The reports are in: the global demand for dehydrated food is growing. With growing demand, prices for things such as dried fruit, nuts, and jerky is going to go up, too.
Don’t want to pay more for the food you love? Why don’t you try making your own!
Traditionally, food is dried in the sun. Sun drying is a fairly lengthy process – it typically takes three or four days for food to dry in the sun. However, if you live in an area with a cool and humid climate, this is an impossibility because food will mold before it ever dries.
The quickest and easiest way to dry foods is to purchase a food dehydrator. Whether you’re drying fruit or making beef jerky, a dehydrator has you covered!
Ready to get started? Read on for a review of the Nesco American Harvest Dehydrator.
Features
The Nesco American Harvest Dehydrator comes in a couple different variations, both which are made in the United States.
Nesco FD-37
The first is the FD-37 Food Dehydrator. This dehydrator is great for people who don’t plan to dry food in large quantities.
This dehydrator features 400 watts of drying power and can expand up to 7 trays of food. It has a fan forced radial air flow, so it doesn’t require any sort of tray rotation. It also has a clear top so you can keep an eye on the food drying process.
Overall, this model will work well for people who are just starting out and learning how to dehydrate foods. It does not have an adjustable thermostat, so you will have to do a little extra work to make sure that different types of food dry properly.
Nesco FD-1018P
The FD-1018P is the granddaddy of food dehydrators. It works well for people who need to dehydrate a lot of food in a short amount of time. Planning a long hike on the Appalachian Trail and need to minimize food weight? This will make food prep a breeze.
This dehydrator features 1000 watts of dehydrating power and can hold up to 30 trays of food. It has an adjustable thermostat, and it comes with eight trays, eight fruit roll sheets, and eight clean a screens. It also comes with the book How to Dry Foods.
The FD-1018P is regarded as one of the best food dehydrators on the market. It dries food in hours instead of days. The adjustable thermostat allows you to properly dry different types of food properly. It also allows you to dry different types of foods altogether without risk of flavor mixing because the air isn’t forced through the trays.
This Nesco American Harvest Food Dehydrator is super reliable and takes the extra labor out of drying food! The reliability and functionality come at a price, however. This bad boy will cost you well over $200, but if you’re serious about high-quality dehydrated food this is a no-brainer.
Performance
Nesco FD-37
The Nesco FD-37 American Harvest Dehydrator brings a lot to the table. With 400 watts of drying power, it provides an even heat distribution that ensures your food is thoroughly dried, preserving its nutritional value and extending its shelf life. This dehydrator can handle just about anything you throw at it – fruits, vegetables, herbs, or even meat for making beef or deer jerky. The external pressurized chamber guarantees an efficient drying process, eliminating the need for tray rotation and allowing the air to flow evenly and consistently. It’s simple to regulate the temperature to ensure the perfect conditions for different types of food. However, some feedback shows that this model might be slightly noisier compared to its peers.
Nesco FD-1018P
Now, talking about the Nesco FD-1018P Gardenmaster Dehydrator, one word comes to mind, and that’s ‘powerful. This dehydrator boasts a whopping 1000 watts of drying power and comes bundled with eight trays to give you a significant drying area. If you have large batches of foods to dehydrate, there’s no need to panic as the FD-1018P can cater to your need, being expandable up to 30 trays! The adjustable temperature control ensures you get the perfect drying conditions for a wide variety of foods, giving you the liberty to dehydrate various items at once. However, due to its high power capacity, this might not be the best dehydrator for those who are concerned about energy usage.
Comparisons & Drawbacks
Nesco FD-37
Comparatively, the Nesco FD-37 American Harvest Dehydrator acts as an entry-level model with less drying power but enough capacity for small to medium dehydrating tasks. While it’s indeed a reliable choice for beginners, serious food preservation enthusiasts might find it lacking in terms of capacity and power. The fixed temperature setting won’t give you the flexibility of adjusting the heat setting for different types of food. Nonetheless, it is an excellent choice for anyone who starts experimenting with home dehydrating.
