Best Meat Dehydrator for Jerky: Top Picks and Reviews
Dehydrating meat is serious business. Obviously, aside from good quality meat, you also need a lean and mean machine to accomplish this task. This article is your guide to finding the best meat dehydrator for jerky and other uses. Whether you’re making jerky, drying fruits and vegetables, or preparing snacks for the whole family, this guide is for home cooks, jerky enthusiasts, and anyone interested in preserving meat and other foods. We review and compare the top meat dehydrators for jerky, including their features, pros, and cons. Choosing the right dehydrator ensures food safety, quality, and convenience.
Preserving or drying out meat can really be a tough process because you are dealing with a thick piece of individual grains. More often than not, the whole process can take up to two days. So once you get into dehydrating meat, there is really no turning back. Dehydrators can also be used for cooking components of meals, such as drying cooked ingredients for recipes, and if you don’t have a dehydrator, an oven can be used as an alternative for drying foods or for pre-cooking meats before dehydration.
We also added one more dehydrator to this best meat dehydrator list. It’s a best seller and very popular among hunters. Making homemade beef jerky is simple and convenient with a new dehydrator, making the process easier and more enjoyable. And not only for meat but it works great on vegetables as well.
Now, let’s take a closer look at the top meat dehydrator picks for jerky.
- Background: Types of Dehydrators and Key Features
- How to Choose the Best Meat Dehydrator
- Top Meat Dehydrator Picks
- STX International Food and Jerky Dehydrator
- Nesco FD 75A Food Dehydrator
- NutriChef Food Dehydrator
- Excalibur 3926TB Dehydrator
- Septree Food Dehydrator
- Other Notable Dehydrators for Jerky
- Comparison Table: Best Dehydrators for Jerky
- Excalibur 3926TB Dehydrator Manual
- The Best Dehydrator for Meat: The Best of the Best
Background: Types of Dehydrators and Key Features
When choosing the best meat dehydrator, it’s important to understand the main types and features that impact performance and results.
Types of Dehydrators
- Vertical Airflow Dehydrators: These models have fans located either at the top or bottom. Air moves vertically through the trays, which can sometimes lead to uneven drying, especially when trays are fully loaded.
- Horizontal Airflow Dehydrators: These units have fans at the back, pushing air horizontally across all trays. This design typically provides more even drying, making it ideal for jerky and other thick foods.
Fan Location
- Fans can be found at the top, bottom, or back of the dehydrator. The location affects how air circulates and how evenly food dries.
Adjustable Temperature
- Most dehydrators offer adjustable temperature settings. This allows you to select the optimal temperature for different foods, which is crucial for safely dehydrating meat and preserving nutrients.
Tray Shapes
- Dehydrators come with trays in various shapes: square, rectangular, or round. The shape can influence how efficiently air circulates and how much food you can dry at once. Square and rectangular trays often maximize usable space and improve airflow, while round trays may require more frequent rotation for even results.
Understanding these features will help you select a dehydrator that meets your needs for jerky and other dried foods.
How to Choose the Best Meat Dehydrator
Selecting the right dehydrator is essential for making high-quality jerky and other dried foods. Here are the key features to consider:
- Capacity: Consider how much food you want to dehydrate at once. Larger models are ideal for big batches, while smaller units suit occasional use.
- Tray Design and Expandability: Look for models with stackable or expandable trays if you plan to increase capacity over time.
- Drying Area: The total surface area available for drying affects how much you can process in one cycle.
- Airflow System: Horizontal airflow models generally provide more even drying, especially for meat.
- Adjustable Temperature: Ensure the dehydrator can reach and maintain safe temperatures for meat (at least 160°F).
- Ease of Use: Features like digital timers, auto shut-off, and clear controls make operation simpler.
- Cleaning and Maintenance: Removable, dishwasher-safe trays and easy-to-clean interiors save time.
- Build Quality: Stainless steel models are durable and less likely to leach chemicals compared to plastic units.
With these considerations in mind, you can confidently choose a dehydrator that fits your needs.
Top Meat Dehydrator Picks
Below, we review and compare the leading meat dehydrators for jerky, highlighting their features, pros, and cons.
STX International Food and Jerky Dehydrator
Design and Build Quality
- Sleek, modern stainless steel exterior for durability and style.
- Ten stainless steel square trays (16 x 14.5 inches each) maximize drying space.
- Easy-to-clean trays and a front door that absorbs heat for safety.
Functionality and Ease of Use
- 1200-watt motor with a 7-inch rear-mounted fan for horizontal airflow and even heat distribution.
- Digital temperature control (97°F-165°F) with seven heat settings.
- Timer can be set from 15 minutes to 15 hours.
- Transparent viewing window and front hanging door for easy monitoring.
