Nesco American Harvest Add-A-Tray for FD-1000, Set of 2 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)If you already own the wonderful Nesco food dehydrator, then this is your next logical and sensible purchase. You might as well be able to produce more of your favorite dried food in one process. For me, I like to make a lot of beef jerky at once. The added trays make it possible to dry four pounds of ground sirloin in five hours. The trays are exact duplicates of what you are now using. Just be certain of your Nesco's model number pryor to ordering this useful addition to you machine.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Nesco American Harvest Add-A-Tray for FD-1000, Set of 2

NESCO EXPAND ADD A TRAY2 Pack, Add A Tray, Expand The Nesco/American Harvest Gardenmaster Dehydrator Up To 30 Trays, Drying Pressure Adjusts Automatically To The Number Of Trays, No Tray Rotation Necessary, Fits Models FD-1000, FD-1010 and FD-1020Add this two-tray set to your Nesco American Harvest Maid dehydrator FD-1000 to expand its capacity for drying food, herbs, granola, and flowers. You can purchase multiple sets to increase the dehydrator's capacity to a maximum of 30 trays. The trays have flexible bottoms, making it easier to clean off bits of dried food. The set measures 15-1/2 inches in diameter and is 2-3/8 inches high.

Click here for more information about Nesco American Harvest Add-A-Tray for FD-1000, Set of 2

Read More...

FD%2D60 Snackmaster Express %2D 4 Tray with Fruit Roll Sheet%2C 2 Orig%2E Spices Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I grow, literally, 50 or so different varieties of herbs of all sorts, from the common place to the exotic. Drying them was always a process, and I always seemed to lose them to mold, mildew, or those that I kept were brown and unattractive looking. Then, as a gift, my husband bought me this dehydrator because he was told it'd dry herbs.
This little gadget has turned into just about the most important gadget I have in my kitchen. It's practically in-use everyday from May to November, dehydrating everything from my precious herbs, to apples, tomatoes, jerky, and all manner of fruit and flower. This dehydrator has literally saved me hundreds of dollars, not only because I can make my own jerky, fruit roll-ups, and dried fruits for everything from trail mix to healthy snacks, but because vegetables from the garden that were left to rot because we couldn't otherwise keep them (and there wasn't enough to can) are now being saved, and every last one of my herbs, even some which didn't take to being dried the "traditional way," are easily preserved. I can even buy in-season fruits and veggies in bulk and dehydrate them, saving me even more money!
This gadget dries everything very quickly and efficiently, so everything really retains its color. I've found myself drying everything from rose petals to bee balm flowers (and all sorts of other flowers that couldn't previously be dried) for use in sachets, potpourri, and carpet deodorizers. My red and purple rose petals stay red and purple, and my herbs keep their emerald-green color, something I'd never keep with conventional drying. I'm really impressed that a dehydrator that is gentle enough to dry herbs is also rugged enough to make jerky and apple chips. Unlike other dehydrators I've seen, this particular one allows you to custom set the temperatures, ensuring that whatever you dry is dried at the temperature most conducive to effective and attractive drying. There's been more than once where I dry a batch of herbs, then after a quick scrubbing, my husband sets it up to dry jerky, which is just awesome. The little booklet full of recipes and drying times that accompanies this dehydrator ensures that even if you've never seen a dehydrator before, you can still use this one almost right out of the box.
Our dehydrator comes with a fruit-rollup attachment, which I'll admit we only have used once, but it appeared to work very well. I will also admit we saved a few dollars by buying some door screen from a hardware store, and cutting it to the size of our dehydrator racks, saving quite a bit of money on the "Clean-A-Screen" which is offered as an optional attachment. It's also nice that this dehydrator is quieter than your average stove fan or air conditioner, so it's not loud at all. If the TV is on, I can't even hear it. My only real complaint with this dehydrator is that it doesn't have an "on/off" switch, so to turn it on and off, you have to plug and unplug it. For people who don't have a lot of power outlets our outlets that are hard to reach, I'd imagine this is a hassle.
I have to say, this tool is a must-have for any cook or gardener. I know my culinary ambitions have always stretched beyond my wallet, but with this I can make my own "sun dried tomatoes" and keep my own exotic herbs, saving not only a chunk of change and using everything in my garden, but also really dressing up my meals for super cheap. My friends have wondered just how I do it. :D I dare say, this is almost more useful than my canner, since I can save a garden harvest of any size, and still make use of them in jams, jellies, sauces, and meals... This product is a must have!

