Food Dehydrators can be the best way to make healthy and tasty treats from meat, fish, vegetables and fruits. However, with so many varied options on the market, it’s easy to get confused about which products are great and which are not so great.
Below we review the best food dehydrators on the market in Australia. After that, we list the key things you’ll want to watch out for when choosing one to ensure you end up with the best product for your needs.
1. BioChef Arizona Sol Food Dehydrator 6 (Top Pick)
The BPA-free BioChef Arizona is a compact food dehydrator designed to hold up to 6 trays of food at a time for quiet and effective dehydration.
Customers will appreciate that the horizontal dehydration process is fairly speedy at an average of between 8 and 12 hours, although it can run to 19.5 hours on a timer. The temperature can also be adjusted to between 35 and 75 degrees giving you plenty of range to experiment.
On the high-quality metal trays included, you can dry a wide range of food types such as dried flowers, veggies and meats, preserving the nutrients through the BioChef Enzyme Protection Technology.
Customers will love that the door of the product is transparent so it is easy to keep an eye on the food dehydrating. The product is also fairly quiet compared to larger dehydrators. Looking to get dehydrating right away? You get a handy non-stick sheet, mesh sheet and drip tray with the purchase so you’re ready to get going as soon as your dehydrator arrives.
If you’re looking for a reliable, high-quality dehydrator, it’s hard to look past this quality product from BioChef.
What We Like:
- Metal, easy to remove and clean trays
- Fairly quiet
- Fairly compact
- Handy extras
What We Don’t Like:
- Temperature only adjustable in 5 degree increments
- Smaller capacity compared to more elaborate dehydrators
2. EZIDRI Snackmaker FD500 Digital Food Dehydrator
This smart looking food dehydrator from EZIDRI is designed to be compact and is shaped cylindrically for easy kitchen placement. The trays can extend between 5 and 15 high in an upwards direction, so there’s no need to sacrifice worktop space for larger projects.
When you’re ready to get started making tasty dehydrated treats, you can expect an average drying time of between 8 and 12 hours with the 5 trays, solid sheet and mesh sheet that come with the product. Additional trays and accessories can be purchased, but the initial setup is more than enough to get you started.
Beginners will appreciate the easy soft touch controls enabling you to select low, medium and high temperatures and your desired timing. The included recipe book is also useful when you’re completely new to dehydrating.
What We Like:
- Smart space-saving design
- Extendable up to 15 trays
- Simple and easy controls
- BPA
What We Don’t Like:
- Smaller capacity than larger models
- No transparent trays or door to see food dehydrating
3. Sunbeam Food Lab Electronic Dehydrator
The Sunbeam Food Lab is a quiet, compact dehydrator designed to take up minimal space in the kitchen.
Despite only having the capacity for 5 trays, customers will find there’s plenty of space to make lots of tasty treats as the trays are quite large. The system also ensures the process of dehydrating is easy for you, as it circulates the air removing the need for shelf rotation. Once you’re done, the shelves are also extremely easy to clean as they are removable.
Looking to get started right away? You’ll love that the controls are very simple, and include a timer setting so you can dehydrate your treats overnight.
What We Like:
- Compact
- Quiet
- Easy to use
- No need for shelf rotation
What We Don’t Like:
- Plastic trays rather than metal
- Compact size may be too small for some customers
4. Devanti Commercial Stainless Steel Food Dehydrator
The robust Devanti is a six tray dehydrator designed to last. Each tray is made from high-quality stainless steel which sits in a specially designed air circulation system programmable with an easy LCD touch control and digital temperature control. For complete control you can set the temperature from 35 degrees to 70 degrees, and from 0.5 to 19.5 hours.
Customers who enjoy checking on progress without disturbing it will appreciate the transparent door on the front of the machine. Once you’re done, the trays are dishwasher proof for convenient cleaning.
What We Like:
- Robust
- Easy to clean
- Easy to control
- Transparent door for monitoring
What We Don’t Like:
- Robust design compromises the aesthetics of the product
- Powerful fan means the product is quite loud
5. Healthy Choice Food Dehydrator
The simple and cute healthy choice food dehydrator is ideal for beginners looking to get started in this exciting area of food preparation. With just two watt settings of half, or full temperature you’ve no need to commit to tons of learning to get your very own dehydrated treats on the go.
Hygiene conscious homeowners will love that the product is made from plastic which means that the majority of it is very easy to clean. The 5 trays are also removable, giving you broader control over your setup.
What We Like:
- Very simple and easy to use
- Compact
- Easy to clean
- Quiet
What We Don’t Like:
- Limited temperature control
- Small size unsuitable for those looking for bulk capacity
Food Dehydrator Buyer’s Guide
Buying a food dehydrator is a fantastic purchase if you’re looking to make nutritious treats and snacks at home. It can also be used to help with baking processes, flower drying and even crafts.
Dehydrators can be super fancy, basic and compact, and everything in between. What type of product is right for you? How do you get the best value for your money? To make sure you don’t just get another kitchen gadget in your home gathering dust, take a look at our insightful buying guide:
Are You A Beginner?
If you are new to dehydrating it is important to avoid splashing out on a product you might not even enjoy using. Dehydrating isn’t for everyone, and you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars to find that out.
If you’re an avid fan of dehydrating and you have experience, you’ll want to steer clear of beginner products. If it’s not elaborate enough to match your preference for experimenting and flexing your dehydrating skills, it just isn’t going to work for your household.
How Much Space Do You Have?
Some dehydrators are very large and so, require a lot of countertop space. Others may be more compact and use up a tiny portion of your worktop. Depending on your kitchen size, some dehydrators may not work for you. Check the measurements before you buy so that you can make sure there’s room for your new kitchen toy.
Metal or Plastic?
Metal is often preferred as a tray material because it is much less likely to crack over time. There’s also no worry of any chemicals leaking into food with metal trays.
Plastic isn’t all bad though, just look for BPA free and premium plastics used within the machine.
What Would You Like To Make?
If you’re simply looking to make liver snacks for your dog, or dried veggie and jerky for your camping trips, you’ll probably be fine with a simpler dehydrator. Are you excited to create all kinds of treats and want to experiment with fruit roll-ups, set yogurts, dough proofing and more? Look for a bigger dehydrator that comes with different types of tray sheets and plenty of settings options.
When it comes to buying a dehydrator it comes down to what you want to get out of it. Beginners, or those looking for very simple results can opt for the most basic versions. Those looking to go on a dehydrating adventure should browse more elaborate models catering for every taste.
In addition, size really does matter with these machines as even the smallest types can be bulky.
There’s a lot to think about isn’t there? Hopefully, by using our tips and taking your time you can purchase an amazing new gadget that helps you create all kinds of exciting healthy treats for your family.
Looking for more reasons to buy a food dehydrator? Check out the video below:
Food Dehydrator FAQs
A dehydrator works by using heat and air flow to reduce the water content in your foods. By reducing the water content, the size and weight of the food is decreased significantly, especially with moisture-rich food like fruit and vegetables. The dehydration process also has the benefit of limiting the amount of bacteria that grows on food, hence increasing its shelf life.
The shelf life of your dehydrated food will depend on the food type and how you are storing it. Dehydrated food should be stored in a sealed container in a dark environment like your pantry. As an example, dehydrated apples will last about 6 month in these conditions. To further extend the life of dehydrated food, you can use vacuum sealed bags and/or store the items in the freezer.
