For healthy eating, the Nesco FD-1018A stands out as my top pick because its massive expandable capacity handles bulk harvests without overwhelming effort. If you need something simpler for quick weekly batches, the NESCO FD-61 offers a reliable, compact design that gets the job done without complexity.
• NESCO LSS-2-6 — best for drying liquids and fruit rolls; pick this if you already own a compatible round tray model and need to add versatility for sauces or purees.
• NESCO FD-61 — best for small family snacks; pick this if you want a straightforward, non-expandable unit that dries evenly without needing to rotate trays.
• NESCO FD-28JX — best for dedicated jerky production; pick this if your primary goal is making beef jerky quickly with a fixed temperature and included curing accessories.
• NESCO FD-60 — best for versatile home use; pick this if you need adjustable heat settings and a powerful fan system to handle everything from herbs to thick slices of meat.
• NESCO FD-37 — best for monitoring progress visually; pick this if you prefer a clear top lid to watch your food dry without opening the unit and losing heat.
• NESCO FD‑80A — best for maximizing space efficiency; pick this if you want square trays that offer more usable surface area than traditional round models on your counter.
• NESCO FD-37A — best for easy cleanup; pick this if you value the ability to wash the entire unit in the dishwasher after removing the powerhead.
• NESCO FD-1018A — best for large-scale preservation; pick this if you are processing garden surpluses, hunting hauls, or bulk grocery trips and need room to grow.
This isn't a standalone machine but rather a specialized accessory designed to transform how you use existing Nesco round dehydrators. It comes as a two-pack of fruit roll sheets made from high-quality, BPA-free plastic with a matte finish. The key feature here is the exclusive no-spill lip, which is specifically engineered to hold liquids like fruit purees, yogurt, soups, or sauces that would otherwise drip through standard mesh screens.
I recommend this for anyone who already owns a compatible Nesco unit—such as the 20, 30, 60, or 70 series—and wants to expand their menu beyond solid foods. You can create homemade fruit leathers, dried tomato sauce, or even pet treats directly on these sheets. The sheets are reusable and dishwasher safe, though hand washing is recommended to maintain the integrity of the plastic over time. Each sheet can hold up to three cups of pureed fruit, offering a generous amount of surface area for creating thin, uniform strips.
The main trade-off is that this is purely an add-on item. You cannot use it without a base dehydrator that fits the specific dimensions of the 20, 30, 60, and 70 series. However, for the price of the sheet itself, it unlocks a whole new category of recipes that simply aren't possible with rigid wire racks alone. It's a small investment that significantly increases the functional utility of your current hardware.
The FD-61 Snackmaster Encore is a classic entry-level unit that prioritizes simplicity and reliability over bells and whistles. It features four stackable gray trays and relies on a top-mounted fan and heating element to circulate warm air evenly across the stack. This Converga-Flow design ensures that food dries uniformly from top to bottom, meaning you rarely have to shuffle trays mid-cycle. The adjustable thermostat ranges from 95°F to 160°F, giving you enough control to gently dry delicate herbs or aggressively crisp up jerky.
In my opinion, this is the ideal choice for a beginner or a small household looking to make occasional snacks. It includes a fruit roll sheet and some jerky seasoning packets right out of the box, so you can start experimenting immediately. The compact footprint means it won't dominate your kitchen counter, and the lack of digital displays or complex timers keeps the learning curve flat. You get consistent results batch after batch without having to fiddle with settings constantly.
However, the capacity is limited to four trays, and unlike other models in the lineup, this unit does not expand. If you find yourself regularly processing large harvests or feeding a crowd, you will hit a wall where you need to run multiple cycles. Additionally, while the top-mounted motor protects the electronics from dripping juices, the lack of expandability makes it less future-proof for growing families. It is a workhorse for small jobs, but not for heavy lifting.
If your heart is set on making beef jerky, the FD-28JX JerkyXpress is built specifically for that purpose. It features a fixed temperature control set at 160°F, which removes the guesswork entirely. You don't need to research the perfect setting for safety; this unit hits the optimal temperature for killing bacteria and drying meat effectively right out of the gate. It comes with four trays that can be expanded up to seven, allowing you to process larger quantities without rotating the racks.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-11-02 · 11 min read · Independent comparison
What sets this apart is the inclusion of a jerky gun with three tip attachments, along with seasoning and cure samples. This turns the purchase into a complete kit for meat enthusiasts. The 350-watt power head provides consistent heat distribution, ensuring that your strips dry at a steady rate. The detachable top-mounted powerhead design helps keep the motor safe from any potential drips during long smoking or drying sessions.
The trade-off lies in the fixed temperature. While this is perfect for jerky, it limits your ability to do low-and-slow dehydration for fruits, vegetables, or herbs that require temperatures below 160°F. If you want a multi-purpose machine for drying apples or making kale chips alongside your jerky, this unit might feel too specialized. It excels at one thing but sacrifices the flexibility found in models with variable thermostats.
The FD-60 Snackmaster Express is a step up in power and versatility, boasting a robust 500-watt drying system. It uses the same Converga-Flow airflow technology as smaller models but with enough muscle to speed up the process. The adjustable thermostat spans from 95°F to 155°F, covering the full spectrum of needs from delicate flower petals to tough cuts of meat. It starts with four trays but can expand all the way to twelve, making it a scalable solution for serious home cooks.
I view this as the sweet spot for most households. It has enough power to handle dense foods faster than lower-wattage units, yet it retains the adjustability needed for a wide variety of ingredients. The top-mounted fan and heater prevent moisture from reaching the electrical components, adding a layer of safety during long runs with juicy fruits. It also includes a fruit roll sheet and a sample of jerky seasoning, helping you get started without buying extra parts first.
