Elite Gourmet EFD319 Food Dehydrator Review: Snack Heaven?

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Susan Gast | Author and blogger at Bored Boomers, Beesville Books, A New Sober You and Easy Food Dehydrating

I've been experimenting with the Elite Gourmet Food Dehydrator, and I'm impressed by its versatility. This handy appliance has become (one of my three) top dehydrator choices for creating healthy snacks and preserving food. (Nesco and Excalibur are my other food dehydrator brands I use).


The Elite Gourmet comes with five BPA-free trays and an adjustable temperature control, and I've found it easy to dry everything from fruits and veggies to herbs and jerky.

The 350-watts of power makes for quick drying, and the temperature range of 95°F to 158°F runs the gamut to process to different foods. (Meat does need a temperature of 160°F, but 158°F is satisfactory).

💡 Tip: Use our Fahrenheit to Celsius converter here on our site!

Elite Gourmet Food Dehydrator

See-Through Trays Enable Peeking without Disruption

I love how simple it is to use. I just prep my ingredients, set the temperature, and let it work its magic. The clear see-through trays let me check on my snacks without interrupting the process. I love that! (Nesco and Excalibur trays are opaque).

Cleaning is pretty easy too. The trays are dishwasher safe, but I often just wash them with soap and water. It's compact enough to fit on my counter, taking up hardly any space.


A BIG reason I purchased the Elite Gourmet is the ability to ADJUST the height of the trays to make more room for taller foods.

How did they do that? Simple.

All you do is align the tabs (shown in the instruction booklet!) et voilà - more space between trays instantly!

Watch the video:

OVERVIEW of the Elite Gourmet EFD319 Food Dehydrator

  • This compact unit has 350 watts of drying power. I love the adjustable temperature control, which lets me dry different foods just right. 
  • The five BPA-free trays provide plenty of space for my fruits, veggies, and jerky projects.
  • The air circulation system works well, evenly drying my snacks. Its air circulating fan and heating element are in the bottom. It's surprisingly quiet too. 
  • Clean-up is a breeze since the trays are dishwasher safe.
  • While it's great for beginners, I did find the plastic a bit delicate. The unit is smaller than my Nesco, and sometimes I wish it was a little larger. Despite these minor drawbacks, I'm impressed with how it preserves nutrients without the need for additives.

Adjustable Temperature Control

I love how much control this dehydrator gives me. (Read more about dehydrators here). I can easily set the temperature dial from 95°F to 158°F, perfect for different types of foods. When I make beef jerky, I crank it up to the max. Use our Fahrenheit to Celsius converter here on my site!

The fan spreads heat evenly, so everything dries consistently. While all dehydrator manufacturers state there's no need to rotate trays, I still do. It's so easy to get great results every time.

Creating Healthy Snacks

This Elite Gourmet dehydrator swiftly handles drying fruits like apples and bananas for sweet treats like these banana cinnamon rolls - without added sugar.

Making veggie chips is another favorite - kale and zucchini turn out amazingly crispy. The adjustable temperature control lets me dial in the correct setting for each food. I love making my own jerky, too.

The five roomy trays give me plenty of space to prep snacks for the whole week.

Perfect for Pet Treats and Crafts

For pet owners, this machine is ideal for dog treats... and cat treats. I've made countless batches of healthy, all-natural dog food "nuggets." My pup goes crazy for the dehydrated sweet potato treats!

I've had a blast using my Elite dehydrator for crafts, too! It's perfect for drying flowers and creating homemade potpourri. I love how it preserves the delicate petals and fragrances.

Ease of Use and Cleaning

Setting up this dehydrator is a breeze. I simply plugged it in, set the temperature, and arranged my food on the trays and stacked them. The adjustable controls let me fine-tune the heat for different foods. I love how easy it is to add or remove trays as needed.

Cleaning is straightforward too. The trays are dishwasher safe, which is a time-saver. For quick cleanups, I wash them with warm, soapy water. The base unit wipes clean easily.

One minor issue is that food residue can sometimes stick to the trays, requiring a bit of scrubbing so I soak them in a sink full of hot soapy water to loosen the gunk. But overall, I find this dehydrator very user-friendly and low-maintenance.

Safety and Efficiency

I appreciate that the trays are BPA-free, giving me peace of mind when preparing snacks for my family. The fan distributes heat evenly, so I don't need to rotate trays (but I still do!).

As an ETL-listed appliance, I feel confident about its safety for home use. The clear see-through trays are handy for monitoring progress without opening the unit and that's a major reason why I chose this unit! (Plus the price is awesome...)

