer: Dont know, but it is very, very good
Q:
how is it for pork skins and how long?
Q:
What is the wattage?
Answer: It is 700 watts
Answer: 700
Q:
does this come with the jerky press
Answer: No it does not come with a jerky press. Does it make better jerky? Maybe I should get one lol!
Answer: I don't know what the jerky press is, so I can't answer your question. I bought it to dry fruits.
Answer: No it doesn't. You have to order it separately. I own one and it works great.
Answer: No. That is extra.
Answer: no
Answer: No.
Q:
Is there on board cord storage?
Answer: No Nancy, there is no on board cord storage. I just wrap it up and tuck it under the handle. I really love this machine. It works great, not too loud and it fits so much more than my round one did. Good luck.
Answer: No, the cord just hangs off of the top-mounted fan.
Answer: No there isn't. This dryer is awesome!! Don't let no cord storage determine a purchase or not.
Answer: Cord is attached
Answer: No Nancy, there isn't, but as Regina said, you can just wrap it up and stick it in the carry handle on the top of the unit. The top is where the motor and heating element are and that cannot be submersed in water but can just be wiped clean with a wash rag. Hope this helps. BTW, we love ours. It works really well and dries everything evenly and quickly. We grabbed the extra racks when we got ours so that we could get more airflow while drying the same amount.
Answer: No.
Answer: No thete is not!
Answer: No
Q:
jerky
Answer: Lots.
Q:
I recently purchased this Dehydrator and it is taking 34 hours to do 2 sliced bananas (1 tray). This seems long? Is something broken? I can hear it running....
Answer: Only did some fruit and it did take 24-30 hours... In the booklet it gives you some times. I think I went to their site and got more info as well it does take time. Hope that helps.
Answer: I haven't tried fruits yet. Did you use a four trays, even tho only one had fruit on it? The booklet says to be sure to keep the four trays in the stack. Did you set the temperature dial accordingly? I suggest you call their customer service number.
Answer: took me 15 hours for thin apple slices.... and still soft
Q:
Are the packets of cure and seasoning that come with the unit the same as Nesco Brand cure and seasoning that you can purchase separately?
Answer: I don't recall receiving any packets of cure with Nesco FD-80A. For what it's worth, I really enjoy exploring options for brines and or cures online - food network . com is a great source.
Answer: Well, I bought this last year. It's the unit only.
Answer: Like the previous response l've had mine for several years & did not have any packets included. I can tell you that I really love this machine.
Answer: Yes
Answer: Yes
Answer: Yes
Q:
how many trays can be added to this unit?
Answer: I use 6...but just added 2 more to it.
Answer: You could add 2-4 more trays,but the more you add the longer it will take to dry.
Answer: I am not sure, you should use 4 trays min. Perhaps google answer. Extra trays are available
Answer: I have used 8 at a time making kale chips,and it works just fine. Someone on youtube has the round dehydrator and uses 11.
Answer: I have only used the four that came with the package, but my business partner has the same dehydrator with an additional two so he can run 6 at a time. He has not complained or indicated that it works any differently. I would assume that it will have to run longer to achieve the same level of dehydration the more you use.
Answer: 2 so far. LOVE IT!
Q:
Has anyone had one work for more than 4 or 5 uses? My 2nd one just quit.
Answer: I have used mine several times since I got it. No problems so far. I have no issues. I wish I didn't have to unplug it every time I finish but that is my only minor issue.
Answer: Mine has worked fine for several uses. It does not she off when it has finished and that is inconvenient.
Answer: I 've had mine for going on two years and use it every month love how quickly it works been very happy with mine.
Answer: I have made more than 50 batches and had no issues--got this machine also for two (2) gifts for friends and have had no reports of any failure--their customer service number is also great and very friendly so they may be able to help you also.
Answer: The fuse is gone, buy SF126E fuse to replace. It is common issue.
Q:
how high does the thermostat go?
Answer: The thermostat adjust between 95 F and 160 F .
Answer: The thermostat goes up to 160 degrees F. :) Hope this helps.
Answer: it has a few temp setting the lowest is 95 F and the highest is 165 F . so its 95 F, 105 F, 115 F, 125 F, 135 F, 145 F, 165 F..hope that helps
Answer: 160 degrees F
Q:
is it bpa free
Answer: I don't see any reference to bpa status on the box or in the instruction booklet one way or the other. They do have a customer service number 1-800-288-4545 or you may be able to find information on www.nesco.com .
Answer: Y E S ... manufacturer's website says it's BPA free.
Answer: Not sure I'm assuming so but I hardly use it it was rather disappointing
Q:
How long does it usually take for beef jerky at 160?
Answer: With 3 trays high, 1/4" thick ground meat it took 5 hours. I assume the more trays you use thelonger the time. Directions tell you to cook the jerky for 30 minutes at 170 degrees in the oven after it dries. I think you could leave it as juicy as you like if you follow this method.
Answer: That depends on the thickness of the meat prior to drying. The thicker it is, the longer it takes. Generally it takes about 4 to 5 hours for all the racks filled with 1/4 inch thick pre-seasoned beef, but it can be longer or shorter depending on how "dry" you like your jerky.
Answer: It all depends on how thick you slice the meat, and also how you like it done. I like mine a little more tender and probably less "cooked". If you can manage to slice the meat less than 1/4 inch thick, then 4-5 hours is good. More than 1/4 inch thick, then you might be looking at 6-8 hours. There are several variables, but hopefully this gives you some kind of ballpark estimation.
Answer: It took us about 6 hours with 1/4 inch slice. We begin checking it at around 4 hours to see if it is done to our likeness.
Q:
Can this product ship to Taiwan? How much will it cost?
Q:
I just got this today. Can not get the unit to fit on the top tray completely flush. Any suggestions?
Answer: Try flipping the trays so that the center column is face up. Then fiddle.
Answer: Try flipping all of the trays over and start again.
Answer: Sorry, I gave it as a gift...yikes!
Q:
How long for kale?
Answer: It could take up to one or two days on the correct temperature
Q:
Are fruit roll up trays available for this square dehydrator?
Answer: Yes, it's just a bit confusing because the Fruit Roll Sheets are actually round. They are item number SLD-2, "Large Fruit Roll Sheets". They fit right into the trays, they just don't cover the corners.
Answer: Screens for small items came with mine. I use them for fruit roll-ups.
Answer: I do not see square ones on their website, but if you click the contact us tab you can ask them the question directly.
Q:
what is different with fd-80
Answer:
Answer:
Q:
how many trays come with it
Answer: Tom, it comes with four trays. You can purchase more trays and stack them up.
Answer: It comes with four trays, as well as one screen for fruit.
Answer: There are 4 hard trays as well as one extra flexible screen for drying soft fruit or smaller items
Answer: 4
Q:
Can you make crackers
Answer: I wasn't sure if you could make crackers, so in googling it I have found the answer is yes. There seems to be numerous recipes, crackers weren't something I thought of making, must try it sometime.
Answer: I can't make anything. Two of the units quit after less than 5 uses. Don't buy one.
Answer: I don't see why not, I have used mine for a lot of different things. Find a good recipe and give it a shot
Answer: I've never even thought about it. I will have to investigate the possibility.
Answer: This is not an oven.
Q:
Can the FD-80 be used with less than all the 4 included trays? Or do all 4 trays need to be used even if food is only on 1 or 2 of the trays? Thanks
Answer: Thanks for the responses. I found the manual and it says to use a mimimum of 4 trays (max of 8), even if some of the trays are empty.
Answer: The directions say that you need to use at least 4 trays, even if you have food only on one or two trays. This is to prevent overheating. Air circulates through all the trays, and if you'd use just one or two trays, your food wouldn't dry correctly. The details are all in the manual.
Answer: Yes, you can use a single tray or you can add 4 additional trays for a total of 8..
Answer: It is recommended to use a minimum of 4 trays. Unlike some dehydrators where the trays slide in and out of a separate housing, the trays are what create the structure of the unit, and the fan/motor sits on top. So use all the trays even if some are empty.
Q:
How do you claim the warranty on the Nesco - 80 dehydrator through amazon ?
