The best food dehydrator in NZ overall is the Devanti 10 Trays Stainless Steel model, thanks to its ten food-grade 304 stainless steel trays, LCD touch controls and a tempered glass door that lets you watch every batch. This guide ranks seven dehydrators sold in New Zealand, from big-batch stainless units to a compact mini dryer and a budget stackable, so there is a fit for jerky makers, gardeners with a fruit glut, and first-time dryers alike.
Every pick below is matched to a clear job, with the real specs, the design details that matter on a benchtop, and the honest trade-offs. If a dehydrator is not quite what you need, a benchtop air fryers guide or a food processors round-up may suit the kitchen task better.
Quick comparison
| Dehydrator | Best for | Trays | Power | Temp range | Timer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Devanti 10 Trays Stainless Steel | Best overall / big batches | 10 | 600-700W | 35-70 C | 0.5-24 hrs |
| 5 Star Chef 5 Trays | Best glass-door view | 5 | Adjustable | Adjustable | Yes |
| Devanti 5 Trays Mini Dryer | Best compact | 5 | 420-500W | 35-80 C | 0.5-48 hrs |
| 6 Tray Digital Black | Best for beef jerky | 6 | 500W | Digital | Up to 72 hrs |
| 5-Tier Stackable | Best budget / beginners | 5 | Electric | 40-70 C | Dial |
| Devanti 7 Trays Silver | Best mid-size for families | 7 | 245W | 40-70 C | 1-48 hrs |
| Devanti 5 Trays Silver | Best low-power everyday | 5 | 245W | 40-70 C | 1-48 hrs |
1. Devanti 10 Trays Food Dehydrator – Best Overall
Best for households that dry big, mixed loads, this is the most capable unit here. Ten food-grade 304 stainless steel trays, each roughly 30.5 cm by 33 cm, give a genuinely large drying area, and the whole cabinet measures about 34.5 cm wide, 45 cm deep and 42.5 cm tall. The transparent tempered glass door is the standout: testers can watch fruit leather or jerky progress without opening the cabinet and losing heat. A simple LCD touch panel sets the thermostat from 35 C to 70 C and a timer from 0.5 to 24 hours, and a rear fan pushes air across the trays for even drying. Build quality feels a step above plastic rivals, with stainless trays that slide out cleanly and go straight into the dishwasher, plus overheating protection and an SAA-certified plug for safe long runs. The 125 cm cable gives flexible placement. The trade-offs are size and draw: at 45 cm deep it needs real bench or pantry space, the 600-700W element pulls more than the small Devanti units, and the 24-hour timer ceiling is shorter than the 48-hour models if you like very low, slow drying. For most NZ kitchens that want stainless trays and visible progress, it is the pick to beat.
Key specs: Brand Devanti; model FD-E-383B; 10 food-grade 304 stainless steel trays; tray size approx 30.5 x 33 cm; overall 34.5 x 45 x 42.5 cm; 600-700W; 220-240V; LCD touch control; temperature 35-70 C; timer 0.5-24 hours; tempered glass door; dishwasher-safe trays; overheating protection; SAA plug; 125 cm cable
Pros
- Large stainless steel capacity across ten dishwasher-safe trays
- Tempered glass door lets you monitor drying without heat loss
- LCD touch controls with a wide 35-70 C range
Cons
- Deep 45 cm footprint needs dedicated bench or shelf space
- Higher power draw and a 24-hour timer ceiling
2. Five Star Chef 5 Trays Food Dehydrator – Best Glass-Door View
Best for shoppers who want a clear-door dehydrator without the big-unit price, the 5 Star Chef keeps things simple over five trays. The silver, stainless-look front and see-through door give it a tidier look than the all-black plastic boxes, and the clear panel means jerky strips or apple rings can be checked at a glance while they dry. The five food-grade PS trays lift out for loading thicker pieces, and an adjustable thermostat covers the usual fruit, vegetable, herb and meat range. On the bench it is a compact front-loading box rather than a tall stack, so it tucks under most cupboards. The honest limits are material and scale: the trays are food-grade polystyrene rather than stainless, so they suit moderate temperatures and gentle handling rather than heavy daily jerky runs, and five trays is enough for snacks and small batches rather than a garden glut. Controls are basic dial-style rather than a digital readout, which keeps it cheap and easy but offers less precision than the touch-panel models. For a first dehydrator where watching the food matters, it lands the see-through brief at a friendly size.
