REASONS TO BUY
Simplistic design
Economic
Adjustable capacity
REASONS TO AVOID
Thin trays
No timer
Difficult to check progress
NESCO Snackmaster Pro Review
A reasonably priced stacked dehydrator that boasts a user-friendly design and adjustable tray space
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
RELATED: Best Food Dehydrators of 2023
Our Verdict
The NESCO Snackmaster Pro is an inexpensive and easy-to-use dehydrator. The base of this machine is much easier to clean than its competitors. We have some concerns about the trays, which are a bit flimsy and relatively difficult to clean. Despite these concerns, this machine is a great choice for those who want to ease into dehydrating with the option of expanding their activities. After all, it produces evenly dried, flavorful food on par with the top models.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
NESCO Snackmaster Pro | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  | ||||
| Price | $90 List $85.00 at Amazon | $110 List $85.69 at Amazon | $120 List | $80 List $59.99 at Amazon | $60 List $59.74 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Simplistic design, economic, adjustable capacity | Consistent morsels, compact storage dimensions | Budget-friendly, minimal counter space, solid performance | Easy to clean, economic, simplistic controls | Low-cost, minimalistic, quick and easy clean-up |
| Cons | Thin trays, no timer, difficult to check progress | Counterintuitive controls, trays could be easier to clean | Small temperature range, questionable durability, handle prone to accidental opening | Poor temperature regulation, flimsy trays | Single setting controls, no timer |
| Bottom Line | A reasonably priced stacked dehydrator that boasts a user-friendly design and adjustable tray space | This reliable dehydrator offers adjustability and compact storage for those with limited space | Great performance paired with a great price, it excels in all metrics | This affordable stackable dehydrator offers copious square footage that is easy to clean | A minimalistic, fixed temperature machine that requires monitoring, but is easy to clean |
| Rating Categories | NESCO Snackmaster Pro | Presto 06301 Dehydro | Elechomes 6-Tray Dryer | Hamilton Beach 32100A | Nutrichef PKFD12 |
| Dehydrating (25%) | |||||
| Temperature Accuracy (25%) | |||||
| Ease of Cleaning (25%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (25%) | |||||
| Specs | NESCO Snackmaster Pro | Presto 06301 Dehydro | Elechomes 6-Tray Dryer | Hamilton Beach 32100A | Nutrichef PKFD12 |
| Outside Dimensions | 13.5" x 13.5" x13.5" | 14.5" x 15" x 7.25" | 11" x 11" x 11" | 10.5" x 13" x 11" | 12" x 7.5" x 13" |
| Capacity | 5 sq ft | 3.25 sq ft | 6.5 sq ft | 3.75 sq ft | 3.25 sq ft |
| Tray Dimensions | 13.5" diameter | 15" diameter | 10.2" diameter | 10.5" x 13" | 12" diameter |
| Number of Trays | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 |
| Tray Material | Plastic | Plastic | Plastic | Plastic | Plastic |
| Power Consumption | 600W | 750W | 400W | 500W | 250W |
| Temperature Range | 95 - 160 F | 90-165 F | 95-158 F | 100-160 F | Max 180 F |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
Performance Comparison
An unassuming but effective design that will accommodate expansion should you need it.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Consistent and Accurate
Many dehydrator models suffer from inconsistent temperatures, and as a result, they have inconsistent food outcomes. The morsels will be unevenly dried, or worse, over-dried. This is not the case with the Snackmaster Pro. This machine has one of the more accurate thermostats that we've evaluated. We tested several different foods in these machines — bananas, apples, herbs, tomatoes, and beef. Most machines struggle with producing quality beef jerky. Not the Snackmaster. That's quite impressive considering the price point.
Checking the progress of drying food in the machine is a bit of a pain.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Ease of Use
The Snackmaster Pro has a simple design. Often simplicity is a good thing. However, when certain useful features are absent, it can be a bit vexing. This is the case for the Pro. This machine lacks a timer, an on/ off switch, and a viewing window. In truth, most stacked dehydrators require the user to remove each tray for visual checks. However, the fan on top design makes this process a bit more awkward.
Complex trays like this provide ample places for food to get stuck -- ugh.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Clean-Up
As a general rule, stack dehydrators are easier to clean than their shelf-style counterparts. The stack models' trays are the body of the dehydrator. Accordingly, they break down into manageable parts that can be held over the trash or put into the sink. The difficulty in cleaning has more to do with the complexity of the tray itself. The Snackmaster Pro has a complex tray design — not good. Conversely, this model has all of its electronics housed in the lid. Thus, the messiest part of the machine (i.e., the bottom) can be thrown into the sink with the trays.
Hard to clean machines can leave a bad taste in your mouth for preserving. Stackable models address this issue.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Value
Given this dehydrator's extremely competitive price point and its quality results, we argue that it's a valuable item. Sure, it lacks some standard features that may put some consumers off, but it has others that will outweigh them for the right person.
If you're going to have a dial control, best to have them be discrete settings for accuracy and consistency.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Conclusion
The Snackmaster Pro is inexpensive, easy to use, and dries food with the best of them. We certainly like that the fan is on the top of the unit as it allows the base, which is where most of the mess ends up, to be washed instead of being wiped out. We also found the flexibility in the tray beds to be helpful when removing sticky foods. It offers simplicity in design with consistent, quality results at a price that's hard to beat. However, the savings that this product offers comes at the cost of time. If you like spending time in the kitchen and want to keep some extra bucks in your wallet, then give this machine a whirl.
—
Nick Miley and Michelle Powell
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