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If you are a fan of jerky and always wondered how the meat got to its lean state, then this article is for you. If you are tired of buying jerky and want to make it yourself, then you ought to consider getting a food dehydrator. A beef jerky dehydrator is a type of dehydrator specifically optimized for making jerky, featuring temperature control, ease of use, and consistent results tailored for beef jerky production. Several dehydrators have been labeled as the best food dehydrator for jerky. Among them, the Excalibur is highly recommended due to its overall size and capacity, making it ideal for producing large batches of jerky. There are so many dehydrators on the market for you to choose from. The onus is on you to do your research to choose one that best fits your budget.
Jerky is made when meat is dried through a process of dehydration. Dehydration, in essence, removed the moisture from meat through a heated process. Dehydrating food is a method used for preserving not just meat, but also fruits and vegetables, resulting in dehydrated food that lasts longer and retains nutrients. This process prevents the meat from spoiling and prevents bacteria from developing. Below are some of the options for the best food dehydrator for jerky.
With a dehydrator, you can easily store healthy snacks for later. Dried foods and dried snacks like jerky, fruit chips, and vegetable crisps are popular results of using a dehydrator. For best results, store your homemade jerky and other dried snacks in canning jars to maintain freshness and extend shelf life.
Below are some of the food dehydrators for jerky that you’ll find today.
Food dehydration is one of the oldest and most effective methods of food preservation, allowing you to enjoy your favorite snacks year-round while reducing food waste. By removing moisture from foods, you can significantly extend their shelf life and prevent spoilage, making it easy to store healthy snacks like beef jerky, fruit leather, and dried fruits for months at a time. Using a food dehydrator machine at home gives you full control over the ingredients and flavors, so you can create homemade beef jerky that’s absolutely delicious and free from unnecessary additives. Additionally, the timer feature on many dehydrators is particularly useful for long runs, as it allows users to set the dehydrator to shut off automatically, ensuring convenience and safety.
A high quality dehydrator is essential for making great jerky and other dehydrated foods. Look for a model with temperature control and stainless steel trays to ensure even heat distribution and consistent results. Stainless steel not only provides durability but also makes cleaning easier, while adjustable temperature settings help you achieve the perfect drying cycle for everything from jerky to fruit leather. Whether you’re looking to preserve food for long-term storage or simply want to make healthy snacks for your family, investing in a reliable food dehydrator is a smart choice for any kitchen.
Types of Dehydrators
When it comes to making beef jerky at home, choosing the right type of dehydrator can make all the difference. There are two main styles to consider: round and square dehydrators. Round dehydrators typically have a fan mounted on the top or bottom, circulating hot air vertically through the trays. This design is compact and often more affordable, but may require rotating trays to ensure even heat distribution during the drying cycle.
On the other hand, square dehydrators usually feature a rear-mounted fan that blows air horizontally across the trays. This setup is ideal for making beef jerky, as it provides more even heat distribution and helps all your jerky strips dry at the same rate. Many high quality dehydrators also offer features like adjustable temperature control, timers, and expandable tray capacity, allowing you to customize the temperature range and drying time for different types of jerky and other dehydrated foods.
When selecting a dehydrator for jerky, consider the size and capacity you need, as well as the importance of features like temperature control and even heat distribution. A good dehydrator for jerky should be able to handle large batches, maintain a consistent temperature, and offer a range of settings to suit your jerky making needs.
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Nesco’s Jerky Xpress is both a dehydrator and jerky maker and comes with four round plastic trays. The round trays are easy to clean and help with efficient airflow, though they may be less ideal for longer pieces of produce. It has a fixed temperature that is driven by a fan powerhead, which eliminates the need to rotate trays for even drying. It dries your food items within hours and comes with one year warranty. The best thing about the entire situation is that you get enough seasonings for four pounds of meat. Additionally, the Nesco Snackmaster Pro can handle about 3lbs of meat, but it can be expanded to hold up to 7.5lbs, making it a versatile option for jerky enthusiasts.
Pros
It comes with tips for making beef jerky. If you are an amateur and have never made beef jerky before, this dehydrator comes with tips on how to make the jerky and along with attachments and spice packs.
You do not have to rotate trays during the drying process, which saves time and ensures even results. If you want to dehydrate without worrying about rotating trays, then this is a good option. It comes with a fan so you can expect faster and a more even drying technology.
One-Touch Operation—its one-touch operation makes it very easy to use. You do not have to worry about setting it up right. You just flip the switch, and the dehydrator sets the temperature for you.