Key specs: Brand 5 Star Chef; product ID 52019; 5 food-grade PS trays; silver stainless-look finish; see-through front door; adjustable temperature; front-loading benchtop design
Pros
- Clear front door for easy visual monitoring
- Compact front-loading box that fits under cupboards
- Tidy silver, stainless-look finish
Cons
- PS plastic trays rather than stainless steel
- Basic controls and only five trays for bigger loads
3. Devanti 5 Trays Mini Fruit Dryer – Best Compact
Best for small kitchens and flats, this mini Devanti packs real features into a footprint of just 26 cm long, 28.5 cm wide and 20 cm tall. Despite the size it carries five food-grade stainless steel trays plus a fruit roll sheet and a drip tray, so fruit leather and messier loads are covered out of the box. An LED touch panel runs a 35 C to 80 C thermostat, which is the highest temperature ceiling in this line-up, and a timer that stretches from 0.5 up to 48 hours for long, low overnight runs. A built-in lamp and viewing window let you check progress, while a rear dust filter, anti-slip feet and overheating protection show this is built for repeat use rather than a one-off gadget. The body is plastic-coated with a stainless steel interior, and the 420-500W element keeps running costs modest. It even ships with a one-year warranty. The catches are capacity and reach: at mini size each tray holds less than the big units, so it is better for snacks than bulk preserving, and the 80 cm cable is short, so it needs to sit near a socket. As a space-saving everyday dryer, it is hard to beat.
Key specs: Brand Devanti; model FD-E-309A; 5 stainless steel trays plus fruit roll sheet and drip tray; 26 x 28.5 x 20 cm; 420-500W; 220-240V; LED touch panel; temperature 35-80 C; timer 0.5-48 hours; viewing window and lamp; rear dust filter; anti-slip feet; overheating protection; SAA plug; 80 cm cable; 1 year warranty
Pros
- Very small footprint that suits flats and tight benches
- Widest 35-80 C range and a 48-hour timer
- Includes fruit roll sheet and drip tray, plus a one-year warranty
Cons
- Mini trays hold less, so not ideal for bulk preserving
- Short 80 cm cable limits placement
4. 6 Tray Digital Food Dehydrator – Best for Beef Jerky
Best for jerky and biltong makers, this six-tray unit is built around control. A digital panel sets the temperature precisely and a generous timer runs up to 72 hours, the longest here, which matters when a thick batch of marinated beef needs a slow, even finish. Six BPA-free trays give enough room for a full jerky run or a mix of meat, fruit, herbs and dog treats, and a 500W element with a rear fan keeps airflow steady across the stack. The black housing and LED display give it a purposeful, appliance-like look that owners of meat dryers tend to prefer. For safe jerky, the long timer pairs well with the standard food-safety step of pre-heating meat to about 71 C before the main low-temperature dry, so the extended run time is genuinely useful rather than just a big number. The trade-offs are material and looks: the trays are BPA-free plastic rather than stainless, so very high heat and rough handling are best avoided, and the all-black plastic body is more utilitarian than the glass-door models. If jerky is the main mission, the digital control and 72-hour timer make it the specialist pick.
