Product Description

Make tasty snacks the whole family will enjoy with this dehydrator! The adjustable 95-145F thermostat gives you the flexibility to get the best results, from drying herbs to properly cured meats. Plus, the Patented Converga-Flow air circulation provides the fastest and most even food drying available. Adjustable Temperature Control 4.5-In. Fan, 500 Watts Food Releases Easily 4 Trays Expandable to 12 Trays Easy Clean-up No Tray Rotation Vita Save Exterior To Block Light Which Destroys Nutrition, Is Blocked By The Opaque Exterior 40-In. Power Cord Fastest Drying Times: Bananas 12 hours, Apples 6 hours, and Beef Jerky 4-6 hours

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #162550 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Brand: Nesco
• Model: FD-50
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: 8.00" h x 13.50" w x 14.00" l, 7.00 pounds

Features

• 500 watts of power dries foods and flowers quickly and evenly
• Dehydrator measures 13-1/2 by 8-1/4 inches; four trays are each 12-3/4 by 1/2 inches
• Patented system pressurizes heated air up through and across each tray
• Thermostat adjusts from 95 degrees up to 145 degrees
• Dehydrate fruits, vegetables, herbs, jerky, granola for camping, hiking, and other outdoor activities

Amazon.com Review
Drying apple slices in just six hours and beef jerky in nine-and-a-half, this 500-watt dehydrator is exceptionally fast for its price range. Its patented system pressurizes air up through the drying trays' outer rings and across each tray, ensuring not only speed but uniformity, so foods dry evenly. The dehydrator's thermostat adjusts from 95 degrees F up to 145 degrees F, offering flexibility for drying different items. Each of the four trays is 12-3/4 inches in diameter and 1/2-inch deep (the durable plastic dehydrator is 13-1/2 by 8-1/4 inches overall). Additional trays may be purchased, providing up to a total of 10 square feet for drying lots of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and/or flowers at one time. A fruit-roll sheet inserts into a tray so that applesauce or other fruit sauces can be dried into healthful snacks. You can also use the tray for drying other liquid foods, such as soups and sauces, for camping trips. This dehydrator comes with beef-jerky spices and a booklet with recipes and instructions. --Fred Brack

Customer Reviews

A Workhorse!
2001: I had no experience with dehydrating before I got this machine. It comes with a good instruction guide on how to prep the veggies and fruits. The drying times are very accurate as listed in the book. The speed for drying apples is 5-6 hours, maybe less if you leave some space between them, I've found. It also comes with the trays to make fruit leather. Easy to clean with a warm wet cloth. A great little workhorse, all around. Very pleased!

Post script 2005: it died when washed out in a 2004 flood of our basement! How ironic!

Incredibly easy to use.
I love my dehydrator. The thing is easy to use, with a controllable thermostat labeled for whatever you're drying (high temp for meat, low for herbs). The manual that comes with it is easy to understand, and has terrific recipes in it. I highly recommend getting the two extra trays, a fruit leather sheet, and plenty of the "clean-a-screen" inserts. (And if you're feeling really adventurous, the jerky making kit is *awesome*!)

Once you've made banana "chips" in your dehydrator, you'll never buy those nasty fried store-bought ones again! Pineapple is delicious dried, and dried apples are simply marvelous. You can dry almost anything, and know exactly what's in it. Why pay good money for chemicals and so-so taste, when you can make your own really healthy snacks for you and the kids in this very handy appliance?

It just isn't any simpler than this!

Leaving you high and dry
I had purchased this dehydrator at a retail store for more than it is offered here, but it is worth it. I sit in an office chair all day and tend to get a case of the "munchies" during the day. I used to buy candy bar after candy bar, which in turn put a few pounds on me as well. With the dehydrator I can make healthy foods to snack on that are good tasting and economical. I would suggest to anyone looking to save a few dollars and a few inches on the waistline to invest in one. You won't regret it