Performance
- Processes large batches of meat, fruits, and vegetables efficiently.
- Maintains low internal humidity for effective drying, even in high-humidity environments.
- Quiet operation suitable for overnight use.
Pros
- Auto shut-off timer for safety and convenience.
- Retains moisture for fresh-tasting jerky.
- Large capacity for big batches; expandable with extra trays.
- Compact design saves kitchen space.
Cons
- Door may rattle and eventually not close properly.
- Air circulation can be uneven; bottom trays may dry faster than top ones.
- Adjusting trays during operation can be inconvenient.
Nesco FD 75A Food Dehydrator
Design and Build Quality
- Stackable tray design; can expand from 5 to 12 trays.
- Compact and lightweight, suitable for small to medium families.
Functionality and Ease of Use
- 600-watt top-mounted fan with radial airflow for even drying.
- Adjustable thermostat (95°F-160°F).
- Dishwasher-safe trays (except power head).
- Includes instruction manual and recipe book.
Performance
- Dries food evenly and quickly, especially with patented Converga-Flow System.
- Suitable for jerky, fruits, vegetables, and herbs.
- Allows for different temperature settings for various foods.
Pros
- Even heat and airflow for consistent drying.
- Easy to clean; dishwasher-safe trays.
- Durable parts for long-term use.
- Enhances natural flavor of meat and steaks.
- Expandable capacity with extra trays.
- Dries beef jerky evenly due to its design.
Cons
- Loud during operation.
- Plastic trays may warp over time and could pose a risk of chemical leaching.
- Trays can be challenging to load/unload at full capacity.
NutriChef Food Dehydrator
Design and Materials
- Compact, durable high-quality plastic construction.
- Five stackable, removable trays; transparent lid for easy monitoring.
Functionality
- Adjustable three-setting temperature dial (low, medium, high), up to 180°F.
- Efficient heat circulation system with 250 watts of power.
- Mesh sheets available for drying small foods or liquids.
Efficiency and Usability
- Fast, even drying for meat, fruits, and vegetables.
- User-friendly controls and easy-to-clean trays.
Pros
- Durable and efficient for jerky, including deer meat.
- Easy to use and clean; dishwasher-safe components.
- Adjustable thermostat and transparent lid.
Cons
- No timer; requires manual shut-off.
- Stacking system could be sturdier.
Excalibur 3926TB Dehydrator
Design and Build Quality
- Rectangular design with nine removable trays (15 sq. ft. drying space).
- Patented Parallex Horizontal Airflow for even drying.
- Adjustable thermostat (105°F-165°F), 26-hour timer, and auto shut-off.
Functionality and Ease of Use
- User-friendly controls and easy-to-clean trays.
- Large capacity ideal for big batches.
- Trays and mesh inserts are dishwasher-safe.
Performance
- Quick, even drying for fruits, vegetables, and meats.
- Retains natural color, shape, and flavor.
- No need to rotate trays during dehydration.
Pros
- Timer and auto shut-off for safety.
- Even drying with patented airflow technology.
- Large capacity for big batches.
- User-friendly and easy to clean.
- Recommended as the best dehydrator for making beef jerky and can hold up to 6lbs of meat.
Cons
- Bulky and takes up counter space.
- Noisy during operation.
- No clear door for checking progress.
Septree Food Dehydrator
Design and Build Quality
- Four removable stainless steel trays.
- Durable polycarbonate body; sleek and modern.
Functionality and Ease of Use
- Adjustable thermostat (68-194°F).
- Low energy consumption (400 watts).
- Automatic shut-off feature.
Performance
- Even drying without the need to rotate trays.
- Handles a variety of foods, including fruit leather and jerky.
Pros
- Efficient and even drying.
- User-friendly controls.
- Low energy consumption.
Cons
- Maximum tray capacity of four.
Other Notable Dehydrators for Jerky
Cosori Dehydrator
- Quiet operation and stainless steel construction, making it a popular choice.
- Works well even in high humidity conditions, making it reliable for jerky.
Ivation Dehydrator
- Quiet back-mounted fan and comes with 6 trays that hold about 4lbs of meat.
Presto 06300
- Lowest cost dehydrator reviewed but never reaches the safe internal temperature of 160°F for making jerky.
Nesco Snackmaster Pro
- Allows for the addition of extra trays for increased capacity and dries beef jerky evenly due to its design.
