Elite Gourmet EFD319 Dehydrator Review

Intro

The Elite Gourmet EFD319 is a compact, budget-friendly food dehydrator built around five clear stacking trays and an adjustable temperature control. The listing describes a 95°F–158°F range, a 350-watt heater with horizontal airflow, and BPA-free 11.4" trays that stack from 8.5" to 10.75". Owners' feedback is plentiful and generally positive: people praise the price, consistent drying, and compact footprint, but a smaller subset have flagged plastic taste, slow drying when trays are positioned a certain way, and louder-than-expected fan/beep noise. This review pulls directly from the product specs and owner reports so you can decide whether it’s the right gift.

What it is / first look

The Elite Gourmet EFD319 is a countertop electric food dehydrator in a rectangular, stackable design. The manufacturer lists the unit at 11.4" deep by 11.4" wide by 8.5" high in its base configuration and calls out a 350-watt heating system designed for 120V home use. The unit ships with five clear drying trays that measure 11.4" across and are described in the listing as BPA-free. The trays and lid are transparent so you can check progress without opening the unit, and the stacking height is adjustable — the listing specifies the stack can be changed from 8.5" to 10.75" to fit thicker cuts or larger batches.

Controls are straightforward: the listing describes a precision temperature control (95°F–158°F) and an adjustable dial that lets you pick temperatures for fruits, vegetables, herbs, mushrooms, and meats. The manufacturer also points to "horizontal airflow" driven by a base-mounted fan so the trays don't need rotation during use, and notes that the trays and lid are removable and dishwasher safe on the top rack.

On materials, the product facts list the unit material as aluminum and the material features as "Food Safe." The title and listing also call the trays BPA-free. The unit is ETL listed and backed by a one-year warranty, per the manufacturer's copy.

Who this is a good gift for

Be specific when gifting: this is a compact, budget-oriented dehydrator that covers everyday home drying tasks rather than commercial-scale loads. Here are the recipient types that match best.

The weekend jerky maker

Why it fits: The listing calls out beef jerky as a primary use and the temperature range tops at 158°F, which owners also note works well for jerky when prepared correctly. Assumption: the recipient will follow basic jerky prep and expect 4–8 hour runs for typical cuts (owner comments indicate ~6 hours is common).

The snack-and-preserve hobbyist

Why it fits: Buyers who want fruit chips, fruit leather, herb drying, or to preserve garden harvests will appreciate the adjustable temperature and five trays for batch drying. Assumption: recipient has a small kitchen or counter space and is okay with a modest footprint rather than a full commercial dehydrator.

The pet-owner who makes treats

Why it fits: The listing specifically suggests pet treats as a use case and multiple owners reported drying yams and other pet snacks with success. Assumption: the recipient understands safe handling and storage of homemade pet treats and is comfortable with shared-use kitchen equipment for pet food.

The small-space DIYer / RV owner

Why it fits: The listing calls the unit compact enough for small kitchens, apartments, and RVs. Owners repeatedly praise the small footprint and easy storage. Assumption: the recipient needs small-to-medium capacity rather than large batches.

The 3D-printing hobbyist (edge case)

Why it fits: Multiple owner notes mention the dehydrator being repurposed to dry 3D printer filament; the maximum listed temperature (158°F) is, according to those owners, useful for filament drying. Assumption: the recipient knows the non-food application and is okay using the unit for non-food items; if you plan to alternate food and non-food use, follow good cleaning practices and consider separate equipment to avoid contamination.

In daily use

Controls and operation are intentionally simple. The listing highlights an adjustable dial for temperature control from 95°F to 158°F and horizontal airflow powered by a 350W base-mounted fan so trays don't need rotating. Owners add practical notes about the day-to-day:

• Timer presence: several owners report a 1–6 hour timer in one-hour increments. (The timer is mentioned in owner feedback rather than the product spec block.)
• Noise and alerts: owner feedback consistently mentions the fan is audible — some call it "a touch loud" while others find it comfortable for overnight runs. Owners also report the setup beeps are loud when setting a timer or temperature.
• Heat output and placement: the unit gives off noticeable heat; owners recommend counter clearance and, in one report, a wooden board underneath to protect delicate countertops. The listing describes it as compact but acknowledges its heat via the operating design.
• Cleaning: the listing states trays and lid are removable and dishwasher safe on the top rack. Owners confirm the trays are easy to wash but mention some initial manufacturer residue steps (one owner described running it for 30 minutes out of the box then washing again).
• Capacity and stack adjustments: you get five 11.4" trays and can expand the stack height from 8.5" to 10.75" to fit thicker cuts; owners say it feels larger than it looks but remains a small-batch machine.

Performance notes from owners: many report even drying across trays and reliable texture results after a bit of trial and error for slice thickness and timing. Multiple owners praise consistent results for fruits, herbs, and jerky. A small but vocal group of owners says drying can be slow or uneven if trays are mis-stacked or if the unit leaks air when set at a certain standoff position — that can dramatically extend run times if you try to squeeze larger pieces in without spacing properly.

