The Snackmaster Pro is the best dehydrator under $100. It's quiet, easy to clean and expands to 12 trays. Like all stackers, trays far from the fan dry more slowly, so you'll rotate them, and there's no timer or on/off switch.
Key specs
| Nesco Snackmaster Pro | |
|---|---|
| Price | About $90 |
| Type | Stackable |
| Trays | 5, expands to 12 |
| Drying area | About 5 sq ft |
| Temperature | 95–160°F |
| Timer | None |
| Power | 600 W |
| Warranty | See Nesco |
| Notable | Top-mounted fan |
How it dries
A 600-watt top-mounted fan blows air down through the stack. It comes with five trays and takes up to 12. The thermostat runs from 95 to 160°F.
Test results
Food Network named it best value, noting quiet running and an easy-to-clean base, but uneven results on racks farther from the blower. TechGearLab found its temperature accuracy good (9.3 of 10) but scored it low for ease of use: no timer and no on/off switch.
Round trays
The round trays with a center hole limit long jerky strips and make odd-shaped fruit leather.
Price
About $90.
After it's dry
Whatever you dry, cool it, condition it and pack it airtight. Our sister site covers vacuum sealing dried food and vacuum sealing mason jars.
This review is based on Nesco's published specifications and independent test results (we name whose test each figure comes from), compared against the other dehydrators we track. We'll add hands-on notes as our own testing progresses.
Questions
Do you need to rotate Nesco trays?
For even results, yes. Food Network found trays farther from the blower dried unevenly.
Can it make jerky?
It reaches 160°F. Heat the meat to 160°F before drying, as USDA advises.