Click Here to see more reviews about: FD%2D60 Snackmaster Express %2D 4 Tray with Fruit Roll Sheet%2C 2 Orig%2E Spices

Introducing the Snackmaster Express%2E Its sleek%2C contemporary design features 500 watts of drying power%2C and generates maximum speed and quality for dehydrating fruits%2C vegetables%2C beef jerky%2C and venison jerky%2E Helps dry food in hours%2C not days like ordinary food dehydrators%2E The top mounted fan eliminates liquids dripping into the heating chamber%21

Get 42% OFF

Click here for more information about FD%2D60 Snackmaster Express %2D 4 Tray with Fruit Roll Sheet%2C 2 Orig%2E Spices

Read More...

Nesco/American Harvest FD-80 Square-Shaped Dehydrator Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This dehydrator is great. I've had the unit for almost a month now. So far I've dehydrated 20 pounds of "eye of round" for jerky. The recipe I used is at Recipezaar (can't post URL), recipe number 161262 (modified a bit to suite my taste, like I added about 1 tsp of onion powder and cut the liquid smoke about 25%). In fact I just did 10 of the 20 pounds yesterday. I've also dehydrated cantaloupe, kiwi slices, strawberries, grapes (come out as plump and juicy raisins), limes, oranges (those were more of an experiment), banana slices and watermelon (now that was interesting... sweet as candy), but back to the review.
I also got two sets of the Add-a-tray (two trays per package). It dries with all 8 trays just fine. I do rotate the trays about half way through, but I'm not sure I would really have to. The instructions say that the trays are top shelf dishwasher safe, but that would limit my dishwasher to only two trays per load, so I take my top rack out of the dishwasher and stand the trays vertically in the lower rack. I can get all eight trays and the base into the dishwasher at once. I figured that my water heater is only set to 125 degrees and I dry jerky at 165, so the trays shouldn't have any problem. Just make sure that you turn off any internal water heating the dishwasher my have and make sure that you turn off heated drying (use air dry). I just wait for the washer to stop, take out the trays and shake them off. Stack them, put on the power head and run it at 125 for 30 minutes. All nice, clean and dry.
Now for the hint that Nesco doesn't want me to share :) for fruit, you really need to use the Clean Screens, but at 8 bucks for a pair, you'll spend $32.00 (plus any shipping) to get enough for all 8 trays. I went to my local craft store (you know the one owned by Michael) and bought 16 sheets of plastic embroidery mesh (7 square mesh) that were 14" X 10" (the ones you would use to make those awful square Kleenex box covers). Take two sheets per tray and cut them out yourself with kitchen shears. Put them together butted up on the long side and then cut the perimeter to fit the tray and cut out the hole (1/2 of the hole in each sheet where they are butted up) for the center and then lay the two pieces into the tray. The sheets were $0.33 each, so 16 sheets only cost $5.28 and a bit of time to cut them out. Didn't really need them for the cantaloupe, but I'd still be cleaning kiwi and bananas off the trays if I hadn't used them. I throw them into the dishwasher with the trays and just run the whole load at once. All in all, this was a great buy and I'm glad I got it.
---- UPDATE 11 January 2010 ----
So, I've spent a few more months with my dry friend... that's a pun... :-)
This unit is now $49. I bought it and am happy with it at $70. Now, there is no reason not to give it a try!
About 3 months ago, I bought the jerky squeeze gun. I got it at BiMart in Oregon for $2 more than you can get it here at Amazon (the instant gratification thing). Available here. Search for Nesco BJX-5 American Harvest Jumbo Jerky Works Kit. My daughter and I make the round "slim-jim" type jerky every couple of months (about 4 lbs of 96% lean ground beef each time). The squeeze gun is as easy as using a caulking gun. Actually even better since you really don't need to be concerned about the aesthetic appearance of the final product... I mean we're taking jerky here and you can't eat caulk. I use the Nesco spicy mix with additional black pepper, powered garlic and cayenne pepper (lot's of cayenne pepper).
We've also, since buying it, done some fruit leather. Just used a jar of store bought apple sauce with a bit of added cinnamon. Next time, I think we'll put a bit of Splenda(r) in it just to "sweeten" the final product a bit. Tip... even using processed apple sauce, we put it through the blender to completely break it down into a slurry.
