A great way to preserve foods like meat, vegetables, and fruits is to use the best dehydrator for raw food. This keeps the food at low temperatures that you can adjust with a thermostat to suit a range that you want for your food, and to maintain a stable temperature that would not damage the nutrients or enzymes. Therefore, this guide is what will guide you in finding a good dehydrator of your choice.
What Features Should You Consider Before Buying the Best Dehydrator for Raw Food?
Just like in buying any product that comes in different models and specifications, dehydrators also need some checks before you can settle for any. Some of the main considerations that you should take into account should include:
Material and design
Some dehydrators are made of metallic parts including stainless-steel and other metals while others are made of plastic materials. This then brings you to what you would want to have for your dehydration needs. Of course, metallic ones offer the best value in terms of durability, and if you want to use it for long, you should go for the metallic choice.
Tray capacity
Each dehydrator comes with trays of a certain number or capacity. Therefore, when it comes to choosing one for your preservation and food dehydration, then you should get one that is enough in terms of size to accommodate all your foods.
Temperature range
The thermostat is that feature that is useful for adjusting the temperature of the dehydrator machine. If you are looking for a vegan dehydrator for fruits and vegetables or even for meat, you need to check the temperature ranges that it operates within.
Adjustability
Adjustability comes in terms of the capacity and temperature. Therefore, you should check whether you have the ability to adjust the number of trays, from the normal capacity that it comes with. This will be helpful as you grow with your family since you can just add some more trays other than getting a new big dehydrator.
Safety
One of the most important considerations that you ought to consider is the safety of the dehydrator that you intend to buy. Safety comes in a number of ways and includes the safety in terms of health, and functionality of the product. In that case, you should check whether it is BPA-free, the overheat protection features, and the auto shut-off features among other safety concerns.
What is the Best Dehydrator for Raw Food?
Based on our reviews and analysis by our experts, COSORI Premium Raw Food Dehydrator is not just the best-selling dehydrator but also an efficient one. It is large enough for a family, and made of food-grade quality and durable stainless-steel. It is also easy to use, and is also safe.
If you want to buy a raw food dehydrator, then you have all the varieties that you can choose from on this awesome guide. We have sampled the best in performance, efficient, safe, and worthwhile brand options with different features and specifications, and you will not miss one that will work for your dehydration purpose.
Top 10 Best Dehydrator for Raw Food
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If you are looking for the best raw food dehydrator for your family, then you are just on the right course. This review brings a great variety of food dehydrators from various brands and you can easily find a match that is best suited for your drying needs.
COSORI Premium Raw Food Dehydrator
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COSORI is a good food dehydrator that comes with a mesh screen, recipe book, fruit roll sheet, and recipe book with 50 recipes. It features a digital control panel with precise controls that are useful for setting the cook time. In addition, it is made of durable materials that are safe and with exterior made of stainless-steel material all with food-grade quality.
Efficiency and performance
This is an efficient and the best dehydrator that comes with awesome features and a digital touch control panel that works to enhance its performance. It also works quietly with noise that is below 48dB. Equipped with an automatic shut-off feature and the overheat protection, you are assured of performance with safety.
Other features
There is also a rear-mounted fan that enhances the heat distribution hence the capacity to dehydrate your food efficiently while preventing your food from dripping into the fan. The dehydrator is easy to use with 4 intuitive buttons and large LED-display.
Pros
Digital and easy to use control panel
Efficient and works with less than 48dB noise
Rear-mounted fan enhances better heat distribution
Large LCD display and cooking timer
Durable food-grade materials
Comes with 50 helpful recipes
Cons
It is a bit small if you want to dehydrate large amounts of food
Expert opinion: COSORI Premium Raw Food Dehydrator is easy to use, efficient, and just a recommendable machine for dried fruits, beef jerky, and cookies among other de-hydratable foods.
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NESCO FD-75A Food Dehydrator
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It is a gray dehydrator that is made of plastic materials, and with 600 watts of power and is an efficient appliance with an adjustable thermostat hence you can dry your food at your preferred temperatures. It also features a powerful top-mounted fan and is a great choice that you should consider.
