I recently got my hands on the NutriChef Electric Countertop NCFD10S food dehydrator, and I must say, I’m quite impressed, it works great!
With its whisper-quiet operation, large capacity, and quality construction, the NutriChef NCFD10S stands head and shoulders above the competition. Very happy with the purchase.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you make a purchase after clicking on a link I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if items are purchased.
In this article:
TL;DR
With its powerful 900-watt capacity, 10 stainless steel trays (although plastic ones are available), and budget-friendly price compared to competitors like Excalibur, this dehydrator has a lot to offer and is a significant upgrade from other models I’ve tried.
From making beef jerky to drying herbs and fruits, this appliance consistently delivers excellent results.
Despite some minor flaws, the NutriChef NCFD10S food dehydrator is designed for frequent use, making it an excellent choice for avid home cooks and food enthusiasts alike while offering excellent value for its price. If you’re looking for a more perfect dehydrator, you’ll likely have to pay more.
First Impressions & Setup
My first impression is that this dehydrator is spacious, with plenty of room to suit various needs. The controls are straightforward, making it easy to operate. This is a sturdy product and so much better than others I purchased and had to return. Metal, not plastic.
Setting up the NutriChef NCFD10S was a breeze; it was easy to clean and I had it up and running within 10 minutes. The included recipe book even has some delicious jerky recipes I’m eager to try out. First batch cooking!
The sleek, stainless steel design fits nicely under my counter and emits only a low-volume fan noise. 1st batch of beef jerky is done and I’m hooked. Looking forward to making my own vegetable chips and more beef jerky (which I already have marinating!)
Features
Let’s go over the most important features and why you should consider NutriChef NCFD10S while I get my 2nd batch of jerky done:
Power and Efficiency
I love that it’s 900 watts. Food is dehydrated quicker. With a 900-watt output, it ensures quick and even drying of various types of food, saving both time and energy.
Also, it doesn’t consume an excessive amount of electricity, making it an eco-friendly choice for those concerned about their carbon footprint. Ohh and the cord is nice and long.
Temperature Range
The range of temperatures is fantastic. I really like how low and high the temperature goes. It offers a wide temperature range, allowing you to dehydrate various types of food at the optimal temperature for preserving nutrients and flavor.
Versatility
I like that I can open the door at any time and add or remove trays at different times and it doesn’t reset the time or turn off. I like this because I can dehydrate different things that require different times without worrying about resetting the time. But this can also be a negative, I’ll talk about it later.
Capacity
Plenty of trays and room for lots of food. With 10 stainless steel trays, the dehydrator provides ample space for drying large batches of food almost like a commercial unit, making it suitable for families or those who enjoy making food in bulk. The old reviews say the trays don’t fit. That problem must have been fixed because my trays fit perfectly.
While the NutriChef NCFD10S comes with stainless steel trays, the option to order plastic trays is available for those who prefer them. However, it would be beneficial if the manufacturer offered stainless steel trays with smaller holes as an expansion pack. This would allow for better dehydration of smaller or more delicate food items, such as herbs and berries.
Ease of Cleaning
The stainless steel trays are super easy to clean. Most food doesn’t even stick to them at all. I particularly appreciated this aspect. Even though you can wash the trays in the dishwasher… hand washing is a breeze.
This feature makes the dehydrator even more convenient for regular use, as it minimizes the time spent on cleaning and maintenance and the all-stainless steel interior ensures a long-lasting and hygienic environment for food dehydration, reducing the risk of contamination and wear over time.
Quiet Operation
It’s super quiet. Like really, really quiet. No buzzers at all. The NutriChef NCFD10S runs quietly, making it a pleasant appliance to use in your home without disturbing your daily activities.
Worth mentioning tho that while researching it, I read about some users complaining about a clicking noise, like a turn signal. Mine doesn’t do any so who really knows?
Ease of Use
NCFD10S is simple to operate with straightforward controls.
Design and Aesthetics
Super sturdy dehydrator. Doesn’t feel cheap at all and it looks great! The sleek design of the NutriChef NCFD10S not only looks great on your countertop but also ensures efficient use of space.
