Okay, so I’ve been playing around with food dehydrators for a while now. My old faithful finally kicked the bucket after years of turning apples into crispy goodness (RIP, old friend!), and I needed a replacement that wouldn’t empty my wallet. Enter the Elite Gourmet EFD319BNG – a budget-friendly option that definitely caught my eye.
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First Look and Getting Started:
Let’s be real, this dehydrator isn’t going to win any beauty contests. The black and gray plastic is pretty basic, but hey, it’s all about function, right? Getting it set up was a piece of cake. You basically just stack the five BPA-free trays on the base, and you’re good to go. Those 11.4-inch trays seemed like a decent size for whipping up smaller batches of snacks.
My Dehydrating Experiments:
Time to put this thing to the test! First up, jerky. I marinated some lean beef, sliced it super thin (this is key, trust me), and spread it out on the trays. I like that you can actually adjust the temperature on this thing – dialed it right to the recommended setting for meat. It took a good 6-7 hours, but the end result? Chewy, flavorful jerky that puts the store-bought stuff to shame. Seriously, so much healthier!
Next, I had a ton of apples from a recent trip to the orchard, so apple chips were a must. This is where I noticed something – the heat wasn’t perfectly even. The slices on the edges dried faster than the ones in the middle. A quick rotation halfway through sorted it out, but it’s something to keep in mind.
And finally, I decided to dry some herbs from my garden. Basil and oregano were overflowing, and I didn’t want them to go to waste. The Elite Gourmet was perfect for this! The low temp setting kept all that amazing flavor locked in. Now I’ve got a stash of homegrown herbs to get me through the winter – win!
The Lowdown: What’s Good, What’s Not-So-Good?
Here’s what I really liked:
- The Price Tag: You can’t argue with that price. Seriously affordable.
- Temperature Control: Being able to adjust the heat is a must for different foods.
- Easy Peasy Cleaning: Dishwasher-safe trays? Yes, please!
- Doesn’t Hog Space: It’s not huge, so it won’t take over your entire counter.
A couple of things to keep in mind:
- Heat Distribution: Could be better. Rotating those trays is a must.
- Tray Quality: They feel a little flimsy, to be honest. Not sure how long they’ll last.
So, the Verdict?
If you’re curious about dehydrating food and don’t want to spend a fortune, the Elite Gourmet EFD319BNG is a solid starting point. It’s easy to use, it gets the job done, and it won’t break the bank. Just remember to rotate those trays for even drying. Now, if you’re a serious dehydrating fanatic, you might want to splurge on a fancier model with all the bells and whistles. But for beginners and casual snack-makers? This is a great value.
My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars