Have you ever wanted to eat dried fruits and meats but without buying them from the store? It’s a real joy when you’re able to dry your own fruit roll-ups or jerky in your own kitchen. Nesco American Harvest offers the wonderful dehydrator FD-61 Snackmaster Encore Dehydrator and Jerky Maker that will allow you to dry fruits, vegetables, and much more right there in your kitchen.
A dehydrator can be a great addition to any modern kitchen. If you’re thinking about drying fruits, vegetables, and meats for later consumption, you can easily get a dehydrator that will do an amazing job at it. The Nesco FD-61 is a powerful device with a modern design and a range of features that will make drying fruits and vegetables a joy and not a chore.
The FD-61 comes with 500 watts of drying power and it has a top mounted fan that prevents liquids from falling into the heating chamber. The device comes with a fruit roll-up tray that can be used for drying all kinds of fruits to make a delicious snack out of them. The base and tray of this dehydrator are made from durable BPA-free material that is safe for usage in the kitchen.
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After drying food materials in this dehydrator, they can be easily stored for later consumption. It is a safe, hygienic, and economical way to dry and preserve foods in your house and enjoy a wide variety of dried foods whenever you want.
The dehydrator comes with an instruction booklet that has timings and preparation methods for different food items in it that you can try on your own. Once you start using this dehydrator, you’d never think of buying dried fruits from a store again.
Product Specifications of Nesco FD-61 Dehydartor
The Nesco FD-61 is a versatile dehydrator in a small package and its modern design makes it look good on any kitchen shelf. If you’re interested in drying fruits, vegetables, and meats, then this dehydrator offers the functions and features that make it the best choice in the market. Here’s a look at the specifications of the Nesco American Harvest FD-61 Snackmaster Encore Dehydrator:
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Product Dimensions |
13.5 x 13.8 x 9.8 inches |
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Item Weight |
6.8 pounds |
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Manufacturer |
Nesco |
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Item Model Number |
FD-61 |
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Shape |
Round |
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Watts |
500-699 |
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Dimensions |
14L x 14W x 10H in. |
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Finish |
White |
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Power Type |
Cord |
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Brand |
NESCO/American Harvest |
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Features |
Recipe Book Included |
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Product Link | Check this Product on Amazon → |
Key Features of Nesco American Harvest FD 61 Dehydrator
If you want a dehydrator that will do the job with no fuss and perform as intended every time, then the Nesco FD-61 will surely fit the bill. The dehydrator is easy to use and it also comes with an instruction booklet that has several recipes that you can try. Let’s have a look at the primary features of this dehydrator:
- Small, but Powerful
The FD-61 is a compact dehydrator that will fit on any kitchen shelf and look good, too. The dehydrator offers 500 watts of drying power that can dry any kind of fruits and vegetables quickly and efficiently.
- Adjustable Thermostat
Different foods take different times to dry and the dehydrator has an adjustable thermostat that can be used to vary the temperature from 95-160 degrees. This allows for better drying of food products according to the texture of the food and the quantity that’s put in the dehydrator.
- Top Mounted Fan
There is a lot of moisture accumulation and it can cause liquids to drip on the food from top, but with the presence of top mounted fan, this is prevented. The top mounted fan also ensures that the hot air is evenly distributed through the dehydrator for an even and quick drying.
- Converga-Flow® Drying System
The patented drying system sends air through the exterior chamber so that every tray gets an even distribution of hot air. This helps in even drying of the food as the hot air is centrally focused. There is no need of switching or rotating trays because of this drying system. - Vita Save® Exterior
The patented drying system sends air through the exterior chamber so that every tray gets an even distribution of hot air. This helps in even drying of the food as the hot air is centrally focused. There is no need of switching or rotating trays because of this drying system. - Highly Versatile
The FD-61 can accommodate a wide range of fruits, meats, fish and vegetables for drying. Whether you want to dry fruit rolls or jerky, this dehydrator will come up to your expectations every time.
Technical Specifications of Nesco FD 61 Food Dehydrator
When you’re looking for a product that you intend to use a lot in your kitchen, it’s prudent to know a bit about the technical specifications of the product. The Nesco FD-61 is a simple to use dehydrator, here’s a look at some of the technical specifications of the product:
- 500 Watts of Power
The Nesco FD-61 comes with 500 watts of drying power which means you don’t have to keep your food in it for days and you can be done drying it in a few hours depending on the food that you’re drying.
- Additional Trays
The dehydrator comes with four trays that can be expanded up to 12. As you use more trays, the drying pressure adjusts accordingly so that all trays get an equal amount of heat.
- Intelligent Drying System
As with other dehydrators, there is no need to rotate the trays as the heat moves all over and around the trays. The intelligent drying system ensures that the food present on all trays gets heated properly and there is no mixing of flavors.