This dehydrator is perfect for my needs. Set it and forget it type of dehydrator. Nothing too fancy, but fancy enough to get the job done. The unit is spacious and has plenty of room to suit any needs. The controls are pretty straight forward and the machine is easy to operate.
This machine has allowed me to control temperature and capacity for jerky-making, resulting in more moist jerky and increased confidence in avoiding foodborne diseases. I have also recently been drying herbs, and the machine looks great on my countertop while doing so. The process is gentle enough that I can barely smell the herbs, which is a testament to the dehydrator’s efficient temperature control.
While the drying time for my oregano took longer than expected, it was a valuable learning experience. To ensure accurate temperature settings, I also plan to use a meat thermometer inside the dehydrator as a reference.
I’m excited to use this machine for various purposes so I’ve also experimented with drying fruits and vegetables, such as apple chips and vegetable crisps – always preserve what you have in excess. The stainless steel interior provides a hygienic environment for drying various types of produce without worrying about cross-contamination.
Pros
Let’s summarize the pros:
- Packed very well. You shouldn’t have to worry about it arriving broke.
- Sturdy build that doesn’t feel cheap
- Long cord for convenience
- Attractive and easy to clean
- Trays fit perfectly, unlike in older models
- The door can be opened at any time without resetting the timer
- Ample space for large quantities of food
- Wide temperature range
- 900 watts for quicker dehydration
- Extremely quiet operation
- Easy-to-clean trays
- Simple, effective design for various dehydration needs
Cons
I’ve included the cons so you can choose wisely for your needs, but the cons are not enough for me to return the product.
1. Doesn’t turn off completely unless unplugged. I’m not sure if this is the same for all nicer dehydrators, but it’s not truly off unless it’s unplugged.
— I really need to investigate this. Maybe all dehydrators are like this. For instance, our air fryer turns off completely when it’s done. No lights at all. This one doesn’t do that. —
This would be irritating if it was in a place where the plug wasn’t easily accessible. I need to dig deeper into this to see if this is something normal for this style of dehydrator.
2. No pause button. Either you open the door while it’s running or you have to turn it completely off. Again, not a reason to return it, but I can see this becoming an issue in the future when I want to check the progress of large amounts of food. But I don’t see it being an issue for normal use.
3. Limited availability of small hole steel trays. One big manufacturer flaw, which, if fixed, could make the company more money, is the lack of small-hole steel trays. They provide one plastic tray that has small holes, but it’s smaller than the metal trays, so you lose space. Plus, acidic fruits and vegetables (like tomatoes) stain the plastic.
I would like for the manufacturer to create small holed stainless steel trays to purchase as an expansion pack and instead of the plastic tray (which only works when on top of the metal tray), include another stainless steel tray with smaller holes and a stainless steel drip pan that actually fits the rails.
4. Always starts at a 10-hour timer. When turned on, it always starts at 10 hours. I haven’t found a way to change that. It’s not a huge issue, it’s just an inconvenience. I do wish it wouldn’t do this.
5. The buttons are sometimes frustrating. But again, just something new to get used to. It’s aggravating, but not aggravating enough to return the product. I’ll totally get used to it, and I’m sure I won’t even notice in a few months.
6. *Poorly translated product manual (with an asterisk). As many other reviews have pointed out, the product manual translation is sometimes horrible, it has a lot of typos and seems to have been translated from a different language than English. You’d think they would have proofread it.
But, come on. Most product translations are horrible. Sure, it’s a pain, but this isn’t the first product I’ve ordered that came with funny translations. The same goes for the “Food Dehydrator Recipes” booklet. It has typos and missing information. I’ll need to email them to find out what they mean by “Pee and core the apples….” Really? A little proofreading would be more professional.
And here is the asterisk: although the user manual and recipe booklet have some translation issues and typos, the NutriChef customer support team can provide assistance and clarification when needed. Reaching out to them with any questions or concerns will help ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience with your new food dehydrator.
There are many different types of dehydrators out there, and many of them are way more expensive. For me, and my needs, I’m willing to accept the few cons for the 900 watts and the price of this dehydrator. At this point, it fits my needs.