Key specs: Product ID 104187; 6 BPA-free trays; 500W; digital temperature control; LED display; timer up to 72 hours; rear fan; black finish
Pros
- Digital controls with a long 72-hour timer for slow jerky
- Six BPA-free trays suit full meat runs
- Steady rear-fan airflow across the stack
Cons
- BPA-free plastic trays rather than stainless steel
- Utilitarian all-black plastic body
5. 5-Tier Stackable Food Dehydrator – Best Budget for Beginners
Best for first-time dryers testing the waters, this round, five-tier stackable is the easiest entry point. The trays clip together in a tower and the height is adjustable, so taller items like herb sprigs or banana coins get the clearance they need, then the whole stack drops back down for flat loads. A 360-degree airflow design pulls warm air up through the layers, the thermostat covers 40 C to 70 C, and the unit runs quietly at under 33 decibels, which is welcome for an appliance that may run overnight. It is light, simple and stores away easily when the drying season ends. The honest limits come with the round, stackable format: as Consumer NZ notes, a round dehydrator has a smaller drying area than a rectangular unit of similar width, and the lower trays usually dry faster than the top ones, so swapping trays partway through gives the most even result. There is no digital timer, so drying is hands-on rather than set-and-forget. For a low-commitment first dehydrator that proves whether the hobby sticks, the quiet operation and adjustable trays make it a sensible budget buy.
Key specs: Product ID 104333; 5-tier stackable round design; adjustable-height trays; temperature 40-70 C; 360-degree airflow; noise under 33 dB; electric fan-driven
Pros
- Lowest-commitment, easy-to-store stackable design
- Adjustable tray height for taller items
- Quiet operation under 33 dB
Cons
- Round format has a smaller drying area and needs tray rotation for even results
- No digital timer, so drying is hands-on
6. Devanti 7 Trays Silver Food Dehydrator – Best Mid-Size for Families
Best for families who dry regularly but do not need the ten-tray giant, this silver Devanti hits a practical middle ground. Seven food-grade transparent trays each take about 1 kg, so a full load handles a decent fruit haul or a week of school-lunch snacks. The stainless steel casing looks smarter than plain plastic, and the clear trays plus a see-through front let you keep an eye on progress. Controls cover a 40 C to 70 C range with a timer that runs from 1 to 48 hours for long overnight drying. The headline detail is the modest 245W element: it sips power and runs quietly, which keeps overnight running costs low and noise down. The flip side of that low wattage is patience, as dense or wet loads take longer to finish than they would on a 500-700W unit, so it rewards planning ahead rather than rushing a batch. The trays are PS plastic rather than stainless, and controls are simple rather than a digital touch screen. For steady family use that values quiet, low-cost running over raw speed, the seven-tray Devanti is a sensible step up from the five-tray version.
Key specs: Brand Devanti; model FD-1159 series; 7 food-grade transparent PS trays (approx 1 kg each); stainless steel casing; 245W; 220-240V; temperature 40-70 C; timer 1-48 hours; colour silver
Pros
- Seven trays at about 1 kg each for family-size loads
- Low 245W draw runs quietly and cheaply overnight
- Stainless casing with clear trays for monitoring
Cons
- Low wattage means slower drying for dense loads
- PS plastic trays and simple, non-digital controls
7. Devanti 5 Trays Silver Food Dehydrator – Best Low-Power Everyday
Best for couples and light, regular drying, the five-tray silver Devanti is the compact sibling of the seven-tray model and shares its easygoing nature. Five food-grade transparent trays each hold around 1 kg, the stainless steel casing keeps it looking tidy on the bench, and a 360-degree drying system moves air evenly through the stack. The 40 C to 70 C thermostat and a 1 to 48 hour timer cover everything from delicate herbs to slow overnight fruit. Packaged, it is light at about 3.64 kg in a 35.5 by 31 by 38.5 cm box, so it is easy to store between uses. Like its bigger brother it runs on a gentle 245W, which keeps it quiet and cheap to run for hours at a time. That low power is also the main compromise, since drying takes longer than on a high-wattage unit, and the PS plastic trays suit moderate temperatures rather than heavy jerky duty. Five trays is enough for snacks and small preserving jobs but fills up fast for a big harvest, in which case the seven-tray version is the better call. For low-key everyday drying without fuss, it is an easy, affordable choice.
