Best Dehydrators for Deer and Venison Jerky
The best venison jerky dehydrators include the Magic Mill Premium 10-Tray for a large batch of strips, the Magic Mill Pro 7-Tray for 1-degree temperature control, and the Cosori 6-Tray Stainless Steel for a quiet kitchen.
On this page (14 sections)
- The 6 best dehydrators for venison jerky in detail
- Side by side: trays, power and temperature range
- How we picked these 6
- How many trays suit a venison jerky batch?
- Which temperature range matches USDA jerky guidance?
- Which of these dehydrators is the quietest?
- Which dehydrators handle marinated strips and drips best?
- How do airflow and fans affect venison strips?
- How do you prep deer meat for the trays?
- How much weight and counter space do these units need?
- Which timers run long enough for a big batch of venison?
- Which dehydrator has the longest warranty?
- Which of these trays are stainless steel, chrome or plastic?
- Which dehydrator to buy for venison jerky
The best dehydrator for venison jerky in this roundup is the Magic Mill Premium 10-Tray, followed by the Magic Mill Pro 7-Tray and the Cosori 6-Tray. All six picks have a temperature setting low enough for USDA's jerky drying range, so tray count, noise, weight and extras decide the order.
USDA's jerky guidance applies to jerky made from any meat, venison included. For the wider field, start with food dehydrators for jerky.
Our picks at a glance
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Best for watching through glass doorsCheck it - 5
Check itPSIIDAN 8-Tray Stainless Steel
Best for 8 trays with an interior light - 6
Best for room to expand to 30 traysCheck it
The 6 best dehydrators for venison jerky in detail
The Premium 10-Tray leads because ten trays and a 95 to 167°F range cover a big batch of strips. The NESCO Gardenmaster Pro comes last because it's a plastic unit and its top setting is 160°F.
Magic Mill Premium 10-Tray
- 10 extra-large stainless trays
- 700W with a rear-mounted fan
- 95 to 167°F with a 48-hour timer
- Transparent door and keep-warm mode
Ten extra-large trays on a 700W unit give a big batch of strips plenty of room. The door is clear, so you can check progress without opening it.
Pros
- Ten trays in one run
- Dishwasher-safe trays and liner
- Automatic shutoff and overheat protection
Cons
- At 20.5 lb, it's the heaviest of the six with a stated weight
- Magic Mill's 1-year limited warranty is shorter than the 2 to 3 years on the Cosori and Excalibur
The Premium 10-Tray gives venison strips more room than any other pick here. It has ten extra-large stainless trays, and Magic Mill says its rear-mounted fan keeps air moving evenly across all of them without tray rotation.
The digital control runs from 95°F to 167°F, with a 48-hour countdown timer and automatic shutoff. The door is clear, so you can check the strips without opening the unit.
The trays and liner go in the dishwasher. Magic Mill also includes overheat protection and a keep-warm mode.
It suits a cook who slices a lot of meat at once and wants one machine for all of it. Skip it if you need a light unit, since at 20.5 lb it's the heaviest of the six with a stated weight.
Magic Mill Pro 7-Tray
- 7 full-size stainless trays
- 600W with a rear-mounted fan
- 95 to 176°F in 1-degree steps
- 48-hour timer and keep-warm mode
Digital control in 1-degree steps up to 176°F lets you set a precise temperature. A fruit roll and drip tray comes in the box for marinated strips.
Pros
- 1-degree control from 95 to 176°F
- Two mesh screens and a fruit roll and drip tray
- Overheat protection with automatic shutoff
Cons
- Seven trays hold less than the 10 on the Premium
- At 600W, it has less power than the 700W Premium and Excalibur
The Pro 7-Tray is the pick if you like to set a temperature exactly. Magic Mill's control moves in 1-degree steps from 95°F to 176°F, the highest top setting in this group.
It has seven full-size stainless trays, two mesh screens and a fruit roll and drip tray. The 600W unit has a rear-mounted fan and a timer that runs up to 48 hours, then shuts itself off.
At about 16 lb (7.26 kg), it's the lightest of the four units with a stated weight. Its top setting sits far above the 130 to 140°F that USDA gives for drying jerky, so the number you set matters more than the maximum.
Choose it for batches that fit seven trays and a setting you want to dial in closely. Skip it if you need ten trays, since the Premium holds more in one run.
Cosori 6-Tray Stainless Steel
- 6 stainless trays, 6.5 sq ft of drying space
- 600W with a rear-mounted fan
- Noise below 48 dB, Cosori says
- 95 to 165°F with a 48-hour timer
Cosori says the brushless motor stays below 48 dB, which suits a kitchen you also live in. Six stainless trays and a 2-year manufacturer warranty round out the pick.
