Cosori Food Dehydrator Review: 6 Stainless Steel Trays
This Cosori food dehydrator gives you 6 stainless trays, 6.5 sq ft of drying space, a 95 to 165°F range and a 48-hour timer. It suits a countertop jerky batch if your counter can take an 18.1 pound unit that is 17.8 inches deep.
On this page (17 sections)
- How the Cosori food dehydrator is built
- Size, weight and counter space
- Drying space and the tray count
- Controls, timer and temperature range
- Fit for beef jerky
- Stainless trays and what Cosori says about them
- Fruit, vegetables and herbs on this unit
- What comes in the box
- Cosori's other stainless sizes
- Cleaning and upkeep
- What to check before you order
- Trade-offs to weigh
- Who the Cosori 6-tray suits
- Who should skip it
- How it compares with two close alternatives
- Our score for the Cosori food dehydrator
- Verdict: is the Cosori food dehydrator right for you?
The Cosori 6-tray stainless steel food dehydrator is a countertop machine with 6.5 sq ft of drying space, a 95 to 165°F range and a 48-hour timer. It suits jerky, fruit and herb batches if your counter can take an 18.1 pound unit.
This Cosori food dehydrator review draws on the specs, the controls and the build, plus how the unit fits a beef jerky routine. Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for.
How the Cosori food dehydrator is built
The housing and trays are stainless steel, and a 600 W motor with a rear-mounted drying fan drives the airflow. You run it from a digital panel, which Cosori calls a touch-control display.
The Cosori food dehydrator's motor and fan
Cosori says the upgraded airflow dries food more evenly without you turning the trays by hand. The fan sits at the rear and pushes warm air across the trays.
Cosori also says the brushless motor keeps noise below 48 dB. That's the brand's own figure, so ask Cosori about it if a quiet kitchen matters to you.
Size, weight and counter space
The Cosori is a full countertop unit at 17.8 inches deep, 13.4 inches wide and 12.4 inches tall. It weighs 18.1 pounds.
Measure your counter before you order, and leave room behind the unit for the cord. At 18.1 pounds it's awkward to carry onto a high shelf, so pick a spot where it can stay.
Drying space and the tray count
The 6 trays give you 6.5 sq ft of drying space, which works out to about 936 square inches of tray area. Cosori says that's plenty of room for large batches of food.
For jerky, the question is how many strips lie flat on a tray without touching. Spread the strips in one layer and leave a little space between them so air can move past each one.
Controls, timer and temperature range
The panel sets the temperature from 95 to 165°F in 1°F steps, and the timer runs up to 48 hours. That range covers the 130 to 140°F hold USDA describes for drying meat, so the 165°F top setting isn't the limit for jerky.
Cosori says the panel sets the temperature accurately to the degree. That helps when a recipe or your manual names an exact setting inside the range.
Planning a long batch
Set the timer for the batch, then check the food at the points your recipe suggests. A 48-hour ceiling means you plan the run around your day instead of standing next to the unit.
Fit for beef jerky
The Cosori fits a jerky routine because its range covers the drying step and six trays give you room for a full batch. The heating step is separate from the drying setting.
USDA asks you to heat meat to 160°F before the dehydrating step, checked with a food thermometer, and then hold the dehydrator at 130 to 140°F. Read USDA's jerky and food safety guidance before your first batch.
Setting the Cosori for jerky
Slice the meat into thin, even pieces and season it as your recipe says, since prep is the same on any machine. Heat the meat to USDA's 160°F first, then load the strips in one layer.
Set the panel to a temperature between 130 and 140°F, which is inside the Cosori's 95 to 165°F range, and set the timer. For the full routine, see how to make jerky in a dehydrator.
If jerky is your main goal, best dehydrators for jerky compares more models side by side.
Stainless trays and what Cosori says about them
Cosori describes the housing as food-grade stainless steel, and all 6 trays are stainless too. If you're weighing metal trays against plastic ones, stainless steel vs plastic tray dehydrators compares two Cosori models.
Fruit, vegetables and herbs on this unit
The Cosori also handles fruit, vegetables and herbs, and each has its own dryness cue. Those cues are a better guide than the clock alone.
Dried fruit should feel pliable and leathery, not sticky or wet when you tear it. Vegetables should be brittle or crisp, and herbs should crumble easily.
Juicy or whole pieces take longer than thin slices, and humidity and load size change drying time too. For exact settings, check your manual's chart and the National Center for Home Food Preservation guidance.
What comes in the box
The box holds 6 stainless steel trays, a mesh screen, a fruit roll sheet, a user manual and a 50-recipe cookbook. It also includes a quick reference guide.
The fruit roll sheet is the right tool for fruit leather, and the mesh screen holds small or loose pieces. Cosori says more accessories are available by searching for Cosori Dehydrator Accessories.
Cosori's other stainless sizes
Cosori sells smaller and larger stainless models, so check whether 6 trays is the right size. The 5-tray stainless unit has 3.1 sq ft of drying space, weighs 10.8 pounds and runs from 95 to 176°F.
The 10-tray stainless unit has 7.4 sq ft of drying space and a 95 to 167°F range. It weighs 17 pounds and is 14.8 inches deep and 13 inches tall.
