What’s better than chewing on some good ol’ jerky? Chewing on jerky that you made yourself.
However, making jerky in the oven is such an inconvenience as it can put the oven out of use for up to 5 hours and sometimes longer if the temperature and airflow are not maintained inside. This will use up a lot more energy and is a less efficient way of making homemade jerky.
The solution to this problem is an at-home dehydrator that can be used to dry out other things like herbs, flowers, and fruits. These devices are often easy to use and efficient as they have good airflow throughout, which will dry out the food quicker.
However, if you’ve never bought a device like this before, then you probably don’t know what you’re looking for.
That’s why we’ve tried and tested dehydrators to bring you the best ones today so buying jerky from the store will become a thing of the past.
Comparison Table
Key Criteria
Below is a list of the criteria we used when evaluating dehydrators. Some factors were more important than others and will also be different for each of our readers depending on what you plan to use your dehydrator for and how much space you have in your kitchen.
Whilst carrying out our evaluations and reviews, we also did some research on the background of the companies to make sure they were all reputable and good enough to recommend to our readers.
Size
The size of the unit will be a very important factor when choosing a dehydrator for yourself. If you run a jerky business from home, then you’ll want a commercial-sized unit to be able to keep up with the demand from your customers.
It also does take quite a long time to dehydrate jerky so you’ll need to dehydrate more at once instead of doing lots of smaller batches which could take too long.
However, you don’t need to be in the jerky business to have a larger-sized dehydrator. If you’re someone who loves jerky as an everyday snack, then you’ll want a large enough capacity to make a big batch to last you instead of having to make them more often to fulfill your jerky needs, as like we said, it can take a while to dehydrate it.
If you like the occasional jerky but you’re not a fan of buying it in the store, then a small compact dehydrator would be better for you as it won’t need a permanent location in your kitchen and can be neatly stored away in the cupboard.
For this reason, we’ve recommended both commercial and smaller-sized dehydrator units to suit a variety of needs.
Temperature Control
The temperature range of your dehydrator (if it has one) is also important as it’ll give you better control over what environment your jerky is dried in.
Jerky needs to reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit so checking that the dehydrator goes up to this temperature level is important to safely make jerky.
If you plan on drying out other things like herbs in your dehydrator then you’ll need a temperature range that goes below 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Finding a unit with a good temperature range allows you to have more versatility with how you use your dehydrator.
Programmable Timer
If you’re a casual jerky eater then a programmable timer will not be at the top of your priority list, but those who love to eat it often or make it as part of their business will need a unit that has one built-in.
A timer will allow you to set an allocated time interval for the dehydrator to be on and then it’ll automatically turn off once the time is up. This is great if you want to make jerky overnight but don’t want to risk drying it out too much or having to wake up in the night to turn it off.
However, most budget dehydrators won’t have a programmable timer function and they’ll just simply turn on when plugged in, so you’ll need to come back regularly and check on your jerky whilst it is drying.
Noise Levels
Dehydrators can get pretty loud due to the fans and airflow used to dry out the food inside. More expensive models have been designed to be quieter whereas more budget-friendly units won’t have this factor and will be nosier.
If you plan on using the dehydrator in your home frequently then maybe it would be best to find one that’s as quiet as possible. However, the noise is not too disruptive and can be compared to the fan in your shower room or an air purifier.
Many manufacturers will state the noise level of the model on the product specifications or in the instruction manual.
Cleaning
One of the best things about a dehydrator is that you can put your jerky inside and leave it alone until it’s done, minimizing the clean-up process that is normally associated with cooking. However, this doesn’t mean that the unit will not have to be cleaned.
Finding a unit dehydrator that was easy to clean was important to us as any equipment or appliance that you use food with should be sanitized before using.
Most units will have removable layers that can be taken out to clean and then put back in once you're done. We’d recommend using a soft brush to wipe away food particles and crumbs that have got stuck on the shelves so it’s clean for the next time you use it.
Ease of Use
You don’t want to study the instruction manual every time you choose to use your dehydrator, so that’s why we found ones that are simple to use and pretty self-explanatory no matter what you choose to dry out inside.
Dehydrators are generally easy to use regardless of if they’re a commercial or at-home model as they’re primarily only used for one thing - drying out food.
Best Dehydrator for Jerky
1. Best Overall: Excalibur Electric Food Dehydrator
There was no doubt about making this Excalibur dehydrator our best overall choice as it’s the perfect blend of professional functionality but in a much more home-friendly size.
The device comes with a timer that can be programmed for up to 26 hours as well as an adjustable thermostat that goes as high as 165 degrees F (optimum for jerky drying) and as low as 105 degrees F (for herbs and fruit drying) so you’ll have great versatile use out of this unit.
The dehydrator automatically shuts off when the timer has run out, so you can leave your jerky to dry out overnight and find it ready to eat in the morning.
It has 9 tray shelves, so ideal if you’re a big jerky fan like us and always like to have some to reach for in the cupboard as this will allow you to make batches big enough not just for you but for your family and friends as well.
