Product Review: Ronco Food Dehydrator

The Ronco Food Dehydrator is a fairly new item in small appliances, and appeals to campers, hikers, and homemade yogurt enthusiasts. With the rising interest of make-it-yourself, restaurant-quality foods, the variety of appliances and machines is increasing. From rotisserie ovens and speedy blenders, to homemade ice cream makers, form and function are a high priority. As an ‘economical’ (read, frugal) eater, one of my fun challenges is finding the most efficient and convenient foods and food preparing devices available. I came across the Ronco Food Dehydrator after a little research into the world of food preservation; the Ronco Food Dehydrator not only makes fantastic homemade trail mix, but can be used to make homemade yogurt, fruit snacks, and of course jerky of all kinds.

I was drawn by the Ronco Food Dehydrator’s efficient design and economical value; currently on sale from Amazon.com for under $40, the food dehydrator has many advantages. Use it to dry out apples, strawberries, and other fruits for some great fruit snacks; you’ll be increasing your daily fruit intake in an easy and tasty way. Use it to make your favorite version of meat jerky, and easily incorporate your favorite seasonings and spices. I got great results everytime, with minimal preparation and very easy cleanup.

The Ronco Food Dehydrator is primarily made of plastic, and can be cleaned very easily. It is superbly quiet; it gently hums while doing its work, and the motorized fans are touted as a ‘convection air-dehydrator.’ This encourages even flow of air, and stable distribution of power. The device itself is only about 13″ wide and tall; it is easy to store, and can be kept on the kitchen counter for frequent users!

The five tray component makes the Ronco Food Dehydrator just large enough to only have to ‘run’ one time for each recipe/project. You will have minimal cleanup involved, and can easily turn from one meal to another in a matter of minutes. The company also offers food roll up and herb/flower screens sold separately. These are perfect for creating beautiful dried flowers with ease, and also preserving your favorite and essential herbs.

The yogurt-making ability of the Ronco Food Dehydrator is also appealing; most of us turn to store brands or store-bought yogurt, and have become accustomed to the taste and texture. I was surprised how easy it was to make my own homemade yogurt; there is nothing like the taste of freshly made yogurt on a hot summer afternoon. I used my version promptly in a smoothie, and the taste difference was significant enough to make me an instant fan! A recipe booklet does come with the Ronco Food Dehydrator, and can help you come up with some more ideas.

Whether you enjoy banana chips, dried apricots, homemade trail mix, fresh beef jerky, or homemade yogurt, you can easily make all of these items at home. The Ronco Food Dehydrator is economical and efficient; it is very easy to maintain and clean, and will let you create some great food combinations right at home. Enjoy the benefits of fresh homemade yogurt; there is nothing like it!