Buying the best food dehydrator simply comes down to a balance between your preferences and your affordability. It’s not always about just buying the top food dehydrator brand as there are many options available in the market today and anyone of them could be best for you depending on your needs. There are both plastic and metal food dehydrators, and different storage capacities on offer, all of which can make a difference to the choice you make.
In order to make the decision somewhat easier, we will discuss the different factors you should take into account before you purchase a food dehydrator.
Type of airflow
Dehydrators offer two different types of airflows, horizontal and vertical. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages and it comes down to preference more than anything. Statistically, horizontal airflow dehydrators are much more efficient and effective but are bound to be priced higher than vertical air flow dehydrators.
Temperature
You should always choose a dehydrator that has a wider temperature range. Different foods require different temperatures to dehydrate and the more you limit yourself on the temperature range, the more you are limiting yourself on the type of food you can dehydrate. So, always choose dehydrators that allow you to adjust the temperature so you are able to make full use of them.
Features
The more features you have on your dehydrator, the better your experience you will be. For example, shelf dehydrators allow you to dry large amounts of food with much more ease than other types. Another useful feature to have is a timer, as food dehydration is a long process, and you’ll find yourself having to interrupt yourself from something important, such as sleep, to check on the food and turn the dehydrator off. Timers ensure that the dehydrator is turned off when the right amount of time has passed, giving you more convenience. However, the more features your food dehydrator has, the higher the price goes, so make sure you’re within your budget when choosing the right dehydrator.
Type of materials used in manufacturing
Dehydrators often come in two different material types, plastic, and metal. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, the first being the price point. Plastic dehydrators will obviously be much cheaper than metal dehydrators and are easier to transport and handle than metal dehydrators. However, on the negative side, their durability comes into question, especially if they’re made of cheap plastic. Plastic will also warp if the temperature is too high or if you’re washing with hot water.
On the other hand, metal dehydrators are more robust and will tend to last much longer. Metal dehydrators also have a much larger capacity and will have more of a visual appeal than plastic dehydrators. However, metal dehydrators can be expensive and are only available in cabinet style. Also, unless the dehydrator is made of high-quality stainless steel (which is very expensive), it’s bound to rust due to the moisture it will be exposed to from the food and washing.
