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Is the Elite Gourmet Food Dehydrator Worth It?

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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 bought the five-tray Elite Gourmet EFD319 because I wanted an affordable, compact dehydrator that would be easy for beginners to use. After unpacking it, assembling the adjustable trays, and putting it to work in my own kitchen, I found several features I genuinely liked — including its quiet operation, clear trays, and clever tray-height adjustment. However, it also has a few limitations you should know about before buying it.

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

✅ Quick answer: Is the Elite Gourmet EFD319 worth buying?
Yes — especially if you’re a beginner, have limited counter space, or want an affordable dehydrator for small batches. Its five clear BPA-free trays, adjustable thermostat, quiet fan, and two tray-height positions make it unusually versatile for its price.

Its main limitations are the lack of a timer, relatively delicate plastic trays, and bottom-mounted airflow that works best when the trays are rotated during longer drying sessions. I recommend it for fruits, vegetables, herbs, snacks, and pet treats. You can also make jerky safely, provided you follow the USDA’s separate heat-treatment guidance for meat and poultry.

The Elite Gourmet now sits alongside my Nesco and Excalibur as one of the three dehydrators I use and recommend — but each machine suits a different kind of user. The Elite Gourmet is the compact, budget-friendly choice of the three. Below, I’ll show you what it does well, where it falls short, and who I believe will get the most value from it.

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Elite Gourmet Food Dehydrator

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Why I Like the Clear Trays

One feature I appreciated immediately was being able to see the food through the clear trays. My Nesco and Excalibur trays are opaque, so checking their contents usually means lifting the lid or removing a tray.

With the Elite Gourmet, I can glance through the sides to see whether pieces are shrinking and how drying is progressing. The trays aren’t crystal clear once condensation develops, but they still provide a better view than opaque trays.

That matters because repeatedly lifting the lid releases warm air and can extend the drying time.

Elite Gourmet EFD319 Specifications at a Glance

Elite Gourmet EFD319 Specifications at a Glance
Feature Elite Gourmet EFD319
Number of trays 5 stackable trays
Tray diameter 11.4 inches
Tray material Clear, BPA-free plastic
Tray spacing Two adjustable heights for thin or bulky foods
Temperature range 95°F to 158°F*
Drying power 350 watts
Fan position Bottom-mounted fan
Timer No built-in timer
Automatic shutoff No programmable shutoff
Tray rotation Recommended during drying for more even results
Best suited for Beginners, small batches, pet treats, and kitchens with limited counter space

*Note: Check the temperature markings on your particular EFD319. Some current product information lists the maximum temperature as 160°F, while other versions are marked 158°F.

At 350 watts, this is not the fastest or most powerful dehydrator available, but it has enough power for ordinary home batches. Its round footprint also occupies less counter space than my larger Excalibur. Because the fan is mounted in the base, the lower trays receive more heat and airflow than the upper ones, so rotating the trays helps food dry more evenly.

The USDA recommends heating meat to an internal temperature of 160°F — and poultry to 165°F — before dehydrating it. After that safety step, the meat can finish drying in the dehydrator. Do not rely solely on the temperature printed around the dehydrator dial to confirm that raw meat has reached a safe internal temperature.

Temperature Control: Flexible, but Without a Timer

The adjustable dial allows you to use lower temperatures for herbs and increase the heat for fruits, vegetables, and other foods. Unlike a digital dehydrator, though, the EFD319 does not let you enter a precise time or shut itself off automatically when the drying period ends.

That simple dial is easy for beginners to use, but it means you’ll need to keep track of the time yourself — especially when drying overnight or while away from the kitchen.

I also rotate the trays about halfway through longer drying sessions. That is not merely one of my habits: the Elite Gourmet instruction manual recommends moving the lower trays to the top because food near the bottom tends to dry faster.

Adjustable Tray Heights: My Favorite Feature

The adjustable tray spacing is one of the best features of the Elite Gourmet EFD319 — and one of the main reasons I chose this model.

By rotating the trays and aligning the tabs differently, I can create approximately 0.55 inches or 1 inch of clearance between trays. The lower position works well for ordinary fruit and vegetable slices, while the raised position accommodates bulkier foods, thicker pet treats, flowers, or anything that would otherwise touch the tray above.

Watch my short video above to see how the tabs align. It’s much easier to understand once you see the trays being stacked.


Elite Gourmet EFD319 five-tray food dehydrator hands-on review

What I Use the Elite Gourmet Dehydrator For

I’ve used the Elite Gourmet for banana chips, zucchini crisps and homemade jerky.

Its five trays provide enough room for practical small batches without committing the counter space required by a larger dehydrator.

It’s particularly well suited to:

  • Sliced fruits and vegetables
  • Herbs
  • Fruit leather, with suitable tray liners
  • Homemade pet treats
  • Small batches of safely prepared jerky
  • Flowers and potpourri, using trays kept separate from food use

Drying times will vary according to the food’s thickness, moisture content, room humidity, tray position, and how heavily the trays are loaded.

Pet Treats, Flowers and Other Uses

The adjustable tray height also makes this model useful for thicker homemade pet treats. I’ve used it make the dehydrated sweet potato chews, and the raised tray position gives the thicker pieces more room.

The instruction manual also suggests drying herbs and flowers. If you use the dehydrator for potpourri or craft materials, I recommend keeping designated trays for those projects rather than later using the same trays for food.

Setup, First Use, and Cleaning

Assembly is straightforward once you understand how the tray tabs control the spacing. Before the first food batch, the manual instructs users to wash the trays and lid and run the empty dehydrator for 30 minutes in a well-ventilated area. A slight odor or minimal smoke during that initial run can come from manufacturing residue.