It’s extremely easy to use and has a simplistic display panel to choose your settings. The poly-tray design also prevents your food from sticking to the trays and makes the clean-up process much simpler when you’re done. The tray is also made from BPA-free material.
Despite having a large capacity, the unit is fairly small and can be kept permanently on a kitchen countertop or stored away in a reasonably sized cupboard when it’s not in use. This dehydrator unit also had a mild noise that could be compared to a bathroom fan but is not especially noticeable.
Pros
- 26-hour timer: The device will automatically turn off once the timer has gone off
- Large capacity: Enough to make batches to last a while
- Mild noise: Barely noticeable unless right next to the device
- Adjustable temperature: Can dry out various foods in the device
Cons
- Inconsistencies with packaging: Instructions or recipe booklet not received by everyone
- Large Capacity: Equipped with 9 Excalibur dehydrator trays, this large food dehydrator boasts 15 square feet of drying space
- Versatile Uses: Features a 26-hour dehydrator timer and an adjustable thermostat with a range of 105 to 165 degrees F – low enough for fruits and vegetables but high enough for dehydrating meat
- Low & Slow for Immune Boost: Cooking foods at no higher than 115-118 degrees in a dehydrator preserves nutrients and enzymes; it's the perfect dehydrator for food and jerky, as well as dried fruit leather, fruit roll-up puree, all-natural pet treats, homemade yogurt, veggies, nuts or to even raise bread
- Faster & Easier to Use: This meat and fruit dehydrator features exclusive Excalibur Parallex Horizontal Airflow technology, which dehydrates food faster, retains more nutrients, and helps food look and taste better without requiring tray rotation
- Includes: Guide to Dehydration and 9 flexible non-stick polyscreen tray inserts; Made in the USA with USA and globally sourced materials
2. Best Budget: NESCO JerkyXpress Dehydrator
Kitchen appliances can be pretty expensive, so we don’t blame anyone for not wanting to break the bank on a dehydrator, especially if you’re not going to use it that often.
This Nesco JerkyXpress is ideal if you’re partial to being a bit of jerky now and again, but don’t plan on making it a weekly thing for yourself. It can make up to 7lbs of jerky in just one batch, so you can store it in the cupboard and help yourself whenever you’ve got some cravings.
It quickly and evenly dries your jerky without the need to rotate your trays during the process. Nesco recommends making your meat pieces as thin as possible otherwise thick pieces could take over 10 hours to dry out.
As this is a budget-friendly model, it has a fixed temperature which is set to 160 degrees F so the optimum temperature for making jerky, but not for anything else.
There is also no programmable timer built-in, so you’ll need to come back and check your jerky once it reaches the 4-5 hour mark to see if it’s done yet.
The JerkyXpress comes with 4 trays to dry your jerky on, but if you’re looking to make bigger batches then you can expand it to 7 trays by buying some additional ones.
The dehydrating device is pretty simple to use and won’t require you to read through the instructions, however, if you choose to use the jerky gun to make your own jerky samples then you may want to look at the manual to see how it works.
The trays can be taken out individually which makes cleaning up afterward pretty stress-free.
It was one of the noisiest devices we tried, sounding something similar to a kitchen exhaust fan, but we found putting it into a laundry room and shutting the door made it unnoticeable.
Pros
- Compact: Can be transported into another room to reduce the noise
- Simple to use: Minimal settings so self-explanatory
- Can add additional trays: Will make bigger batches
Cons
- Lacks versatility: One temperature setting so only ideal for jerky
- EVEN HEAT DISTRIBUTION: 350 watts of drying power provides even heat distribution for consistent drying
- FIXED TEMPERATURE CONTROL: Detachable top mounted powerhead with a fixed temperature control of 160°F. The fixed temperature control takes the guesswork out of finding the optimal drying temperature when making jerky
- EXPANDABLE TO 7 TRAYS: Comes with four (13 ½″ diameter) trays and expands up to 7 trays so you can dry large quantities at once with no tray rotation needed; additional trays sold separately
- MADE IN THE USA: Proudly made in the USA of global and domestic components
- ACCESSORIES INCLUDED: Jerky Gun with three tip attachments, Jerky Seasoning & Cure samples, and a Recipe & Instruction book
How to make jerky using a Nesco Dehydrator
3. Best Premium: Magic Mill Food Dehydrator Machine
If jerky is a part of your personality and only a premium model will do for you, then this Magic Mill unit will fulfill all your jerky needs.
This model used to have 10 trays but it has now been upgraded to have 11 trays, so you’ll be able to make huge batches of your favorite jerky and even make some to sell as a business venture.
It’s a fairly large model, around the same size as a drinks refrigerator, so you’ll need to make room for it on your countertops or use it placed on the floor. It comes with detailed instructions but they won’t be necessary as it’s easy to use.