Answer: Gosh, I Never had any problems with the Nesco-80 but if You call 1-800-288-4545 Nesco customer service they will help You out! Mine has been A great unit without any problems! You also might try Amazon customer service there A great company to...
Answer: According to my paper work I received with mine, you have one year limited warranty. Do you have the receipt from Amazon that you can see the date of purchase? I found a number for NESCO/AMERICAN HARVEST PRODUCTS. It is a customer service number--800-288-4545. I hope this will be of some help for you. I am still enjoying mine.
Answer: that one i am not sure, but try doing the " contact us" and see if they can help. otherwise contact nesco direct
Q:
is this 220V or 110V as we live in Thailand
Answer: Hello, the dehydrator is 110v, and it's great, you'd love it
Answer: 110v
Answer: 110 volt
Q:
How long take to dry friut?
Answer: It depends on the kind of fruit and ow it is cut. When I cut my peaches into thin slices, it will take about 12 hours. If they are cut into thicker slices, it can take 14-16 hours. The instructional manuel that comes with it gives approximate times.
Answer: as little as a few hours to overnight. Depends on the settings you use.
Q:
Does this unit come with a jerky gun to make jerky?
Answer: No. You must purchase the jerky gun separately. If you have a cookie gun though, I believe you can use one of the disks that comes with it to make jerky.
Answer: The unit did not come with a jerky gun, but there were 4 free packages of jerky cure and spice mix.
Answer: No, that's a separate item
Answer: No
Answer: No
Answer: No it does not.
Q:
Is this the model with an inherent issue noted in a December 2013 review and if so has the issue been resolved?
Answer: I have my square shaped dehydrator for several months Oct 2013 - Present (2/2014) No issues to report. It works great for the money. I have dehydrated many things. I think it is a great starter. I do wish it had an on/off switch. Enjoy
Answer: I was not aware of any issues, sorry I do not know. However, this is better than the cheapest models, and not so premium as the most expensive. We are not making a living from this-just using it to dry garlic and peppers for personal use, and for that, it is perfect.
Answer: I bought mine in December of 2013 and have had no issues with it what so ever.
Answer: What was the issue
Answer: I have had mine for 3 years and have never had any issues with it! Works great!
Q:
does it have a pan for catching grease?
Answer: No it does not, in the event that there is grease dripping it will go to the bottom base portion.
Answer: Even though I only use the machine to dry fruits, its bottom section could collect debris or even oil or grease.
Q:
I'd like to find the fruit leather trays for the nesco fd-80a.
Answer: Look online.
Q:
how wide are trays
Answer: 13.5" x 13.5" inside
Q:
Will it dry whole figs?
Answer: I haven't tried. My daughter tried to dry some of my Santa Rosa plums....and didn't like the result.
Answer: I have not tried whole figs. I don't see why not.
Q:
Can it be used for 220 v?Thanks
Answer: I didn't see anything in the manual -- but there is a toll-free number. 1-800-288-4545.
Answer: this is a 120v device...not sure if they make a 220 v version.
Answer: I'm sorry , Barcianos, That is outside my area of expertise. There may be a device available from an electrical store to step the power down from 220 to 110. Any electrician should be able to help you out.
Q:
Can I leave this on while not at home? (Like a crockpot)
Answer: Not sure what is recommended but we use ours like a crockpot on account of extended drying hours required for some of the food we've dehydrated.
Answer: We often leave ours on when we're not home. We've never had a problem
Answer: Shouldn't be a problem. I leave mine over night sometimes and I haven't had any issues. There is no timer though.
Answer: Yes you can leave it on , I love my food dryer .
Answer: I think you can..It doesnt get that hot, or at least from my experience. I have left it on all night.
Answer: Yes I have left mine on for 6 hr. when I was gone no problem. You just don't want to dry out what you are making.
Answer: Yes, it is at a low heat, just remember you need to rotate your meats half way through the cooking process.
Answer: Yup! It will it automatically turn off though. As long as it's plugged in it stays on.
Answer: i do all the time:)
Q:
Is this a good starter unit or is there a better one comparable in $ and performance? How long will unit last using 3x a week drying fruits and meats?
Answer: I bought it as a starter and it does have the ability to add shelves. I have only used the 4 and it works well. I use it 1 time every 2 two weeks and it is great. I only wish my dishwasher could accommodate the shelves in one cycle (top shelf only). I have made over 15 batches of jerky so fare and no problems at all.
Answer: I had two of them and they both lasted less than 5 uses. Even though the importer knew it had been manufactured they gave me crap about not having my receipt the time and the second one they still made a fuss about not having the receipt for the first one. I told them that I did not want a replacement the 2nd time, but would accept a different model. They refused. It cost $20 to ship it back. I gave up. Buy a better unit. From a different importer.
Answer: I love it! Very worth the money. I use it once a week to make chicken jerky for my dogs. It Has been great. Not noisy but a soft hum.
Answer: My unit died after 5-6 uses. Of course, I didn't use it all the time, so by the time it died, it was out of warranty. They didn't respond to my email or letter, so just be aware - it's not a very robust product, and they don't seem to care or stand behind their product.
Q:
The "Nesco/American Harvest FD-80P" is made in the USA. Is the FD-80A model American made as well?
Answer: It is marked 'Made in China' on mine on the bottom side of the top fan unit. Hmm didn't realize the FD-80P was made in the USA, otherwise I would have considered that one!
Answer: I wish I could help you, but looking at the model number on the box of the Nesco American Harvest dehydrator model that I have says
Answer: Good question - not sure.
Answer: I have not idea
Q:
Does Anyone Else Hear An Extra Fan Noise On top of the Blowing Noise? Like "WHIR WHIR WHIR WHIR WHIR"....Almost sounds like a train. Is it defective?
Answer: Mine does not do that and any I have had did not...sounds defective to me. bettykremer
Answer: There is just one sound on my machines--call customer service and talk to them--they are really nice and can probably answer your question right away.
Answer: No ours is still quiet and one uniform noise.
Q:
Is it possible to use this as a bread proofer also?
Answer: Not for a conventional loaf of bread. There's no way to make the inside of the dehydrator hallowed out: it's always obstructed by the dehydrator shelving.
Q:
Can this product ship to Taiwan? How much will it cost??
Product reviews of Nesco Food and Jerky dehydrator, 15.25 x 10.25 x 15.63 inches, White
Leanne : Great for dehydrating newbies -- but the instruction manual could be more detailed
I've been wanting a food dehydrator for awhile, and decided to purchase this entry-level model based on all the positive reviews here on Amazon. I love it, but I just wish that the instruction manual had more details about how to use it.
If you're a newbie like me, it might help you to know what to expect since I had no idea what this would be like before it arrived. It basically has four light plastic trays that stack onto the base unit. The top unit is the part that has the handle and contains the fan/motor. I think that I had thought that the trays slid into a base and were more like drawers, but they are basically stackable units. It can be a bit wobbly if the trays aren't exactly stacked up and there are only small nobs as guides to get them into place.
It's a pretty big unit when it's put together, and I had to clear out some space under my counters to store it. It measures 14 1/2 by 14 1/2 by 9 5/8 inches. If you add in more trays, it will obviously make it taller. It also has an open circle running through the center, so you can't spread things out totally rectangular; there is a hole that you have to work around.
Because the trays are so large, I have a hard time washing it in my standard-sized sink without it being a bit of a pain. My first attempt at making fruit roll-ups also left me with a thick, gooey mess on my hands, and it was a pain to scrub the trays out. This thing is definitely NOT non-stick!
It also comes with one non-stick screen, so I ordered two more sets of the screens , which left me with one too many.
If you want to make fruit roll-ups, you have to purchase the screens for the roll-ups separately. Even though the screens ( ) are round, they fit perfectly inside this dehydrator around the round hole that runs up the center.
The temperature setting on this is great, as it allows you some adjustability with what you're making.
As for the noise level, it's fairly quiet and I would say that it's a bit louder than our usual oven. Our family room butts up against our kitchen, but we can't hear it when the TV is on. It has a nice white noise quality to it.
The manual that it comes with is pretty good as far as giving average cooking times for various kinds of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and jerkys. However, I wish it gave some more basic tips. For instance, since this is my first dehydrator, I don't know some basic things, like: Can you open the lid while your food is cooking? Will it alter the taste if you cook savory and sweet items at the same time (on different trays)? If you have two items that require different cooking times, can/should you cook them together, and, if so, at what temperature?
