Ronco defined the home dehydrator market for decades through late-night infomercials promising “set it and forget it” simplicity. The familiar “But wait, there’s more!” pitch sold millions of units to curious home cooks in the 80s and 90s. Today, the Ronco 5-Tray Electric Food Dehydrator continues selling at $35-$50, making it one of the cheapest electric options available.
But nostalgia doesn’t dry food—consistent heat and airflow do. After testing this classic design against modern competitors, the Ronco proves that simplicity cuts both ways. It works for basic dehydration without complications, but lacks the precision and safety features contemporary users expect. For the price of a dinner out, you get functional equipment that requires compromises.
Classic Design Philosophy
The Ronco 5-Tray follows the vertical stack design unchanged for 30+ years. A base unit contains the heating element and fan, topped by five stackable transparent trays and a vented lid. No digital displays, no touch controls, no temperature adjustment—just a power switch and a convection airflow system.
This simplicity reflects Ronco’s “Set It and Forget It” marketing promise. The unit measures 12 x 12 x 9 inches and weighs 4.25 pounds—compact enough for any kitchen. The clear plastic trays allow visual monitoring, and the entire unit stores easily in cabinets when not in use.
Five 11.5-inch diameter trays providing 3.5 square feet of drying space. Fixed temperature operation (approximately 140°F). Top-vented lid for moisture release. 350-watt heating element. 1-year warranty. Jerky gun included with some packages.
The included jerky gun—a tube with interchangeable nozzles for extruding ground meat—adds value for hunters and jerky enthusiasts. While not as precise as slicing whole muscle meat, the gun creates consistent strips from ground venison or beef, potentially justifying the purchase price for jerky-specific users.
Performance in Modern Testing
Testing the Ronco against contemporary units reveals how far dehydration technology has progressed—and where this classic still holds its own.
Apple Chips: Sliced apples dried to leathery consistency in 9 hours—slower than the 7 hours in a Nesco or 6 hours in an Excalibur. The fixed 140°F temperature runs slightly hot for fruit, producing darker coloration than ideal but acceptable texture.
Herbs: Basil and parsley dried successfully in 4 hours, though the 140°F temperature exceeds the 95°F-105°F range optimal for preserving volatile oils. The results worked for culinary purposes but lacked the fragrance of low-temp dried herbs.
The 140°F maximum temperature falls 20°F short of USDA recommendations for safe jerky production. You must pre-cook meat to 160°F internal temperature in an oven before dehydrating, or risk foodborne illness. This two-step process eliminates the “convenience” factor for jerky making.
Beef Jerky: Using pre-cooked meat strips, the Ronco produced acceptable jerky in 7-8 hours. The jerky gun created uniform strips that dried evenly, though cleanup proved tedious. Without pre-cooking, the temperature safety concerns outweigh the convenience.
Limitations and Safety
The Ronco’s simplicity creates significant limitations for modern users:
No Temperature Control: The unit runs at a fixed temperature approximately 140°F. You cannot lower heat for delicate herbs or raise it for meat safety. This single setting serves as a compromise that satisfies no specific use case perfectly.
No Timer: The unit runs until manually unplugged. For overnight drying, you must either wake to turn it off or accept over-dried product. External smart plugs ($10-$15) add timer functionality, but this erodes the price advantage.
Tray Spacing: Fixed 0.75-inch clearance between trays limits bulky items. Thick mushroom caps or whole strawberries require removing trays, reducing capacity.
Cleaning Difficulty: The base unit lacks a removable drip pan. Marinades and juices drip directly onto the heating element, requiring careful wiping after each use. The plastic trays stain easily and retain odors from strong marinades.
Value Assessment
At $35-$50, the Ronco competes with the Chefman and Presto Dehydro in the ultra-budget category. The included jerky gun adds $15-$20 value if you plan to use it, effectively making the dehydrator itself a $20-$30 purchase.
For that price, expectations must remain realistic. This is equipment for testing whether dehydration interests you, not for daily production. The 1-year warranty aligns with the price point—manufacturers know this unit serves occasional use.
| Feature | Ronco 5-Tray | Chefman 5-Tray | Presto Dehydro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $35-$50 | $45-$60 | $55-$75 |
| Max Temp | 140°F | 140°F | 165°F |
| Extras | Jerky gun | None | None |
| Tray Size | 11.5″ | 9.5″ | 13″ |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year |
Better Alternatives
Before buying the Ronco on nostalgia alone, consider modern alternatives offering more capability for modest additional investment:
For $20 More: The Nesco FD-60 Snackmaster ($65-$75) offers expandable capacity (to 12 trays), adjustable temperature (95°F-160°F), and superior Converga-Flow air circulation. The upgrade pays for itself in versatility.
For $40 More: The Hamilton Beach Digital ($85-$95) adds a 48-hour timer and precise temperature control, eliminating the Ronco’s babysitting requirements.
For Jerky Specifically: The Nesco FD-60 with add-on jerky gun ($25) provides better airflow and temperature control for serious meat drying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, though the company has changed ownership multiple times since founder Ron Popeil’s era. Current Ronco products are manufactured by licensed partners. Customer support exists primarily through email and online chat, with replacement parts available through their website and major retailers.
Current Ronco trays fit models manufactured since 2010. If you have a vintage 1980s or 90s unit, trays are incompatible due to design changes. Vintage trays occasionally appear on eBay, but consider upgrading to a modern unit rather than hunting discontinued parts.
Yes, but with critical safety precautions. Poultry must reach 165°F internal temperature to kill Salmonella. Since the Ronco only reaches 140°F, you must pre-cook ground poultry to 165°F before extruding and dehydrating. This creates a paste-like texture quite different from traditional sliced jerky.
The Ronco operates at approximately 58 decibels—comparable to background conversation. The 350-watt fan generates less noise than higher-powered units. You can run it in a kitchen during evening hours without disrupting activities, though bedroom operation might disturb light sleepers.
Current production models use BPA-free plastics according to manufacturer specifications. However, if you inherit a vintage Ronco dehydrator from the 1990s or earlier, the plastics likely contain BPA. Replace vintage trays with new BPA-free versions or upgrade to a modern unit for food safety.
Bottom Line
The Ronco 5-Tray Electric Food Dehydrator serves as a functional entry point for curious beginners, especially those interested in jerky making who value the included jerky gun. It works for occasional fruit drying and herb preservation, provided you accept the lack of temperature control and timer.
However, nostalgia shouldn’t override practicality. For $20-$30 more, modern alternatives offer digital controls, expandable capacity, and safety features that make dehydration easier and safer. The Ronco represents what dehydrators were; competitors represent what they should be.
Buy the Ronco if you find it under $40 and want to test dehydration without commitment. Otherwise, invest in a Nesco or Cosori that will grow with your skills rather than limiting them.
Ronco 5-Tray Electric Food Dehydrator
Pros
- Lowest price point
- Includes jerky gun
- Simple operation
- Compact storage
- Quiet running
Cons
- Fixed temperature (140°F)
- No timer
- Requires pre-cooking meat
- Trays stain easily
- Limited capacity