Cons
The dehydration process can take really long- if you have something that you want to dehydrate, it may be best if you leave the machine on overnight rather than waiting all day for the process to get done.
Not for repeated use—if you use this one day for several hours, and then you attempt to use it again the following day, it may not work because the motor is probably burnt. If you buy this product, be careful of your usage frequency.
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Unlike the Nesco, the Presto Dehydro does not have the word jerky in it. But, it is a dehydrator that is both digital and electric. It comes with six round trays made of plastic, which makes food placement easy and cleaning straightforward. The round trays can impact how you arrange food for even drying, especially for longer items. The model also supports making fruit rolls using fruit roll sheets or mesh screens, making it convenient for homemade snacks. It has the ability to make jerky from several meat varieties. Additionally, when a recipe calls for dried ingredients, you can use the dehydrator to prepare them in advance. It is white, but you can pay an additional purchasing fee and get fruit roll sheets or mesh screens with them.
Pros
The timer is precise – the dehydrator is equipped with a thermostat and timer that are both digital, so time and temperature are properly regulated.
No rotation is needed – the heating elements and fan are mounted at the bottom of the dehydrator, so airflow and distribution are easy but consistent.
Trays – it comes with six round plastic trays, but you can buy additional trays as it has a twelve tray capacity. The round plastic trays are dishwasher safe, making cleanup easy, and are ideal for making fruit rolls. There is no need for you to spend a lot of time trying to get grease off of the trays.
Cons
Repeated and frequent use of the dehydrator can significantly shorten its life
It takes long to dehydrate- like all dehydrators, the process takes incredibly long, and this dehydrator is no exception to the rule.
Gourmia GFD1550 Food Dehydrator with Digital Temperature Settings
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Gourmia advertises its dehydrator as one that could make everything. If you thought a dehydrator would only make your dried fruits and jerky, then think again. This versatile dehydrator can easily produce a wide range of dried foods, including dried fruit and dried snacks like fruit chips and vegetable crisps. According to Gourmia, their dehydrator is capable of making muffins and other scrumptious desserts.
Pros
Compact Dehydrator – the dehydrator is so compact that it allows you to save on storage space. No need to worry about where you should store it because it does not take up much space. Despite being compact, it has five round plastic trays, making it easy to clean and efficient for airflow. This setup is ideal for making a variety of dried snacks like jerky, fruit chips, and herbal powders.
It comes with a cookbook – if you have no idea how to make jerky before purchasing this product, the cookbook it comes with will assist you in making jerky. It will also advise on other dehydrated fruits that you can try.
Cons
No spare parts – if you had ideas of making anything besides jerky in this dehydrator, then you may need to reconsider. It does not come with solid or mesh trays, so this may dampen your efforts to make snacks like fruit leather. The trays are also not sold separately.
It is made by products known to cause cancer – if you don’t read instruction manuals, then you will want to read the one that comes with this dehydrator because on one of the last pages of the book there is a disclaimer that the product is made with cancer-causing materials.
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The Cosori dehydrator comes with six stainless steel trays, a mesh screen, a fruit roll sheet, a user’s manual, and a bonus recipe book. This Cosori dehydrator is crafted in food-grade high-quality stainless steel and finished with a glass front door. With its generous capacity, it is suitable for making beef jerky, fruit leather, and other dried foods. The digital control panel offers preset functions for ease of use, making it beginner-friendly and ideal for small kitchens. All liners and accessories are BPA-free and easy to clean due to the dishwasher-safe material. The Cosori dehydrator also has a maximum temperature setting of 176°F, which ensures it meets USDA-safe conditions for making jerky.
Several features are included in the build, including an automatic shut-off feature when the unit gets too hot. On top of that, the unit runs at 48 dB, which is less than many of its competitors, meaning a quieter operation and less interference in your daily life. The digital control panel used to control the unit is set with a timer that runs up to 48 hours and 30-minute increments. The Ivation Dehydrator is particularly notable for its quiet operation, reaching a maximum noise level of just 55 decibels, making it one of the quietest units available.
Though there are a few issues, including some people who have reported the fan shutting off for no reason and the price tag that comes with it, this unit is quite the investment and offers outstanding value even with those two drawbacks.