My "home made" clean screens are still preforming perfectly. Hope this update helps others.
---- UPDATE 20 January 2010 ----
Whoops... I see that the price is back up to $65. Well, still a fine product regardless.
---- UPDATE 2 January 2011 -----
Well, it's been a year and not so much an update as an opportunity to say Happy New Year to you all.
Just before Christmas, the Lovely Mrs. symo, got a really good deal on some rump roast (two 7 lb pieces). It was very lean and after slicing, was easy to cut the one strand of tough sinew out. Used the Mr. Yoshida's again, but this time cut it 2 parts to 1 part water. Then put it into a sauce pan and heated to high simmer (did not let it boil). Added red chili flakes, onion powder, garlic powder and some Ow Powder (www - dot - owhot - dot - com). Let the mixture cool to room temp. I'm still working/experimenting with the final amounts of Ow. Marinaded the slices for 12 hours. Had 6 of the eight trays loaded. On two trays, I sprinkled (liberally) with fine grind black pepper. Came out fantastic.
Now a word about the Ow Powder. If you go to their website and aren't scared, then go back there again :-) This is the hot of the hot. I found this stuff in Albuquerque, at the International Firey Foods Festival. At the festival, I dipped a dry wooden coffee stirrer into the powder. Once the tears stopped, I found that I could drink 3 12-ounce bottles of Budweiser in about 2.4 minutes :-)
For 3 cups of the marinade (2 parts Mr. Y and 1 part water and all the other "stuff" mentioned above), I added 1/4 teaspoon of Ow. Next time I'll probably go with 3/8 teaspoon. This stuff starts off slow, but you will get some fire at the end. It contains a mixture of chili peppers, one of which is bhut jolokia (Indian pepper that was put on the planet by the All Mighty for some sadistic purpose, I'm sure). They also have pure ground bhut jolokia, but I think your should look into a gas mask/respirator before ordering that.
And now a word about the slices. Got a slicer for my B-day in October. One of the various brands that sell for around $69 here and elsewhere (http://www.amazon.com/Kitchen-Smart-Electric-Food-Slicer/dp/B002JKX59C/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1294017780&sr=8-14). Now this is the way to go for sliced jerky. First time I used it, I cut the slices too thin and the marinade basically dissolved the meat into mush :-) Second time, I sliced the meat somewhere around 3/16. This thickness worked very well. Really, the slicer is a great add-on if you really want to do slab jerky vs. ground jerky.
Oh, oh, oh... just remembered. Also I've taken to starting my slab jerky at the 165 degree setting for about 2 hours and then backing it down to between the 115 and 125 and letting it go until dry. This will cause you to need to rotate the trays, but the results are really worth the extra effort.
So, there you have it. Updated report and a couple of extras thrown in for free :-)

Click Here to see more reviews about: Nesco/American Harvest FD-80 Square-Shaped Dehydrator

Dry slices of fruit and vegetables, herbs and flowers, granola, or strips of jerky using this easy-to-operate dehydrator. With its square shape, the countertop appliance provides 41-percent more room for drying compared to round dehydrators. It also features a unique air-circulation system with a top-mounted fan and patented Converga-Flow Action, which pressurizes heated air downward through the outer ring and horizontally across each tray, converging at the center. This delivers not only speedy results but uniformity, so foods dry evenly--no need to rotate the trays around during operation. Its 700-watt motor also helps ensure fast drying times for results in hours versus days. A simple control knob adjusts the heat from 95 degrees to 155 degrees F to accommodate appropriate drying temperatures, and printed guidelines on the motor housing help determine the correct thermostat setting. Other highlights include a bale handle for removing the power head, dishwasher-safe parts, and an instruction manual for getting started. The dehydrator measures 14-1/2 by 14-1/2 by 9-5/8 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty. From the Manufacturer
NESCO/American Harvest - "The Best Food Dehydrators in the World." The Nesco/American Harvest FD-80 Dehydrator