Performance and efficiency
NESCO FD-75A Food Dehydrator is designed with a great airflow system that works to provide even heat distribution without the need to rotate the trays. It is an efficient dehydrator that also features expandable design that can suit up to 12 drying trays. The included trays are 5 but you can expand to suit your needs.
Other features
With this dehydrator, you also have a recipe booklet that is useful for different drying needs and foods that you can try. NESCO FD-75A Food Dehydrator also features an opaque vista-save exterior that can block harmful light that would otherwise destroy the nutritional content of the food under dehydration.
Pros
Comes with expandable tray capacity
Adjustable thermostat for temperature control
Vista-save exterior to block harmful light
It works with low sound
Better heat distribution without the need to rotate the trays
Drying trays are BPA-free
Cons
Does not have a timer
Made of plastic materials thus may not last long
Expert opinion: It is wonderful and efficient and the best budget dehydrator that you can find. It is made of plastic materials but is good in performance and highly affordable.
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Excalibur Electric Food Dehydrator
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This is another good option of the best electric raw dehydrator with 9-tray capacity and with 26-hour timer. Excalibur Electric Food Dehydrator also comes with an adjustable thermostat for changing the temperature to suit fruits, vegetables, and meat for jerky.
Efficiency and performance
Excalibur Electric Food Dehydrator heats food at a temperature that is low and slow hence does not destroy the nutrients. With the adjustable temperature feature and timer, you get to enjoy the great performance and efficiency that come with this Excalibur Electric Food Dehydrator. It works perfectly and is easy to use.
Other features
There is a parallax horizontal airflow that helps food dehydrate faster and to retain more enzymes and nutrients. Excalibur Electric Food Dehydrator also comes with other accessories that include a flexible poly-screen tray insert that works to prevent the food from sticking hence doesn’t need any rotation while dehydrating.
Pros
Large capacity tray to suit big families
Adjustable thermostat for temperature settings
Cooks with low and slow temperature that preserves enzymes and nutrients
Poly-screen tray insert that is flexible prevents food sticking
Parallax horizontal airflow for faster food dehydration
Automatic shut-off for safety
Comes with a dehydration guide and instructions
BPA-free and safe
Cons
It is comparatively expensive
Expert opinion: The price is a bit high but worth it due to the large capacity and great performance that it offers. It is a good-quality and efficient dehydrator that dehydrates food without losing its nutrients.
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Magic Mill Raw Dehydrator Machine
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As the name sounds, this is a magical dehydrator that is built with high-quality features including a digital thermostat for adjusting the temperature settings, timer, and an automatic shut-off feature that works to keep the machine off when the time set elapses. Therefore, with this Magic Mill Raw Dehydrator Machine, you get to enjoy the best dehydrated meals of your choice.
Capacity and performance
Magic Mill Raw Dehydrator Machine comes with 7 trays that are adjustable and spacious enough to fit all your foods. There are also mesh trays apart from the regular trays that are helpful for small food items that may not be held on the normal trays.
Other features
There is so much that we may not say about this Magic Mill Raw Dehydrator Machine since it is a great machine with so many useful features. It features dishwasher safe racks that are also BPA-free, and food-grade stainless-steel material among other valuable features.
Pros
Digital thermostat for adjusting the temperature
Adjustable and spacious trays
Dishwasher safe and BPA-free racks
Safety automatic shut-off feature and timer
Overheat protection feature
Excellent heat distribution with rear mount fan
Food-grade stainless-steel material
Cons
The shelves are thin and may easily break
Expert opinion: It is the best meat dehydrator and also a good dryer for jerky and herbs. Magic Mill Raw Dehydrator Machine is efficient and reliable when it comes to its function.
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Elechomes Food Dehydrator
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Again, about this dehydrator, you will find it useful and efficient as it comes with a thermostat and timer for temperature control. There is also an aspect of overheat protection that serves to prevent the machine from overheating and works great for safety purposes. With the thermostat, you can set your temperature between the limits that you would want your food to cook.
