Nesco Food Dehydrator: The Best Way to Preserve Food at Home?

For over 30 years, the Nesco food dehydrator company has been a trusted name in food dehydrators.

They claim their patented drying technology "dries your food faster and evenly." And they’re right! Their dehydrators are efficient, easy to use, and perfect for anyone who loves preserving food at home.


NESCO food dehydrator, running

Why Choose a Nesco Food Dehydrator?

I've been using my Nesco dehydrator since 2010, and I absolutely love it! I started with the four-tray model and later added extra trays to expand my drying capacity.

Shown in the image are five trays, but the starter model comes with four. Need more trays? No problem! Keep reading to learn why that’s a major advantage of Nesco’s design.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make beef jerky in a Nesco dehydrator?

Yes! Nesco dehydrators are great for making beef jerky. Click here to visit my "How to Dehydrate Meat" guide, where you'll find a simple and delicious beef jerky recipe.

How many trays can I stack in my Nesco dehydrator?

One of the best features of Nesco dehydrators is their expandability. You can start with just four trays (the minimum required for proper air circulation) and stack up to 20 trays on certain models.

Pro Tip: If you stack 20 trays, place the dehydrator on a lower surface—it’s a tall tower. Keep your eye on it. I’d hate for a wagging dog tail to knock it over!

Where can I find Nesco dehydrator recipes?

Check out my 20 Taste-Tested Easy Recipes with Dehydrated Food. Available as an eBook or paperback. Don't forget, your Nesco food dehydrator owners manual will have Jerky recipes and suchlike in it.

💡 Need to convert Fahrenheit to Celsius? Use our handy Fahrenheit-to-Celsius converter on our site!





How Does the Nesco Food Dehydrator Work?

The Secret Behind Nesco’s Converge-A-Flow® Technology

Nesco’s Converge-A-Flow® design ensures even drying from top to bottom, eliminating the need for tray rotation. However, I still rotate trays occasionally for extra consistency.

Does the Nesco dehydrator have an on/off switch?

This Nesco dehydrator features a manual temperature selector located on the lid. It’s easy to read and adjust, but keep in mind—it’s not digital.

🚫 No On/Off Switch: To turn the dehydrator on or off, just plug or unplug it. Want automatic shutoff? Read on for a simple fix!

NESCO temperature selector on its lid

A Simple Fix: Use a Timer for Auto Shutoff

24-Hour Plug-In Mechanical Timer - Grounded

BN-LINK 24-Hr Plug-in Mechanical Timer Grounded, 125VAC, 60 Hz, 1875W, 15A, 1/2HP
BN-LINK 24-Hr Plug-in Mechanical Timer Grounded, 125VAC, 60 Hz, 1875W, 15A, 1/2HP

You can buy a 'timer-switch' from hardware stores if you want to have the luxury of the Nesco food dehydrator turning off, say after ten hours, if you know you won't be home to shut it off.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn commission from qualifying purchases. The price you pay does not increase.  Read disclosure here.

Stackable Trays: Why They Make Nesco Stand Out

Nesco Dehydrator - 4-tray starter model, showing green beans being dehydrated

How Many Trays Can You Add?

One of Nesco’s biggest advantages is stackability. You can start with four trays and expand as needed.

  • Additional trays come in sets of two.
  • They seamlessly match older trays—great if you’re upgrading!
  • I also use solid fruit roll sheets (more on those below!).

⚠️ Important: Always use at least four trays, even if some are empty. This ensures proper air circulation.

The Right Way to Use Fruit Roll Sheets

If you're making fruit roll-ups but only have two Fruit Roll Sheets, here’s a trick:

  1. Place a fruit roll sheet on two trays.
  2. Add an empty tray above and below to maintain airflow.
NESCO Clean-a-Screen and Fruit Roll sheets

Nesco DEHYDRATORS Available on Amazon

💡 Tip: Use our Fahrenheit to Celsius converter here on our site!

Nesco FD-80A Food + Jerky Dehydrator
Nesco FD-80A Food + Jerky Dehydrator

Nesco FD-80A Food + Jerky Dehydrator

This is a square-shaped food dehydrator, perfect for snacks, fruit, and beef jerky. White with a top black tray edge, with a white lid.

  • 700 watts of drying power
  • Expandable to 8 trays
  • 15.25 x 10.25 x 15.63 inches (LxWxH)
  • Temperature range: 95°F – 160°F
  • Comes with: 1 Clean-A-Screen, 1 Recipe Instruction Book, 1 Jerky Seasoning & Cure Sample
Nesco FD-61WHC Snackmaster Encore
Nesco FD-61WHC Snackmaster Encore

Nesco FD-61WHC Snackmaster Encore Food Dehydrator

This round Nesco Snackmaster comes with a jerky gun kit and 5 trays. It has a very light grey body with a darker grey lid.

