The FD-75PR does go up to 160 degrees F, while the FD-60 only goes up to 145 degrees F. Thus the FD-75PR can be used for creating jerky. The second jerky method is to use ground meat. The major advantage is that it is much easier to make consistent ’strips’ and the jerky is a lot more tender. They make the best snack foods ever! My kids loved the sweet potato chips and the banana chips. Cannot wait to do jerky with my grandkids! Since purchasing this, I’ve dried several items - pears, plums, bananas, tomatoes, thyme, oregano and cranberries.

However, I felt it was necessary to turn the food over on the trays and switch the top and bottom trays just once mid-way through because the top tray was drying just a bit faster than the bottom tray. The unit runs quietly, giving off a low, steady hum that is much quieter than my microwave or a window fan. My only negative is the lack of an on/off switch. I have been very pleased with my Nesco dehydrator.

The fan does make noise but it’s pretty quiet. I could still watch TV even with the Nesco running.

It will make beef jerky is about 7 hours. I have used this unit about 5 times and no sign of discoloration or usage. You’ll learn to write it down. Along the same lines, the temperature dial is analog, not digital, and it’s surprisingly small and sometimes I wonder whether the temperature I *think* I set it to is the same as what the dehydrator thinks it is set to.

Two thumbs up on this one. Way better than Ronco brand. The only note I can think to make: I read reviews saying that it ran higher than the temp. Not to mention the high sodium contents and many use monosodium glutamate (MSG)! I found this one to be a good mid-priced dehydrator - it would allow us to make meat jerky, dehydrate fruits and vegetables, as well as make our own fruit roll ups. I purchased extra screens and now find that I don’t use them, the dehydrator is really not hard to clean if you clean it right away, but I do wish I had more trays. I’ve only had this dehydrator for a little over a week and already I’ve been able to make beef jerky, turkey jerky, sweet potato chips, and dehydrated celery to make a salt substitute.

And if the kitchen is near the master bedroom and you’re planning on leaving the dehydrator going overnight, you may find that the constant “whirr” sound disturbs your sleep. Mileage is going to vary on this issue.

We have another dehydrator (FD-60) but the FD-75PR is quieter. water features for pools.