Other features
The trays allow for adjustment of height for added convenience to suit different foods. They are also BPA-free and safe. The fact that they are transparent means you can monitor the process without the need for removing the trays.
Cleaning of the trays is an easy task since they are removable and dishwasher safe. The base is also easy to clean with a wipe of a damp sponge or cloth.
Pros
Clear and stackable trays
BPA-free and safe parts
Easy to adjust the temperature with a digital thermostat
Overheat protection feature and timer
Easy to operate with the click of a button
Dishwasher safe trays are easy to clean
The tray heights are adjustable
Cons
The trays are not suitable for small items
Expert opinion: Elechomes brand is the best budget dehydrator and is good for snacks such as the beef jerky, dog treats, and fruit leather among other foods. It is also efficient and with a good capacity for family use.
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Presto 06301 Electric Food Dehydrator
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Here is another unique dehydrator that is made of plastic material and with 6 tray capacity and is just the right size for normal dehydration functions. It features a digital thermostat and adjustable temperature that makes it easy to use with different types of foods such as making jerky from meat, fruits, and vegetables.
Performance and efficiency
The adjustable temperature ranges from 90 to 165 degrees F. and features a bottom mounted fan for better drying with no rotation. The good thing with the NESCO FD-75A tray is the expandable nature and the big drying capacity.
Other features
There is a see-through cover on the top of this NESCO FD-75A Food Dehydrator that lets you monitor the progress at any time. Therefore, with this brand, you can enjoy delicious jerky that is prepared without any additives.
Pros
Adjustable digital thermostat and timer
Bottom-mounted fan enhances airflow for better drying
The trays’ nests hence save big on storage space
Comes with a big drying capacity
Maintains the nutrients and enzymes
Automatic shut-off prevents over drying
Cons
It’s louder than other models when in operation
Expert opinion: NESCO FD-75A Food Dehydrator is a good choice to have for making jerky and other healthy and nutritious snacks. It is easy to operate and worth its value.
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Tribest SDE-S6780-B Food Dehydrator
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Tribest SDE-S6780-B is a large capacity dehydrator that comes handy for large drying needs. With this, you have what is more than enough for your home. It is a digital dehydrator with digital controls and you can always rely on this for better drying of large meats, vegetables, or fruits among other stuff.
Performance and efficiency
This machine comes with 11 stainless-steel trays that are strong and durable and with glass hinged doors for better progress monitoring. Apart from the glass door, it also features an internal LED light for the purposes of illumination for better monitoring.
Other features
With this Tribest SDE-S6780-B Food Dehydrator, you can always set your precise temperature and that would work great for different types of foods. It also features a washable air filter that is reusable, and the trays are easily removable making them easy to clean. In addition to that, it operates quietly without noise.
Pros
Large capacity size with more trays
Removable and easy to clean trays
Adjustable temperature control
Washable air filter that is also reusable
Overheat protection for better drying
LED interior lighting for interior illumination
Cons
Large and would occupy most counter space
Expert opinion: If you want a large dehydrator for a large home, then Tribest SDE-S6780-B Food Dehydrator is the choice that gets you the best jerky among other healthy and delicious foods.
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Hamilton Beach 32100A Food Dehydrator
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Hamilton Beach is a brand that does not disappoint when it comes to quality. It is a great machine that is small in size and fits small family needs. With only 5 trays, this is the right dehydrator for anyone looking for a dried fruits machine or best dehydrator for nuts.
Efficiency and performance
This machine is efficient and features great specs that enhance its performance. That includes the adjustable temperature with the digital thermostat, and with that, you can adjust your drying temperature from 100-160 Degrees Fahrenheit. The trays are stackable hence can save space when not in use. In addition, it comes with a fine mesh sheet for small food items.
Other features
Hamilton Beach 32100A Food Dehydrator comes with a simple but unique and efficient design hence is a great machine for any home. It also features a 48-hour timer and continuous airflow that works to enhance drying.