It has a rear-mounted drying fan and great air circulation for even drying, so there won’t be any need to rotate the shelves as time goes on. There is also an adjustable timer that will turn off as soon as it has run out, so you can set it and forget it and still have perfect jerky when you take it out.
The adjustable temperature adds versatility to the unit as the range between 97-167 degrees F allows people to use this dehydrator for various uses, which should be expected for such a premium model.
It’s a very quiet model and the only real sound is the timer when it’s done, so you won’t have any issues with keeping this on in your kitchen.
Pros
- Even drying: Will not have to rotate the shelves
- Quiet model: Won’t cause too much disturbance in the home
- Large capacity: Can be used to make huge personal batches or for commercial purposes
- Versatile Use: Good temperature range can be used for jerky, herbs, flowers, and fruits
Cons
- Fairly large: Will need to have a permanent space to keep it or a large storage cupboard
- NOW WITH 11 TRAYS - Formally with 10 Trays - This Magic Mill Dehydrator Has Been Upgraded to 11 Trays to Add 30 inches of Extra Drying Space, While Keeping the Same Modern Slim Look
- Healthy enjoy the homemade easiest healthiest snacks, preserve foods, without additives, made with BPA free Machine.
- Digital Temperature Control with 95-167 Degree Fahrenheit (with 9 num. increments) Capability with 24 Hour Timer, Horizontal Air Flow System with Rear Mounted Motor & Fan ensuring more Uniform Drying
- Usage perfect for dried fruit slices, long-lasting dried herbs, delicious beef jerky and more. Also a perfect way to preserve foods. For a fraction the price of commercial.
- 11 spacious, (15.5" X 15.34") Adjustable stainless-steel drying racks, 1 plastic fine mesh trays, 1 nonstick trays, 1 set oven mitts, to accommodate a wide variety of fruits, herbs, vegetables, and meats, great for large families, gardeners, sportsmen, outdoor hobbyists, health-conscious enthusiast
4. Best Compact Choice: NESCO FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Dehydrator
If your home doesn’t have much storage or you’re looking to make jerky out on the road, then this Nesco Snackmaster is the best choice for compactness and portability. It will easily fit into a kitchen cupboard and has a convenient carry handle to transport it around.
The model comes with 5 trays but it can be extended to 12 trays if you’re looking to produce bigger batches of jerky. The drying system blows hot air horizontally across individual trays for even drying so there’ll be no need to rotate them every hour.
We were impressed to find an adjustable thermostat on this device that ranges between 95 and 160 degrees F, so ideal for drying out different foods. There is no timer on the unit though, so you will need to come back and check to see if the jerky is ready.
The Snackmaster Pro does make a mild buzzing noise but it is nothing that is too bothersome and is compared to the sound of a dryer in the next room. However, if you’re sensitive to noise then you could always place this device into a room that you won’t be in as it’s so portable.
Cleaning up after using this model is simple and you’ll only have to use some mild detergent and water along with a sponge or soft brush. It is recommended to clean up straight away and not to let any remnants settle on the trays.
Pros
- Portable size: Good for small kitchens and for taking on the road with you
- Adjustable thermostat: Varies the foods you can dry out on the device
- Easy clean up: No dishwasher needed
- Noise is not bothersome: Can use it without it annoying everyone in the house
Cons
- No programmable timer: Can’t leave on overnight and will need to check back on jerky every few hours
- EVEN HEAT DISTRIBUTION: 600 watts of drying power provides even heat distribution; consistent drying that is four times faster than other food dehydrators
- ADJUSTABLE TEMPERATURE CONTROL: 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
- EXPANDABLE TO 12 TRAYS: Comes with five (13 ½″ diameter) trays and expands up to 12 trays so you can dry large quantities at once with no tray rotation needed; additional trays sold separately
- EXPANDABLE TO 12 TRAYS: Comes with five (13 ½″ diameter) trays and expands up to 12 trays so you can dry large quantities at once with no tray rotation needed; additional trays sold separately
- ACCESSORIES INCLUDED: (2) Fruit Roll Sheet, (2) Clean-A-Screens, a sample of Jerky Seasoning & Cure, and (1) Care & Use Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Dehydrators are not just used to dry out jerky, but they can also be used to make your own dried herbs. Many people also use dehydrator units to dry out fruit to create healthy snacks that last longer, make homemade granola, and even dry out flowers for decorations.
Some dehydrators will come with recipes to inspire you to use the unit for more than just making homemade jerky.
Jerky normally takes around 4-5 hours when placed into a dehydrator that is turned to 160 degrees Fahrenheit. If you’re drying it out at a lower temperature than this then it could take double that amount of time.
Jerky can be made in both a smoker and a dehydrator but the only difference is that when it’s made in a smoker it has a better taste. The smoker will give your jerky a smoky flavor and you can even use other types of wood like maple or hickory to give it a specific taste.
The bigger your dehydrator unit is, the more electricity it will use to run. It will cost between $0.10 to $1.20 per 10-hour period of running your dehydrator but this will depend on the wattage of it as well.
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