| Electric Food Dehydrators come in all forms of | | | | 2. 1000 watts of power giving you a faster drying |
| shapes and sizes varying widely in both quality and | | | | time for larger quantities of food. |
| price. | | | | 3. Air flow system that forces heated air down |
| A small, cheap food dehydrator that costs | | | | the exterior pressurized chamber, and then |
| between $30 and $40 will have the heating | | | | horizontally across each individual tray for fast, |
| source located at the bottom of the machine and | | | | even and nutritious drying. |
| is can take up to 3 days to dry certain types of | | | | 4. No flavor mixing. |
| foods. | | | | 5. No need for tray rotation. |
| This may be just fine for the occasional use and | | | | 6. Drying pressures adjusting automatically to a |
| will be great for keeping the kids entertained for a | | | | variable number of trays. |
| few hours. | | | | 7. Adjustable thermostat since different foods |
| If however you are looking for a more substantial | | | | require specific temperature settings. |
| and reliable system to preserve food either for | | | | 8. Digital timer that is programmable for up to 48 |
| snacks, camping, backpacking or survival situations | | | | hours of drying time. |
| then you must expect to pay more for a better | | | | 9. Opaque exterior which blocks light to retain |
| model. | | | | more of the foods nutrients and vitamins during |
| My husband has a saying - "Buy the Best for the | | | | the drying process. |
| Least" | | | | 10. Expandable to meet your needs. You may |
| What you will be looking for is a dehydrator that | | | | initially buy a four tray system but find that you |
| delivers fast, even and nutritious drying of food. | | | | could use more drying space. With an expandable |
| Here is a list of the features and benefits that the | | | | system it is simple to add more trays, say 20 |
| more expensive, top of the range, electric food | | | | trays giving you 20 square feet of drying space. |
| dehydrators offer. | | | | The question that you need to ask yourself is, |
| 1. Top mounted fan which means that liquids do | | | | which of these features can I do without while still |
| not drip down into the heater chamber. | | | | delivering fast, even and nutritious food. |