Nesco FD-75PR Food Dehydrator

I have never written a review before and have purchased many things online before, but I have been so pleased with this little "cheap" dehydrator, that I felt I needed to write this.When I started thinking about purchasing a dehydrator, I did a lot of research including visiting my local Cabelas store and doing a lot of online research. The main reason that I initially shied away from purchasing this model was how inexpensive it was compared to so many of the other models. I just couldn't imagine it could be as good as all the reviews said it was. I was also concerned about some of the features that seemed like they would be important such as no timer and a top mounted fan (as compared to a side mounted which supposedly created irregular dehydrating times)In the end though, I listened to the reviews and purchased it. WOW. I have been so pleased.First, I have owned the unit now for about two months. I have literally run it non stop. I have five kids and I wanted to use it to stretch our grocery budget by being able to buy foot in bulk and store them by dehydrating them. My main issue is that I can't seem to store anything because we end up eating the food as soon as it comes out.This cheap little machine is amazing. First, it's not too big so sits easily on the counter and doesn't get in the way. Second, it dehydrates to food evenly and simply. Third, it is extremely easy to clean (I strongly recommend purchasing extra clean a scrren sheets when you purchase it). Fourth, it's so simple to use. All you do is cut up your foot and throw it on a tray, stack it up and let it go. It's great.Don't worry about the lack of a timer. I have found out you can't really "over-dehydrate" most foods so if you accidentally leave it running for a few hours, no big deal. Lastly, and probably most obviously, is the price. Don't worry, this is one of those times you get so much more than you pay for. Especially if you are like me and new to dehydrating, it's a great place to start.I've subsequently purchased two expansion trays and the machine works just as efficiently with seven trays as with five. I think it goes up to 10 but cant remember. I've dehydrated tons of different stuff on it including carrots, corn, apples, bannanas (the only thing my kids haven't liked), bell peppers, hot peppers, cucumbers, onions and lots of jerky. I've even tried dehydrating some leftover soups and stews which worked remarkably well. Definately recommend you purchase a book or two on dehydrating as it helps to know how to do it.One side note: Nesco's jerky flavorings are great and I've purchased more of them which I got for free with their jerky gun, which i've used to good effect also.Well, that's it, I really, really, really have been impressed that something so...cheap, has worked so well.

I purchased this item as a Christmas present for my husband. Looked in many stores and at MANY MANY MANY here on Amazon. He mainly wanted it for jerky and I figured it would use it for some fruit. I did my research on others opinions and with that and my budget, this was my choice. Very glad I choose it.***Things I like about it.It's not very noisy at all. I was picturing it needing to go to the laundry room, not at all. My fridge is louder that it and it only takes a couple of minutes to tune it out.It has a temp guide on it, awesome!The fan is on top, blowing down, not on bottom.We were able to do both meat and fruit. Even though they both require different temps, we followed for apples then turned it up for the meat and cut a little bit of required time out. Turned out perfect and the fruit didn't taste anything like spicey meat even though that's all you could smell in the house.It was very easy to clean. It says it is dishwasher safe, but on some plastic I never have been a truster of the dishwasher, so I just washed it by hand.***The only thing I did not like about it was it has no off switch. This one doesn't have a timer, but I didn't count it as a negative, we have timers of many kinds out there, but turning it off by unplugging it was a bummer.The booklet it comes with is pretty decent. Drying fruits, and making fruit rolls, or leathers. Drying veggies, jerky, herbs and crafts. There is a guide for drying times and temps. A few recipes, plus how to rehydrate dried food. I did purchase a book on dehydrating and believe we would have been fine without it, but I am not disappointed in the additional purchase.When we make the jerky I purchase a low fat meat, less fat to drip off. I also put the screen you make the leather on at the bottome as a 'fat catcher' for an easier clean up. Don't know if putting the fruit above the meat makes a difference, but I do put the apples above the meat.I did notice that people on all of kinds of dehydrators were concerned about it getting hot, or at least having a temp. Yes this does get a little bit warm, not hot. It is supposed to get warm to dry the food.Hope something here was of help to you.