Have you ever stood in the grocery store drooling over a bag of beef jerky that is just not within your budget? I definitely have. While a good dehydrator is going to run you a lot more than a bag of jerky, if you eat other dried snacks, it can save you money in the long run and be a great addition to your kitchen.
It’s also much healthier for you since there are no added sugars or preservatives if you make dried fruits and meats at home. Here is one suggestion If you want a well-made dehydrator that will last you a long time.
- Nine trays can hold a lot of food at once
- Eight different temperature settings from 95 to 158 degrees
- Digital timer with automatic shut off up to 19.5 hours.
- Steep price for first-time buyers
- Bulky and heavy
Ivation 9 tray food dehydrator features
The Ivation Food Dehydrator is a straight forward model designed to do what it does best. It’s a good-sized appliance that will fit in most kitchens. It is about 16 inches in height, 14 inches wide, and 17 inches deep, so clear off plenty of countertop space. It weighs around 13 pounds as well, so you won’t be carrying it with you while you travel… with a newborn🙂
This dehydrator has a black polycarbonate body with a digital readout on the top that won’t look out of place in a well-furnished home kitchen or a professional one. The buttons are pressure-based to keep food and grime out of the electronics. It has a clear cover so you can keep an eye on your snack to get that perfect level of crunchy or chewy. The cable is rated for 120V and can be used with household electrical outlets.
Trays/Capacity
The Ivation has nine trays that are 13 inches by 12 inches, giving you plenty of room for laying out fruits and jerky. Keep the weight on each tray under a pound since that’s what they are rated for. These drying trays slide into the dehydrator and can be spaced so you can fit thick cuts as well. It also comes with a fine mesh sheet for drying small ingredients such as herbs and a flat solid sheet for making tasty fruit roll-ups. All of the drying trays, front cover, and the drip pan can be removed for cleaning and storage. The Ivation Dehydrator is also completely BPA free, so no nasty toxins in your food.
Timer and Thermostat Range
This dehydrator has a digital timer built in to keep track of how long your favorite foods have been drying for. It even has an automatic shut off that can be set in 30-minute intervals all the way up to 19 and a half hours, so you don’t have to worry if you need to leave it and forget it awhile. That’s enough time to take a nap and have a movie marathon.
The Ivation has eight different temperature settings that range from 95 degrees to 158 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature control lets you get the perfect level of dehydration for a whole range of different foods for fish to herbs. Turn up the heat and enjoy some delicious snacks. I recommend granny apple chips with cinnamon.
Performance and Quality
Instead of the more traditional bottom-mounted fan design, the Ivation has a rear-mounted fan design. This allows it to give you the same consistent heat and airflow without the extra height of a bottom fan model. It operates at a powerful 600 watts to guarantee all of your snacks are made with consistent heat and airflow.
It is completely compliant with US electrical safety regulations. There is no need to rotate the shelves during the drying process. Drying time will vary depending on the food you are dehydrating and the temperature setting you use.
Care
Cleaning up is a breeze with the Ivation Dehydrator. All of the trays are dishwasher safe, so you don’t have to hand scrub them all. The drip pan catches any liquids that drip out of your food and is also dishwasher safe. It’s great that you won’t be spending all your time scrubbing grease out of it after making beef jerky. Because let’s be honest, no one wants dried apple chips that taste like beef. The outside is easily cleaned with a wet towel and some soap. It’s a ton easier than doing the dishes.
Cost
While this dehydrator isn’t a budget model, it still comes at a great price for all the extra features you get. You can regularly find the Ivation 9 tray dehydrator at about $130 online or in-store. The amount you will save making your own dried healthy snacks instead of paying top dollar at a grocery store will soon make that price worth it. It’s built to last as well, making it a great investment in your kitchen. The company offers a limited one year manufacturer’s warranty to cover any defective parts for the factory. You can sleep well at night, knowing you won’t waste your money.
While this isn’t the cheapest model on the market, it’s well worth the price. Several other models sit close to the $150 range which is a bit much for people just wanting to dehydrate some fruit or meat.