I won't be using this for making jerky since I'm a vegetarian, and if you're interested in some healthy snacks and treats, I'd recommend the following: , , and . All three of them have nice recipes for things like flavored kale chips, breads, and brittles.
I'll update my review as I use this more, but for now I really like it!
If you're a newbie like me, it might help you to know what to expect since I had no idea what this would be like before it arrived. It basically has four light plastic trays that stack onto the base unit. The top unit is the part that has the handle and contains the fan/motor. I think that I had thought that the trays slid into a base and were more like drawers, but they are basically stackable units. It can be a bit wobbly if the trays aren't exactly stacked up and there are only small nobs as guides to get them into place.
It's a pretty big unit when it's put together, and I had to clear out some space under my counters to store it. It measures 14 1/2 by 14 1/2 by 9 5/8 inches. If you add in more trays, it will obviously make it taller. It also has an open circle running through the center, so you can't spread things out totally rectangular; there is a hole that you have to work around.
Because the trays are so large, I have a hard time washing it in my standard-sized sink without it being a bit of a pain. My first attempt at making fruit roll-ups also left me with a thick, gooey mess on my hands, and it was a pain to scrub the trays out. This thing is definitely NOT non-stick!
It also comes with one non-stick screen, so I ordered two more sets of the screens , which left me with one too many.
If you want to make fruit roll-ups, you have to purchase the screens for the roll-ups separately. Even though the screens ( ) are round, they fit perfectly inside this dehydrator around the round hole that runs up the center.
The temperature setting on this is great, as it allows you some adjustability with what you're making.
As for the noise level, it's fairly quiet and I would say that it's a bit louder than our usual oven. Our family room butts up against our kitchen, but we can't hear it when the TV is on. It has a nice white noise quality to it.
The manual that it comes with is pretty good as far as giving average cooking times for various kinds of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and jerkys. However, I wish it gave some more basic tips. For instance, since this is my first dehydrator, I don't know some basic things, like: Can you open the lid while your food is cooking? Will it alter the taste if you cook savory and sweet items at the same time (on different trays)? If you have two items that require different cooking times, can/should you cook them together, and, if so, at what temperature?
I won't be using this for making jerky since I'm a vegetarian, and if you're interested in some healthy snacks and treats, I'd recommend the following: , , and . All three of them have nice recipes for things like flavored kale chips, breads, and brittles.
I'll update my review as I use this more, but for now I really like it!
Kenny Kauffmann : Happy ???? with my purchase
So far I'm very satisfied with this purchase ☺
Cleanup is easy and two perfect batches of beef jerkey in less five hours.
Cleanup is easy and two perfect batches of beef jerkey in less five hours.
J.C. : Jerky making machine!
I'm not sure what's up with the negative reviews, but I've had this dehydrator since 2013 and it's still going strong. I've used it to make tons of beef jerky over the years, no issue with the heating element like some others seem to have had. The only things I don't love about it is cleaning the trays and the lack of a power switch. Otherwise, it's a solid product.
jw : DONT BUY!!!..unexpectedly stops working
iam so disappointed!.. had it for yr and half but only used it maybe 4x to dry bananas...worked fine til tonite..seemed well crafted ..DECEPTION..
loaded today and 6hrs into the drying i went to rotate the trays another time and the fan/heat wasnt on, the bananas were COLD and soggy!!..wonder how long it wasnt running?...now iam reading reviews and this seems to be a common problem....grrrrrr...every single review said..out of luck as far as repairs..throw it out.... $70 for something that should have a longer life is just fricken sad and frustrating..what a waste of resources and my hard earned $$$...grrrrrrrrr
loaded today and 6hrs into the drying i went to rotate the trays another time and the fan/heat wasnt on, the bananas were COLD and soggy!!..wonder how long it wasnt running?...now iam reading reviews and this seems to be a common problem....grrrrrr...every single review said..out of luck as far as repairs..throw it out.... $70 for something that should have a longer life is just fricken sad and frustrating..what a waste of resources and my hard earned $$$...grrrrrrrrr
Beat : Does a good job but takes a long time
This dehydrator does the job but for the wattage it just takes way too long. I was drying whole Bhut Jolokia peppers and it took 3 days to dry. I expected whole peppers to take a while but I also had to crank the heat up too. Peppers usually dry at 135 degrees but I had to turn it up to 155 on this unit. I do like the square shape because it makes it easy to store and you can get more stuff to fit in.
If I cut the peppers in half and start out at 155 degrees it takes 12 hours. Should be half that time. It is disappointing but not enough to send it back. But it is a good design and it doesn't get too hot and it is relatively quiet, about as loud as a new dishwasher.
If I cut the peppers in half and start out at 155 degrees it takes 12 hours. Should be half that time. It is disappointing but not enough to send it back. But it is a good design and it doesn't get too hot and it is relatively quiet, about as loud as a new dishwasher.
L. Haskell : Best quality dehydrator
I love my square dehydrator. It has no toxic plastic odor. It also comes with a flexible fine mat to catch the smaller pieces. I use mine to dry my sweet rice which I turn into Korean rice wine. (Makgeolli 막걸리) I put the mat at the very bottom so whatever falls through the trays can be caught at the very bottom. So glad [...] recommended this dehydrator for drying rice. I've used both the sweet rice and the regular short grain rice and have gotten perfect rice wine. There is no on/off switch. I just plug it in to start and unplug to stop.
I love that the fan is on top so there is no worry about any drippings getting inside the fan at the bottom.
Cord is not very long but that is not a problem for me.
I love that the fan is on top so there is no worry about any drippings getting inside the fan at the bottom.
Cord is not very long but that is not a problem for me.
Edith : For anyone who wants a good dehydrator at a wonderful price.
I shopped and read as many reviews of the different dehydrators as I could. As there was so much difference in price I wondered if the quality would measure up to the more expensive models. I have had it over a month and have used it to make a variety of things and it has worked very well. I have used a thermometer to check for any fluxuations in temperature and there aren't any that were measurable. It is quiet and efficient and is giving me a good product every time. I also had bought a set of 2 of the sheets that go on the racks for very wet food. A few hours into the drying, I turn the food over and then after a few more, I put the food directly on the racks to finish the drying. So far this has been a great investment in my effort to eat more healthy foods.
Amazon Customer : Cheap, and you get what you pay for. ...
Cheap, and you get what you pay for.
Three failed units in a little over a year, one of which only lasted a week.
Save yourself some frustration, and buy a quality, albeit more expensive, brand.
We are going with Excalibur.
Three failed units in a little over a year, one of which only lasted a week.
Save yourself some frustration, and buy a quality, albeit more expensive, brand.
We are going with Excalibur.
Leanne : Great for dehydrating newbies -- but the instruction manual could be more detailed
I've been wanting a food dehydrator for awhile, and decided to purchase this entry-level model based on all the positive reviews here on Amazon. I love it, but I just wish that the instruction manual had more details about how to use it.
If you're a newbie like me, it might help you to know what to expect since I had no idea what this would be like before it arrived. It basically has four light plastic trays that stack onto the base unit. The top unit is the part that has the handle and contains the fan/motor. I think that I had thought that the trays slid into a base and were more like drawers, but they are basically stackable units. It can be a bit wobbly if the trays aren't exactly stacked up and there are only small nobs as guides to get them into place.
It's a pretty big unit when it's put together, and I had to clear out some space under my counters to store it. It measures 14 1/2 by 14 1/2 by 9 5/8 inches. If you add in more trays, it will obviously make it taller. It also has an open circle running through the center, so you can't spread things out totally rectangular; there is a hole that you have to work around.
Because the trays are so large, I have a hard time washing it in my standard-sized sink without it being a bit of a pain. My first attempt at making fruit roll-ups also left me with a thick, gooey mess on my hands, and it was a pain to scrub the trays out. This thing is definitely NOT non-stick!
It also comes with one non-stick screen, so I ordered two more sets of the screens , which left me with one too many.
If you want to make fruit roll-ups, you have to purchase the screens for the roll-ups separately. Even though the screens ( ) are round, they fit perfectly inside this dehydrator around the round hole that runs up the center.