Remember, price vs perfection. Overall, the cons are not significant enough for me to return the product, and I’m thrilled with my purchase.
If you want a more perfect dehydrator, you’ll need to pay more.
Comparison with Excalibur 3926TB, Nesco Gardenmaster FD-1040, and Magic Mill MFD-6100
When comparing the NutriChef NCFD10S Food Dehydrator with other dehydrators of its type, we can look at some popular models on the market: Excalibur 3926TB, Nesco Gardenmaster FD-1040, and the Magic Mill MFD-6100.
| Feature | NutriChef NCFD10S | Excalibur 3926TB | Nesco Gardenmaster FD-1040 | Magic Mill MFD-6100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power | 900 watts | 600 watts | 1000 watts | 600 watts |
| Trays | 10 stainless steel | 9 BPA-free plastic | 4 BPA-free plastic (expandable to 20) | 6 stainless steel |
| Temperature Range | 95°F – 167°F | 105°F – 165°F | 90°F – 160°F | 95°F – 158°F |
| Construction | Stainless steel | Plastic | Plastic | Stainless steel |
| Price | Mid-range | Higher end | Mid-range | Mid-range |
| Timer | No | 26-hour | 48-hour | 19-hour |
| Additional Features | None | None | Converga-Flow drying system | Transparent door |
1. Excalibur 3926TB:
- Power: 600 watts
- Trays: 9 BPA-free plastic trays
- Temperature Range: 105°F – 165°F
- Construction: Plastic exterior with BPA-free trays
- Price: Higher end
- Additional Features: 26-hour timer
The Excalibur 3926TB is a popular choice but has a lower power output, plastic construction, and a higher price tag. However, it does include a 26-hour timer, which some users may find helpful.
2. Nesco Gardenmaster FD-1040:
- Power: 1000 watts
- Trays: 4 BPA-free plastic trays (expandable up to 20 trays)
- Temperature Range: 90°F – 160°F
- Construction: Plastic exterior and trays
- Price: Mid-range
- Additional Features: Patented Converga-Flow drying system, 48-hour timer
The Nesco Gardenmaster FD-1040 has the highest power output but comes with only four trays, although it can be expanded up to 20 trays. Its patented drying system and 48-hour timer make it an attractive choice, but the plastic construction may be a concern for some users.
3. Magic Mill MFD-6100:
- Power: 600 watts
- Trays: 6 stainless steel trays
- Temperature Range: 95°F – 158°F
- Construction: Stainless steel interior
- Price: Mid-range
- Additional Features: 19-hour timer, transparent door
The Magic Mill MFD-6100 has similar features to the NutriChef NCFD10S, such as stainless steel construction and temperature range, but has a lower power output and fewer trays. The 19-hour timer and transparent door are additional features that some users might find valuable.
When comparing these models, the NutriChef NCFD10S stands out due to its higher power, stainless steel construction, and larger capacity with 10 trays. It offers a broader temperature range and is priced competitively in the mid-range category.
While other models have specific advantages, such as timers or unique drying systems, the NutriChef NCFD10S is a strong contender for those seeking a durable, efficient, and versatile food dehydrator
Conclusion
In conclusion, my experience with the NutriChef Electric Countertop NCFD10S food dehydrator keeps getting better.
I love this dehydrator for its ease of operation, durable stainless steel construction, affordability compared to Excalibur, and super quiet performance. The more I use it, the more I appreciate its features, performance, and convenience.
The only downsides are the typos and translation issues in the user manual and recipe booklet. However, these issues can be overlooked considering the dehydrator’s overall performance.
After considering all aspects of the NutriChef Electric Countertop NCFD10S Food Dehydrator, it’s clear that this appliance is a fantastic choice for those looking to invest in a reliable and high-performing food dehydrator.
If you’re seeking a user-friendly and powerful food dehydrator without spending a fortune, the NutriChef NCFD10S is definitely worth considering.
![Samson Silent Dehydrator 6-Tray Review [With Digital Controls]](https://dehydratorlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Samson-Silent-Dehydrator-6-Tray-Review-1.jpg)