Colzer has emerged as a mid-range challenger in the stainless steel dehydrator market, offering cabinet-style designs with digital controls at prices undercutting established brands like Excalibur and Cosori. Their 8-tray and 12-tray models promise commercial-grade construction without the premium price tag.
After extensive testing, the Colzer delivers genuine value for home users but reveals compromises in temperature consistency and customer support. The stainless construction impresses, but precision-focused users may find the fluctuations frustrating.
Stainless Steel Construction
The Colzer distinguishes itself immediately through material quality. Unlike competitors using plastic cabinets in the sub-$150 range, Colzer uses 201 stainless steel exterior panels with a brushed finish that resists fingerprints and kitchen grime.
The 8-tray model (most popular for home use) features trays measuring 11″ x 12″ constructed from 304 food-grade stainless steel wire. This provides approximately 8.8 square feet of drying space—comparable to the Magic Mill 7-Tray but with one additional shelf.
Double-walled construction provides insulation that keeps exterior surfaces cool during operation. The magnetic glass door seals tightly, preventing heat loss common in single-wall designs. At 15.4 pounds, the unit feels substantial without requiring reinforced counters.
Interior walls use stainless steel throughout—no plastic components contact food or heated air. This eliminates off-gassing concerns and allows aggressive cleaning with steel wool or sanitizers when processing game meat or fish.
Digital Features and Controls
The touch-control panel offers temperature adjustment from 95°F to 158°F in 1-degree increments—more granular than the 5-degree steps common in this price range. The timer extends to 24 hours with automatic shutoff, though unlike the Septree or Magic Mill, there’s no “keep warm” function after completion.
Operation requires some learning. The touch buttons occasionally need firm pressure, and the LED display washes out in direct sunlight. The unit lacks preset buttons for common foods (jerky, fruit, herbs), requiring manual temperature entry every session.
While the display shows precise 1-degree increments, actual internal temperatures fluctuate ±7°F from the set point during operation. This variance doesn’t affect most drying but prevents precision-dependent applications like raw food preparation.
Performance Testing
Testing focused on evenness, drying speed, and noise levels across common applications.
Apple Chips: Sliced to 1/4″ and dried at 135°F, apples reached ideal texture in 7 hours. The rear-mounted horizontal airflow eliminated tray rotation needs—all eight trays finished within 20 minutes of each other. This evenness justifies the cabinet design over stackable alternatives.
Beef Jerky: Using 3 pounds of marinated eye of round across six trays, the unit maintained 158°F (maximum setting) and produced safe jerky in 6 hours. However, the 158°F ceiling falls just short of the 160°F-165°F ideal for poultry jerky, limiting versatility compared to units reaching higher temperatures.
Noise Levels: Colzer claims “<50dB" operation, and testing confirmed approximately 48 decibels at 3 feet—quieter than the Hamilton Beach (65dB) and comparable to the Cosori (50dB). The rear-mounted fan generates a gentle hum rather than the whoosh of top-mounted designs.
Common Issues
Long-term testing revealed several concerns:
Tray Spacing: Fixed 1.1-inch clearance between trays limits bulky items. Thick portobello caps or whole strawberries require removing every other tray, effectively halving capacity.
Customer Support: Colzer operates primarily through Amazon and third-party sellers. Warranty claims require dealing with offshore customer service with 48-72 hour response times. Replacement parts (trays, door seals) ship from overseas, requiring 2-3 week waits.
Door Seal Wear: The magnetic rubber seal around the glass door degrades after 12-18 months of heat cycling, allowing heat loss and increasing drying times. Replacement seals cost $20-$25 and require DIY installation.
Value Assessment
Priced at $130-$160 for the 8-tray model, the Colzer competes with the Magic Mill 7-Tray ($130-$150) and Septree 8-Tray ($140-$160). All three offer similar stainless construction and digital controls.
| Feature | Colzer 8-Tray | Magic Mill 7-Tray | Septree 8-Tray |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $130-$160 | $130-$150 | $140-$160 |
| Tray Count | 8 | 7 | 8 |
| Max Temp | 158°F | 167°F | 167°F |
| Noise | 48 dB | 55 dB | 58 dB |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year |
The Colzer wins on tray count and noise levels but loses on maximum temperature. For users prioritizing quiet operation and extra capacity over poultry jerky capability, it represents solid value. For those needing 165°F+ temperatures, the Magic Mill or Septree serve better despite slightly higher noise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, through Colzer’s Amazon storefront and website at $22-$25 per tray. However, the 8-tray unit cannot accommodate more than 8 trays—the rails and heating element are sized specifically for this capacity. Unlike stackable dehydrators, cabinet-style units don’t expand. Consider the 12-tray model upfront if you anticipate needing more space.
The digital display shows precise 1-degree settings, but actual internal temperatures fluctuate ±7°F during the heating cycle. This is normal for dehydrators in this price range but insufficient for precision applications like raw food diets or probiotic cultures. For general fruit, vegetable, and jerky drying, the variance doesn’t significantly affect results.
No. While the stainless construction looks commercial-grade, the 1-year warranty, limited parts availability, and 158°F temperature ceiling make this unsuitable for business applications. Commercial operations should invest in NSF-certified units like the Weston Pro Series or Excalibur Commercial lines.
Yes, but you’ll need to purchase silicone fruit leather sheets separately ($15-$20 for a set of 3). The wire mesh trays don’t support liquid purees. The 11″ x 12″ tray dimensions accommodate standard dehydrator sheets, or you can cut parchment paper to fit. Drying time for fruit leather averages 8-10 hours at 135°F.
Bottom Line
The Colzer 8-Tray Stainless Steel Dehydrator offers genuine value for home users wanting cabinet-style convenience without premium pricing. The quiet operation, all-stainless construction, and horizontal airflow create a pleasant user experience for weekly dehydration tasks.
However, the 158°F temperature limitation and import-brand customer service issues temper enthusiasm. For users making primarily beef jerky and fruit, it serves well. For those needing poultry jerky capability or domestic warranty support, the Magic Mill or Septree justify their slightly higher prices.
Buy the Colzer if you prioritize quiet operation and found it under $140. Otherwise, compare sale prices on the Magic Mill, which offers higher temperature capability for similar money.
Colzer 8-Tray Stainless Steel Dehydrator
Pros
- All stainless steel construction
- Quiet 48 dB operation
- 8 tray capacity
- Horizontal airflow (no rotation)
- 1-degree temperature increments
Cons
- 158°F maximum (not 165°F)
- Temperature fluctuation ±7°F
- Limited customer support
- Door seal wears in 12-18 months
