Investing in a food dehydrator is always a good idea considering the numerous advantages associated with this appliance. With a food dehydrator, users can easily dry out their favorite fruits and vegetables in order to extend their shelf lives. Thanks to food dehydrators, it is also possible to make a variety of sweet-smelling home accents by drying your favorite flowers to add to you potpourri. From jerky to vegetable chips or even sun dried tomatoes and dehydrated milk powder, this machine is extremely practical and very easy to use.
Best of all, the market presents different types of food dehydrators to suit your requirements and budget. You should go and do your own research by checking out food dehydrator reviews online, and find the best one for your kitchen. Potential users can normally chose between vertical and horizontal heat flow. Each type of air distribution has its own set of pros and cons. The type of heat flow that you choose to opt for normally affects the time your machine will take to dehydrate your produce. It is quite important to take the time and care to select the type of heat flow system that works for you because this system is directly related to the dehydrating speed.
Vertical Heat Flow
This type of heat distribution is more commonly found in machines with a bottom heat base. Ideal for delicate produce such as herbs and flowers, these food dehydrators tend to be on the less expensive side. The Presto 06300, for example, only costs between $20 and $50 and includes four drying trays. With a see-through cover, this appliance has a bottom-mounted fan for a consistent vertical air flow. Similarly, you can also check out the Waring Pro DHR30 Professional Food Dehydrator which provides vertical heat distribution along with a 3-setting thermostat.
As inexpensive as they are dehydrators with vertical heat flow do require time and effort. Users need to occasionally rotate the trays to get an even heat distribution.
Horizontal Heat Flow
Food dehydrators with horizontal heat flow are normally on the more expensive side. However, they are ideal for anyone with a busy lifestyle since there is absolutely no need to rotate the trays during the dehydration process. Consequently, these appliance can easily be used to dry tough vegetables and fruits. They can also be used to make jerky from harder pieces of poultry and meat. Machines with horizontal air flow are also suited for anyone who plans on making larger batches at the same time since they require far less time than dehydrators with vertical air flow.
The Nesco Gardenmaster food dehydrator, for example, costs between $100 and $150 and can provide you with equal horizontal air flow through every single tray. It can be used to make dried soup, fruit rolls, herbs, jerky, fruits and vegetables. Along with the horizontal air flow system, this particular dehydrator also includes a Patented Coverage Flow that forces the air through a pressurized chamber to make sure that your items dry as quickly as possible. Since it includes a transparent cover, you won’t even need to open it to check on your food.
It is still important to remember that dehydrators with horizontal air flow are on the more expensive side. They also tend to be larger and heavier, but with larger capacities.
