The Best Food Dehydrator for Making Jerky

Making jerky is a great way to enjoy delicious, savory snacks without all the mess. But if you want to make your own jerky at home, you’re going to need the right equipment and the best dehydrator for your needs and limits. A food dehydrator is essential for making your own tasty and healthy jerky. In this blog post, we’ll go over what to look for in a food dehydrator and some of the best jerky dehydrators on the market today so that you can find the perfect one for your needs. 

What to Look For in a Food Dehydrator 

When shopping for a food dehydrator, there are several important factors to consider. First and foremost, it’s a good idea to think about capacity. How big of a unit do you need? The size of the unit will largely depend on how much jerky you plan on making at once. If you are only making small batches of jerky every now and then, then a smaller model should suffice. However, if you plan on making large batches of jerky frequently, then it might be worth investing in a larger model with additional trays and large capacity. 

Another important feature to look for when selecting a food dehydrator is the fan speed. You want to make sure the fan is powerful enough to evenly dry out your ingredients in order to get consistent results every time. The more powerful fans tend to be quieter as well, so if noise is an issue, then look for models with higher fan speeds. Higher-end models may even have multiple fan speeds, which can give you even more control over drying times and temperatures. 

Last but not least, consider temperature control. An adjustable thermostat is an important feature that allows you to set your dehydrator at the optimal temperature for drying out different kinds of food items—including beef jerky! A timer is also an important feature as it ensures that your jerky doesn’t dry out too much or not enough. Finally, it’s always helpful if the unit comes with accessories such as trays or racks that can be added or removed depending on what type of food item you are drying out.  

The Best Food Dehydrators For Making Jerky 

Now that we’ve gone over what features to look for when shopping for a food dehydrator, let’s take a look at some of the top models on the market today. 

Excalibur 3926TB 9-Tray Electric Food Dehydrator

One popular option is the Excalibur 3926TB 9-Tray Electric Food Dehydrator which boasts an adjustable thermostat ranging from 105°F – 165°F degrees Fahrenheit and includes both an automatic shutoff timer and 26-hour timer so that your meat never overcooks or undercooks! This model also comes with 9 removable trays and a larger capacity so that even large batches can be dried out quickly and easily!  

Nesco FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator

Another great option is the Nesco FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator which has 5 trays (lots of surface area) but offers up to 400 watts of drying power, so even large batches can be dried quickly and easily! It also features an adjustable thermostat ranging from 95°F – 160°F degrees Fahrenheit, as well as important features like both an automatic shutoff timer and a 48-hour timer which lets you designate a set temperature and walk away without worrying about overcooking or undercooking your meat! Plus, this model comes with additional accessories such as fruit roll sheets for fruit leather, clean-a-screens, mesh trays, expandable tray sets & more. 

NutriChef PKFD12 Food Dehydrator

If you’re looking for reliability without sacrificing affordability, the NutriChef PKFD12 Food Dehydrator Machine is a top pick at a great price point when it comes to making delicious jerky at home. This model features 5 trays as well as a digital LCD display with adjustable temperature settings ranging from 95°F – 158°F. Plus, this model has an auto shutoff feature so you don’t have to worry about over-drying your dry foods!  

Gourmia GFD1650 Premium Countertop Food Dehydrator

If space is an issue in your kitchen, then this Gourmia GFD1650 Premium Countertop Food Dehydrator might be the best option for you! With just 6 trays included, this model is a small size but powerful dehydrator that takes up minimal counter space while still offering tons of drying potential with lots of surface area. It also features adjustable temperature settings between 95°F to 158°F—perfect for making all kinds of different types of food dehydration projects! Plus, it comes with 5 mesh sheets so that even small ingredients like dry herbs or spices won’t fall through the cracks during dehydration (literally!).  

Gardenmaster Dehydrator FD-1018A

Nesco also has a Gardenmaster Dehydrator FD-1018A, one of the most popular food dehydrators on the market today and an excellent choice at that! This model comes with 3 more expandable trays than the Snackmaster and a far more powerful 1000-watt motor that quickly and evenly dries out your favorite meats and vegetables. The adjustable thermostat allows you to set it from 95°F to 160°F, giving you great control over how fast or slow your food is dried out and ease of use. This model also features a top-mounted fan for better air circulation and enough space in the dehydration process, ensuring that your homemade jerky turns out perfectly every time! 

Presto 06300 Dehydro Electric Food Dehydrator

Lastly, we have Presto 06300 Dehydro Electric Food Dehydrator, which has 4 trays but offers up to 600 watts of drying power, meaning that even large batches can be dried quickly and easily! It also features an adjustable thermostat ranging from 90°F – 165°F degrees Fahrenheit, as well as both an automatic shutoff timer & 48-hour timer, which lets you walk away without worrying about overcooking or undercooking your meat! Plus, this model comes with additional accessories, such as a mesh screen & expandable tray sets!  

One to Fit Your Needs

Making delicious homemade beef jerky has never been easier, thanks to modern food dehydrators. When looking for the best food dehydrator for making jerky, keep in mind factors like capacity, temperature control options (like adjustable thermostats), timers (both automatic shutoffs & longer timers), removable trays/racks/sheets/etc., wattage (for faster drying times) & additional accessories/features like mesh screens & expandable tray sets! With these considerations in mind, a serious jerky maker or casual shopper should have no problem finding their perfect machine to make healthy snacks right at home in no time at all! The only downside is that you can’t purchase all these models. Happy snacking, everyone!