$249
Food Dehydrators
Choose a Food Dehydrator for Your Kitchen
Food dehydrators remove moisture from ingredients using controlled heat and airflow. Compare models by tray capacity, temperature settings, timer functions and the amount of bench space available in your kitchen.
Choosing the Right Food Dehydrator for Your Kitchen
Food dehydrators remove moisture from fruits, vegetables, meats, and herbs through controlled temperature and airflow. The right model balances capacity, temperature control, and energy efficiency for your preservation tasks.
Capacity and Counter Space
Counter space matters when choosing a unit. Models range from compact 4-tray units (about 30x30cm) to large 10-tray systems (about 40x50cm). Pick a size that fits your kitchen footprint while giving you enough drying area for your regular batch sizes.
Temperature Control and Timers
A temperature range of 35-70°C covers most food types and their different drying needs.
Digital controls allow temperature and time settings to be selected on supported models.
Dial controls provide straightforward adjustment on selected models.
Timers can reduce the need to monitor the unit continuously, depending on whether the model includes an alert or automatic shut-off.
Reliability and Modern Features
Features vary by model. A transparent door can make it easier to check progress without opening the unit, while removable trays and mesh inserts can simplify loading and cleaning. Modern innovations like transparent doors let you monitor progress without losing heat. Compare timer functions, automatic shut-off, tray spacing and whether additional trays are available before choosing a model.
Popular Dehydrator Brands
Ezidri makes stackable, expandable systems suited to family snacks and preserving garden produce, including the digital Snackmaker FD500 and the larger-capacity Ezidry Ultra FD1000.
Sunbeam offers entry-level and digital options. The DT5600 has five stackable racks, an adjustable thermostat, and three heat settings. The DT6000 Food Lab steps up to 500W with electronic controls and a fine mesh tray for even drying.
Types of Food You Can Dehydrate & Which Features Matter Most
Fruits and Vegetables
Different produce needs different temperature settings, and drying settings vary by ingredient, slice thickness and the result you want. But generally delicate fruits like apples, bananas, and strawberries need 50-60°C, while robust vegetables like tomatoes and mushrooms need 60-70°C to concentrate flavour. Look for adjustable tray spacing too, to fit thicker items like pineapple rings or whole mushrooms.
Beef Jerky
Some food dehydrators include settings suitable for making jerky, with temperatures reaching 65-70°C. Check that the model is intended for meat preparation and follow the manufacturer’s preparation, drying and storage instructions. Even heat distribution can support more consistent drying, while non-stick mesh screens can make cleaning easier after protein batches.
Versatile Applications
Beyond standard drying, popular uses include:
Fresh Herbs: preserving basil, oregano, and thyme for year-round seasoning.
Fruit Leathers: made from pureed strawberries, apples, and berries.
Vegetable Chips: healthy kale, beetroot, and sweet potato alternatives.
Specialty Items: yoghurt and pet treats through extended low-temperature drying.
Key Factors to Look for in Food Dehydrators
Airflow Direction and Efficiency
Airflow direction affects drying efficiency and food placement flexibility.
Type | How It Works |
|---|---|
Horizontal | Rear-mounted fans blow heated air across trays |
Vertical | Air pushes upward through stacked trays |
Wattage and Energy Consumption
Wattage typically ranges from 400-1000W, although power ratings vary by model. Check the rated wattage on each product page when comparing electricity use, which determines heating capacity and running cost.
Higher wattage cuts drying time but increases electricity use during long sessions. Insulated chambers retain heat more efficiently, lowering energy use while keeping temperatures consistent.
Tray Design and Expandability
Expandable tray systems let you add capacity as your preservation needs grow. Base units usually include 4-6 trays, with extra layers available up to the manufacturer's maximum. Square trays are generally preferred over circular designs, since they maximise usable drying area for the same footprint.
Food Dehydrator Tiers
Tier | What You Get |
|---|---|
Entry-level | Basic functionality for occasional users |
Mid-range | Digital controls and expanded capacity |
Premium | Restaurant-quality results through precise temperature regulation and superior airflow engineering |
Frequently Asked Questions
Four to six-tray models suit individuals and couples processing occasional fruit and vegetable batches. Families and bulk preservers benefit from 8-10 tray systems for larger quantities. Factor in your storage space and how often you'll use it.
Horizontal airflow gives more consistent results without tray rotation, and suits mixed food types dried on different levels at once. Vertical airflow models generally cost less upfront but need monitoring and tray repositioning for even drying, so they suit single food type batches.
A food dehydrator may offer good value if you regularly make dried fruit, vegetable snacks, herbs or other supported foods. Its value depends on the purchase price, electricity use, ingredients and how often you make batches, so occasional users may get less benefit than households that use one frequently.
Food dehydrator prices at The Good Guys range from around $160 up to around $420, varying by tray count, digital timer precision, and adjustable temperature range. Check each product's price on its own page, or ask a team member in one of our stores.
The Good Guys stocks food dehydrators from Ezidri and Sunbeam. Ezidri makes horizontal-flow cabinet models suited to consistent beef jerky and dried fruit batches, while Sunbeam's vertical-flow stackable trays suit smaller kitchens. Check the current listings on this page for specific models in stock.
Running costs depend on the model’s wattage, selected temperature, drying time and your electricity tariff. As a rough estimate, a 370-500W food dehydrator would cost about 11-15 cents per hour to run at an electricity rate of 30 cents per kWh. Actual costs may vary, and drying time depends on the ingredient, preparation and batch size.
Yes, The Good Guys offers several flexible payment options for food dehydrators, including Afterpay, Zip Pay, PayPal Pay in 4 and Latitude Interest Free (subject to eligibility and product availability).
These services allow you to receive your appliance immediately while spreading the cost over interest-free fortnightly or monthly instalments. Standard credit card and PayPal options are also available at checkout.
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