The downside is the size and weight. At seven pounds, it is significantly heavier and bulkier than the FD-61. The larger footprint requires more counter space, and moving it around might be a chore if you plan to store it away frequently. Furthermore, while it expands well, the sheer volume of twelve trays creates a tall column that might not fit under low cabinets. It is a powerful machine, but it demands a dedicated home on your countertop.
The FD-37 stands out primarily because of its clear top lid. This transparent viewing window allows you to monitor the drying process without ever opening the door and releasing valuable heat. Inside, you get 400 watts of power and a radial airflow system that distributes heat evenly, eliminating the need to rotate trays manually. Like the FD-60, it is expandable up to seven trays, giving you room to grow your batches.
This model appeals to those who like to observe their food as it transforms. Being able to peek in and see the color change or texture shift provides peace of mind, especially when trying new recipes or adjusting times. The white and clear design looks clean and modern, fitting easily into most kitchens. The "Made in the USA" construction suggests durability, and the warranty coverage adds a layer of security for your investment.
The compromise here is the lack of an adjustable thermostat in the standard description provided, which implies a fixed or limited range compared to the FD-60. If you need precise control over delicate items like herbs or flowers, you might find the fixed settings limiting. Additionally, the clear plastic top, while useful for viewing, may not be as durable or heat-resistant as metal housing over many years of intense use. It is a great visual tool, but check your specific temperature needs before committing.
The FD-80A introduces a square-shaped design that changes the geometry of drying. Instead of circular trays that leave wasted corners, these square trays maximize usable surface area, allowing you to lay out larger pieces of fruit or meat without overlapping. It comes with four trays and can expand to eight, offering significant capacity for its footprint. The top-mounted fan and heating element ensure even circulation, so you still don't need to rotate trays despite the increased load.
I think this is the best choice for people with limited counter space who still need to process a lot of food. The square layout is more efficient than round designs, squeezing more drying area into a smaller base. The adjustable thermostat lets you dial in the right heat for different foods, and the printed guidelines on the motor housing provide quick reference points. It balances the convenience of a compact unit with the performance of a larger appliance.
However, the square shape might feel unfamiliar if you are used to the round stacks of the Snackmaster line. Cleaning the corners of square trays can sometimes be slightly more involved than wiping a smooth circle. Also, expanding to eight trays creates a very tall stack, which could be unstable if not handled carefully or if the unit is placed on a wobbly surface. It is a clever design for space savers, but it requires a bit of attention to setup.
The FD-37A shares the same core DNA as the FD-37 but adds a crucial feature for busy cooks: full dishwasher safety. By removing the detachable powerhead, the entire stack of trays and the base can go straight into the dishwasher. It maintains the 400-watt power and clear top viewing window, along with the ability to expand to seven trays. The fixed 160°F temperature makes it incredibly simple to operate—you just load it up and walk away.
This is my recommendation for parents or anyone who hates doing dishes by hand. After a long day of dehydrating, the thought of scrubbing sticky residue off individual trays is daunting. With this model, you simply pop the powerhead off and toss the rest in the machine. The speckled white finish is also practical for hiding minor scuffs or stains that occur during daily use. It includes a recipe book and seasoning sample, ensuring you have everything you need to start making jerky immediately.
The limitation remains the fixed temperature. Just like the FD-28JX, this unit is optimized for high-heat applications like jerky and may not be suitable for low-temperature drying of fruits or herbs. If you want to make apple chips or dried rosemary, you will be restricted to what the 160°F setting can achieve. It is a fantastic, low-maintenance unit for meat lovers, but less flexible for general pantry preservation.
The Gardenmaster Pro is the heavyweight champion of this list, designed for those who treat food preservation as a serious hobby or necessity. With 1000 watts of power and a Converga-Flow system, it dries food rapidly and evenly without any tray rotation. It starts with eight trays but can expand to an incredible 30 trays, turning a single session into a massive output of preserved goods. The adjustable thermostat runs from 95°F to 160°F, offering precise control for every type of ingredient.
I consider this the ultimate pick for gardeners, hunters, or families who buy in bulk. Whether you are processing a summer vegetable glut, a deer harvest, or a seasonal stockpile of fruit, this unit handles the volume without breaking a sweat. The comprehensive recipe book included helps you utilize the full range of capabilities, and the BPA-free trays ensure your food stays safe. The platform capability allows for further expansion, making it a long-term investment that grows with your needs.
The trade-off is physical presence. It requires a permanent home on a sturdy counter or table. The sheer number of trays means you will need ample vertical clearance in your kitchen to open the lid and stack them properly. For someone with a small apartment or limited storage, this might be too much machinery. But for the right user, it is the only option that truly scales.
We compared published specs and features to determine the best tools for different needs, focusing on power, capacity, and design logic. The ranking reflects our independent editorial opinion based on how well each model solves real-world problems, from small snack prep to bulk preservation. No brand paid for placement, and we did not rely on external ratings or sales data to form these conclusions.
Yes, provided you use a model with a thermostat that reaches at least 160°F for meats and follow proper curing or pre-cooking guidelines to ensure safety standards are met.
Most trays are BPA-free and dishwasher safe, but you must remove the powerhead or motor assembly first, as the electrical components cannot be submerged in water.
No, the Converga-Flow and top-mounted fan systems in these models are designed to circulate air evenly, eliminating the need to manually rotate trays for consistent results.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon or its affiliates. This site is an independent third-party review and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Amazon or the product brands mentioned.