The temperature setting on this is great, as it allows you some adjustability with what you're making.
As for the noise level, it's fairly quiet and I would say that it's a bit louder than our usual oven. Our family room butts up against our kitchen, but we can't hear it when the TV is on. It has a nice white noise quality to it.
The manual that it comes with is pretty good as far as giving average cooking times for various kinds of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and jerkys. However, I wish it gave some more basic tips. For instance, since this is my first dehydrator, I don't know some basic things, like: Can you open the lid while your food is cooking? Will it alter the taste if you cook savory and sweet items at the same time (on different trays)? If you have two items that require different cooking times, can/should you cook them together, and, if so, at what temperature?
I won't be using this for making jerky since I'm a vegetarian, and if you're interested in some healthy snacks and treats, I'd recommend the following: , , and . All three of them have nice recipes for things like flavored kale chips, breads, and brittles.
I'll update my review as I use this more, but for now I really like it!
If you're a newbie like me, it might help you to know what to expect since I had no idea what this would be like before it arrived. It basically has four light plastic trays that stack onto the base unit. The top unit is the part that has the handle and contains the fan/motor. I think that I had thought that the trays slid into a base and were more like drawers, but they are basically stackable units. It can be a bit wobbly if the trays aren't exactly stacked up and there are only small nobs as guides to get them into place.
It's a pretty big unit when it's put together, and I had to clear out some space under my counters to store it. It measures 14 1/2 by 14 1/2 by 9 5/8 inches. If you add in more trays, it will obviously make it taller. It also has an open circle running through the center, so you can't spread things out totally rectangular; there is a hole that you have to work around.
Because the trays are so large, I have a hard time washing it in my standard-sized sink without it being a bit of a pain. My first attempt at making fruit roll-ups also left me with a thick, gooey mess on my hands, and it was a pain to scrub the trays out. This thing is definitely NOT non-stick!
It also comes with one non-stick screen, so I ordered two more sets of the screens , which left me with one too many.
If you want to make fruit roll-ups, you have to purchase the screens for the roll-ups separately. Even though the screens ( ) are round, they fit perfectly inside this dehydrator around the round hole that runs up the center.
The temperature setting on this is great, as it allows you some adjustability with what you're making.
As for the noise level, it's fairly quiet and I would say that it's a bit louder than our usual oven. Our family room butts up against our kitchen, but we can't hear it when the TV is on. It has a nice white noise quality to it.
The manual that it comes with is pretty good as far as giving average cooking times for various kinds of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and jerkys. However, I wish it gave some more basic tips. For instance, since this is my first dehydrator, I don't know some basic things, like: Can you open the lid while your food is cooking? Will it alter the taste if you cook savory and sweet items at the same time (on different trays)? If you have two items that require different cooking times, can/should you cook them together, and, if so, at what temperature?
I won't be using this for making jerky since I'm a vegetarian, and if you're interested in some healthy snacks and treats, I'd recommend the following: , , and . All three of them have nice recipes for things like flavored kale chips, breads, and brittles.
I'll update my review as I use this more, but for now I really like it!
Buzz Fluhart : This dehydrator does an excellant job
I've owned one of these for 5~6 years. It is used primarily to make beef jerky and it never disappoints. I purchased another as a gift to my son and he is also pleased.
Additional trays can be purchase to accommodate larger amounts of meat or veggies/fruit. Ive used the unit with 8 trays loaded with jerky meat and it never slowed down.
- Buy this dehydrator and you will not be disappointed.
Additional trays can be purchase to accommodate larger amounts of meat or veggies/fruit. Ive used the unit with 8 trays loaded with jerky meat and it never slowed down.
- Buy this dehydrator and you will not be disappointed.
Blinkit Photography : For the price its great.
We've been trying out gardening more this year and wanted to dehydrate our vegetables and herbs. We wanted an item that is easy to clean, has at least 3 tier, and affordable, so we found this. Everything seems to work, and it takes a long time to dehydrate, and here is the Big Con... no shut-off or time and it turns off. You will have to unplug it to turn it off. The solution is the purchase a timer and plug it into the timer and it will shut off. Didn't really wante to purchase another thing to fix the issue but that is the only way we figured how to fix it.
FNU MNU LNU : A Cost-Effective, Logical Choice
I selected this item due to solid reviews, and the fact that high-end models tend to have square trays, rather than round. Reviewers observe that the square trays hold more food. I first dried a batch of parsley, rosemary, sage and chives. The herbs dried to my satisfaction in about 26 hours, about two hours longer than specified in the manual. I next dried a batch of spiced apples and pears, dried to my satisfaction in the ten hours called for in the recipe, to a pliable texture. The motor is quiet, and the trays cleaned nicely, with no transfer of flavor from batch to batch. Bear in mind, you may need to purchase accessories to use this product as you intend. It comes with four trays, and one screen (that rests on top of a tray) to hold small items that might fall through the trays, such as herbs. If you wish to dry small herbs (like thyme and chives), you should have one screen per tray. Screens sell for about $8 for two and are reusable. You can add four trays maximum, as this unit will hold eight trays total. If you want to make fruit roll-ups, you will need reusable fruit roll-up accessories. I've already purchased extra screens for herbs, and may purchase two additional trays. Bear in mind that drying is time-consuming, so extra trays will be efficient, so long as you are drying a big batch of items that can be dried at the same temperature. In terms of capacity, with four trays, I dried six apples and two pears that were widely spaced. That produced two pint jars and one half pint jar of dried fruit. Hint for apples--don't core them. Just slice them (preferably with a mandoline) without coring them, but knock out the seeds. The center of your apples will have a star shape. Slice the pears lengthwise--they will be a beautiful, recognizable pear shape. No need to peel the skin from either. This is an affordable, quality product.
Jared Yates : Great!
I really like that the power unit is on the top, since that keeps gunk out of the motor. The square shape is so much more practical than the old round ones. The biggest cost of ownership for me is shelf space, and the square shape makes for a much better ratio of functional drying area to shelf space. One minor complaint is that there is no on/off switch- when it's plugged in, it's running. But that's not really a big deal, since it's probably a better idea to unplug devices when I'm not using them.
Richard A. : Excellent for the price
I can't comment how this machine compares to any others. I ordered it because of the high reviews and the price. I have never had a dehydrator and did not want to spend $300 for one until I tried the process out. At this point I may never need the upgrade. It has been awesome so far. I have dried apples, pears and strawberries. Today will be my first attempt at beef jerky.
I liked the machine so much I ordered another one to be shipped to my son and daughter-in-law within the first week as a gift.
The only downside I can think of is you will be spending a lot more money on fruit. The dried fruit does not last and tastes so good without the store bought preservatives that you will keep the machine going all the time.
It does an excellent job and I can't think of any complaints about the machine or the delivery. It is quiet, doesn't take up much room, its pretty easy to clean. For $60 I don't think you can beat it.
I liked the machine so much I ordered another one to be shipped to my son and daughter-in-law within the first week as a gift.
The only downside I can think of is you will be spending a lot more money on fruit. The dried fruit does not last and tastes so good without the store bought preservatives that you will keep the machine going all the time.
It does an excellent job and I can't think of any complaints about the machine or the delivery. It is quiet, doesn't take up much room, its pretty easy to clean. For $60 I don't think you can beat it.
Sherry Powell : Fabulous product
An amazing product makes life so much easier being able to dry my own herbs quicker and to make fruit leathers/snacks for my kids as well as jerky for my family with such ease and it saves us a ton of money and is by far the healthier choice than store bought items.
Tina Williamson : So Disappointed...they quickly died!
We were so excited when we first ordered this. We felt it would be the best one in the price range we could afford at the time. At first it was awesome so we ordered two more as soon as we could afford to do so. However we found within the FIRST month of owning and using them (although we properly took care of them) two out of the three died and no longer worked at all! We couldn't be more disappointed! We had ordered extra trays as well as extra liners and those we cannot return because their was nothing wrong with them - so we've lost quite a bit of money we cannot get back. We would HIGHLY suggest you wait until you can afford a higher priced dehydrator if you think its something you'll use fairly often. We weren't sure how much we'd use this so we went with this brand instead of the much higher priced one. We were wrong in doing so. Dehydrating became fun and is great for kids to help out with and after a short while, you actually look forward to doing it and what all you can dehydrate and try. Buying the other higher priced model a much better choice. Please be advised that this brand just doesn't seem to last nearly as long as it should for even the lower price it is.