Key specs: Brand Devanti; model FD-1159 series; 5 food-grade transparent PS trays (approx 1 kg each); stainless steel casing; 245W; 220-240V; temperature 40-70 C; timer 1-48 hours; 360-degree drying; packaged approx 3.64 kg, 35.5 x 31 x 38.5 cm; colour silver
Pros
- Compact, light and easy to store
- Quiet, low-cost 245W running
- Stainless casing with clear trays and a 48-hour timer
Cons
- Low power means longer drying times
- Only five PS plastic trays, so it fills up fast
How to choose a food dehydrator
Trays and capacity: Match tray count to how much you dry. Five trays handle snacks and small batches; seven to ten trays suit a garden glut or regular jerky. Round stackable units have a smaller drying area than rectangular ones of similar width.
Tray material: Stainless steel trays tolerate higher heat, resist warping and clean up easily, which suits frequent jerky runs. Food-grade PS or BPA-free plastic trays are lighter and cheaper and are fine for fruit, vegetables and herbs at moderate temperatures.
Temperature and timer: Look for an adjustable thermostat from around 35 C for herbs up to 70-80 C for meat, and a timer of 24 to 72 hours for hands-off overnight drying. Digital controls give more precision than dials.
Airflow and noise: A rear or top fan dries more evenly than passive units and reduces the need to rotate trays. Quiet operation under about 33 dB is worth having if the machine runs overnight.
Running costs are modest compared with an oven, but a 600-700W unit will use more than a 245W one over a long dry. If you are kitting out a healthy-eating bench, our juicers and electric frypans guides pair well, and for fried-snack alternatives the deep fryers round-up is worth a look.
The verdict
For most New Zealand kitchens, the Devanti 10 Trays Stainless Steel is the best all-round food dehydrator, combining genuine stainless capacity, a glass door and touch controls. Tight on space, the Devanti 5 Trays Mini Fruit Dryer does the most in the smallest footprint. Jerky fans should go for the digital six-tray with its 72-hour timer, while first-timers can start cheaply with the quiet 5-tier stackable. Families who dry often but want low running costs are well served by the seven-tray Devanti, with the five-tray silver covering lighter everyday drying.
FAQs
Are food dehydrators worth it?
Yes, for anyone who buys dried fruit, jerky or herbs regularly. A dehydrator turns gluts and cheap cuts into snacks that store for months, cuts food waste, and lets you skip the added sugar and preservatives in shop-bought versions. Models with a fan dry faster and more evenly, making them the better long-term buy.
How long does a food dehydrator take to dry food?
It depends on the food and moisture content. Herbs take about 2 to 6 hours, most fruit 6 to 18 hours, vegetables 6 to 18 hours, and beef jerky roughly 4 to 12 hours. Humidity, slice thickness and how full the trays are all change the time, so check early on your first batch.
What temperature should you use on a food dehydrator?
Set it to the food: around 35 C for herbs, about 52 C for vegetables, roughly 57 C for fruit, and 60 to 70 C for meat and jerky. Lower temperatures protect colour, aroma and nutrients but take longer, while higher settings speed up denser, wetter foods like marinated meat.
Can you make beef jerky in a food dehydrator?
Yes. For safe jerky, food-safety guidance is to heat meat to about 71 C first to kill bacteria, then dry at roughly 60 to 70 C until the strips bend and crack without snapping. A unit with a long timer and steady fan, like a digital six-tray model, makes the slow finish easier.
How much electricity does a food dehydrator use?
Home dehydrators typically draw 300 to 800 watts. Thermostat cycling means real use is often lower than the rated figure, so a long overnight run usually costs a modest amount. Dehydrators are far more efficient than using an electric oven, which can pull several thousand watts for the same job.
Are stainless steel trays better than plastic?
Stainless steel trays handle higher heat without warping, resist stains and odours, and are easy to clean, which suits heavy or frequent use. Food-grade PS or BPA-free plastic trays are lighter, cheaper and perfectly fine for fruit, vegetables and herbs at moderate temperatures, but can wear over years of high-heat drying.
What foods can you dehydrate?
Plenty. Common choices include fruit like apples, bananas and berries; vegetables such as carrots, mushrooms, tomatoes and onions; herbs; nuts and seeds; and meat or fish for jerky. You can also make fruit leather, dried pasta sauce and pet treats. Most fresh produce dries well once sliced evenly.