Pros
Stackable trays for easy storage
Adjustable temperature with digital thermostat
Continuous airflow enhances drying without the need for rotation
Comes with fine mesh for small foods
Easy to use and to manage
Cons
It is small for a large family drying needs
Expert opinion: Hamilton Beach 32100A Food Dehydrator is the best choice if you are looking for the best but small and efficient dehydrator. It works best for fruits, vegetables, and meat just to mention.
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Aroma Housewares Food Dehydrator
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Aroma Housewares Food Dehydrator is a fantastic kitchen living dehydrator with unique and compact design hence can save big on space. It features 6 trays that are BPA-free and safe for use with food stuff. Therefore, with this machine, you can dry almost everything that you want.
Performance and efficiency
The adjustable thermostat that is the feature of this Aroma Housewares Food Dehydrator makes it a great choice for drying different types of foods at convenient temperatures. There is also the aspect of circulating airflow and hence there is no need to rotate the trays.
Other features
The extra-large capacity size with the 6 trays makes it good for beef jerky, sun-dried veggies, fruit leather, and sweet dried fruits among other healthy and delicious snacks. The good thing with the trays is that it allows for height adjustment.
Pros
Large capacity and spacious for different foods
Tray’s height can be adjusted
Adjustable drying temperature with digital thermostat
BPA-free and healthy to use trays
Efficient airflow circulation for better drying performance
Compact and saves on space
Cons
The door is made of plastic and not durable
Expert opinion: Aroma Housewares Food Dehydrator is good for daily light drying of foods including fruits to make fruit leather, beef for jerky, and other drying needs.
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VIVOHOME Electric Dehydrator
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This is the best stainless steel dehydrator that is good for any home. It comes with 400 watts of power and is efficient in drying performance. The machine dissipates heat efficiently hence resulting in even drying of food stuff. It works for meat jerky or beef, fruits, and veggies among others.
Performance and efficiency
On performance and efficiency, as we mentioned, this is a powerful dehydrator that works perfectly for any kind of food that you may want to dry. It features an adjustable thermostat with timer, automatic air fan, and with 5 trays capacity. Therefore, it is an efficient drying machine that you should get.
Other features
The other thing with VIVOHOME Electric Dehydrator is that it features premium quality materials, that is stainless-steel and plastic trays that are BPA-free. VIVOHOME Electric Dehydrator also features a LED display screen that is easy to use.
Pros
Premium quality BPA-free trays
Durable construction with stainless-steel material
LED digital display screen
Adjustable temperature settings with thermostat
Timer for automatic shut-off
Large capacity for large drying needs
Dries without losing the original flavors
Cons
The holes in the trays are too large for small food stuff
Expert opinion: It is a worthwhile, powerful and efficient dehydrator that we can recommend based in performance. It is also affordable and a recommendable choice for any kitchen.
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How to Choose the Best Dehydrator for Raw Food?
Now when choosing one of the raw cookies dehydrator or for any other food, already you know the different specs that you should check. You can then narrow down your search in terms of the following aspects:
Best budget
Perhaps you want a dehydrator that would serve your needs without compromising on quality but with a limited budget. For that matter, you can check out NESCO FD-75A Food Dehydrator since it is an efficient choice with an affordable cost, or Hamilton Beach 32100A; which is a bit smaller in size but with good features and quality.
Best overall
We have the best overall dehydrator according to our experts and also the second best or the runners up. In that case, COSORI Premium Raw Food Dehydrator is the best overall while we have NESCO FD-75A Food Dehydrator being the best runners up.
Best capacity
Maybe you want to buy a large capacity dehydrator and this guide would recommend Tribest SDE-S6780-B digital dehydrator. It is large in capacity and comes with 11 stainless-steel trays, and with other quality features.
Conclusion
With the best raw food dehydrator options that you have on this review, you won’t miss a dehydrator that would serve your preservation needs. They are all made with quality features and with different specs to suit the different tastes and needs. Therefore, don’t be hesitant to check and order for your favorite dehydrator.
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