Elite Gourmet EFD319 Food Dehydrator Review: Snack Heaven?

In this Elite Gourmet food dehydrator review, you'll see how it’s quickly earned a spot on my go-to dehydrator list. It’s now one of my top three picks (alongside my trusty Nesco and Excalibur) for making snacks and preserving food.

✅ Is the Elite Gourmet EFD319 dehydrator worth it?
Yes — the Elite Gourmet EFD319 is a compact, budget-friendly dehydrator that performs well for beginners and casual users. With 5 BPA-free trays, adjustable temperatures (95°F–158°F), and quiet operation, it’s ideal for drying fruits, veggies, herbs, jerky, and pet treats. Plus, its tray design lets you adjust spacing for taller foods.

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


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.

Elite Gourmet Food Dehydrator

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 — perfect for small batches and 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), and 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 — 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.

Some of this might sound familiar (if you’ve been skimming above), but here are the top questions I get — and quick answers based on real use.

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

I've found the EFD319 to be a solid mid-range option. It offers 5 trays, which is more than some entry-level models but less than high-end units.

While it may not have all the bells and whistles of premium models, it gets the job done efficiently for most home users.

Can you dehydrate different types of food at the same time with the Elite Gourmet EFD319?

Yes, you can! I've successfully dried fruits and vegetables together. Just keep in mind that some foods may take longer than others, so you might need to remove faster-drying items first.

The vertical airflow design helps maintain consistent drying across all trays. Bear in mind I don't dehydrate garlic with apples (unless you want garlic-flavored apples!) LOL

What are the temperature control features of the Elite Gourmet Food Dehydrator?

The EFD319 has an adjustable temperature range from 95°F to 158°F. This flexibility allows me to dry various foods at their optimal temperatures.

For example, I use lower settings for delicate herbs and higher temperatures for making many different types of jerky.

Are replacement parts readily available for the Elite Gourmet EFD319 Food Dehydrator?

While I haven't needed replacements yet, I've seen trays and other parts available online.

Elite Gourmet are purported to provide decent customer support, which is reassuring if you ever need spare parts.

To be honest? It's probably cheaper to just buy a new unit than pay for replacement fans or trays and the associated shipping costs (assuming it worked beyond its warranty date).

How does the Elite Gourmet EFD319 Food Dehydrator perform according to consumer reports?

Based on my experience and what I've read, the EFD319 performs well for its price point. Many users praise its ease of use and consistent results.

Some have noted it's a bit slower than higher-wattage models, but that's expected given its 350W power.

What should I look for when choosing a food dehydrator?

When selecting a dehydrator, consider:

  • Size and capacity
  • Temperature control options
  • Ease of cleaning
  • Noise level
  • Power consumption
  • Brand reputation and warranty

For me, the EFD319 ticked most of these boxes, especially for a beginner or occasional user. Its compact size suits my not-so-big kitchen, and the dishwasher-safe trays make cleanup painless.

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.

Want to test it out? Grab my free PDF: “5 Dried Food Recipes You'll Actually Love” (below). Perfect for beginners — simple, tasty, and ready to go!

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