For routine cleaning, I wash the trays by hand in warm, soapy water. Although some listings describe the trays as dishwasher-safe, the manufacturer’s manual specifically recommends hand-washing the trays and lid when dehydrating meat. Hand-washing also reduces the risk of heat or rough dishwasher handling damaging the relatively lightweight plastic.

The base should be unplugged and wiped with a damp cloth only. Never immerse the motorized base, cord, or plug in water.

Safety, Noise, and Energy Use

The Elite Gourmet’s trays are advertised as BPA-free, and the unit is ETL listed. It also runs quietly enough that I don’t find the fan disruptive in my kitchen.

At 350 watts, it uses less power per hour than many larger dehydrators. However, lower wattage does not automatically guarantee a lower total drying cost because some foods may take longer to finish.

Elite Gourmet also recommends placing the appliance on a solid, level, heat-resistant surface. The manual suggests using a trivet or heat-resistant pad on surfaces such as wood, laminate, or Corian that may be affected by prolonged heat.

Like any dehydrator, it should have room around it for ventilation and should not be operated outdoors.

Elite Gourmet EFD319 Pros and Cons

Pros Cons
Affordable entry-level dehydrator No built-in timer or programmable shutoff
Compact, round footprint Bottom trays dry faster than the upper trays
Five clear, BPA-free trays Trays should be rotated for more even drying
Two adjustable tray heights Plastic trays feel somewhat delicate
Easy-to-use temperature dial Slower than larger, higher-wattage dehydrators
Quiet operation Limited capacity for large harvests or bulk batches
Simple to assemble and clean Dial is less precise than digital controls

None of those drawbacks makes it a poor dehydrator. They simply clarify its intended role: this is an affordable machine for small and moderate home batches, not a high-capacity commercial unit.

Who Should Buy the Elite Gourmet EFD319?

I recommend the Elite Gourmet EFD319 if you:

  • Are buying your first food dehydrator
  • Want to keep the initial cost low
  • Usually prepare small or moderate batches
  • Have limited kitchen or storage space
  • Prefer a simple dial instead of digital controls
  • Want adjustable tray spacing for thicker foods or treats

Consider a larger rear-fan dehydrator instead if you:

  • Regularly preserve large garden harvests
  • Want more even airflow without rotating trays
  • Need a built-in timer and automatic shutoff
  • Frequently dry large batches of jerky
  • Want sturdier stainless-steel trays

Final Verdict: Is the EFD319 Worth It?

Yes — the Elite Gourmet EFD319 is worth considering if you want an affordable, uncomplicated dehydrator for small batches. After assembling and using mine, the features I value most are the clear trays, quiet operation, compact size, and adjustable tray spacing.

It is not the machine I would choose for processing a large harvest or for someone who wants precise digital controls and automatic shutoff. Its bottom-mounted fan also means tray rotation is part of getting the most even results.

For a beginner, casual user, or pet owner making homemade treats, however, it offers a useful combination of versatility and value without taking over the kitchen counter.

Check the current price and availability of the Elite Gourmet EFD319 on Amazon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some practical questions you may have before choosing the EFD319 over another small food dehydrator.

How does it compare with other food dehydrators?

The Elite Gourmet EFD319 is smaller, less powerful, and more hands-on than my Excalibur, but it also costs less and occupies considerably less space. Compared with my Nesco, its clear trays make progress easier to monitor, and its adjustable tray spacing is particularly useful for thicker foods. Its biggest compromises are the lack of a timer and the need to rotate trays.

Can you dehydrate different foods simultaneously?

Yes, provided the foods require similar temperatures and have compatible aromas. I might dry apples with another mild fruit, but I wouldn’t combine apples with garlic or onions unless “garlic apples” are the result I’m aiming for! Remove individual pieces as they finish rather than assuming every tray will be ready simultaneously.

What temperature options does it have?

The EFD319 has an adjustable temperature dial beginning at approximately 95°F and reaching 158°F or 160°F, depending on the particular version. Check the markings on your own unit. The dial provides flexibility for herbs, produce, and other foods, but it is not as precise as a digital thermostat.

Are replacement parts easy to find?

Replacement-part availability can vary by EFD319 version and color. Before ordering trays or other components, contact Elite Gourmet with the complete model number printed on your appliance to confirm compatibility. Because this is a relatively inexpensive dehydrator, compare the cost of replacement parts and shipping with the price of a new unit.

Does the Elite Gourmet EFD319 have a timer?

No. It uses a manual temperature dial and does not have a programmable timer or automatic shutoff. You will need to track the drying time separately and switch the machine off when the food is finished.

Do the Elite Gourmet trays need to be rotated?

Yes, I recommend rotating them during longer drying sessions. The manufacturer’s manual also recommends moving the bottom trays upward because food closer to the bottom-mounted heater and fan tends to dry faster.

Can the Elite Gourmet EFD319 make jerky safely?

Yes, but the dehydrator setting alone should not be treated as the food-safety step. The USDA recommends heating meat to 160°F and poultry to 165°F before dehydration, then completing the drying process in the dehydrator.

Ready to dive in? Get my free PDF: 5 Dried Food Recipes That Actually Taste Great PDF below—featuring carrot soup, minestrone, split pea soup, spicy beef jerky, and even banana cinnamon rolls.

5 Easy Dried Food Recipes free PDF

5 Free Dried Food Recipes
That Actually Taste Great

Put your dried food to delicious use!
Five very different recipes.
Not one dull bite...

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5 Free Dried Food Recipes
That Actually Taste Great

5 Easy Dried Food Recipes free PDF

Put your dried food to delicious use!
Five very different recipes.
Not one dull bite...

Get your free copy now!

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