Nesco FD-1018P
On the other hand, the Nesco FD-1018P Gardenmaster Dehydrator is for power users who need to dehydrate large batches of food simultaneously. Its power and capacity significantly overshadow the FD-37. The adjustable temperature control is a significant advantage when dehydrating various foods that need different heat levels. However, its high energy consumption might be a deterrent for some, and given its large size, storage could be an issue if space is tight in your kitchen.
User Experience
Nesco FD-37
The Nesco FD-37 dehydrator offers a user-friendly experience ideal for beginners. Its stackable tray system is easy to assemble and to clean, which makes the process stress-free. Moreover, because it does not require tray rotation, you can set it and forget it until your food is dried up and ready to eat.
Nesco FD-1018P
The Nesco FD-1018P, on the other hand, provides a more sophisticated user experience with a broader scope in terms of dehydrating capacity. With its adjustable thermostat and 8-tray expandability, it offers the flexibility to handle various foods simultaneously. Some users report the machine being loud, but the noise is a small price to pay for such a powerful dehydrator.
Maintenance and Durability
Nesco FD-37
Nesco uses high-quality materials to build their dehydrators, and the FD-37 is no exception. Despite the lower price point, this dehydrator is quite sturdy and durable. Its removable trays make it easy to clean and maintain. However, like any product, it can wear out with time, especially if not maintained properly.
Nesco FD-1018P
Similarly, the FD-1018P’s construction and design are built for long-term use. The exterior pressurized chamber and heating element are designed to prevent breakdowns and ensure longevity. It also comes with a protective screen to prevent food bits from falling into the heating chamber. Remember, though, this machine demands a higher level of maintenance due to its larger size and complexity.
Value for Money
Nesco FD-37
For its attractive price point, the FD-37 offers exceptional value. It’s an ideal entry-level dehydrator for those who want to experiment with drying foods without investing a lot of money. Just remember, it’s not built for heavy-duty, continuous use and does have limitations in its capacity and versatility.
Nesco FD-1018P Gardenmaster
The FD-1018P, though more expensive, offers great value for those who need to dehydrate large volumes of food or experiment with various types. With its durable build, high capacity, and versatility, you’re making an investment in a product that can be a kitchen workhorse for years to come, delivering considerable savings over the long haul compared to buying pre-packaged dehydrated foods.
Design
Design of Nesco FD-37
Imagine a spaceship, but for food. That’s what the Nesco FD-37’s quirky and distinctive look kind of reminds us of. Far from conventional, this nifty appliance boasts of a clear top to let you monitor the drying process. If you’ve had issues with space-hoarding kitchen gadgets, the FD-37 will bring you cheer. It’s compactness scores major brownie points, fitting comfortably on a countertop without occupying too much space.
The trays are stackable – you can purchase extra trays separately and build it up to a seven-tier food dehydrator! There’s no need to worry about any heat venting issues either. Its air flow system has been designed and engineered to perfection, ensuring an even spread of heat among all tiers.
Design of Nesco FD-1018P
The Nesco FD-1018P Gardenmaster, on the other hand, is like a skyscraper in comparison. Flashing an enhanced white exterior, this robust dehydrator has a towering design that speaks volumes about its immense capacity. It comes complete with a whopping eight trays! What’s more, the design allows adding up to thirty (!) more trays. That’s an abundance of space to dry a variety of foods – fruits, veggies, meat, you name it… and all at the same time!
Like the FD-37, this model too has a top-mounted fan providing powerful airflow and generating optimum drying power. It also has a patented exterior pressurized chamber that evenly pushes air from the central pressurized chamber to ensure even heat distribution. The adjustable temperature control gives more flexibility and precision over the drying process.
Both Nesco dehydrators have user-friendly designs to ease your dehydrating process. Streamlining your food prep has never been so sleek and efficient!
Best Foods to Dehydrate with Nesco American Harvest
When it comes to dehydrating food, Nesco American Harvest Dehydrators really shine, capable of preserving an amazing variety of foods. So, what’s the best food to dehydrate using these industry-leading machines?
Fruits
Fruits are an absolute favorite and for all the right reasons. Using the Nesco American Harvest Food Dehydrator, fruits like apples, bananas, cherries, mangoes, and pineapples undergo a magical transformation, becoming delicious fruit leather or chips. Remember to use fruit roll sheets for the best results, they make all the difference when you’re drying out sticky foods like fruits.
