Beef Jerky Dehydrator Selection
Choosing the right beef jerky dehydrator for your needs isn't all that difficult but there are some things to consider before purchashing one such as cost, convenience, and time you have to dedicate to your jerky addiction.
I first started making jerky back in 2007 with little more than a sharp knife and a warm oven. The oven worked ok for my first few batches and the jerky tasted pretty good but there were downsides as well. I had to be home the entire time monitoring the jerky, the heat distribution wasn't very good, cleaning the oven was a hassle, and making large batches wasn't really an option.
I realized I needed something safe, efficient, time saving, and easy to clean so I got a beef jerky dehydrator and never looked back!
If you're just starting off or if you're someone who only makes jerky once in a while and you don't plan to make large batches then you really can't go wrong with a Nesco FD-60 Snackmaster Express Dehydrator
This is the dehydrator I like to use for making small batches of jerky at home. It has 4 trays and you can adjust the temperature from 95 to 155 . It deosn't have a built in timer and is a little harder to clean than others but for around $60 you really cant go wrong.
Another unit worth suggesting is the Nesco Snackmaster Pro which is the big brother of the Nesco above and has a few more upgrades. It costs around $80 but comes with 5 trays instead of 4, a higher max temp setting of 160 degrees, and a bunch of small extras that may strike your interest.
This is the only dehydrator on this page that I have not tried but I own the FD-60 and am pleased with it for the price I paid. If I could go back in time I'd be willing to try this unit out for the extra 20 bucks!
If you're looking for something that offers more drying space, less babysitting, and that's priced right, then this 10 Tray Dehydrator with Digital Timer
I've personally used one of these and they seem to be a good buy. The only downfall I noticed was that the cleaning process was still a bit tedious. The trays are made of ABS plastic and are diamond shaped which take a little more elbow grease to clean but overall it's a great unit for the price.
Now if you're looking for a top quality dehydrator with all the bells and whistles then you need to get yourself an Excalibur Beef Jerky Dehydrator
This Excalibur model 3926TB is the main dehydrator that I use frequently and for good reason...
It has a built in 26 hr timer that I set and forget, it has 15 square ft of drying space, and solid 7 inch 600 watt fan that gives a good even air flow to the meat. The best part though is the polymer screen trays. The jerky meat deosnt stick to them nearly as much as other types and they are super easy to clean!
This unit is a little more pricey at around $225 but it's a top notch dehydrator and is made in the USA .
These are just a few dehydrators to choose from that I have personally used and suggest. Keep in mind that my first beef jerky dehydrator wasn't top of the line and yours deosn't have to be either.
I mean don't get me wrong, the higher dollar units are convenient and a jiffy to clean but don't let a smaller budget stop you from getting started! You just need a good decent unit to start with and you'll be well on your way to making jerky with much less hassle.
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