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Table of Contents
Overview of the Cuisinart DHR-20 Food Dehydrator
Are you looking for a basic food dehydrator that you could start with but without breaking the bank? There is one available in the market right now. It’s the Cuisinart DHR-20 Food Dehydrator.
This used to be called Waring Pro DHR-20. So if you’re searching for this model and found the two together, don’t get confused. Waring Pro is another brand now owned by Cuisinart. They both bear the same model number, they both have the same function, and the only difference is the name on front.
Features
It is a basic food dehydrator, with a 620-watt power motorized bottom-mounted fan, top vent, and adjustable temperature control for fast and uniform drying. You can dry a wide variety of food items — meats, fruits, vegetables, herbs, and even make potpourri.
It measures 13.38″ high, 15.62″ wide, and 12″ deep and weighs 7.8 lbs. It could fit into any kitchen counter without taking up too much space.
It is made of BPA-free quality plastic material. It has 5 interlocking trays that could be stacked on top of each other plus a fruit roll-up sheet. The unit can be expanded up to 9 trays when you purchase additional trays.
This model only comes in steel gray and has a limited 3-year warranty.
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Pros
The see-through cover allows you to view the drying food anytime during the process. The top vent lets the heat circulate efficiently for faster drying with excellent results. The simple adjustable thermostat could be set to fan only, low, medium, or high for easier control.
The round shape and its size provide ample space to accommodate large quantities of food and it fits almost any kitchen counter. The trays interlock with each other so you could stack them up until 9 trays at a time. The racks, top cover, and fruit roll-up sheet are all dishwasher safe.
Therefore, drying using the Cuisinart DHR-20 Food Dehydrator helps you save money and prevent food spoilage and waste.
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Cons
The first downside that we’ve noticed is the adjustable thermostat. It only has 4 preset temperatures: fan only, low, medium, and high.
According to the manual, low is 110°F, medium is 140°F, and high is 175°F. So if you’re trying to get a specific temperature, you might need to use a thermometer. And it has no, built-in timer therefore, you need to use a kitchen timer during the drying process to monitor time.
Also, the bottom-mounted fan makes us wish to have a drip tray at the bottom. You have to take the unit apart to clean the motor area of drippings. To clean the base, unplug it from the outlet and wipe the base and motor area clean with a damp cloth. Then wipe it dry with a clean cloth. Because if you fail to do so, the drippings may cause the unit to stop working.
And because the fan is located at the bottom, although the brand promises uniform and even drying, it is still recommended to rotate trays during the drying process.
Another downside are the trays which are shallow that you have to slice the food less than the tray’s height. Also, purchasing for additional trays (DHR30RACK) might be a challenge as they are not easily available online.
And of course, as most food dehydrators complain about, it has its own motor hum that could be relatively annoying.
Final Thoughts
Despite its own pros and cons, the Cuisinart DHR-20 Food Dehydrator can be a good starting unit for anyone who wants to try food dehydration first at an affordable price. This brand also carries different dependable home kitchen appliances so you’re assured of quality and customer service. So far, this food dehydrator works as advertised.
If you’re considering buying a food dehydrator, check out our other recommendations.