Cleaning and upkeep
Cosori says the 6 trays are dishwasher safe, so the trays are the easy part of cleanup. Check the manual for how to clean the housing and the control panel.
Dry every part fully before you store it, so moisture doesn't sit in the unit between batches.
What to check before you order
Counter depth, weight and an outlet within reach decide whether this unit fits your kitchen. Cosori gives a 2 year manufacturer warranty, so read the terms before you buy.
- Depth: 17.8 inches, plus room for the cord.
- Weight: 18.1 pounds, so plan the lift.
- Voltage: 120 volts, so use a standard outlet.
- Warranty: 2 year manufacturer, with terms to read.
Trade-offs to weigh
The biggest trade-off is size. You get 6 stainless trays and 6.5 sq ft of drying space, but the unit needs a clear counter spot and 18.1 pounds of lifting.
The 165°F top setting is lower than the 176°F of the Magic Mill Pro, which matters only if you want that extra range. The 2 year warranty is also shorter than the 3 year term Excalibur gives its 6-tray model.
The 1°F control and the 48-hour timer are real strengths, but they don't change the size and weight trade-off. Weigh the footprint first, then the features.
Who the Cosori 6-tray suits
The Cosori 6-tray suits a jerky maker who wants a countertop unit with stainless trays and a timer for longer batches. It also fits a cook who wants to dry fruit and herbs in the same machine.
- A jerky maker with a clear counter spot for an 18.1 pound unit.
- Someone who wants stainless steel trays and a 48-hour timer.
- A cook who dries fruit, vegetables and herbs as well as meat.
The timer and the 1°F panel make repeat batches easy to set up the same way each time.
Who should skip it
Skip it if your counter is tight, you need to move the unit often or you want a top setting above 165°F. The 12.4 inch height and 18.1 pound weight add up quickly in a small kitchen.
For a lighter unit, look at Cosori's 5-tray model above. For a higher top setting, the Magic Mill Pro below is one option to compare.
How it compares with two close alternatives
The Excalibur Select gives you more drying space and a glass door. The Magic Mill Pro gives you a seventh tray and a higher top setting.
The Cosori is lighter than the Excalibur at 18.1 pounds, but heavier than the Magic Mill Pro at about 16 pounds. For full side-by-sides, read Cosori vs Excalibur and Cosori vs Magic Mill.
Our Magic Mill Pro 7-tray review covers that model in depth. For a wider field of metal-tray units, see best stainless steel food dehydrators.
Our score for the Cosori food dehydrator
The Cosori scores 8.8 because its range, timer and stainless trays line up well with jerky. Its weight and depth are the main trade-off.
Cosori 6-Tray Stainless Steel
- 6 stainless steel trays with 6.5 sq ft of drying space
- 600 W motor with a rear-mounted drying fan
- 95 to 165°F control in 1°F steps
- Timer of up to 48 hours
- Mesh screen, fruit roll sheet and 50-recipe cookbook in the box
A 6-tray countertop dehydrator with a 48-hour timer. It suits a jerky maker who wants stainless trays and a steady, timed drying routine.
Pros
- 6.5 sq ft of drying space on 6 stainless trays
- Digital control from 95 to 165°F, in 1°F steps
- Cosori says the brushless motor runs below 48 dB
Cons
- 18.1 pounds and 17.8 inches deep, so it needs a clear counter spot
- Top setting of 165°F, below the 176°F of some stainless rivals
Verdict: is the Cosori food dehydrator right for you?
Buy the Cosori 6-tray if you want stainless trays, 6.5 sq ft of drying space and a timer for a countertop batch of jerky. It's the right pick when the counter space is there and the weight isn't a concern.
- Pick the Cosori 6-tray if your counter can take an 18.1 pound unit.
- Pick the Excalibur Select if you want more drying space and a glass door.
- Pick the Magic Mill Pro if you want seven stainless trays and a higher top setting.
Our food dehydrators for jerky guide explains what to check first. Browse all stainless and large dehydrator guides for more.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Cosori 6-tray stainless steel dehydrator good for beef jerky?
It suits beef jerky if you want a countertop unit with stainless trays, a 95 to 165°F range and a timer of up to 48 hours. That range covers the 130 to 140°F drying hold USDA describes, so follow USDA's pre-heat step and your manual for each batch.
How much drying space does the Cosori 6-tray dehydrator have?
Cosori gives the drying space as 6.5 sq ft across 6 stainless steel trays, which is about 936 square inches of tray area. Actual capacity depends on how you slice the food and how far apart you space the pieces on each tray.
How heavy is the Cosori 6-tray stainless steel dehydrator?
It weighs 18.1 pounds and measures 17.8 inches deep, 13.4 inches wide and 12.4 inches tall. That is a full countertop footprint, so plan a careful lift, measure your counter, and check the outlet and cord position before you order the unit.
What is the warranty on the Cosori 6-tray dehydrator?
Cosori gives this model a 2 year manufacturer warranty. Read the full terms before you buy, since they set what counts as a claim, and keep your order record with the warranty terms so you have proof of purchase if you ever need it.
