Our Guide to the Best Dehydrator Sheets
Dehydrating sheets are vital parts of a dehydrator. These sheets make your dehydrator last longer by protecting the tray from excess oils and moisture that lead to rusting of trays, thereby, making your dehydrator unhealthy. With a dehydration sheet, you don’t have to worry about having a messy dehydrator, scrubbing the tray, or food falling through the tray. Most dehydrator sheets are BPA safe and can be used for a long time without having to change them. Below is a list of the top 10 dehydrator sheets.
1. Editor’s Choice: Nesco LSS- 2-6 Fruit Rolls Sheets For Dehydrator
NESCO Snackmaster Fruit Roll Sheets are designed for preparing natural fruit rolls which are suitable for kids because they have no added flavor, sugar, or preservatives. The reusable sheet is able to dry up to 3 cups of pureed fruit. It is perfect for preparing messy foods and drying apple sauce, soups, or other liquid sauces with the “no-spill” lip which enables you to dry liquids and semi-liquids. The dual and detachable sheets catch drips on the bottom of the dehydrator tray when it has no food on it, helping make hand washing easier for reuse. These sheets work well on all models of Nesco/American Harvest Dehydrator except FD 1000/1010.
2. Runner Up: Besti Premium Dehydrator Sheets (Pack of 9) by Besti
Do you hate it when food drips or drops through your dehydrator? Are you tired of scraping and scrubbing those dirty trays after every meal? Worry no more because the effective DuPont Teflon coated dehydrator sheets deliver perfect, non-stick baking or roasting ensuring that you enjoy delicious and healthy snacks without bothering about excess calories. It is great for preparing fruit rolls, leathers, beef jerky, potato chips, vegetable chips, herbs, and even homemade cookies and cakes! The 9 reusable dehydrator liners are durable, and can easily fit any pan. This non-stick food liner is dishwasher friendly, easy-to-clean and can withstand up to 400° F.
3. Best for Fruit: GUCUJI Pack of 5 Premium Non-Stick Silicone Dehydrator Sheets
The Gucuji non-stick silicone dehydrator sheets are one of the best and safest premium options available in the market. FDA-certified and BPA-free, these sheets can resist temperatures ranging from -40°-180°C, and remain easy to maintain even after 5000 uses. The non-stick and flexible application features of these dehydrator sheets mean they are the best fit for Excalibur 2500, 3500, 2900, and 3900. Enjoy fast and reliable delivery with a 100% money back guarantee.
4. Best Reusable: Homey 6-Pack Round Flexible Reusable Non-Stick Teflon Food Dehydrator Sheets
Prepare your own homemade natural meats, fruits, and vegetables that are free from preservatives, MSG, high fructose corn syrup, sugar, and salt. These Homey dehydrator sheets are made of non-stick teflon, meaning no scrubbing your dehydrator. The solid screen surface of the sheets prevents liquid from dripping down the dehydrator, making cleaning easy with only warm soapy water. Durable, flexible, and reusable, these sheets fit Nesco FD-61, Nesco FD-61WHC, Nesco FD-75PR, and Nesco FD-75A.
5. National Presto Dehydro Electric Food Dehydrator Fruit Roll Sheets
The National Presto Dehydro Electric food dehydrator fruit roll sheets are made to fit the Presto Dehydro Food Dehydrator which is great for drying small foods like tomatoes, cucumber, and other fruits and veggies that may stick. These sheets are perfect for making fruit jerky and many more small foods that may fall through drying grates when cooking. The non-stick sheets contain two drying screens that prevent moisture from dripping on a tray and can be reused after cleaning with warm soapy water.
6. Nesco LM-2 Clean-A-Screen for Dehydrators
This dual set of the 12-3/4-inch drying screens fit nicely into the trays of Nesco American Harvest’s FD-28JX, FD-35, FD-37, FD-39, FD-40, FD-50, FD-60, FD-61, FD-75A, FD-75PR food dehydrators to curb sugary foods from sticking during the drying process. The fine-mesh screens are adjustable and can be twisted for removing foods easily without sticking. They are also ideal for preventing small food items such as herbs and spices from falling off the trays and are dishwasher friendly.
7. Coitak Silicone Dehydrator Sheets
Coitak’s silicone dehydrator sheets are an easy, mesh-based solution to excessive dehydrator oils during cooking. Coming in a pack of six, these mats are good for between below freezing up to 392 degrees Fahrenheit. They’re also made of BPA-free, non-stick, reusable plastic so you can rest easy knowing that these will last you some time. Just take care to not over work the mesh when cleaning!
8. Bluedrop Pack of 5 Premium Non-Stick Silicone Dehydrator Sheets
These high-quality, food-grade, silicon-coated, polyester mesh sheets are meet FDA and LFGB standards. These sheets can withhold temperatures that range from -40° to 160° C and can be trimmed to any size to fit your dehydrator. They are ideal for Excalibur 2500, 3500, 2900, and 3900. The non-stick food and steaming screens are great for dumplings and pastry foods. These durable sheets can be used over 3000 times, but are not meant for baking in the oven.