BeHealthy : Thermostat was not correct!
This was my 2nd one. THe first one died...the motor and/or fan died. I used it since 2009 for maybe 3-4x a yr for a few days at a time. I checked the thermostat and it was perfect!
This time however was NOT the case! For people who want to retain the most nutrition, they know that temperature is key! IDeally 110-115 is good. The thermostat makes clicking noises which my original one never did! Anyone else hear clicking sounds? And when i set it at 125 it came under 115! So I thought it was ok i'd just set it higher no big deal but still it was underperforming so I didn't trust it. Hope the new one works better?!! Otherwise Nesco's QA is going down! And a new top (which is all one really needed) would cost MORE than a WHOLE NEW ONE from NESCO!
AMazon as usual was great about sending another unit. If this doesn't work guess i'm going to have to get one of the expensive ones that are all metal. It did smell like plastic when I first got it?! I HATE PLASTIC SMELLS!!! Phlatates are xenoestrogens and can wrack havoc to the body! Just that those expensive ones are too big for me!!
This time however was NOT the case! For people who want to retain the most nutrition, they know that temperature is key! IDeally 110-115 is good. The thermostat makes clicking noises which my original one never did! Anyone else hear clicking sounds? And when i set it at 125 it came under 115! So I thought it was ok i'd just set it higher no big deal but still it was underperforming so I didn't trust it. Hope the new one works better?!! Otherwise Nesco's QA is going down! And a new top (which is all one really needed) would cost MORE than a WHOLE NEW ONE from NESCO!
AMazon as usual was great about sending another unit. If this doesn't work guess i'm going to have to get one of the expensive ones that are all metal. It did smell like plastic when I first got it?! I HATE PLASTIC SMELLS!!! Phlatates are xenoestrogens and can wrack havoc to the body! Just that those expensive ones are too big for me!!
Audrey Gallant : Not sure if it was the fan or the heating element but pretty sure it's not worth trying to get fixed
Purchased in October of 2014 and never really used it for the first 2 years, but last year started to put it to use about once a week for nuts and crackers. Yesterday it stopped working. Not sure if it was the fan or the heating element but pretty sure it's not worth trying to get fixed. Time to upgrade I guess since I found this to be rather cumbersome. Would much prefer to have trays that pull out so you have space in between layers. I tried to use it to dehydrate Portobello mushrooms and there was no way that was going to happen.
All-in-all, I was disappointed that the thing burnt out with so little use. It should have lasted a lot longer.
All-in-all, I was disappointed that the thing burnt out with so little use. It should have lasted a lot longer.
Cynthia Queen : Dissapointed
Disappointed by how short a lifespan this product has. We make jerky for our dog that requires a low fat diet due to pancreatitis. Although it worked the first year, shortly after the warranty ran out so did the dehydrator. The plastic trays didn't last very long either as they became brittle and started to break at about 14 months. If you're planing using it once a month like we did spend a little extra and get one with stainless racks and a better quality heater that won't burn out a year after you purchase it.
Vicki M : Works great
Love it. I just wish it had an on and off switch
Dom Liberoni : Im Not Happy at all with this product
It took for ever to dry the beef jerkey. My previous dehydrator worked without a hitch. This one, Im just not happy at all with this purchase. I wish I could return it. With COVID 19 out there, I was not able to get out and buy the beef to try this until it was too late to return it or I would have.
Covid go away. Very Unhappy, Bay City Texas
Covid go away. Very Unhappy, Bay City Texas
Jwcathey : Dehydrator
This is the biggest piece of $*** i have bought on amazon! I owned three of them and two have quit working with less than 20 hours on them! Would not recommend them to anyone! First was warrantied through amazon and the second the company Nesco will not send call tag to get repaired. shipping from my location is $25.00. They don't care! Will not do anything for me! So good luck fair warning!
Leanne : Great for dehydrating newbies -- but the instruction manual could be more detailed
I've been wanting a food dehydrator for awhile, and decided to purchase this entry-level model based on all the positive reviews here on Amazon. I love it, but I just wish that the instruction manual had more details about how to use it.
If you're a newbie like me, it might help you to know what to expect since I had no idea what this would be like before it arrived. It basically has four light plastic trays that stack onto the base unit. The top unit is the part that has the handle and contains the fan/motor. I think that I had thought that the trays slid into a base and were more like drawers, but they are basically stackable units. It can be a bit wobbly if the trays aren't exactly stacked up and there are only small nobs as guides to get them into place.
It's a pretty big unit when it's put together, and I had to clear out some space under my counters to store it. It measures 14 1/2 by 14 1/2 by 9 5/8 inches. If you add in more trays, it will obviously make it taller. It also has an open circle running through the center, so you can't spread things out totally rectangular; there is a hole that you have to work around.
Because the trays are so large, I have a hard time washing it in my standard-sized sink without it being a bit of a pain. My first attempt at making fruit roll-ups also left me with a thick, gooey mess on my hands, and it was a pain to scrub the trays out. This thing is definitely NOT non-stick!
It also comes with one non-stick screen, so I ordered two more sets of the screens , which left me with one too many.
If you want to make fruit roll-ups, you have to purchase the screens for the roll-ups separately. Even though the screens ( ) are round, they fit perfectly inside this dehydrator around the round hole that runs up the center.
The temperature setting on this is great, as it allows you some adjustability with what you're making.
As for the noise level, it's fairly quiet and I would say that it's a bit louder than our usual oven. Our family room butts up against our kitchen, but we can't hear it when the TV is on. It has a nice white noise quality to it.
The manual that it comes with is pretty good as far as giving average cooking times for various kinds of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and jerkys. However, I wish it gave some more basic tips. For instance, since this is my first dehydrator, I don't know some basic things, like: Can you open the lid while your food is cooking? Will it alter the taste if you cook savory and sweet items at the same time (on different trays)? If you have two items that require different cooking times, can/should you cook them together, and, if so, at what temperature?
I won't be using this for making jerky since I'm a vegetarian, and if you're interested in some healthy snacks and treats, I'd recommend the following: , , and . All three of them have nice recipes for things like flavored kale chips, breads, and brittles.
I'll update my review as I use this more, but for now I really like it!
If you're a newbie like me, it might help you to know what to expect since I had no idea what this would be like before it arrived. It basically has four light plastic trays that stack onto the base unit. The top unit is the part that has the handle and contains the fan/motor. I think that I had thought that the trays slid into a base and were more like drawers, but they are basically stackable units. It can be a bit wobbly if the trays aren't exactly stacked up and there are only small nobs as guides to get them into place.
It's a pretty big unit when it's put together, and I had to clear out some space under my counters to store it. It measures 14 1/2 by 14 1/2 by 9 5/8 inches. If you add in more trays, it will obviously make it taller. It also has an open circle running through the center, so you can't spread things out totally rectangular; there is a hole that you have to work around.
Because the trays are so large, I have a hard time washing it in my standard-sized sink without it being a bit of a pain. My first attempt at making fruit roll-ups also left me with a thick, gooey mess on my hands, and it was a pain to scrub the trays out. This thing is definitely NOT non-stick!
It also comes with one non-stick screen, so I ordered two more sets of the screens , which left me with one too many.
If you want to make fruit roll-ups, you have to purchase the screens for the roll-ups separately. Even though the screens ( ) are round, they fit perfectly inside this dehydrator around the round hole that runs up the center.
The temperature setting on this is great, as it allows you some adjustability with what you're making.
As for the noise level, it's fairly quiet and I would say that it's a bit louder than our usual oven. Our family room butts up against our kitchen, but we can't hear it when the TV is on. It has a nice white noise quality to it.
The manual that it comes with is pretty good as far as giving average cooking times for various kinds of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and jerkys. However, I wish it gave some more basic tips. For instance, since this is my first dehydrator, I don't know some basic things, like: Can you open the lid while your food is cooking? Will it alter the taste if you cook savory and sweet items at the same time (on different trays)? If you have two items that require different cooking times, can/should you cook them together, and, if so, at what temperature?
