Can You Dehydrate Food in a Convection Oven? Here’s What You Need to Know!

I'm often asked about dehydrating food in convection ovens... is it possible?

✅ Quick Answer: Can You Dehydrate Food in a Convection Oven?

Yes, you can dehydrate food in a convection oven! Set the temperature to 125°F–135°F, place food on wire racks to allow airflow, and prop the oven door open slightly to let moisture escape. Rotate food every couple of hours for even drying.

While electric dehydrators are built for the job, many folks don’t realize that your good ol’ convection oven can dehydrate food too — no need to buy new gear right away!

hamster opening a toy Aga cooker door
Image by Andy M. from Pixabay

Thanks to its steady heat and built-in fan, a convection oven can pull moisture from sliced fruits, veggies, and even meats, giving you that same concentrated flavor and chewy texture you’d get from a proper dehydrator.

Sure, you’ll need to babysit it a bit — rotate trays, crack the door, check temps — but for a lot of people, it’s a perfectly solid way to dive into dehydrating. So let’s walk through how to make it work in your own kitchen.


If you’re just starting out and don’t want to splurge on a dehydrator—but already own a convection oven—then I say, go for it!

Step-by-Step: How to Dehydrate Food in a Convection Oven

Simple Prep Steps for Oven Dehydration

Convection ovens are a quick and straightforward way to preserve fruits, vegetables, meats, and even seafood.

Here’s how to do it:

  1. Preheat the oven to the lowest setting (typically 125°F–135°F for fruits and vegetables).
  2. Place the food on a wire rack for better air circulation.
  3. Leave the oven door slightly open to let moisture escape. Use a wooden spoon to keep the door ajar.
  4. Monitor the food every few hours, rotating the trays as needed.
  5. Remove the food when it’s dehydrated to your desired level.

Convection vs. Regular Ovens: What’s the Real Difference?

What Happens in a Regular Oven?

A regular oven doesn’t have a fan, so hot air can stagnate, leading to uneven cooking or drying.

Why Convection Ovens Outperform for Drying

What gives convection ovens the edge? It’s all about that built-in fan. The hot air keeps moving, which means your food dries more evenly — and usually faster, too.

That said, not all convection ovens are created equal. Double-check that yours can go low enough — around 125°F to 135°F — or you’ll risk cooking your food instead of drying it.

Why Air Circulation Makes All the Difference

How Airflow Speeds Up Dehydration

Airflow is everything when it comes to drying food. In a regular oven, cracking the door helps moisture escape — but it’s not exactly set-it-and-forget-it. You’ll need to keep an eye on things and use a thermometer to make sure the temp stays where it should.

That’s where food dehydrators shine. They’re built to circulate air evenly without the babysitting. No fussing with door props or temp checks — just steady, reliable drying from start to finish.

Common Challenges When Using a Convection Oven

One downside of convection ovens is their limited shelf space. Most ovens have only two racks, and the bars are often spaced too far apart, causing smaller pieces of food to fall through.

Remember: food shrinks significantly during dehydration!

Space-Saving Tips for Oven Dehydrating

With a dedicated food dehydrator, you’re not limited to just two racks. Some dehydrators, like the Nesco models, can handle up to 30 trays! However, that’s a lot of drying… and you might want to keep your dog’s wagging tail away from a towering stack of trays.

Excalibur dehydrator with four trays, front cover removed
Nesco Dehydrator - 4-tray starter model, showing green beans being dehydrated

Is It Worth Buying a Food Dehydrator?

If you’re serious about dehydrating food, it might be time to invest in a food dehydrator. I recommend starting with either the Excalibur or Nesco starter models—they’re affordable and reliable.

Top Food Dehydrators to Compare

Here are some great options on Amazon:

Excalibur DEHYDRATORS Available on Amazon

💡 Tip: Outside the U.S.? Most dehydrating temps here are listed in Fahrenheit — use our quick converter to see the Celsius equivalent for your machine.

Excalibur 2400 4-tray Dehydrator
Excalibur 2400 4-tray Dehydrator

Excalibur 2400 Food Dehydrator, 4-Tray Starter

This is a square-shaped food dehydrator, that boasts 4 square feet of drying space. Black textured plastic body. Remove the front panel for access to its four trays.

  • 220 watts of drying power
  • 4 removable trays
  • 16.25 x 13 x 6.5 inches (LxWxH)
  • Temperature range: 95°F – 165°F
  • Comes with: 4 trays, a digital download guide to dehydration
Excalibur 2900EC Dehydrator
Excalibur 2900EC Dehydrator

Excalibur 2900ECB 9-Tray Electric Food Dehydrator

This is a square-shaped food dehydrator, that boasts 15 square feet of drying space. Black textured plastic body. Remove the front panel for access to its nine trays.

  • 400 watts of drying power
  • 9 removable trays
  • 19 x 17 x 12.5 inches (LxWxH)
  • Temperature range: 105°F – 165°F
  • Comes with: 9 trays, a digital download guide to dehydration
Excalibur 9-Tray Dehydrator
Excalibur 9-Tray Dehydrator

Excalibur 3900B 9-Tray Electric Food Dehydrator

This is a square-shaped food dehydrator, that boasts 15 square feet of drying space. Black textured plastic body. Remove the front panel for access to its 9 trays. Has a built-in on/off switch.

  • 600 watts of drying power
  • 9 removable trays
  • 19 x 17 x 12.5 inches (LxWxH)
  • Temperature range: 105°F – 165°F
  • Comes with: 9 trays, a digital download guide to dehydration

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

Nesco DEHYDRATORS Available on Amazon

💡 Tip: Outside the U.S.? Most dehydrating temps here are listed in Fahrenheit — use our quick converter to see the Celsius equivalent for your machine.

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.

Which One Saves You More in the Long Run?

Using a dehydrator is more cost-effective over time. They're energy-efficient, built for even drying, and can handle multiple trays at once — so you’re drying more food with less fuss (and less electricity).

While a convection oven can work in a pinch, a dehydrator is the better pick if you plan to dehydrate regularly. It’ll save you time, energy, and frustration in the long run.

FAQs: Dehydrating Food in a Convection Oven

Can you dehydrate food in a convection oven?

Yes, and it’s a common question! There are a few ways to dry food: using the sun, an electric food dehydrator, or an oven. Convection ovens, with their built-in fans, are superior to regular ovens for dehydration.

Can you use a regular oven for dehydration?

Yes, you can, but regular ovens are less efficient than convection ovens due to the lack of built-in air circulation. You’ll need to leave the oven door slightly open and rotate your trays frequently to ensure even drying.

Is dehydrating food in a convection oven as good as using a dehydrator?

While convection ovens do a decent job, food dehydrators are designed for consistent airflow and lower temperatures. They’re better for frequent dehydrating, but ovens are great for beginners.

Can I dehydrate meat in a convection oven?

Yes, you can — but be extra cautious with temperature and safety. Meat needs to reach a safe internal temp to avoid bacteria, so pre-cook thin slices before dehydrating, or use a food thermometer during the process.

How long does it take to dehydrate food in a convection oven?

Drying times vary, but expect 4–8 hours for most fruits and veggies. Keep your oven around 125°F–135°F, and check every couple of hours, rotating trays for even drying.

Whether you're experimenting with convection ovens or already eyeing a full-blown dehydrator, one thing's for sure — homemade dried food is both practical and delicious.

To help you get started, I’ve put together a handy free PDF (below) of my top 5 simple, tasty dried food recipes you can try right away. You don’t need fancy gear — just your oven and a little curiosity.👇

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