Compare Food Dehydrators
For the Best Way to Store the
Bounty From Your Garden

Compare food dehydrators before you buy them, and you'll save both money and frustration. Investing in a food dehydrator is a great idea for both saving money and being prepared - there's nothing better than dehydrating produce you grew yourself so you can enjoy it in the coming winter.

Why Dehydrated Foods?

According to WebMD, eating dehydrated food can also be beneficial to your health. It turns out that dried vegetables and fruits can reduce your risk of contracting certain cancers, such as prostate, pancreatic, and stomach cancers. 

Because dehydrated fruits and vegetables are loaded with fiber, eating them regularly can help maintain your digestive system. It’s a more pleasant way to avoid hemorrhoids, constipation, diarrhea, and potential colon cancer.

Also, when fruits and vegetables are dehydrated, it concentrates the calorie and sugar content, providing you with a nutrient-dense snack. 

Because the water is removed from dehydrated food, bacteria, yeast, and mold can’t grow. Dehydrated food is much safer than other types of stored food. Plus, it has a far longer shelf life than other foods.

So Why Compare Food Dehydrators?

Throughout human history, virtually every culture has relied on dehydrating food as a safe and efficient way to store and enjoy their harvest throughout the long winter months. 

As far back as 12,000 B.C.E., people used the sun and the wind as natural dehydrators. The Romans loved dried fruit. In the Middle Ages, people built special buildings to hold in the heat from a fire pit to dehydrate fruits and vegetables and also smoke meats.

But today, we have an easier and more convenient method - the food dehydrator. Considering its ease and simplicity, it’s a marvel to behold. But which one should you choose?

After all, not all food dehydrators are created alike.  Different ones will fit different needs, and it pays to be wise and shop around.  With this in mind, here are four of the best dehydrators you should be looking at.

1.  Nesco Food Dehydrator

The nice thing about this dehydrator is it has a top-mounted fan with a patented converge-a-Flow air flow that distributes the heat more evenly, so you don't have to rotate the trays.

This appliance is also far easier to clean, and the price is affordable to boot. When you compare food dehydrators, you can't go wrong with this one.

Better yet, you can expand the size of the dehydrator by purchasing extra trays.

This dehydrator is easy to expand, making it practical.

It may not be as big as the Excalibur Dehydrator, but it does the job well. All in all, a nice little dehydrator to have on hand.

2.  Nesco American Harvest Square Shaped Dehydrator

Isn't it frustrating how with most food dehydrators, you're not able to cover every square inch with food because they're round? Well, thanks to Nesco, problem is now solved.

This handy little dehydrator has all the great benefits of the round Nesco dehydrator but with the added convenient square shape.

You can also buy extra trays for this dehydrator as well, expanding your size as you need it.

This conveniently shaped dehydrator means no wasted space.

3.  Excalibur Deluxe Dehydrator

If you're serious about dehydrating and plan to do a lot of it, the Excalibur dehydrator is definitely one to consider when you compare food dehydrators. This dehydrator has nine trays in the convenient square form, meaning you can dehydrate a whole lot more food at one time.

It's a heavy duty dehydrator. The trays are solid, not flimsy as you find with other dehydrators. It also has a heavy duty fan at the back for an even flow of warm air.

If you're serious about dehydrating food, then this is the dehydrator for you.

A bit pricier than other dehydrators, but then again, most dehydrators don't come with a 10-year extended warranty. The Excalibur dehydrator does.

4.  Nesco American Harvest
400-watt Dehydrator

If you're on a budget, this 400-watt dehydrator is a nice one to have. The same, excellent quality dehydrator, but with less power.

It will take longer to dehydrate your food with this one, but it will still work well. A great investment for the homesteader on a budget.

This dehydrator is a good choice if you are on a budget.

Learn More About Being Prepared

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About the Author

My name is Sue Merriam, and I began the journey of self-reliant living more than three decades ago, which enabled me to stay home with my children. Fifteen years ago, I founded Joyful Homesteading to help others save money and face the future without fear. My goal is to give you practical, honest advice so you can save money and experience the joy of simple living. I hope you join me.

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