I won't be using this for making jerky since I'm a vegetarian, and if you're interested in some healthy snacks and treats, I'd recommend the following: , , and . All three of them have nice recipes for things like flavored kale chips, breads, and brittles.
I'll update my review as I use this more, but for now I really like it!
Steve Linin : Being Open Minded: Heater Stopped Working
I am being open minded about this product because on my second batch the heating element stopped working in the middle of the night. I had toss out all the fruit in the tray as it was half dehydrating after room temperature air was blowing over it most of the night it appeared. My first batch, jerky, turned out wonderful and were a big hit with the family and coworkers. I am chalking this up to bad luck but I will write an update once I get my replacement. This is my first return through amazon after several hundred purchases so I do believe that stuff happens and this is the one that it happened on. The return process through amazon is very easy as I have discovered. It does burn a little to toss out the half dehydrated fruits to include cherries which were expensive then have to clean it and make a trip to my local UPS store but I guess that is the price of online shopping. In short when it worked I was very pleased. So much so that I already ordered additional trays after the first batch. I will write an update and adjust my rating accordingly after receipt and use of the item.
Robert Perrigo : It works great and beats paying $300 to get the same job done.
I owned a Nesco years ago. It was the cheapest one on the list. I made beef jerky and it worked really well, it was a round model and the heat rose form the bottom up though each tray until it reached the top. This square model is so efficient, it is designed to heat all trays evenly, and it will take up to eight trays at a time. Also the square shape allows for more product to be dehydrated at once. I was looking at unit for what I wanted was $300+. I can't imagine anything better, other than I nice good size commercial unit you can use out doors to smoke larger items.
Kenny Kauffmann : Happy ???? with my purchase
So far I'm very satisfied with this purchase ☺
Cleanup is easy and two perfect batches of beef jerkey in less five hours.
Cleanup is easy and two perfect batches of beef jerkey in less five hours.
Jim Bob McGraw : Disappointed
I purchased this unit back in April, On average I used this about twice a month for the 5 months that I owned it. Came home yesterday, loaded up the trays and plugged it in then nothing. The fan was completely dead after less than a dozen total uses, I'm not happy about that and would not recommend this unit to anyone. I'll try purchasing another from a different company and for a higher price, maybe that will hold up.
Amazon Customer : Cheap, and you get what you pay for. ...
Cheap, and you get what you pay for.
Three failed units in a little over a year, one of which only lasted a week.
Save yourself some frustration, and buy a quality, albeit more expensive, brand.
We are going with Excalibur.
Three failed units in a little over a year, one of which only lasted a week.
Save yourself some frustration, and buy a quality, albeit more expensive, brand.
We are going with Excalibur.
Gnome Sane? : It worked well, while it worked. I used ...
It worked well, while it worked. I used this six times (about 40 total hours) before it died.
While it worked, it performed as advertised. It has convenient stackable trays; additional trays sold separately. It is a pain to clean up, but all dehydrators are. For what it is, it worked well. I would have rated this four stars for not having a power switch nor timer. But it only gets one star because it completely died after about 40 total hours of use.
And ... since more than a year had passed, it was out of warranty. Nesco will not refund or replace it - they will only offer to sell you a new top unit for $65. It's a heater and a blower, not rocket science - there are more reliable brands out there.
While it worked, it performed as advertised. It has convenient stackable trays; additional trays sold separately. It is a pain to clean up, but all dehydrators are. For what it is, it worked well. I would have rated this four stars for not having a power switch nor timer. But it only gets one star because it completely died after about 40 total hours of use.
And ... since more than a year had passed, it was out of warranty. Nesco will not refund or replace it - they will only offer to sell you a new top unit for $65. It's a heater and a blower, not rocket science - there are more reliable brands out there.
Amazon Customer : Cheap, and you get what you pay for. ...
Cheap, and you get what you pay for.
Three failed units in a little over a year, one of which only lasted a week.
Save yourself some frustration, and buy a quality, albeit more expensive, brand.
We are going with Excalibur.
Three failed units in a little over a year, one of which only lasted a week.
Save yourself some frustration, and buy a quality, albeit more expensive, brand.
We are going with Excalibur.
Traci McCalister : My Nesco stopped working after 2 uses!! VERY DISAPPOINTED
I bought this Nesco and Used it 2 times. It went out halfway during the 3rd use! I called Nesco and they said I couldn't ship it back for free because you have to ship any purchase back within the first month. How could I have, it was working within the first month!?! It broke after only having for 2 months and 2 uses!!! Now I have to pay shipping. So my whole reason for using Amazon was to save some money. My now $69.58 + tax dehydrator is now going to be at least $100.00 or more because I have to ship this heavy thing back to Nesco. I am very disappointed in Amazon and Nesco. The year warranty basically is a joke because if by chance you get a lemon, which I did...You will be paying a lot more for your unit. Lesson learned here...NEVER buy electronics or Appliances on Amazon. So I give this one star due to the circumstances. However the 2 times I did use this unit I did enjoy my food. I am so bummed Its not usable anymore.
NancyBT10 : Still figuring it out but I like it!
My garden produced an abundant supply of peppers this year so I decided to try dehydrating some for later use. I chose the Nesco FD-80A Square-Shaped Dehydrator based on its reviews and, I am very pleased with it so far.
I especially like its square design and ease of use. However, the instruction manual is only a guide. You really must figure out on your own how long to dehydrate the food. The first time I used it the 12 hours recommended for peppers worked great. But, the second time 12 hours was not nearly enough time though they were the same type of peppers and prepared exactly the same. The manual states that you will have to adjust timing based on different factors. So, there is a learning curve but other than that, simply prepare food, place in trays, stack, cover, set temperature and plug in. How easy is that! Please note this dehydrator does not have a timer or an on/off switch so you will need to be around when using the appliance.
The dehydrator's fan motor will be heard during operation though it is relatively quite. Since most dehydrating times are lengthy and the smell of the foods dehydrating can be overpowering I recommend that you use it in an enclosed porch area or garage that can be opened for ventilation.
I rated the Nesco FD-80A Square-Shaped Dehydrator four stars because I have used it only twice and, I dried peppers both times. Though I don't have a lot of experience using the dehydrator, I am pleased with this purchase and look forward to using it more next growing season.
After dehydrating the peppers some were ground for chili powder and others chopped for pepper flakes. Dehydrating fresh foods from the garden for later use is not only gratifying but at least I know what is, and what is not, mixed in with my food items!
I especially like its square design and ease of use. However, the instruction manual is only a guide. You really must figure out on your own how long to dehydrate the food. The first time I used it the 12 hours recommended for peppers worked great. But, the second time 12 hours was not nearly enough time though they were the same type of peppers and prepared exactly the same. The manual states that you will have to adjust timing based on different factors. So, there is a learning curve but other than that, simply prepare food, place in trays, stack, cover, set temperature and plug in. How easy is that! Please note this dehydrator does not have a timer or an on/off switch so you will need to be around when using the appliance.
The dehydrator's fan motor will be heard during operation though it is relatively quite. Since most dehydrating times are lengthy and the smell of the foods dehydrating can be overpowering I recommend that you use it in an enclosed porch area or garage that can be opened for ventilation.
I rated the Nesco FD-80A Square-Shaped Dehydrator four stars because I have used it only twice and, I dried peppers both times. Though I don't have a lot of experience using the dehydrator, I am pleased with this purchase and look forward to using it more next growing season.
After dehydrating the peppers some were ground for chili powder and others chopped for pepper flakes. Dehydrating fresh foods from the garden for later use is not only gratifying but at least I know what is, and what is not, mixed in with my food items!
J Polo : Works Great!
I bought this because a co-worker had been bringing home made jerky to work and got me hooked on the idea of making my own jerky. I am a huge jerky fan and spend a lot of money on gourmet jerky that I have to me. So if there was a way for me to have good jerky at the flavors I like and for cheaper I was all for trying it. After receiving this dehydrator, I read the directions and got started. It is very easy to use and comes with a book to help you come up with ideas, recipe's and instructions on how to properly dehydrate food. Thus far I have made about 80 pounds of jerky and it still works perfectly. I did have to buy an extra set of trays because the batches I make usually are about 5 pounds of meat at a time, so the only downfall for me was that it only has 4 trays and wish it would have come with a minimum of 6. I have not noticed any issues with warping or gaps after continued use, and hope I don't any time in the future. I would definitely recommend this to the first time dehydrator enthusiast. It is easy to use and fairly easy to clean.