9. Bright Kitchen Silicone Non-Stick Sheets
Do you want a sheet that can fit in your dehydrator and oven? The Bright kitchen flexible sheet is what you need. It has the capacity to resist heat and cold. Made with non-toxic, 100% FDA food-grade silicone that is also BPA-free and non-Teflon. Excellent for drying fruit roll ups, raw flax crackers, and cookies, these sheets allow you to easily peel off food when dried. They are the exact size of the Best fit for Ivation & Gourmia Dehydrator, making it the best fit for the GFD1650B Premium Digital 6 tray dehydrators. Dishwasher safe, these sheets can be cleaned easily with soapy water and reused for a long time.
What do I need to know about dehydrator sheets?
Size and Shape
Dehydrator sheets can come in different sizes and shapes. And, not every dehydrator sheet works with every dehydrator. Some are made to be compatible with certain brands of dehydrators, others are compatible based on the style and shape. Be sure to check the measurements of your dehydrator and make sure the dehydrator sheets you purchase are compatible with your appliance.
Materials
Dehydrator sheets can be made from different types of materials. Most dehydrator sheets are made from either a food-grade safe silicone or are made with non-stick teflon, both help prevent sticking to tray surfaces, and help prolong the life of dehydrator trays. Most are designed to be washable for repeated use, some are disposable.
Use
You can use dehydrator sheets with almost any recipe you find to use in your dehydrator. They come in extra handy when dehydrating recipes with a lot of liquid, like: fruit leathers, sauces, yogurt, and meats. They also are nice to use when dehydrating items that can break into small pieces like herbs.
Cost
To get set up with a food dehydrator sheet for each tray of your dehydrator, it will be an additional expense. But it is an added convenience, which aids in the practicality of the appliance. The benefits with the time you save with clean-up is valuable as well.
Food Dehydrator Sheet FAQ
Can’t I just use plastic wrap or aluminum foil?
You can, but there are not the same benefits as if you were to use a silicone or teflon food dehydrator sheet. Plastic wrap is prone to chemical leaching when heated. Aluminum foil does not have the same non-stick value and its use also limits air circulation within a dehydrator. Purchasing food dehydrator sheets is the healthiest option and it aids in clean-up time when dehydrating foods.
Do I have to worry about my food dehydrator sheet catching fire?
A food dehydrator operates at a low temperature. As long as you follow manufacturer recommendations on both the use of your dehydrator and also the use and recommendations of the dehydrator sheets, there is no significant risk of the sheet catching fire.
Are the expenses associated with dehydrating food worth it?
Yes! Making your own dehydrated food is less expensive than purchasing commercially dried fruits, vegetables, or meats. You can buy the food you use when it is on sale, harvest and preserve produce from your garden or apiary, or dehydrate wild game you have harvested by fishing or hunting. Once you purchase your supplies, the cost savings begin!
FAQ
What are dehydrator sheets and are they necessary?
Dehydrator sheets are an essential part of taking care of your brand-new dehydrator. The process of extracting moisture from anything – whether vegetables, fruit, or meat – produces oils and residue. Dehydrator trays can get messy, sticky, or broken without proper care. Using sets of dehydrator sheets means that there’s no mess and no clean-up. Although Sous Vide Guy definitely suggests picking up your own sheets in a pinch it’s possible to use parchment paper cut to fit the dehydrator. Just make sure not to use wax paper by accident!
How do you use dehydrator sheets?
The two most common types of dehydrator sheets are a square, 14 inch x 14 inch configuration and circular mats that are typically 11 or so inches across. To use your dehydrator sheet just line the trays as you would when baking. Consider your dehydrator to be your oven’s little brother. All of the same best practices still apply, but just on a smaller scale.
How should you clean your dehydrator sheets?
Silicone based dehydrator sheets are a breeze to clean! Just use a cleaning cloth or scrubbie with warm, soapy water. Food-grade silicone is designed to be easy to clean. Dehydrator sheets are no exception – especially considering all the oils that are released during dehydration. If your new dehydrator sheets need to be soaked first beforehand then we suggest looking into other brands. This is a good warning sign that you’re not getting the appropriate bang for your buck.
Great comparison and lots of good info. I have a Ninja Foodi Grill and use the dehydrator cycle often. I did purchase a 3 tier rack, it’s 9.7-inch x 8.2-inch, to use in the Foodi.
Can I cut the 14″ square sheets to fit or do they have a finished edge of some kind? Would I compromise the mesh by cutting it?
Thanks! for any insight you can offer.
I have a traditional oven that can be used as a dehydrator. Do I use regular cookie sheets and add a dehydrator sheet in order to deydrate carrots and potatoes?