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This countertop dehydrator has a multitiered interior that utilizes six food-grade stainless steel trays/dryer racks. Its compact design makes it a practical choice for kitchens with limited counter space, as it fits easily on most countertops without taking up too much room. In order to control the temperatures in this unit, there is an electronic probe and temperature control that is managed through a touch control LED display. Combined with that, the unit has memory function capabilities to ensure ease of use. Finished with a glass door and a built-in rear-mounted motor and internal fan, this unit is designed to keep from overheating. The Magic Mill dehydrator is very quiet, simple to clean, and has a 10-tray capacity, making it versatile and efficient for producing large quantities of jerky and other dried foods.
There are many things to love about this unit, including the use of beautiful stainless steel that is not only durable but looks good in almost every kitchen. The door handles are well made and able to stand up to the rigors of use, unlike other models on the market. It also offers an easy-to-use control panel on the top of the unit and a wire screen in the back to help the racks stay in place.
Though the fan is constructed internally and runs quietly, there is one major issue. Many people have found that there is a balance problem and that the fan itself may vibrate slightly when used. The only other drawback is that some have found the heating element does have a slight odor upon first use.
Pros
Crafted with high-quality stainless steel for improved durability and aesthetic look
Includes durable plastic trays, which are easy to clean and ideal for those who process their own meat for jerky
Handles that are attached to the door are well made and able to withstand the rigors of use
The control panel is situated on the top of the unit and is simple and easy to operate
Designed with a wire screen in the back to prevent racks from going too far into the unit
Fan utilized in construction runs quietly
Cons
Some find that there is a slight odor from the heating element when first used
Fan seems to have a little bit of a balance issue and may vibrate slightly
Dehydrator Maintenance and Safety
Proper maintenance and safety are key to getting the most out of your food dehydrator and ensuring every batch of homemade beef jerky is both safe and delicious. Start by cleaning your dehydrator after each use—removable trays, especially dishwasher safe trays, make this process much easier. Using a mesh screen can help prevent smaller pieces of jerky or other foods from falling through the trays, keeping your dehydrator clean and your food safe.
Regularly inspect the heating element and fan for any signs of wear or damage, as these components are essential for even heat distribution and effective dehydrating. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use, and be cautious when handling hot trays or sharp tools during the jerky making process. Store your dehydrator in a cool, dry place to protect it from moisture and dust, which can affect its performance and longevity.
By following these simple maintenance and safety tips, you’ll be able to enjoy making beef jerky and other dehydrated foods for years to come, all while keeping your dehydrator running smoothly and efficiently.
FAQs
What is the best food dehydrator for making jerky?
The best food dehydrator for making jerky depends on your needs and preferences. Generally speaking, a model with multiple temperature settings, adjustable trays and timers, and an automatic shut-off feature is ideal for those who want to make consistent batches of delicious and well-dried jerky. These features are especially important for making meat jerky, as precise temperature control (typically between 160°F and 176°F) is essential to achieve USDA-safe conditions and ensure your homemade beef jerky is both safe and easy to prepare.
How much jerky can you make with a food dehydrator?
In comparison, larger models can handle up to 5 or more pounds at once. The quantity of beef strips or ground beef you use will determine how much dry beef jerky or dry jerky you can produce in a single batch. Using more beef strips or ground beef allows you to maximize your dehydrator’s capacity and make more jerky at once
Both beef strips and ground meat can be used for jerky, and adding curing salt helps with preservation and flavor. Making homemade jerky allows you to create delicious jerky with your preferred seasonings and textures.
The Verdict
So, after reading about three brands of dehydrators, which is the best food dehydrator for jerky? It really comes down to preference and what you are willing to overlook. All dehydrators take long with the dehydration process so you cannot choose the best food dehydrator for jerky based on that. However, the Gourmia initially seemed like the best of the lot, but then it was revealed that it was made from materials that were known to be cancer causing.
It is now a battle between the Nesco and Presto dehydrators. They both have the same cons, and their functionality is pretty similar. The Presto has the advantage of being digital, but the Nesco has a little edge because it comes with tips and seasonings. If you prefer digital, you can buy your own seasonings and research your own recipes. But despite Nesco’s non-digital functionality, it still operates by one touch. The choice is yours.
DannyContent Writer
Hey there, since 2016, my mission has been to provide you with the information and guides you need to make food dehydrating simple and fun. Whether you're a newbie or a seasoned pro, my site offers helpful guides, reviews, and recipes to enhance your dehydrating experience. I take pride in only recommending products I believe in, ensuring my readers' trust. As an affiliate of various programs, including Amazon Associates, your support helps me continue providing quality content. Thanks for stopping by, and happy dehydrating!