  • 500 watts of drying power
  • Expandable to 12 trays
  • 13.5 x 13.5 x 9.25 inches (LxWxH)
  • Temperature range: 95°F – 160°F
  • Comes with: 1 Jerky Gun with 3 tip attachments, 2 Fruit Roll Sheets, 2 Clean-A-Screens, 5 Jerky Seasoning & Cure Samples, Recipe & Instruction book
Nesco FD-60 Snackmaster Express
Nesco FD-60 Snackmaster Express

Nesco FD-60 Snackmaster Express Food Dehydrator

This is the new version of mine as it has an updated lid. It's a light grey body with a darker grey lid.

  • 500 watts of drying power
  • Expandable to 12 trays
  • 13.5 x 13.5 x 9.25 inches (LxWxH)
  • Temperature range: 95°F – 155°F
  • Comes with: 1 Fruit Roll Sheet, 2 Original-Flavor Jerky Spice & Cure Packets

As an Amazon Associate, I earn commission from qualifying purchases. The price you pay does not increase.  Read disclosure here.

Must-Have Nesco Accessories:
Clean-A-Screens & Fruit Roll Sheets

What Are Clean-A-Screens & Why Do You Need Them?

Nesco offers Clean-A-Screens—flexible mesh screens with finger cutouts for easy removal. These screen:

  • Prevent small food pieces from falling through
  • Make cleanup a breeze

Fruit Roll Sheets: A Must-Have for Sticky Foods

They also sell solid Fruit Roll Sheets, which:

  • Hold puréed fruit for roll-ups
  • Prevent sticky spills

⚠️ Don’t use plastic wrap instead of Fruit Roll Sheets! Covering the center hole disrupts airflow and can cause overheating.

How to Keep Your Nesco Food Dehydrator Clean

Easy Cleanup Tips for Sticky Foods

Screens make cleanup easier.

  • Soak screens in warm water.
  • Gently scrub if needed (but it’s rare!).
  • Air dry before storing.

Pro Tip: Always use screens when drying small or sticky foods. You’ll thank me later!

Nesco ACCESSORIES Available on Amazon

Nesco Fruit Roll Sheets 13.5
Nesco Fruit Roll Sheets 13.5" dia.

Nesco Solid Fruit Roll Sheets

Nesco LSS-2-6 Round clear plastic 13-1/2" diameter Fruit Roll Sheets, white.

  • 2 pk of solid fruit roll sheets
  • 1.6 sq feet drying area
  • Dry capacity up to 3 cups of pureed fruit per sheet
  • Check the red Amazon link to see which Nesco models these Fruit Roll Sheets fit
Nesco Clean-A-Screen 13.5
Nesco Clean-A-Screen 13.5" dia.

Nesco Mesh Sheets

Nesco LM-2-6 Round plastic mesh 13-1/2" diameter Clean-A-Screens, white.

  • 2 pk of mesh sheets
  • 1.6 sq feet drying area
  • Check the red Amazon link to see which Nesco models these Clean-A-Screens fit
Nesco Trays for series 20 + 30 Dehydrators
Nesco Trays for series 20 + 30 Dehydrators

Nesco Trays

Nesco WT-2SG Round Speckled Plastic 13-1/2" diameter Add-A-Tray.

  • 2 pk of speckled round trays
  • 1.6 sq feet drying area
  • Fits 20 Series and 30 Series Food Dehydrators
  • Check the red Amazon link to see all the Nesco models these Add-A-Trays fit

As an Amazon Associate, I earn commission from qualifying purchases. The price you pay does not increase.  Read disclosure here.

Do You Own a Nesco Dehydrator?

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What Do You Like about your NESCO Dehydrator?

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What Other NESCO Dehydrator Fans Have Said

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Nesco Food Dehydrator Submissions 
I bought my Nesco American Harvest Dehydrator & Jerky Maker today, after using my old Mr. Coffee model for about a week or so. I felt I needed a second …

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Final Thoughts:
Is a Nesco Food Dehydrator Right for You?

Nesco dehydrators are versatile, powerful, and beginner-friendly. Whether you're making jerky, dried fruits, veggies, or snacks, Nesco makes it easy.

Ready to start dehydrating? Pick the best Nesco model for your needs and start preserving food today!

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