Comparison Table: Best Dehydrators for Jerky
| Model | Key Features | Capacity | Best For | Notable Facts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excalibur 3926TB | Horizontal airflow, 9 trays, timer, auto shut-off | Up to 6 lbs meat | Best overall for jerky | Recommended as the best dehydrator for making beef jerky and can hold up to 6lbs of meat. |
| Cosori Dehydrator | Stainless steel, quiet, works in high humidity | 6 trays | Quiet, reliable operation | Noted for quiet operation and stainless steel; works well in high humidity for jerky. |
| Ivation Dehydrator | Quiet back-mounted fan, 6 trays | ~4 lbs meat | Compact, quiet use | Quiet back-mounted fan and 6 trays that hold about 4lbs of meat. |
| Presto 06300 | Budget-friendly, basic features | Small | Budget option | Lowest cost reviewed but never reaches safe 160°F for jerky. |
| Nesco Snackmaster Pro | Expandable trays, even drying, adjustable temp | Expandable | Flexible capacity, even drying | Allows extra trays for increased capacity; dries beef jerky evenly due to its design. |
Excalibur 3926TB Dehydrator Manual
Overview
The Excalibur 3926TB Dehydrator and Excalibur 2900ECB 9-Tray Economy Dehydrator are designed to dehydrate fruits, vegetables, meats, and herbs, as well as a wide range of dry foods, helping to preserve their natural qualities and extend their shelf life. This dehydrator features nine removable trays that provide 15 square feet of drying space, making it ideal for large batches of food. The appliance’s key features include:
- Patented Parallex Horizontal Airflow Technology.
- An adjustable thermostat from 105°F to 165°F.
- A 26-hour timer with automatic shut-off.
- An on/off switch.
Setup
- Unpack the Excalibur 3926TB Dehydrator and place it on a flat surface.
- Ensure that the unit is unplugged.
- Arrange the nine trays, ensuring that they are balanced and stacked evenly.
- Connect the power cord and plug it into a grounded outlet.
Loading the Trays
- Wash and prepare the food you wish to dehydrate.
- Cut the food into uniform pieces of even thickness.
- Place the food on the trays, leaving space between the pieces to allow airflow. Do not use wax paper to line the trays, as it can melt when exposed to heat. Instead, use nonstick sheets, silicone trays, or parchment paper as safe, heat-resistant alternatives.
- Check the user manual for recommended temperature and time settings for different kinds of food.
Temperature and Timer Settings
- Turn on the dehydrator by pressing the on/off switch.
- Set the desired temperature by using the adjustable thermostat dial.
- Set the timer to the expected drying time by turning the 26-hour timer dial.
- The unit will automatically turn off when the timer runs out, freeing you from worrying about over-drying.
Safety Precautions
- Do not operate the dehydrator if the power cord or plug is damaged.
- Do not immerse the dehydrator in water, as it is not waterproof.
- Do not cover the dehydrator while in use, as it can cause overheating.
- Keep the dehydrator away from children and pets.
- Do not overload the trays, as it can cause uneven drying.
Maintenance and Cleaning
- After every use, unplug the dehydrator and let it cool.
- Remove the trays and wash them in warm soapy water or a dishwasher.
- Wipe the dehydrator’s interior with a damp sponge or cloth, taking care to wipe up any spilled food debris.
- Allow the dehydrator to dry completely before storing it.
Troubleshooting
- Check the power cord and plug for damage.
- Check the temperature and timer settings to ensure they are correctly set.
- Check the trays for proper placement and even distribution of food.
- Check for signs of overheating and remove any coverings that might be blocking the airflow.
Conclusion
The Excalibur 3926TB Dehydrator is a helpful kitchen appliance for anyone who wants to preserve their food’s natural flavors and extend its shelf life. By following the user manual’s instructions and safety precautions, you can ensure that your dehydrator operates safely and efficiently. In addition, proper maintenance and cleaning after each use can provide a longer-lasting appliance for you to enjoy.
The Best Dehydrator for Meat: The Best of the Best
The STX International Food and Jerky Dehydrator is the winner. This is the one we chose because it encompassed its competitors with its brilliant features. You get to dehydrate a lot of meat at once. You can also just leave the machine due to its auto-shutoff feature.
Additionally, the Excalibur is highly recommended for making beef jerky, as it can hold up to 6lbs of meat, making it a top choice for enthusiasts. The Cosori Dehydrator is also a popular option for its quiet operation and stainless steel build, and it performs reliably even in high humidity. The Nesco Snackmaster Pro stands out for its expandable capacity and even drying, while the Ivation Dehydrator is a great compact choice with a quiet fan and 6 trays for about 4lbs of meat. The Presto 06300 is the most affordable, but it does not reach the safe temperature required for jerky.
Yes, its airflow is still not perfect, but this can be easily solved by rotating the trays every once in a while. Lastly, in a world of plastics, you cannot go wrong with steel. Having this type of material in your kitchen will prove to be a good buy in the long run.
This is a great beef jerky machine for pros and beginners alike. So get yourself the best meat dehydrator for jerky today and start making tasty, crunchy snacks right at home! You won’t regret it.