HappyOne_92 : Not the same quality Didn't last a year
I have owned two of these. I purchased one in the 90s and it worked until 2020 to preserve food for our large family. LOVED IT! I purchased another to replace it, and it failed right around six months. It might look the same, but something is different. I am ordering a different style and brand this time around.
Brian : Thermostat can break down easily
I decided to buy Nesco Food and Jerky dehydrator due to its high rating. However, I was very disappointed. I used it for a few times. Then it was suddenly no power. Fortunately, the first broke down was within the first year. I had the manufactory warranty. However, I had to pay to ship it back to the factory. It was due to the thermostat broke down. The factory replaced the thermostat for me free. After using it for 7 more years, it broken down again. The symptom is the same as the first time. The dehydrator suddenly went off during the dehydration. I guess that the thermostat went bad again. I don't use this machine daily. I only use it about 10 times per year for drying my figs. I just feel that this item is not durable. I don't have this problem from my previous dehydrator. I feel very disappointed with this item.
DAW : I Love, Love, Love my Nesco FD-80A Square Shaped Dehydrator
I love my Nesco FD-80A Square Shaped Dehydrator. It's perfect for making gluten-free flax seed crackers which is what I bought it for. The square shape was very important for cracker making. I was afraid that the circle in the middle of the tray would make it hard to make the square crackers but it's not a problem at all. Actually the circle in the middle is what helps dehydrate the crackers evenly and very nicely. For making crackers, you'll need the clean screens (I turn them over and use the smooth side). The unit comes with one clean screen so the only thing I would say to the manufacture would be a suggestion that they include two clean screens because they're sold in packs of two and if you expand to eight trays you either have one less or one more clean screen.
Gnome Sane? : It worked well, while it worked. I used ...
It worked well, while it worked. I used this six times (about 40 total hours) before it died.
While it worked, it performed as advertised. It has convenient stackable trays; additional trays sold separately. It is a pain to clean up, but all dehydrators are. For what it is, it worked well. I would have rated this four stars for not having a power switch nor timer. But it only gets one star because it completely died after about 40 total hours of use.
And ... since more than a year had passed, it was out of warranty. Nesco will not refund or replace it - they will only offer to sell you a new top unit for $65. It's a heater and a blower, not rocket science - there are more reliable brands out there.
While it worked, it performed as advertised. It has convenient stackable trays; additional trays sold separately. It is a pain to clean up, but all dehydrators are. For what it is, it worked well. I would have rated this four stars for not having a power switch nor timer. But it only gets one star because it completely died after about 40 total hours of use.
And ... since more than a year had passed, it was out of warranty. Nesco will not refund or replace it - they will only offer to sell you a new top unit for $65. It's a heater and a blower, not rocket science - there are more reliable brands out there.
L. Haskell : Best quality dehydrator
I love my square dehydrator. It has no toxic plastic odor. It also comes with a flexible fine mat to catch the smaller pieces. I use mine to dry my sweet rice which I turn into Korean rice wine. (Makgeolli 막걸리) I put the mat at the very bottom so whatever falls through the trays can be caught at the very bottom. So glad [...] recommended this dehydrator for drying rice. I've used both the sweet rice and the regular short grain rice and have gotten perfect rice wine. There is no on/off switch. I just plug it in to start and unplug to stop.
I love that the fan is on top so there is no worry about any drippings getting inside the fan at the bottom.
Cord is not very long but that is not a problem for me.
I love that the fan is on top so there is no worry about any drippings getting inside the fan at the bottom.
Cord is not very long but that is not a problem for me.
Patti Roberts : Not sure what went wrong.
I bought this in 1014, however i have not used it more than 3 times each year which has been about 9 times. I only use it to make jerky. I turned it on tonight and it was fine, came home 4 hkurs later and it had stopped. It won't work anymore. Even though its a few years old i have taken good care of it keeping it in the box......i would think it would work for more than 9 times. I suspose if i had used it all the time it would have stopped in the first year, still under warranty.
Lou : We are very disappointed in the reliability of this product
We purchased this dehydrator in October 2014, and used it for drying apples. A couple weeks ago we dried some pear slices and a few days ago while drying some more pears, the motor quit. We are very disappointed in the reliability of this product. It was much noisier than anticipated, so we had to put it in a room downstairs so we didn't have to hear it. It did a good job of drying the fruit; however, we did not overuse or abuse it in any way and it should have lasted much longer than one year.
FNU MNU LNU : A Cost-Effective, Logical Choice
I selected this item due to solid reviews, and the fact that high-end models tend to have square trays, rather than round. Reviewers observe that the square trays hold more food. I first dried a batch of parsley, rosemary, sage and chives. The herbs dried to my satisfaction in about 26 hours, about two hours longer than specified in the manual. I next dried a batch of spiced apples and pears, dried to my satisfaction in the ten hours called for in the recipe, to a pliable texture. The motor is quiet, and the trays cleaned nicely, with no transfer of flavor from batch to batch. Bear in mind, you may need to purchase accessories to use this product as you intend. It comes with four trays, and one screen (that rests on top of a tray) to hold small items that might fall through the trays, such as herbs. If you wish to dry small herbs (like thyme and chives), you should have one screen per tray. Screens sell for about $8 for two and are reusable. You can add four trays maximum, as this unit will hold eight trays total. If you want to make fruit roll-ups, you will need reusable fruit roll-up accessories. I've already purchased extra screens for herbs, and may purchase two additional trays. Bear in mind that drying is time-consuming, so extra trays will be efficient, so long as you are drying a big batch of items that can be dried at the same temperature. In terms of capacity, with four trays, I dried six apples and two pears that were widely spaced. That produced two pint jars and one half pint jar of dried fruit. Hint for apples--don't core them. Just slice them (preferably with a mandoline) without coring them, but knock out the seeds. The center of your apples will have a star shape. Slice the pears lengthwise--they will be a beautiful, recognizable pear shape. No need to peel the skin from either. This is an affordable, quality product.
JLB : I'm disappointed. I will buy this again because I now ...
I would have given this a 5 star rating, but it stopped working after I had it for 1 yr, 5 months. I have dried a lot of herbs and fruit, but I think the prune plums I was dehydrating just had too much moisture for this machine to handle. I think the moisture built up inside and caused the motor to quit. I'm disappointed. I will buy this again because I now have all the trays and I really only need the top part with the motor so it doesn't make sense to change to a different model.
Jennifer West : We like our jerky on the thin side and 4 full ...
UPDATE
It has now been 9 months since we purchased our Nesco Dehydrator and it continues to work as well as it did the day we got it. I have worked this machine for over 250 hours making beef jerky every week for my husband. Plus I started making it for all my family members birthdays and Christmas presents. If it ever does break, I will by another one on that same day.
My very first dehydrator and WooHoo! I chose the right one. We like our jerky on the thin side and 4 full trays are dry in 2 1/2 hours. The trays are easy to clean with a soft brush. Listen to the tips provided in a small booklet that comes with the dehydrator, like using lean meat and blotting the excess marinade off the meat for an even easier clean up afterwards. My husband is an over the road truck driver who loves jerky. I slice up a 3 pound roast and make him a couple quarts bags every week. I have worked this thing at least 50 hours and it still looks and works like the day I bought it.
It has now been 9 months since we purchased our Nesco Dehydrator and it continues to work as well as it did the day we got it. I have worked this machine for over 250 hours making beef jerky every week for my husband. Plus I started making it for all my family members birthdays and Christmas presents. If it ever does break, I will by another one on that same day.
My very first dehydrator and WooHoo! I chose the right one. We like our jerky on the thin side and 4 full trays are dry in 2 1/2 hours. The trays are easy to clean with a soft brush. Listen to the tips provided in a small booklet that comes with the dehydrator, like using lean meat and blotting the excess marinade off the meat for an even easier clean up afterwards. My husband is an over the road truck driver who loves jerky. I slice up a 3 pound roast and make him a couple quarts bags every week. I have worked this thing at least 50 hours and it still looks and works like the day I bought it.
