Nesco FD-79 Snackmaster Pro Digital Food Dehydrator for Snacks, Fruit, Beef Jerky, Meat, Vegetables & Herbs (Gray)
Quick take
The Nesco FD-79 is a digital, 600-watt food and jerky dehydrator designed for faster, more consistent drying across trays. It offers adjustable temperature control from 90°F to 160°F and a programmable timer (up to 24 hours), and it expands from 4 trays to as many as 12 so you can batch larger loads. The main tradeoff to consider is cleanup and maintenance, since it is not dishwasher safe and some users note the digital readout can be less reliable over time.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Adjustable digital temperature control (90°F to 160°F) for different foods like fruit, herbs, and jerky
- Programmable digital timer up to 24 hours with auto off
- Expands from 4 included trays up to 12 trays (additional trays sold separately)
- Top-mounted fan design intended to keep liquids from dripping into the heater chamber, which can simplify cleaning
Cons
- Trays are not dishwasher safe, so cleaning relies on wiping and hand washing
- There are reports of the digital time and temperature readout failing one segment at a time, which may require extra button presses to set values
- To reach maximum capacity, you will need to purchase extra trays separately
What buyers think
Buyer feedback emphasizes speed and efficiency for batch dehydrating, especially for fruit, herbs, vegetables, and jerky. Many reviewers highlight the value of digital controls compared to older manual units, noting that the programmable timer and precise temperature settings reduce guesswork and make it easier to run longer sessions. Users also frequently mention the top fan and overall design as a practical cleaning advantage, with airflow positioned to help prevent mess around the heater area. A smaller amount of feedback points to maintenance limitations, including non-dishwasher-safe trays and occasional issues with the digital display segmenting over time.
What the Nesco FD-79 is designed to do
This dehydrator is positioned for everyday snack making and preserving, from dried fruit and fruit leather to herbs, vegetables, and beef jerky. The core design choices focus on even drying and convenience: 600 watts of drying power, an adjustable temperature range for different food types, and airflow routed through a pressurized chamber and across each tray. The top-mounted fan setup is intended to reduce the chance of drips reaching the heater chamber.
Key features that matter for real use
Digital temperature control for recipe repeatability
The FD-79 includes adjustable digital temperature control (90°F to 160°F). That matters if you regularly rotate foods, or if you want more consistent results compared to dial-based units where it can be easy to overshoot or undershoot.
Programmable timer with auto off
The digital timer can be programmed for up to 24 hours and includes an auto off function. Based on buyer comments, this is one of the most noticeable quality-of-life upgrades versus older dehydrators without a real shutoff timer.
Tray capacity without tray rotation
You get four trays included (13 1/2-inch diameter each). If you need more capacity, the unit expands up to 12 trays, with additional add-a-trays sold separately. That’s useful for batch cooking, meal prep, and larger preservation sessions where you do not want to be swapping trays mid-process.
Airflow and layout built for even drying
Its Converga-Flow airflow design pushes heated air through an exterior pressurized chamber, then horizontally across each tray, converging in the center. In practice, buyer feedback tends to connect that approach with fast drying for fruit and jerky, along with consistent results across different snack types.
Pros and cons (in plain terms)
Pros
- Flexible for mixed loads: Digital temperature control supports a wide range of foods.
- Less monitoring: The programmable timer and auto off help you avoid constant checking.
- Scales up: Expandable tray system supports bigger batches when you add more trays.
- Cleaning is more manageable: Top-mounted fan placement is commonly described as easier to keep clean.
Cons
- Not dishwasher friendly: Cleaning requires hand washing or wiping, since trays are not dishwasher safe.
- Digital display reliability may vary: Some users report the time/temperature readout losing segments over time, which could affect ease of use.
- Add-ons cost extra: Expanding beyond the included four trays requires purchasing additional trays.
Who should buy it
Consider the Nesco FD-79 if you want a digital dehydrator for fruit, herbs, vegetables, and jerky, and you value precise temperature settings plus a programmable timer. It also fits well if you plan to dehydrate larger batches over time, since the tray system expands to 12 without needing to rotate trays.
Who should look elsewhere
If you strongly prefer dishwasher-safe components, or you want a unit where you can fully rely on the digital display remaining perfect for years, this model may not be the smoothest fit. Also, if your priority is minimizing additional purchases, keep in mind that the expansion to more trays requires extra trays sold separately.
Alternatives to consider (by buying priority)
- If you need dishwasher-safe trays: look for dehydrators that explicitly state tray components are dishwasher safe, since that is a common convenience divider in this category.
- If you care most about max capacity: compare units based on how many trays are included by default versus how much add-on capacity costs.
- If ease of control is your #1 concern: compare the user interface (digital display reliability and button layout) and timer features, since digital controls are a key part of what buyers like here.
Bottom line
The Nesco FD-79 Snackmaster Pro is a strong choice for shoppers who want digital control, convenient timed drying, and expandable tray capacity for fruit, herbs, veggies, and jerky. It has several practical design advantages for everyday use, but you should plan on hand cleaning and be aware that some buyers have reported digital display issues over time.
FAQ
How many trays does the Nesco FD-79 include?It comes with four trays included, and the unit can expand to 12 trays.
What temperature range does it support?The adjustable temperature control runs from 90°F to 160°F.
Does it have a timer?Yes, the digital timer is programmable up to 24 hours and includes an auto off function.
Is the dehydrator dishwasher safe?The trays are not dishwasher safe, so you will need to clean them by hand.
What can I dehydrate with this model?It’s designed for snacks like dried fruit and fruit leather, as well as herbs, vegetables, and beef jerky.
Specifications
| Product Title | Nesco FD-79 Snackmaster Pro Digital Food Dehydrator for Snacks, Fruit, Beef Jerky, Meat, Vegetables & Herbs, Gray, 4 Trays, 1 Count (Pack of 1),Grey |
|---|---|
| Category | Home & Kitchen > Kitchen & Dining > Small Appliances > Specialty Appliances > Dehydrators |
| Brand | NESCO |
| Manufacturer | NESCO |
| Model Number | FD-79 |
| Color | Grey |
| Material | Plastic |
| Item Weight | 2.9 Kilograms |
| Product Dimensions | 30"D x 8"W x 6"H |
| Brand Name | NESCO |
| Warranty Description | 1 year manufacturer |
| UPC | 029517010548 |
| Part Number | FD-79 |
| Included Components | 2 Clean-A-Screens, 2 Fruit Roll Sheets, Dehydrator, Instruction/Recipe Book, Jerky Seasoning and Cure |
| Item Type Name | dehydrators |
| Unit Count | 1.0 Count |
| Wattage | 600 watts |
| Voltage | 120 |
| Number of Trays | 4 |
| Temperature Range | 95-160 Degrees Fahrenheit |
| Material Features | Food Safe |
| Is the item dishwasher safe? | No |
| Item Shape | Round |
| Item Dimensions D x W x H | 30"D x 8"W x 6"H |
Available variants
Style
- Dehydrator
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