- Easy Temperature Setup
If you’re drying foods that need a particular temperature, then you can easily select the temperature through the thermostat on this dehydrator. The temperature ranges from 95 to 160 degrees.
- Light Weight
The dehydrator weighs only 6.8 pounds so that you can pick it up and store it easily. It is also easy to move it around the kitchen shelf to adjust other equipment.
- Durable Construction
The Nesco FD-61 is made from durable materials and it will last you for a long time to come. The BPA free plastic construction ensures that it is safe to dry any kind of food in this dehydrator.
Pros of the Nesco American Harvest FD 61 Dehydrator
Nesco FD-61 is a gadget that can really complete a kitchen. You will save money when you dry your own fruits and vegetables, and it also gives you an opportunity to enjoy healthy snacks that you can make anytime. Here are a few pros of the FD-61 that make it a must-have for any kitchen:
- Multiple Drying Options
The FD-61 will dry any kind of food product that you put in it. From meats and vegetables to fruits, herbs, and nuts, you can make dried foods out of anything you like.
- Easy to Set-up
You can set up this device with minimal instructions. The nesting plates are easy to fix and you just have to spread the foods you want to dry on these trays. Close the lid and switch it on at the chosen temperature and the dehydrator will do the rest.
- Easy Cleaning
The dehydrator is really easy to clean. You can wash the trays by hand or in a dishwasher. The base and lid can be cleaned with a wet cloth after you’ve unplugged the device.
- Precise and Powerful
The Nesco ND-61 offers a precise way to dry foods. The heat and pressure are powerful enough to dry foods quickly without any mixing of flavors of different foods. And you can have the dried food in a matter of hours.
- Economical and Hygienic
Drying food and making jerky in your own kitchen is much more economical than buying it from a store. You can also dry herbs and store them for later use. When you dry your own foods, you can be sure that it’s prepared in a hygienic environment.
- Natural Tasting Dried Foods
As the dehydrator takes away the moisture from the foods, it leave good taste and natural
Cons of Nesco FD-61 Food Dehydrator
Even though Nesco FD-61 has unique features and versatile uses, there are certain negative aspects of the device that need a mention. Here are some of the cons that users should know about:
- Noise While Operation
The Nesco FD-61 Snackmaster emits a low hum while it’s drying foods. It might become irritating if your kitchen is a particularly silent place.
- Time Required for Drying
If the food items are not cut properly, the dehydrator might take a long time to dry them.
- Food Might Stick to Trays
If the trays aren’t loaded properly with the foods of the temperature is not according to the food that’s being dried, it might stick to the trays. It is important that users consult the user manual before drying any food.
- The Base Might Wobble
If you keep the dehydrator on an uneven surface or if you load it up to its full capacity, it might wobble a bit on its base. Ensure that it’s kept on an even surface and you don’t overload it.
- Limited Space
If you’re fond of dehydrating a lot of foods then you might find the space a little less for your use and you will need to make more batches of dried food.
- No Timer
The dehydrator doesn’t come with a timer and you have to monitor the food to check if it’s dehydrated properly.
Video Review of Nesco American Harvest FD-61 Food Dehydrator
FAQs
The Nesco FD-61 is a pretty simple to use device, but here are some of the frequently asked questions from users:
Q: Is the Material of the Dehydrator Safe for Foods?
The dehydrator material is made from BPA free plastic that is perfectly safe to be used with foods.
Q: Can This Dehydrator Be Used for Drying Nuts and Seeds?
Yes, this dehydrator is ideal for drying nuts and seeds. Please refer to the instruction booklet to know which temperature to use for which type of nuts.
Q: How Many Trays Are Included with the Dehydrator?
The dehydrator is packed with four trays, but you can always buy more depending on your requirements.
Q: Can I Dry Fruits and Vegetables in the Same Batch?
Ans. Yes, just make sure you place them on separate trays.
Q: How Much Time Does It Take to Dehydrate Fruits?
The dehydration time depends on a variety of factors. The temperature in your location, the type of fruits you want to dehydrate, the thickness of fruit slices, and quantity of the fruits. The instruction booklet has tentative timings for dehydration of various kinds of fruits included in it.
Conclusion
The Nesco American Harvest FD-61 Snackmaster Encore Dehydrator and Jerky Maker is a well-made device that is simple to operate and highly versatile in its uses. Once you set it up and turn it on, it’ll do it job perfectly. The device also uses advanced technology to ensure all food materials are dried properly and there is an even distribution of hot air throughout the trays.
The dehydrator is made from durable material and it looks good in any modern kitchen. The more you use it the better you’ll get at judging the times it will take for a particular food to dry. For people who need to store any kind of food for a long time, this dehydrator can be a blessing. If you’re interested in enjoying dried fruit snacks, fruit roll-ups, dried nuts, seeds and more, then this dehydrator will be the perfect addition to your kitchen.