Pros and Cons

After spending a few weeks with the Elite Gourmet EFD319 dehydrator, I've discovered some great features and a few drawbacks.

Let's dive into what I found:

Pros

  • Adjustable temperature control is a game-changer. I can set it anywhere from 95°F to 158°F, perfect for different foods.
  • The five BPA-free trays are spacious at 11.4 inches each. I fit a lot of fruits and veggies in one go.
  • Cleaning is a breeze. The trays are dishwasher safe!
  • It's surprisingly quiet. I can run it overnight without disturbing anyone's sleep.
  • The clear trays lets me check on my food without opening the unit.
  • It's great for making healthy snacks. I've made some delicious dried fruit and jerky without any additives.

Cons

  • The plastic feels a bit delicate. I'm careful when handling the trays to avoid cracks.
  • Drying times can be longer than expected. My beef jerky took a bit more time than the manual suggested.
  • While the fan distributes heat, it's OK to rotate trays for even drying.

I've enjoyed using this dehydrator machine for various projects. It's user-friendly and performs well for its price point. While it has some limitations, it's a solid choice for home use.

Bottom Line

For anyone looking to make healthy, preservative-free snacks at home, I highly recommend giving the Elite Gourmet Food Dehydrator a try. It's user-friendly, efficient, and opens up a world of culinary possibilities.

Click here to get your own Elite Gourmet Food Dehydrator and start creating delicious dried snacks today!

After using the Elite Gourmet dehydrator, I'm impressed with its performance and value. It's a great entry-level option for those new to food dehydration. The adjustable temperature controls and five BPA-free trays offer versatility for drying various foods.

While it may take longer than expected for some items, the results are generally satisfying. The unit is quiet and easy to use, making it perfect for beginners.

I found it particularly effective for herbs and fruits. Clean-up can be a bit tricky when the trays are sticky (poet and I know it), but overall maintenance is straightforward.

For its price point, this dehydrator delivers solid results and is a worthwhile investment for home food preservation enthusiasts.

Frequently Asked Questions

After using the Elite Gourmet dehydrator for a while, I gathered some common questions that might help you decide if it's right for your needs.

How does the Elite Gourmet EFD319 compare with other food dehydrators in the market?

I've found the EFD319 to be a solid mid-range option. It offers 5 trays, which is more than some entry-level models but less than high-end units.

While it may not have all the bells and whistles of premium models, it gets the job done efficiently for most home users.

Can you dehydrate different types of food at the same time with the Elite Gourmet EFD319?

Yes, you can! I've successfully dried fruits and vegetables together. Just keep in mind that some foods may take longer than others, so you might need to remove faster-drying items first.

The vertical airflow design helps maintain consistent drying across all trays. Bear in mind I don't dehydrate garlic with apples (unless you want garlic-flavored apples!) LOL

What are the temperature control features of the Elite Gourmet Food Dehydrator?

The EFD319 has an adjustable temperature range from 95°F to 158°F. This flexibility allows me to dry various foods at their optimal temperatures.

For example, I use lower settings for delicate herbs and higher temperatures for making many different types of jerky.

Are replacement parts readily available for the Elite Gourmet EFD319 Food Dehydrator?

While I haven't needed replacements yet, I've seen trays and other parts available online.

Elite Gourmet are purported to provide decent customer support, which is reassuring if you ever need spare parts.

To be honest? It's probably cheaper to just buy a new unit than pay for replacement fans or trays and the associated shipping costs (assuming it worked beyond its warranty date).

How does the Elite Gourmet EFD319 Food Dehydrator perform according to consumer reports?

Based on my experience and what I've read, the EFD319 performs well for its price point. Many users praise its ease of use and consistent results.

Some have noted it's a bit slower than higher-wattage models, but that's expected given its 350W power.

What should I look for when choosing a food dehydrator?

When selecting a dehydrator, consider:

  • Size and capacity
  • Temperature control options
  • Ease of cleaning
  • Noise level
  • Power consumption
  • Brand reputation and warranty

For me, the EFD319 ticked most of these boxes, especially for a beginner or occasional user. Its compact size suits my not-so-big kitchen, and the dishwasher-safe trays make cleanup painless.

Get Your Free Guide to Dehydrating Like a Pro!

Don't forget to grab your free Six Simple Steps eBook! It’s packed with tips for dehydrating everything from fruits and veggies to dog treats. Get it here.

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