Tina Williamson : So Disappointed...they quickly died!
We were so excited when we first ordered this. We felt it would be the best one in the price range we could afford at the time. At first it was awesome so we ordered two more as soon as we could afford to do so. However we found within the FIRST month of owning and using them (although we properly took care of them) two out of the three died and no longer worked at all! We couldn't be more disappointed! We had ordered extra trays as well as extra liners and those we cannot return because their was nothing wrong with them - so we've lost quite a bit of money we cannot get back. We would HIGHLY suggest you wait until you can afford a higher priced dehydrator if you think its something you'll use fairly often. We weren't sure how much we'd use this so we went with this brand instead of the much higher priced one. We were wrong in doing so. Dehydrating became fun and is great for kids to help out with and after a short while, you actually look forward to doing it and what all you can dehydrate and try. Buying the other higher priced model a much better choice. Please be advised that this brand just doesn't seem to last nearly as long as it should for even the lower price it is.
Gnome Sane? : It worked well, while it worked. I used ...
It worked well, while it worked. I used this six times (about 40 total hours) before it died.
While it worked, it performed as advertised. It has convenient stackable trays; additional trays sold separately. It is a pain to clean up, but all dehydrators are. For what it is, it worked well. I would have rated this four stars for not having a power switch nor timer. But it only gets one star because it completely died after about 40 total hours of use.
And ... since more than a year had passed, it was out of warranty. Nesco will not refund or replace it - they will only offer to sell you a new top unit for $65. It's a heater and a blower, not rocket science - there are more reliable brands out there.
While it worked, it performed as advertised. It has convenient stackable trays; additional trays sold separately. It is a pain to clean up, but all dehydrators are. For what it is, it worked well. I would have rated this four stars for not having a power switch nor timer. But it only gets one star because it completely died after about 40 total hours of use.
And ... since more than a year had passed, it was out of warranty. Nesco will not refund or replace it - they will only offer to sell you a new top unit for $65. It's a heater and a blower, not rocket science - there are more reliable brands out there.
Michele B : Excellent Product
I looked at all of the reviews and search high and low for over a year to find the best dehydrator for my needs but also, not incredibly expensive because I am not sure how much I will be using it. This fits the bill perfectly.
As soon as I got the shipment, I went to the store and got some produce to try it out so that I would know it works well before I try using my gardens produce. It worked perfectly on the fruits I tried: tomatoes, apples, mango and kiwi. Other than it working pretty fast, especially for a home model, the fan is practically silent.
If it weren't for the clean up, I would have gone five stars. I knew going in that the racks are a pain in the butt of course, but in this case they are made of plastic and it seems that things stick more than in my old, crappy Ronco dehydrator. In fairness, if I remove the top rack in my dishwasher, I am supposed to be able to clean it in there.
I would definitely recommend this product for the home gardener or anyone who likes using dried things, like flowers and herbs. The heat is adjustable to keep delicate things from frying.
I have not used it with the extra four racks I purchased, nor have I used it for beef jerky or roll ups. This review is based on the items I listed above only.
As soon as I got the shipment, I went to the store and got some produce to try it out so that I would know it works well before I try using my gardens produce. It worked perfectly on the fruits I tried: tomatoes, apples, mango and kiwi. Other than it working pretty fast, especially for a home model, the fan is practically silent.
If it weren't for the clean up, I would have gone five stars. I knew going in that the racks are a pain in the butt of course, but in this case they are made of plastic and it seems that things stick more than in my old, crappy Ronco dehydrator. In fairness, if I remove the top rack in my dishwasher, I am supposed to be able to clean it in there.
I would definitely recommend this product for the home gardener or anyone who likes using dried things, like flowers and herbs. The heat is adjustable to keep delicate things from frying.
I have not used it with the extra four racks I purchased, nor have I used it for beef jerky or roll ups. This review is based on the items I listed above only.
Amazon Customer : Working great so far
Got this to dehydrate some summer vegs.. is doing a good job. Hard to leave them alone when getting close to ready. Want to make some long awaited Jerky . I actually use a good quality hamburger meat and it is really good. Have used goat, beef ,deer,and moose. Wish I could get my hands on more moose. Was out of this world great and would be fantastic dried this way .
Beat : Does a good job but takes a long time
This dehydrator does the job but for the wattage it just takes way too long. I was drying whole Bhut Jolokia peppers and it took 3 days to dry. I expected whole peppers to take a while but I also had to crank the heat up too. Peppers usually dry at 135 degrees but I had to turn it up to 155 on this unit. I do like the square shape because it makes it easy to store and you can get more stuff to fit in.
If I cut the peppers in half and start out at 155 degrees it takes 12 hours. Should be half that time. It is disappointing but not enough to send it back. But it is a good design and it doesn't get too hot and it is relatively quiet, about as loud as a new dishwasher.
If I cut the peppers in half and start out at 155 degrees it takes 12 hours. Should be half that time. It is disappointing but not enough to send it back. But it is a good design and it doesn't get too hot and it is relatively quiet, about as loud as a new dishwasher.
Dean Watson : ... this machine through the paces several times and am pleased with the performance
I have had the opportunity to run this machine through the paces several times and am pleased with the performance. It's primary use for me is to prepare the hot peppers and spices I grow for grinding, the adjustable temp feature is a big help in efficiently dehydrating the variety of produce I'm working with. The Nesco FD-80A appears to be well built and very straight forward to work with, one of the reviews I read stated that the lack of an on/off switch was the only they had, with that said, I don't find that to be an issue for me. So far so good! I would have no problem recommending this product.
NancyBT10 : Still figuring it out but I like it!
My garden produced an abundant supply of peppers this year so I decided to try dehydrating some for later use. I chose the Nesco FD-80A Square-Shaped Dehydrator based on its reviews and, I am very pleased with it so far.
I especially like its square design and ease of use. However, the instruction manual is only a guide. You really must figure out on your own how long to dehydrate the food. The first time I used it the 12 hours recommended for peppers worked great. But, the second time 12 hours was not nearly enough time though they were the same type of peppers and prepared exactly the same. The manual states that you will have to adjust timing based on different factors. So, there is a learning curve but other than that, simply prepare food, place in trays, stack, cover, set temperature and plug in. How easy is that! Please note this dehydrator does not have a timer or an on/off switch so you will need to be around when using the appliance.
The dehydrator's fan motor will be heard during operation though it is relatively quite. Since most dehydrating times are lengthy and the smell of the foods dehydrating can be overpowering I recommend that you use it in an enclosed porch area or garage that can be opened for ventilation.
I rated the Nesco FD-80A Square-Shaped Dehydrator four stars because I have used it only twice and, I dried peppers both times. Though I don't have a lot of experience using the dehydrator, I am pleased with this purchase and look forward to using it more next growing season.
After dehydrating the peppers some were ground for chili powder and others chopped for pepper flakes. Dehydrating fresh foods from the garden for later use is not only gratifying but at least I know what is, and what is not, mixed in with my food items!
I especially like its square design and ease of use. However, the instruction manual is only a guide. You really must figure out on your own how long to dehydrate the food. The first time I used it the 12 hours recommended for peppers worked great. But, the second time 12 hours was not nearly enough time though they were the same type of peppers and prepared exactly the same. The manual states that you will have to adjust timing based on different factors. So, there is a learning curve but other than that, simply prepare food, place in trays, stack, cover, set temperature and plug in. How easy is that! Please note this dehydrator does not have a timer or an on/off switch so you will need to be around when using the appliance.
The dehydrator's fan motor will be heard during operation though it is relatively quite. Since most dehydrating times are lengthy and the smell of the foods dehydrating can be overpowering I recommend that you use it in an enclosed porch area or garage that can be opened for ventilation.
I rated the Nesco FD-80A Square-Shaped Dehydrator four stars because I have used it only twice and, I dried peppers both times. Though I don't have a lot of experience using the dehydrator, I am pleased with this purchase and look forward to using it more next growing season.
After dehydrating the peppers some were ground for chili powder and others chopped for pepper flakes. Dehydrating fresh foods from the garden for later use is not only gratifying but at least I know what is, and what is not, mixed in with my food items!
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