Review: NESCO FD-77DT

The NESCO FD-77DT digital food dehydrator is among the most modern units this renowned company has to offer. Equipped with the some of the latest technologies to make sure it meets everyone’s needs, this budget-friendly food dehydrator provides professional results for the price of an entry-level appliance.

The NESCO FD-77DT is easy to use and can be a great choice for dehydrating pros and newbies alike. Anyone can get a hang of this gadget in no time, but its features are in no means plain. From digital controls (including both timer and thermostat) to revolutionary patented technologies, you can be assured that this digital food dehydrator by NESCO will impress you. Suitable for drying fruits, veggies, herbs, and even making meat jerky at home, this compact unit will appeal to a variety of consumers.

Whether you have a big family and want a powerful yet affordable food dehydrator for your needs, or want to preserve garden harvest in hours rather than days, the NESCO FD-77DT digital food dehydrator fits the bill. Read on to find out all the nitty gritty details about this unit, see what are its best features, and what could be a deal breaker for some buyers.

NESCO FD-77DT Key Features

• Powerful 600 watts motor
• Patented Converga-Flow technology
• Programmable digital timer (up to 24 hours in advance)
• Adjustable thermostat
• 4 trays included (expandable up to 12)
• Bonus: fruit roll sheet, jerky spices, and cure packets

The energy-efficient and budget-friendly NESCO FD-77DT digital food dehydrator saves you money—both in the long term and short term. Being one of the more affordable food dehydrators on Amazon, this unit won’t make a big dent in your budget, and the 600 watts motor won’t lead to bigger electricity bills either. Most competing units have a much stronger (and more consuming) motor, but the trick with NESCO FD-77DT is that it uses innovative technology to offer a powerful performance without wasting energy.

The company’s Converga-Flow patented technology relies on a powerful top mounted fan to complement the 600 watts motor for a superior experience. Instead of dispersing hot air directly through the trays, the fan forces the air down its exterior pressurized chamber. Then, it circulates horizontally through the trays before it converges in the center. This way, all of the food dehydrates evenly, but much faster than you’d expect for a unit with these specifications.

In addition to the superior technology of drying, the NESCO FD-77DT digital food dehydrator boasts an adjustable thermostat and timer. To ensure that everything from juicy veggies to beef is dried at a perfect temperature, choose the ideal value from 95°-160° F. Then, set the digital timer for a desired period of time (anywhere up to 24 hours) and go about your business. It has an auto shut off feature, so as soon as the timer goes up, the unit goes off, minimizing the risk of over drying or any mishaps due to a forgotten batch of drying food.

As for the trays, this particular food dehydrator comes with 4 trays and a fruit roll sheet included, but it can be expanded for up to 12 trays. If you need more than the original (circa) 6.5 square feet of drying space, look for Add-a-Trays on Amazon.

NESCO FD-77DT Pros

• Optimal drying for a variety of foods thanks to a wide temperature range
• Set it and forget it—automatic shut off
• No need to rotate the trays
• Customizable for everyone’s capacity needs

If you want a food dehydrator that’s easy to use but offers results that are similar to a professional-grade unit, the NESCO FD-77DT is a great choice. Not only does it feature a fully adjustable thermostat, but the recommended temperatures for different food groups are printed right underneath the temperature screen for convenience. You won’t even have to reach for the instructional booklet to know what time and temperature to set for each type of food! And, to boot, you can dry different types of food all at once. Thanks to the Converga-flow system of drying, the scents won’t mix through stackable trays. You also won’t have to rotate the trays to ensure even drying—the innovative airflow technology takes care of that for you, as well.

The NESCO FD-77DT digital food dehydrator features all of the best functions of its predecessors but its main advantage is that it has a digital timer. Unlike previous NESCO units, this one can be left to own devices and will shut down at a time you set it to.

NESCO FD-77DT Cons

• The recommended temperatures are not always correct

It’s difficult to find a fault with a food dehydrator of this caliber. The price is very reasonable, the functions impressive (especially considering that affordable price tag!), and the size is fairly compact, in comparison to competitors. However, one potential downside is that the instructions for temperature settings are not that precise. Many users report that this digital food dehydrator takes longer to dry foods than the recommendations from the company would have you believe. While this might not be a real flaw for some users, beginners might want to take notice. It takes a bit of trial and error before you guess the right drying temperature.

Final Verdict

Improving upon its already popular predecessors, the NESCO FD-77DT digital food dehydrator is a top of the range unit. In addition to the company’s trademark Converga-flow system of drying, upgradeable trays, and the adjustable thermometer, this model offers a digital timer with auto shut off. If you want the quality of a tried and tested, true classic that’s made in the USA, but prefer to follow the latest tech advancements in the field of food dehydrators, the NESCO FD-77DT is a perfect compromise between the two.