Comparison Liberton LFD-5527P vs WetAir FD-550

Horizontal dimensions of one dryer tray.

For round models, this paragraph usually indicates the diameter (for example, “Ø250”), for other cases — the length and width. Anyway, the information about the size allows you to estimate the total area and, accordingly, the capacity of the device. At the same time, note that a larger size affects the dimensions and weight of the structure, and also requires more heating power (ceteris paribus).

The size of one tray of the dryer in height. In models where, instead of separate trays, a common working chamber with removable shelves is provided, the distance between two adjacent shelves is indicated.

This size primarily determines the thickness of individual pieces of vegetables, fruits, etc., which can be placed in the device. At the same time, note that the contents should not fill the tray tightly — there should be at least a couple of millimetres of space between the products and the “ceiling”. Also note that in some models, two height values can be indicated in this paragraph — for example, “15 — 25 mm”. This means that the size of the trays can be changed, adjusting them to the specifics of the situation; usually it is a choice between two standard heights (in our example — 15 mm and 25 mm).

The total volume of all dryer trays. The larger the volume, the more products can be loaded into the device at a time. For modern dryers, a capacity of up to 10 L is considered relatively small, from 11 to 15 L — medium, from 16 to 20 L — high, and the largest models can hold more than 20 L.

Note that if you plan to dry several different types of fruits or vegetables at the same time, it is worth considering not only the total volume of the dryer, but also the number of trays (see above).

Availability of a tray for a marshmallow in a set of delivery of the dryer.

Such a device differs from ordinary trays in the design of the bottom — it is solid, without openings. This is due to the fact that the raw material for the preparation of marshmallows is fruit puree, which simply would not have stayed on the classic grating bottom. Most often, there is only one tray for marshmallows, however, in some models it may be possible to purchase additional trays of this type.

We emphasize that it is undesirable to use such accessories for more traditional ingredients (pieces of vegetables, fruits, etc.): in some cases this reduces the drying efficiency, in others it can lead to damage to the contents.

The temperature range that the dryer can provide in the working chamber.

The simplest models provide only one operating temperature option, usually from 50 °C to 60 °C. More advanced devices equipped with thermostats (see above) and can have a wide range of adjustment — this is very useful, because different temperature regimes are recommended for different products. To assess the general capabilities of a particular dryer, you can use the following table of temperatures recommended for drying:

— 35...40 °C — plant stems, greens;
— 40...45 °C — bread;
— 38...42 °C (in some cases up to 45 °C) — yoghurt;
— 50...55 °C — vegetables;
— 55...60 °C — fruits;
— 65...75 °C — meat, fish.

We emphasize that these are the most general, conditional data. The specific temperature may differ from the recommended one — depending on the thickness of the slices, the specific type of food, the desired result, etc. Detailed recommendations on this matter can be found in special sources.

The location of the heating element (fan with heater) installed in the food dehydrator. This element can be installed at thebottom, top or behind, here are the features of each of the options:

— Bottom. The classic and most common arrangement for heaters in food dehydrators is located at the bottom. This design choice offers two main advantages. Firstly, warm air is evenly distributed throughout the dryer's volume as it rises from the bottom. Secondly, these devices have compact dimensions in terms of width and depth, which are mainly determined by the size of the trays. This allows for more flexibility in terms of placement options. However, a potential drawback of the lower heater placement is the possibility of contamination, which can result in unpleasant odors. In such cases, disassembling and thoroughly cleaning the dryer may be required. Nonetheless, most manufacturers take steps to address this issue, making it less of a critical concern.

— Top. The safest location for the heater in a food dehydrator is considered to be at the top, as it minimizes the risk of moisture from the dried products coming into contact with the heater. Similar to the previously mentioned design, the width and depth of the food dehydrator do not exceed the size of the trays. However, dehydrators with a top-mounted heater may not provide uniform heating. Warm ai...r tends to accumulate in the upper part of the device, resulting in the upper trays being heated more than the lower ones. In theory, this can be advantageous for drying products that require different temperature conditions, as higher-temperature items can be placed higher in the dehydrator. However, in practice, it is challenging to account for the actual temperature difference accurately. This aspect becomes a clear disadvantage when drying uniform ingredients, as it requires periodic rearrangement of the trays to achieve even processing. As a result, there are fewer models with a top-mounted heater available nowadays.

— Behind. Food dehydrators in this category have a layout that differs from the previously described options. They resemble ovens with baking sheets, where a common working chamber is used instead of separate trays stacked on top of each other. Inside the chamber, lattice shelves are fixed with special slots or protrusions on the walls. The heater is located at the back of the "oven". This design is considered highly advanced, as it allows for easy removal and placement of individual trays without disturbing the others. It also provides very uniform heating and minimizes the mixing of odors between different levels. Moreover, the lattice shelves can be rearranged to increase the height of specific "trays". However, the drawbacks of models with a rear heater include their bulkiness and higher cost. As a result, this layout option is primarily used in semi-professional and higher-level food dehydrators.

The control panel of a fruit dehydrators.

— Control knob. Mechanical control is carried out using rotary knobs and switches. Most parameters in such devices are set and controlled manually. In this case, the control elements are connected to the working parts of the dryer directly, without additional electronic circuits. This option is simple, reliable and low cost; however, it is only suitable for the most basic functions, but dehydrators for fruits, vegetables and mushrooms usually do not require more. But the obvious disadvantage of mechanical control is low accuracy: for example, a mechanical timer most often gives an error of a couple of minutes, which in some cases can be critical.

– Push-button. Push-button control is based on electronic circuits. Such systems are more accurate than mechanical ones (for example, the timer in such dryers can usually be set with an accuracy of several seconds), and more options and modes are provided. On the other hand, such control is more complex and more expensive than mechanical control.

– Touch. A type of electronic control with touch switches. Compared to push-button models, it provides a high level of comfort in operation, and looks more modern and aesthetically pleasing. Touch control is found mainly in top models of dehydrators.

Security system that turns off the power to the dryer when the critical temperature in the working chambers is reached. This does not only save food from overdrying, but also prevents more serious consequences in the first place, such as a breakdown or even an ignition in the dryer, which is fraught with fire.