Pros
- Quiet motor, by Cosori's rating
- Dishwasher-safe trays
- 2-year manufacturer warranty
Cons
- Its 165°F top is below the 176°F of the Magic Mill Pro
- At 18.1 lb, it's not light to move around the kitchen
The Cosori 6-Tray is the quiet pick. Cosori says its brushless motor keeps noise below 48 dB, which counts when the machine runs in a kitchen you also live in.
Six stainless trays give 6.5 sq ft of drying space, and the panel runs from 95°F to 165°F with a timer up to 48 hours. A 600W motor and a rear-mounted fan handle the airflow.
The box holds six dishwasher-safe trays, one mesh screen, one fruit roll sheet, a manual and a 50-recipe cookbook. Cosori backs it with a 2-year manufacturer warranty.
It suits a cook who wants a simple layout and steady drying. Skip it if you need a top setting above 165°F, since the Pro goes to 176°F.
At 18.1 lb it isn't a unit to move often, so pick its spot before you unpack it.
Excalibur Select 6-Tray
- 6 chrome-plated trays, 9.6 sq ft
- 700W with horizontal airflow
- 85 to 165°F for up to 60 hours
- Glass French doors
Glass French doors and 9.6 sq ft of drying space let you watch the strips without opening the unit. Excalibur backs the Select with a 3-year manufacturer warranty.
Pros
- Glass doors show drying progress
- Shuts off automatically when drying finishes
- 3-year manufacturer warranty
Cons
- Its trays are chrome-plated, not stainless steel
- The 165°F top is lower than the Magic Mill Pro's 176°F
The Excalibur Select 6-Tray is the pick if you like to watch the batch. Its glass French doors let you check drying progress without opening the unit.
Six chrome-plated trays give 9.6 sq ft of drying space. The 700W unit's control runs from 85°F to 165°F for up to 60 hours, and it shuts off when drying is complete.
Excalibur says its Hyperwave Pulse Technology and horizontal airflow dry food evenly without tray rotation. The package includes a digital book called Preserve It Naturally.
It suits a cook who wants a 3-year warranty and a view of the trays. Skip it if you want stainless trays, since these are chrome-plated, or if you need a top setting above 165°F.
At 18.3 lb and 20.67 in deep, it needs a spot with room behind it.
PSIIDAN 8-Tray Stainless Steel
- 8 stainless steel trays
- 650W with overheat protection
- 95 to 167°F
- Timer from 30 minutes to 48 hours
Eight stainless steel trays and a timer from 30 minutes to 48 hours cover short and long runs alike. An interior light lets you check the batch without opening the door.
Pros
- Eight trays with a mesh sheet and drip tray
- Interior light for checking progress
- Cooling fan runs after use
Cons
- Dimensions and weight aren't stated, so measure your counter before you order
- At 650W, it has less power than the 700W Magic Mill and Excalibur units
The PSIIDAN 8-Tray gives you eight stainless steel trays and a light inside. Its range runs from 95°F to 167°F, and the timer covers 30 minutes to 48 hours.
The box includes a mesh sheet, a drip tray, a recipe book and a manual. PSIIDAN says dual-layer insulation keeps the outside cool, and the fan runs after use to cool the unit.
Overheat protection is built in, and the 650W motor sits below the 700W of the Premium and Excalibur. It suits a cook who wants eight trays and a light in one stainless unit.
Skip it if you need to know the size and weight ahead of time, since PSIIDAN doesn't state either. Measure your counter first.
NESCO Gardenmaster Pro 8-Tray
- 1000W with Converga-Flow airflow
- 8 trays, expandable to 30
- 95 to 160°F adjustable thermostat
- 52-page recipe and instruction book
An 8-tray start that expands up to 30 trays lets you add capacity as your batches grow. At 1000W, it has the most power of the six.
Pros
- Most power of the six at 1000W
- Includes 8 fruit roll sheets and 8 Clean-A-Screens
- Trays that NESCO describes as BPA-free
Cons
- The unit is plastic, while the other five are metal
- Its 160°F top is the lowest of the six
The NESCO Gardenmaster Pro starts at eight trays and expands to 30, so it can grow with your batches. Its 1000W motor is the strongest of the six, and Converga-Flow airflow pushes air up and across the trays to the center.
NESCO describes the trays as BPA-free, and the box holds 8 fruit roll sheets, 8 Clean-A-Screens, a 52-page recipe and instruction book, and a sample of jerky seasoning and cure. The thermostat runs from 95°F to 160°F.
NESCO describes an adjustable thermostat but no timer, so check the manual for how a run ends before you plan a long batch. It suits a cook who wants room to expand and the most power here.
Skip it if you want a stainless unit, since the NESCO is plastic. Our Nesco Gardenmaster review has more on this model.
