When buying food dehydrators, you will certainly come across different brands and units. This may make the buying process a little bit difficult. When comparing models, the price and the drying surface area are key things to consider. Apart from this, you may also look at previous product reviews and the reputation of the brand. Below are other key features to compare while selecting food dehydrators.
Dehydrating area
The total drying area of the dehydrator you decide to buy will certainly 
affect the quantity of food you can dry at any particular time. Thus, it is imperative to consider the dehydrating area before making a purchase. The dehydrator you choose should allow you dehydrate the maximum amount of food you want. However, it is key to note that, some food aspects that may reduce the volume of food to be dehydrated. These elements include the food water content, the size of the food items and the type of food.
Airflow
There must be a flow of air and heat redistribution for food to be dehydrated. The air in the dehydrator can move either vertically or horizontally. These two types of air movement have their pros and cons. Look at the air flow design and evaluate why it might be or not appropriate for you.
Horizontal airflow
For horizontal air movement, the fan and heating element can be positioned on opposite sides. The trays holding the food are placed like drawers. This system of airflow allows heating of different types of food at a go, as there is no air mixture. Also, the possibility of having food juices dripping onto the heating element is rare thus, cleaning it is not a big deal.
Vertical airflow
For these type of dehydrators, the fan and the heating element are placed at the lower part of the dehydrator while the trays containing the food are at the top part of the base. This implies that the time it takes to dry the food will vary from on level to another. Thus, to achieve uniform heating, there is need to swap trays frequently.
Thermostat
A good dehydrator should have an adjustable thermostat. Thermostats are important in regulating the cooling and heating systems. Therefore, if this device is functional dehydrating different types of food products will be easy. Additionally, with a good thermostat, the interior and exterior part of a food item is uniformly dehydrated.
Wattage
This is another important aspect to consider when buying a food dehydrator. Watts determine the amount of energy consumed by the dehydrator. Ideally, dehydrators having a large dehydrating area have a high wattage consumption. Thus, it would be important to compare the power consumption of different units before making a purchase.
