Elite Gourmet’s EFD319 sits in a crowded field of budget 5-tray dehydrators, but it earns its spot with a genuinely adjustable temperature dial — something several competitors at this price skip in favor of fixed presets. After looking at how it stacks up against the rest of the entry-level field, here’s where it actually stands out and where it doesn’t.
Pros
- Fully adjustable 95–158°F dial, unusual at this price point
- Base-mounted fan with horizontal airflow claim — no rotation needed
- Expandable tray height (8.5–10.75″) accommodates thicker cuts of meat
- Transparent trays and lid for monitoring without opening the unit
- Dishwasher-safe removable parts
- Genuinely affordable, typically under $50
Cons
- Analog dial, not digital — no precise timer or auto shut-off on the base model
- 5 trays with no expansion option beyond the included set
- BPA-free plastic trays, not stainless steel, on the standard model
- 350W is modest, meaning longer cycles than higher-wattage units
In This Article
Key Specs
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tray Count | 5, BPA-free, 11.4" round, expandable |
| Temperature Range | 95–158°F, adjustable dial |
| Power | 350W |
| Airflow | Base-mounted fan, horizontal distribution |
| Timer | Not included on standard EFD319 (manual operation) |
| Certification | ETL Listed, 120V |
Performance
The 95–158°F adjustable range is the headline feature, and it’s a real advantage over fixed-preset competitors at a similar price — it means this unit can actually handle herbs at the low end and jerky comfortably at the high end, rather than forcing a compromise. The base-mounted fan and horizontal airflow claim generally hold up in practice, with most owners reporting they don’t need to rotate trays for even results, though as with any budget unit, edge trays can lag slightly behind center trays on a full 5-tray load.
At 350W, this isn’t a fast dehydrator — expect cycles on the longer end of typical ranges, especially for thicker jerky cuts or fuller loads. The expandable tray height (adjustable from 8.5″ to 10.75″ total stack height) is a genuinely useful design touch that lets you fit taller items like thick jerky strips or bulkier vegetables without needing a separate tray configuration.
Because this model has no built-in timer on the standard version, get in the habit of setting a separate kitchen timer or phone alarm to check progress, particularly for your first few batches while you’re learning how your specific unit runs relative to its dial settings.
Build Quality & Design Touches
Construction is straightforward BPA-free plastic, with transparent trays and a clear lid that let you monitor drying progress without opening the unit and losing heat — a small but genuinely convenient feature at this price tier. All removable parts are dishwasher safe, which matters for anyone dehydrating regularly rather than occasionally. It’s ETL listed for 350W/120V home use, a reasonable safety baseline for an entry-level appliance running long, often unattended cycles.
EFD319 vs. Stainless Steel & Digital Variants
Elite Gourmet also sells a stainless steel tray version and a digital model (the EFD422) with a top-mounted fan, adjustable digital timer, and temperature controls. The stainless steel variant trades some tray capacity (typically 4 trays at a smaller footprint) for the durability advantage covered in my stainless steel dehydrator upgrade guide. The digital EFD422 adds a proper timer and more precise temperature display, worth the modest price bump if you dislike guessing at dial positions.
Who This Is For
- Good fit: beginners who want genuine temperature flexibility (herbs through jerky) without spending much, and don’t mind manually tracking cycle time.
- Not a fit: anyone who wants a digital timer and auto shut-off built in from the start — step up to the EFD422 digital variant, or a comparably priced LEM 5-Tray Digital Dehydrator instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
The standard EFD319 doesn’t include a built-in timer — it runs manually until you switch it off. Elite Gourmet’s digital EFD422 model adds a timer and more precise digital temperature control if that’s a priority.
Yes. Its 95–158°F adjustable range comfortably covers both low-temperature herbs and higher-temperature jerky, which isn’t guaranteed on fixed-preset budget dehydrators.
Yes, all removable trays and parts are dishwasher safe, which is a genuine convenience at this price point compared to hand-wash-only competitors.
Bottom Line
For the price, the Elite Gourmet EFD319’s adjustable temperature dial and expandable tray height are real standout features against similarly priced competitors. The lack of a built-in timer on the base model is the main tradeoff — if that matters to you, the digital EFD422 variant is worth the small price increase. Otherwise, this is a solid, honest entry point for anyone new to dehydrating.