Side by side: trays, power and temperature range
Power and temperature range separate these six more than tray count does. Only the NESCO reaches 1000W, and only the Magic Mill Pro reaches 176°F.
| Product | Best for | Trays | Power | Temperature range | Our score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magic Mill Premium 10-Tray | a large batch of strips | 10 | 700W | 95 to 167°F | 9.1 |
| Magic Mill Pro 7-Tray | 1-degree temperature control | 7 | 600W | 95 to 176°F | 8.8 |
| Cosori 6-Tray Stainless Steel | a quiet kitchen | 6 | 600W | 95 to 165°F | 8.7 |
| Excalibur Select 6-Tray | watching through glass doors | 6 | 700W | 85 to 165°F | 8.5 |
| PSIIDAN 8-Tray Stainless Steel | 8 trays with an interior light | 8 | 650W | 95 to 167°F | 8.1 |
| NESCO Gardenmaster Pro 8-Tray | room to expand to 30 trays | 8 | 1000W | 95 to 160°F | 7.7 |
Trays set how much fits in one run, and the temperature range sets how far you can adjust the heat. Use the table to narrow the list, then read the cards for the details that matter to you.
How we picked these 6
We compared specs, features and buyer patterns for each model. Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for.
For venison jerky, tray count and a low enough temperature range came first, then the timer, noise and weight. Extras like recipe books got the smallest weight.
How many trays suit a venison jerky batch?
Pick ten trays if you slice more meat than a few trays can hold, and six to eight trays for smaller batches. The right count depends on how much meat you cut at once.
Which dehydrator is best for a big venison batch?
The Premium 10-Tray gives you the most trays in this group. A bigger unit also takes more counter space and more weight, so measure before you order.
For more on the trade-offs between tray counts, read how to choose a dehydrator for deer meat.
Six to eight trays for a smaller batch
The Cosori 6-Tray, Excalibur Select 6-Tray, Magic Mill Pro 7-Tray and PSIIDAN 8-Tray suit a smaller run. The Excalibur gives you 9.6 sq ft across six trays, so each tray is larger than the Cosori's 6.5 sq ft across six.
The Pro 7-Tray's seven trays split the difference between six and ten. The PSIIDAN's eight trays are all stainless, and the NESCO's eight trays can grow to 30 if your batches do.
Which temperature range matches USDA jerky guidance?
USDA says to heat meat to 160°F before the dehydrating step, then hold the dehydrator at 130 to 140°F while it dries the meat. All six units here start at 95°F or lower, so each one can hold that range.
Why the pre-heat step matters
USDA notes that many dehydrator manuals leave out the pre-heat step. It also says a dehydrator alone may not reach a temperature that kills bacteria, so a food thermometer belongs in your kit.
Read the USDA guidance on jerky and food safety before you dry venison strips. The same guidance applies to beef, so see dehydrator temperature for beef jerky for that side.
Setting the dehydrator for the drying step
After the pre-heat step, set the dehydrator to USDA's 130 to 140°F range. The Pro and the Cosori adjust to the degree, so dialing in a number in that range is simple.
The Premium, Excalibur, PSIIDAN and NESCO have adjustable controls too, so check each manual for the step size.
For the full method, see deer jerky in a dehydrator. Our Magic Mill Pro 7-Tray review has more on that model.
Which of these dehydrators is the quietest?
The Cosori 6-Tray is the only model here with a published noise number, under 48 dB. The Premium and the PSIIDAN are both described as whisper-quiet, with no figure.
What the quiet claims cover
A number is easier to compare than a word like whisper-quiet. If a quiet kitchen matters most, start with the Cosori.
Which dehydrators handle marinated strips and drips best?
The Pro 7-Tray and the PSIIDAN 8-Tray both come with a drip tray, which is the extra that helps most with marinated strips. Magic Mill describes the Pro's fruit roll and drip tray as useful for marinades and easy cleanup.
Mesh screens and fruit roll sheets
The Cosori includes one mesh screen and one fruit roll sheet. The NESCO includes 8 fruit roll sheets and 8 Clean-A-Screens.
The Excalibur ships with its trays and a book, and the Premium with its trays and a liner. If you plan to dry small pieces too, check whether you'd need to buy a mesh screen separately.
Dishwasher-safe trays and cleanup
The Premium 10-Tray and the Cosori 6-Tray both say their trays are dishwasher-safe, which matters after a marinated, seasoned batch.
For stainless-only picks across the whole category, see best stainless steel food dehydrators.
How do airflow and fans affect venison strips?
Thin, even strips dry more evenly, and airflow decides whether every tray gets the same air. The Premium, Pro and Cosori name rear-mounted fans, the Excalibur names horizontal airflow, and the NESCO uses a top-mounted fan.
Spreading strips for even air
Lay strips in a single layer so air can reach both sides. Crowded trays leave some pieces wetter than others.
