The process of dehydrating food is a proven method of preserving food. Food is dried out using this method, and bacteria are inhibited from growing. One of the reasons to invest in a food dehydrator is that food can last indefinitely if dried properly. Buying in bulk or preserving fresh produce at the peak of season, such as herbs from your garden, is a great use for this device. A food’s flavor is concentrated by dehydrating, so dried herbs (such as herbs to season steak) and fruits taste stronger and sweeter.
Foods such as apples, mangos, pineapples, tomatoes and beef for jerky can be dehydrated through the use of air fryers, toaster ovens or ovens, but food dehydrators offer considerably more surface area for maximum yields.
We evaluated nine different dehydrators from leading brands across a wide range of sizes, shapes, and designs in the Kitchen Appliances and Culinary Innovation Lab of the Good Housekeeping Institute. In addition to evenness and how quickly the jerky, apples, and other items dried, we also evaluated performance.
The dehydrators we tested performed similar tasks; the biggest difference lies in their ease of use and the ease with which their trays could be assembled, used, and cleaned, as well as the convenience and specificity of their control panels. According to tests and reviews, these are the Best food dehydrator in Canada right now:
Sedona Express
This digital food dehydrator from Tribest has 11 stainless steel trays which can accommodate a lot of drying while taking up little countertop space. It features a lockable door and a large glass monitor and control panel for easy operation. In addition, it was the only dehydrator we reviewed with a light for better viewing. Although some jerky and apples stuck to the metal, the Sedona Express dried both very well and evenly. (There is also a tray option, which makes it easier to stick things together.) It was relatively quiet in comparison to other dehydrators we tried.
There are several dehydrating modes inside the Sedona Express – fast, raw, or a combination of both – which gives it an edge over the competition. Food can dehydrate faster when the unit is in fast mode by cycling the temperature above the set temperature.
A raw setting prevents the unit from exceeding the set temperature, which keeps your food from becoming overheated. Raw mode is typically used because it allows for more precise dehydrating compared to fast mode across appliances.
Premium Dehydrator
Though we have not tested this food dehydrator, it stands out for its stainless steel trays, see-through window, and intuitive digital controls, all at a relatively low price. There are also over 10,000 reviews on Amazon and a 4.8-star rating. This product has been praised for its simplicity and quietness by reviewers.
In addition to its temperature range of 95oF to 165oF, it can be programmed in increments of 30 minutes up to 48 hours, making it suitable for herbs, jerky, and every other type of food. This product is more durable than its plastic competitors because of its stainless steel housing. In addition, it features integrated handles so you can move it easily.
Digital Food Dehydrator
Five dehydrating trays stack neatly in the Hamilton Beach Digital Dehydrator.
The parsley and jerky dried evenly and didn’t stick to the trays, and it was easy to use. You can view inside the dehydrator, so you can monitor its progress, since the top of the unit is transparent. Programming is very simple thanks to the easily accessible buttons. Those who are looking for the basics and for something they can easily store away when not in use will appreciate its value.