Materials & build quality

The product facts list the unit material as aluminum and describe the trays as BPA-free and the materials as "Food Safe." Use those phrases as listing/manufacturer claims: the listing describes the trays as BPA-free and the material features as food safe. Owners generally rate the build as good for the price: several reports call the materials and finish better than expected at this price point and praise the cleanable tray design.

Practical build points owners highlight:

• Trays: clear and removable, described by the listing as BPA-free; owners say they're convenient for monitoring and easy to wash.
• Controls: the listing describes an adjustable dial rather than a digital interface; at least one owner specifically calls the control analog and appreciates its simplicity.
• Sturdiness: many owners say it feels solid and consistent for household use; a few note the need to follow the initial burn-off/wash routine from the manual to remove manufacturing residues.

Safety considerations

Safety is a practical buying concern for dehydrators. From the listing and owner feedback we can establish a few concrete points:

• ETL listed: the manufacturer copy and bullet points state the unit is ETL listed for standard 120V home use. That listing is the clearest safety marker in the spec sheet.
• Electrical and heat: the unit runs on 120V at 350W and produces steady heat; owners recommend leaving counter clearance and, in one case, using a board under the unit to avoid heat damage to delicate surfaces. Use common-sense placement and follow the manual for clearance requirements.
• Materials and odors: the trays are described in the listing as BPA-free and the material features as "Food Safe." However, a notable critical thread among owners reports a strong plastic/soapy taste or odor transferred to food in a handful of cases. That discrepancy is worth flagging: if the recipient is sensitive to plastic smells, or you plan to use the machine right away out of the box, this is a measurable risk. Several owners reported running the unit (including a 30-minute burn-off and a wash) before first food runs to reduce such odors.
• Cross-use note: multiple owners repurposed the unit for drying non-food items such as 3D printing filament. If you plan to alternate food and non-food uses, be aware owners mention this practice and take extra steps to clean and separate those workflows to avoid contamination.
• Warranty and support: the listing notes a one-year warranty and U.S.-based support. One owner complained about difficulty contacting support after purchase; experiences with post-sale service appear mixed.

Who should skip it

• If you need large batches or a commercial setup: this is a small, five-tray household machine designed for home use. The listing emphasizes a compact footprint for small kitchens, apartments, and RVs — it's not a commercial dehydrator.
• If you want whisper-quiet operation or a totally silent fan: owners report the fan is audible; several describe it as "a touch loud" or noticeable during setup and runs.
• If you are especially sensitive to plastic smells/odors: a small but clear set of owner reports cite plastic or soapy tastes in food after drying. The listing claims BPA-free trays and "Food Safe" materials, but if odor sensitivity is a firm no-go, consider skipping or running the burn-off/wash routine first and checking current listing materials/policies.
• If you need a precise digital timer or app control: the listing highlights a dial-based temperature control and owner notes indicate an analog timer in one-hour increments for some units. If you want crisp digital timing or smartphone integration, this model may feel basic.
• If you plan to make fruit leather without extra accessories: one owner said fruit leather may require a silicone mat to work well. The dehydrator can do fruit leather in principle, but you may need non-stick inserts that are sold separately.

Verdict

Check-before-you-buy summary: the Elite Gourmet EFD319 is a practical, compact dehydrator with a broad temperature range, five BPA-free 11.4" trays, and an ETL listing. For budget-minded gifters who want to enable jerky nights, snack-making, herb preservation, or small-batch pet treats, it’s a confident pick — provided the recipient is not highly sensitive to plastic odors and doesn’t require large commercial capacity or whisper-quiet operation.

Best gift fit

Buy this if you want a dependable, small-footprint dehydrator that’s easy to store and covers the needs of a home user making fruit chips, jerky, herbs, or pet treats. Owners repeatedly praise its value, consistent drying results after learning slice thickness/timing, and the convenience of five trays and dishwasher-safe parts.

Biggest buying risk

A minority of owners report plastic or soapy tastes/odors and some users say drying takes much longer if trays are mis-stacked or if you try to fit pieces that are too thick without proper spacing. If the recipient is sensitive to odors or expects commercial-speed drying, this is the main risk to weigh.

Check before you buy (quick checklist)

• Confirm the current listing still describes the trays as BPA-free and the material as "Food Safe" if that matters to the recipient.
• Verify the exact timer options on the current listing if a digital or precise timer is required — owner reports mention a 1–6 hour one-hour-increment timer but the official spec block focuses on temperature control.
• Note the unit dimensions (11.4" D x 11.4" W x 8.5" H base) and the expandable stack to 10.75" so the gift fits the recipient’s storage space and intended food thicknesses.
• Expect a 350W power draw on 120V circuits; make sure the recipient’s intended placement can handle the heat output and has proper clearance.
• Plan to wash trays and run the unit briefly out of the box (owners describe a recommended initial burn-off and rewash) to minimize any manufacturing residue or odors.
• Confirm color availability if appearance is important — listed colors include Black, White, and White and Gray.

If those boxes are checked, the Elite Gourmet EFD319 is a pragmatic gift that turns out to be more useful than gimmicky: good for people who like making snacks, saving produce, or experimenting with jerky and pet treats, and for hobbyists looking for a small, affordable dehydrator that works right away with a little know-how.