Vegetables
Looking for some crunchy, healthy snacks? Use your Nesco Dehydrator to create amazing veggie chips. From kale to beets to sweet potatoes, these dehydrators are fabulous for turning fresh vegetables into flavorful, nutritious, and long-lasting snacks.
Jerky
Meat lovers rejoice! The Nesco American Harvest Dehydrator is your perfect partner for making jerky. Beef, poultry, or even venison – transform raw meat into delightful jerky with your ultimate dehydrator. The adjustable temperature control makes it easy to achieve the perfect drying process for jerky. Usage of clean a screens for meat is recommended for an easy cleaning process.
Herbs
Prolong the life of your garden’s bounty by dehydrating your homegrown herbs in a Nesco Dehydrator. Drying herbs like mint, basil, rosemary, and oregano takes the guesswork out of home gardening, giving you a way to store them for months without losing their potent flavors and aromas.
Nuts and Seeds
Lastly, don’t forget about nuts and seeds. You can make your own trail mix right at home by dehydrating raw, soaked nuts and seeds. The result is a crunchy and nutritious snack that you can enjoy anywhere.
The versatility and efficiency of the Nesco American Harvest dehydrators gives you endless possibilities to explore. Whether you’re dehydrating for pleasure or health, with Nesco, you’re in good hands.
Is the Nesco Food Dehydrator American Harvest Right for You?
Well, let’s cut to the chase here. If you are a serious foodie who loves experimenting with flavors and textures or a health enthusiast who prefers homemade snacks over store-bought ones, then the Nesco Food Dehydrator American Harvest might be your perfect kitchen assistant. With their unique features, these dehydrators allow you to dry a variety of foods, from juicy fruits to succulent meats, preserving their nutritional value while letting you control the additives.
Let’s start with the Nesco FD-37. This beast is straightforward and easy to use, making it the ideal choice for beginners. It’s a compact food dehydrator kit with a simple design that meets the basics of food dehydrating. Perfect for individuals who love to consume dried foods without compromising their nutritional value, the Nesco FD-37 offers a top-mounted fan providing even heat distribution by pushing hot air down and horizontally across each individual tray. The result is not just efficient drying but also no need for rotating trays. Now, that’s a labor-saving feature!
If you dream about making your own beef jerky or fruit leathers, this dehydrator with its exterior pressurized chamber is sure to make it a reality. Imagine savoring homemade deer jerky or enjoying fruit roll sheets made right in your kitchen with all their natural goodness! And the best part? There’s no need to worry about raw meat contaminating other foods. Everything is dried exactly at the right temperature to ensure safety.
Moving onto the Nesco FD-1018P: this power-packed food dehydrator is another marvel from Nesco American Harvest Food Dehydrator series that’s meant for serious foodies. This robust dehydrator comes with a whopping eight trays and has amazing drying power expandable up to 30 trays. Talk about handling a large batch of different foods all at once! No wonder it’s regarded as one of the best dehydrators in the American Harvest Nesco line.
What I like about the FD-1018P is its adjustable temperature control feature, allowing proper temperatures to facilitate the dehydrating process of a variety of foods. Whether it’s herbs, veggies, or meat, it’s got you covered. It also offers an impressive horizontal air flow system, symbolizing the excellent drying power of Nesco American Harvest Dehydrators. There’s a reason why the Gardenmaster Dehydrator, another name for the FD-1018P, is considered a powerful dehydrator!
Lastly, let’s not forget about the Nesco FD-1018P’s handy “clean a screen” feature. It comes really useful when dealing with sticky foods or small items such as herbs and spices. Plus, keeping it clean is just a breeze with its easy to wash trays.
Sold On the Nesco American Harvest Dehydrator?
The best way to save big money on dehydrated foods is to do it yourself. Whether you’re a food dehydrating veteran who is a pro at making things like dog treats, or a newbie, the Nesco American Harvest Dehydrator is a great option for everyone!
Want to learn more about dehydrated foods? Check out the rest of our website for all the dehydration tips and tricks you’ll ever need!
