Elite Gourmet Food Dehydrator: Complete Review

Photo of Susan Gast
Susan Gast, Author and Food Preservation Enthusiast
Susan has been dehydrating and preserving foods for over a decade, sharing practical, tested methods that help readers make healthy, long-lasting meals at home.

I’ve tested the Elite Gourmet EFD319, and it quickly earned a top spot on my dehydrator list. Compact, affordable, and surprisingly powerful, it’s perfect for anyone who wants to start dehydrating snacks, herbs, or pet treats without spending a fortune.

✅ Is the Elite Gourmet EFD319 dehydrator worth it?
Yes - the Elite Gourmet EFD319 is a compact, affordable dehydrator that’s perfect for beginners and casual users. With five BPA-free trays, adjustable temps (95°F–158°F), and quiet operation, it handles everything from herbs and fruit to jerky and pet treats. The adjustable tray tabs also make room for taller foods - a simple but smart design touch.

It’s now one of my top three picks (alongside my trusty Nesco and Excalibur) for making snacks and preserving food.

Elite Gourmet EFD319 food dehydrator on a kitchen counter with jars of pasta and rice nearby

It has five BPA-free trays, adjustable temperature control, and enough power (350 watts) to dry everything from herbs to jerky. While 158°F is just shy of the ideal temp for meat, it gets the job done in my book.

💡 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.

Here’s my honest take after hands-on use - plus what sets it apart from my Nesco and Excalibur units.


Elite Gourmet Food Dehydrator

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases — this does not affect the price you pay. Read full disclosure.

Clear Trays Let You Monitor Without Interruptions

I love that the trays are see-through - makes it easy to check progress without lifting the lid. My Nesco and Excalibur both have opaque trays, so this is a nice change.

Elite Gourmet EFD319: Key Specs & Performance

  • 350 watts of drying power
  • Adjustable temperature dial from 95°F to 158°F
  • Five BPA-free trays - roomy and dishwasher safe
  • Bottom-mounted fan with consistent airflow
  • Surprisingly quiet while running

It's a compact machine that handles fruits, veggies, herbs, and jerky well -making it perfect for small batches and for those of us with tight counter spaces.

Temperature Control Range: 95°F to 158°F

I like having control over the drying temp. I use lower settings for herbs, and crank it up for meats and jerky. Even though meat needs 160°F, 158°F has worked fine for me.

And yes, I still rotate trays even if the manual says you don’t have to. Habit!

Unique Tray Tabs for Taller Foods

One of my favorite features - and a big reason I bought this model - is the ability to adjust tray height for taller foods. Just line up the tabs (it’s shown in the manual), et voilà: instant extra space.

Simple, smart, and shown in my video demo.

What Can You Make? Fruit, Jerky & More

From banana chips to zucchini crisps and homemade jerky, this unit handles it all. It’s my go-to for prepping weekly snacks, especially when I want something healthy and preservative-free.

Pet Treats & Creative Uses Beyond Food

My pup loves the dehydrated sweet potato chews I make with this. Bonus? It’s great for non-food projects too - like drying flowers and potpourri.

Set It and Forget It: Setup & Cleaning Tips

Setup’s easy: plug it in, set the temp, stack your trays. Done.

The trays are dishwasher safe, but I usually just wash them by hand. If food sticks, I soak them in hot soapy water to loosen the gunk. The base wipes clean quickly. Maintenance is minimal.

Is It Safe and Energy Efficient?

The trays are BPA-free, and the unit is ETL-listed, so it meets safety standards. I also like that I don’t have to babysit it; it runs quiet and steady.

BTW, BPA stands for bisphenol A - a chemical often found in plastics that can leach into food. So when a dehydrator says “BPA-free,” it means you’re not drying your snacks on trays made with that stuff. Always a good thing!

Real-Use Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Adjustable temperature control
  • 5 BPA-free trays (11.4" each)
  • Dishwasher-safe trays
  • Clear trays for visibility
  • Quiet operation
  • Great for small spaces

Cons

  • Trays feel a bit delicate - I handle them carefully
  • Some foods take longer to dry than expected
  • I still rotate trays for best results (even if you technically don’t need to)

I've enjoyed using this dehydrator machine for various projects. It's user-friendly and performs well for its price point. Minor drawbacks aside, it’s a solid choice I confidently recommend here at Easy Food Dehydrating.

Final Verdict: Is the EFD319 Worth It?

For a budget-friendly dehydrator, the Elite Gourmet EFD319 hits the sweet spot. It's affordable, quiet, reliable, and easy to use. It’s great for snacks, pet treats, or crafts.

Click here to get your own Elite Gourmet Food Dehydrator and start creating delicious dried snacks today!

Frequently Asked Questions

After using the Elite Gourmet dehydrator for a while, I gathered some common questions that might help you decide if it's right for your needs.

How does the Elite Gourmet EFD319 compare with other food dehydrators?

It’s a solid mid-range option — more trays and features than entry-level models, but simpler than high-end ones. While it doesn’t have the extra power or digital timers of pricier dehydrators, it performs consistently and is great value for the price.

Can you dehydrate different foods at the same time?

Yes, and I often do! Just pair foods with similar drying times. I’ll dry apples and zucchini together, for instance - but skip mixing garlic unless you like “garlic apples!”  LOL - do you know, that might spark a new flavor trend...

What temperature control options does it have?

The adjustable dial ranges from 95°F to 158°F, which gives great flexibility. Lower temps are perfect for herbs; higher settings handle fruits, veggies, and jerky just fine.

Are replacement parts easy to find?

Yes - trays and fans are available online. In most cases, though, replacing the whole unit makes more sense than paying for individual parts after the warranty period.

How does it perform overall?

For its price, the EFD319 performs impressively. It’s quiet, reliable, and easy to clean. Some users note longer drying times, but that’s expected from a 350-watt machine.

What should I look for when choosing a food dehydrator?

Check size, temperature range, ease of cleaning, and noise level. The EFD319 ticks most of these boxes, especially for beginners or casual dehydrators with limited counter space.

For a budget-friendly dehydrator, the Elite Gourmet EFD319 hits the sweet spot — it’s quiet, reliable, and easy to use. Perfect for small batches, healthy snacks, or pet treats.

Ready to dive in? Get my free PDF: 5 Dried Food Recipes You’ll Actually Love (below). These quick, beginner recipes make using your dried foods a breeze.

Get 5 Dried Food Recipes You'll Actually Love

5 Easy Dried Food Recipes free PDF

Here's where you can get your copy of our all new
5 Dried Food Recipes (That Actually Taste Great)
They're my all-time favorite easy dried food meals!

Get it here right now.

For Free!

You Might Like These

You Might Like These


Before You Go...

If you enjoyed this page, tap the ❤️ in the lower right-hand corner.
It saves this page to your Grow bookmarks so you can find it again later.

You’ll also see quick share buttons to copy the link, post to Facebook,
or save it straight to Pinterest.