Nesco FD-37 Food Dehydrator: Your Gateway to Easy Dehydration
Okay, so I’ve been playing around with food preservation for a while now – canning, freezing, you name it. But dehydrating? It always felt like some advanced culinary technique reserved for the pros. Finally, I decided to dive in, but I needed something simple, something that wouldn’t send me running back to the freezer. That’s where the Nesco FD-37 came in.
First Impressions: Small but Mighty
Honestly, the first thing that struck me about the Nesco FD-37 was its size. It’s compact! A huge win if you’re like me and your counter space is prime real estate. The white and stainless steel look is clean and unassuming, fitting right into my kitchen without screaming “gadget.” And those four trays? Perfect for getting started. Plus, the clear lid? Genius! No need to constantly lift it and mess with the drying – you can just peek in and see what’s happening from product description.
Does it Actually Work? (Spoiler: Yes!)
This little machine runs on 400 watts from product information, which, trust me, is plenty for the basics. I started with apple slices (a classic, right?), and the Nesco handled them like a champ. Evenly dried, perfectly snackable in about 6-8 hours. What I really appreciated was the automatic drying pressure thingamajig. Basically, it adjusts itself depending on how many trays you’re using from “About this item”, so you get consistent results every time. And the controls? About as simple as it gets – an on/off switch from product description. You almost can’t mess it up!
A Couple of Tiny Hiccups
Now, it’s not perfect (what is, really?). The temperature is fixed from product information. For a newbie like me, that’s fine, but if you’re a dehydrating whiz, you might want more control. Also, the trays aren’t dishwasher safe from product information. Hand-washing isn’t the end of the world, but, you know, who wants to wash dishes?
The Bottom Line
All in all, the Nesco FD-37 is a fantastic little dehydrator, especially if you’re just starting out. It’s easy to use, doesn’t take up a ton of space, and does a solid job of drying fruits, veggies, and even jerky. Sure, it’s not packed with bells and whistles, but for the price and simplicity, it’s a winner. If you’re looking to dip your toes into the world of food dehydration, give the Nesco FD-37 a shot. You might just surprise yourself (and end up with some seriously tasty snacks).