Food dehydrators are great for making dried snacks and even drying out inedible items. With so many different dehydrators on the market, it can be difficult to figure out which one would be best suited to your needs.
Not all dehydrators are created equally. Make sure you consider all options before buying a new dehydrator.
So, which one should you purchase? Continue reading this Dehydrated Foodz review to learn more about the Cuisinart DHR 20 Food Dehydrator.
Features
The Cuisinart DHR-20 Food Dehydrator is great for making delicious, dried snacks such as fruit roll-ups, veggie chips, beef jerky, and even nuts. It can even make inedible items, like dried flowers and herbs for potpourri or even dog treats.
The dehydrator naturally preserves foods without adding preservatives or additives. It is the perfect option for making healthier snack choices.
Overall Dimensions
- Width: 13.38 inches
- Depth: 15.63 inches
- Height: 12 inches
- Weight: 7.80 pounds
- Color: Steel Gray
Specifications
- 5 tray, 552 square inch surface capacity
- Additional racks available
- Fruit roll-up sheet
- Detailed manual for the product
- 620-watt fan for air circulation
- Top venting system
- Adjustable thermostat: Fan Only, Low, Medium, High
- The Cuisinart dehydrator is BPA free
- Limited 3-year warranty
- 120V short power-supply cord
Pros
There are many great reasons to by the Cuisinart DHR 20 Food Dehydrator. This is why this dehydrator may be the right one for you.
Adjustable Temp Control
The adjustable temperature control ranges are as follows: Fan Only (no heat), Low (110° F), Medium (140° F), and High (175° F). The different temperatures are great for dehydrating anything regardless of what that may be.
Ease of Use
This Cuisinart food dehydrator is very easy to use. It comes with a manual that explains how to use it and gives suggestions for recipes when using the dehydrator.
You can add trays to make more room for dehydrating items. There is only one knob to switch it on and off and to adjust the temperature.
Quality of Product
This dehydrator is made of high-quality materials like with most Cuisinart products. The material is made of BPA-free plastic. It is less than 8 pounds so it is easily moveable. It won’t take up much space as the square footage is less than two feet.
Easy to Clean and Maintain
The dehydrator racks, the cover, and even the fruit roll-up tray are removable and dishwasher safe. The base can be wiped down with a damp rag to clean it. It cannot be submerged in water.
Cons
As with every product, there are some cons with using the Cuisinart DHR 20 Food Dehydrator. Cons won’t exactly sway you from buying the product, but it’s nice to be knowledgeable of the things you may not like.
This food dehydrator has a few things that could use some improvements to make it the best machine that it can be.
Makes a Loud Noise During Use
This product tends to be loud when it is running. This is due to the heating and air circulation needed to dehydrate. There are some quieter models on the market.
Takes Longer to Thoroughly Dehydrate
It seems to take a longer time to dehydrate foods than some other types of dehydrators. This can be an issue when you are first learning how to use the dehydrator.
The manual comes with directions for drying things and the time may be off. It is something that you will have to experiment with when you are trying out different items.
Fewer Features Than Other Dehydrators
There is no timer feature, but it will turn off automatically after running for 24 hours. This could risk a fire hazard and will need constant supervision to make sure it doesn’t cause any problems.
It is not feasible to use this product when you may not be home during the entire drying process. If you have to have a timer or a quicker auto shutoff this may not be the right dehydrator for you.
Product Overview: Cuisinart DHR 20
The Cuisinart DHR 20 is a smaller model dehydrator, but don’t let its size fool you. This dehydrator comes with big power and high-quality materials giving you a greater dehydrating experience.
It is perfect for making dried fruits and veggies. It can easily make any type of jerky. The temperature adjustment is great for the variety of foods that it can handle. The lower temperatures are perfect for fruits and vegetables, while the higher temps can properly cure the meats you might use.
Compared to Other Dehydrators
It’s always a good idea to compare the different brands and types of a product before you decide which one you want to buy.
The Cuisinart DHR 20 Food Dehydrator is lighter than other dehydrators. Its smaller size allows it to be more portable and fits into tight spaces more easily.
The trays are removable making them easy to clean, unlike some dehydrators that you have to spot clean after each use. The trays can be run through the dishwasher and then reassembled for a simpler cleaning routine.
You can also add additional trays (up to 9 total) to have more room for your dehydrating food. This can’t be said about the stationary trays in other dehydrators.
Summary of Cuisinart DHR 20 Food Dehydrator
Dry out some of your favorite foods to make healthier snacking choices with this dehydrator. Cuisinart products are always great in both the quality of the product and ease of use. The same is true about the Cuisinart DHR 20 Food Dehydrator.
The removable trays are ideal for a quick clean up. The short power cord will prevent trips and falls or knocking the dehydrator off the counter. The temperature control makes this dehydrator great for drying different types of food.
We know how hard it can be to pick a food dehydrator. If you are still unsure which food dehydrator to go with, check out our other food dehydrator reviews to help make up your mind.