Why the fan position matters less than the layout
Magic Mill and Excalibur say their airflow removes the need to rotate trays, and NESCO says the same of Converga-Flow. Check the manual for how the fan and trays work together before your first batch.
How do you prep deer meat for the trays?
Cut thin, even slices and trim visible fat, so every piece dries at the same pace. Season the strips with a kit or your own mix before they go on the trays.
If you want a ready-made blend, see our jerky seasoning kit picks. The full method is in deer jerky in a dehydrator.
How much weight and counter space do these units need?
Weight and footprint decide how often you'll move the unit, so pick its spot before you buy. These are the sizes the product data gives:
- Magic Mill Premium 10-Tray: 20.5 lb, 18 in deep, 13 in wide, 14 in tall
- Excalibur Select 6-Tray: 18.3 lb, 20.67 in deep, 12.2 in wide, 17.32 in tall
- Cosori 6-Tray: 18.1 lb, 17.8 in deep, 13.4 in wide, 12.4 in tall
- Magic Mill Pro 7-Tray: about 16 lb (7.26 kg), 15.5 in deep, 11.3 in wide, 10.8 in tall
- NESCO Gardenmaster Pro: no weight stated, 17 in deep, 15.5 in wide, 14 in tall
- PSIIDAN 8-Tray: no weight or size stated
If cabinet clearance is the issue, the Pro is the shortest at 10.8 in tall and the Excalibur is the tallest at 17.32 in. Measure your counter and the height under your cabinets before you order the Excalibur or the Premium.
Which timers run long enough for a big batch of venison?
The Excalibur Select has the longest timer here at up to 60 hours, and the Premium, Pro, Cosori and PSIIDAN go to 48 hours. The Pro moves in 30-minute steps, and PSIIDAN's timer starts as low as 30 minutes.
The Premium, Pro and Excalibur shut off automatically when the timer ends. NESCO describes a thermostat but no timer.
A timer plans the run, but USDA's pre-heat and drying steps come first. Build your schedule around your manual and a food thermometer, not the clock alone.
Which dehydrator has the longest warranty?
The Excalibur Select has the longest stated warranty here at 3 years, ahead of Cosori's 2 years and the Premium's 1-year limited term. Magic Mill's Pro and PSIIDAN don't state a length, and NESCO says only that a manufacturer warranty comes with the unit.
Confirm the term before you buy if a long warranty matters to you. The Premium's shorter term is the trade for its ten trays.
Which of these trays are stainless steel, chrome or plastic?
Four of the six use stainless steel trays: the Premium, Pro, Cosori and PSIIDAN. The Excalibur uses chrome-plated trays, and NESCO describes its plastic trays as BPA-free.
Wet, seasoned strips are the reason tray material comes up for jerky. For a closer look at the trade-offs, read stainless steel vs plastic tray dehydrators.
Which dehydrator to buy for venison jerky
Pick the Magic Mill Premium 10-Tray if you slice a big batch of venison and want the most trays in one run.
Pick the Magic Mill Pro 7-Tray if you want 1-degree control and the highest top setting here.
Pick the Cosori 6-Tray if a quiet motor matters most.
Pick the Excalibur Select 6-Tray if you want glass doors and 9.6 sq ft of room.
Pick the PSIIDAN 8-Tray Stainless Steel if you want eight trays and an interior light.
Pick the NESCO Gardenmaster Pro 8-Tray if you plan to grow past eight trays later.
Pair the best dehydrator for your batch with a seasoning kit from our jerky seasoning kit picks. For the wider field, see best dehydrators for jerky, or browse the venison and game guides.
Our top 3 picks at a glance
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best dehydrator for venison jerky?
The Magic Mill Premium 10-Tray is our top pick for venison jerky in this group, because it has ten extra-large trays and a 95 to 167°F range. The Magic Mill Pro 7-Tray and Cosori 6-Tray also suit a jerky batch, so choose by tray count, noise and weight.
Do you need a special dehydrator to make venison jerky?
No, a standard dehydrator with a low temperature setting and room to lay strips in a single layer will do. Check that its range reaches the 130 to 140°F that USDA gives for the drying step, and read the manual for any pre-heat guidance.
What temperature should venison jerky be dried at?
USDA says to heat meat to 160°F before the dehydrating step, checked with a food thermometer, then hold the dehydrator at 130 to 140°F while it dries. Follow that guidance and your manual, since USDA notes that many manuals leave out the pre-heat step.
Is a 10-tray dehydrator better than a 6-tray one for jerky?
A 10-tray unit fits more strips in one run, so it suits big batches. A 6-tray unit like the Cosori takes less counter space and suits smaller batches, so pick by how much venison you slice at once and how much room you have.