Get 26% OFF

Click here for more information about Nesco/American Harvest FD-80 Square-Shaped Dehydrator

Read More...

Nesco FD-75PR 700-Watt Food Dehydrator Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I had been researching dehydrators for months and finally decided on this one. I am happy I did. I have dried veggies, fruits, made jerky and fruit leathers so far. It is easy to use, has great recipes and works well. It is nice to be able to give the kids snacks that are not full of sugars and things no one can pronounce. I only wish it had a timer. I will probably use a regular timer and plug it into that.
Pros: *fan not in bottom of unit - allows for more uniform drying
*temperature control
*size - fits nicely on a kitchen counter
*availability of accessories
*ease of use
Cons: *no timer
*no on/off switch - you have to unplug the unit to turn it off

Click Here to see more reviews about: Nesco FD-75PR 700-Watt Food Dehydrator

Dry fruit, vegetables, and jerky in hours instead of days with this 700-watt food dehydrator. The unit's patented Converga-Flow drying system forces air down the exterior pressurized chamber, then horizontally across each individual tray, converging in the center, for fast, even, and nutritious drying. Flavors don't mix, and there's no need to rotate the trays. Its top-mounted fan eliminates the worry of liquids dripping into the heater chamber, and an opaque Vita-Save exterior helps block harmful lights in order to retain more of the food's nutrients and vitamins during the drying process. The unit's adjustable thermostat ranges from 95 to 160 degrees F, providing the flexibility needed to ensure excellent results. Five trays come included, but the unit can be expanded to up to 12 trays (additional trays sold separately) for drying larger quantities at one time. Accessories include two fruit roll sheets, perfect for drying semi-liquids like soups, sauces, and fruit rolls; two Clean-A-Screen flexible screens, which allow for easy drying of small items such as herbs, spices, and potpourri; and three original jerky spice packets for making jerky. A 52-page recipe and instruction book also comes included. With a sleek, contemporary design, the food dehydrator measures approximately 13 by 13 by 10 inches. From the Manufacturer
NESCO/American Harvest - "The Best Food Dehydrators in the World."

Get 25% OFF

Click here for more information about Nesco FD-75PR 700-Watt Food Dehydrator

Read More...

Nesco SQT-2 Add-A-Tray Square-Shaped Dehydrator Tray, Set of 2 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Not much to say, these are made for the square shaped FD-80 Nesco dehydrator and fit just like the ones that came with the unit. They are slightly lighter colored than the original racks, but really not a big deal to me. Since the FD-80 can go up to 8 racks total, I will probably ended up buying one more set.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Nesco SQT-2 Add-A-Tray Square-Shaped Dehydrator Tray, Set of 2

After a hunting trip or a day spent picking, washing, and slicing produce, it can take a lot of time and effort to process and cure pound after pound of wild game, fruits, and vegetables. Speed up the process with this set of two handy dehydrator accessory trays. Designed for use with the Nesco FD-80 Square Food Dehydrator (sold separately), the trays combine to add a generous 200 additional square inches of drying space to the dehydrator, enabling larger batches and consequently less wasted time and energy. Even more, the units' square design provides 40-percent more drying space than traditional round dehydrator trays, and their strong, break-resistant construction features a patented Converge-Flow drying system that distributes heat quickly and evenly--no tray rotation required. The set of two dehydrator trays measures approximately 14-4/5 by 14-4/5 by 2-1/5 inches.

Click here for more information about Nesco SQT-2 Add-A-Tray Square-Shaped Dehydrator Tray, Set of 2

Read More...