Magic Mill Food Dehydrator Review: Pro 7-Tray Stainless
This Magic Mill food dehydrator is a 7-tray unit with an all-stainless build, a 600 W rear fan and a 95 to 176°F range in 1-degree steps. It suits a buyer who wants stainless trays and a higher top setting in a compact frame, but Magic Mill doesn't state a warranty length, so ask before you buy.
On this page (16 sections)
- How this Magic Mill food dehydrator is built
- Size and footprint
- Seven trays in a smaller body
- Controls, timer and temperature range
- Drying space and batch planning
- Fruit, vegetables and herbs with the included trays
- Safety features Magic Mill names
- Cleaning and upkeep
- Power, noise and outlet
- What to check before you order
- Trade-offs to weigh
- Who the Magic Mill Pro suits
- Who should skip it
- How it compares with two close alternatives
- Our score for the Magic Mill Pro
- Verdict: is the Magic Mill food dehydrator worth it?
The Magic Mill Pro is a 7-tray stainless steel food dehydrator with a 600 W rear fan, a 95 to 176°F range and a 48-hour timer. It suits a cook who wants more trays than a 6-tray unit, in a body smaller than the Cosori's.
This Magic Mill food dehydrator review compares the Pro with the Cosori 6-tray and the Magic Mill Premium 10-tray. Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for.
How this Magic Mill food dehydrator is built
Magic Mill says the Pro is stainless steel inside and out, with stainless trays and no plastic walls. It's a countertop design with a rear fan that moves air through the trays.
Magic Mill also says the trays are BPA free. Those are the brand's claims, so check the manual for the details.
Rear fan and tray rotation
Magic Mill says the rear fan and rear heat send airflow across every tray, so there are no bottom hot spots and no need to rotate trays. That matters most if you plan to fill all seven trays.
Size and footprint
The Pro is smaller than the Cosori 6-tray in every direction. It measures 15.5 inches deep, 11.3 inches wide and 10.8 inches tall, against the Cosori's 17.8, 13.4 and 12.4.
The unit weighs 7.26 kg, which is about 16 pounds. Plan a careful lift, and measure the counter and the clearance behind the unit before you set it down.
Seven trays in a smaller body
The Pro adds a seventh tray while shrinking the footprint. Next to the Cosori 6-tray it's about 2.3 inches shallower, 2.1 inches narrower and 1.6 inches shorter, and it weighs about 2 pounds less.
Magic Mill doesn't state a tray size or drying area, so a seventh tray doesn't prove more usable space than the Cosori's stated 6.5 sq ft. Treat the tray count as a way to split a batch, not as a capacity number.
Controls, timer and temperature range
The digital control sets the temperature from 95 to 176°F in 1°F increments. The timer runs up to 48 hours in 30 minute steps, and automatic shutoff ends the cycle when the timer runs out.
Magic Mill says the 1°F control suits low, slow settings for herbs and fruit, while heat up to 176°F is designed for jerky and chewy snacks. It also describes overheat protection that activates if the unit overheats.
How this Magic Mill food dehydrator handles jerky heat
The range covers the 130 to 140°F hold that USDA describes for drying meat, so the unit has room for that step. USDA also asks for meat to be heated to 160°F before drying, checked with a food thermometer.
Read USDA's jerky and food safety guidance before your first batch. The heating step is separate from the drying setting.
Keep Warm mode
Magic Mill says Keep Warm holds 95°F for up to 24 hours after a cycle ends. For meat, follow USDA's jerky guidance and your manual instead of relying on this mode.
Drying space and batch planning
The Pro has seven full-size trays, and it gives you more ways to split a batch than a 6-tray unit. Magic Mill doesn't state a drying area, so measure the trays if batch size matters to you.
For jerky, lay the strips flat in a single layer with a little space between them. Thin, even slices dry faster and more evenly, so cut the meat to a steady thickness.
Divide the strips into even groups, one group per tray, so each tray has a similar load. Load size and room humidity also change drying time, and your manual sets the exact settings.
For the full routine, see how to make jerky in a dehydrator.
Fruit, vegetables and herbs with the included trays
The box includes two mesh screens and a fruit roll tray, so the Pro covers herbs, small items and fruit leather as well as meat. Magic Mill says the screens suit herbs and small items, and the tray suits fruit leather, marinades and easy cleanup.
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.
For drying charts and handling advice, the National Center for Home Food Preservation is the place to check before you try a new food.
Safety features Magic Mill names
Magic Mill lists overheat protection and automatic shutoff as safety features. It also says the unit is ETL listed, which is an electrical safety listing.
None of these replace the food-handling steps in USDA's jerky guidance. They cover the machine, not the meat.
Cleaning and upkeep
The trays and the housing are stainless steel, so wiping and washing are straightforward. Check the manual before you put any tray in a dishwasher.
Dry every part fully before you store it, so moisture doesn't sit in the unit between batches.
Power, noise and outlet
The Pro is rated 600 W and runs on 120 volts, so use a standard outlet within reach of the spot you picked. That's less power than the 700 W Premium 10-tray.
Magic Mill doesn't give a noise figure, so ask the brand before you buy if a quiet kitchen matters to you.
What to check before you order
Check the warranty length, the weight and the counter space first, since those three decide most of the fit. Magic Mill gives about 16 pounds and no warranty term, so both need a closer look.
- Warranty: No term stated, so ask Magic Mill before you buy.
- Weight: About 16 pounds (7.26 kg), so plan the lift.
- Footprint: 15.5 by 11.3 by 10.8 inches.
- Trays: Seven full-size trays, two mesh screens and a fruit roll tray.
Trade-offs to weigh
The main trade-off is the 16 pound weight against seven stainless trays and a higher top setting. The missing warranty term matters if coverage is part of your choice.
The all-stainless build adds to that weight, so weigh it against how often you move the unit and where it will live.
Who the Magic Mill Pro suits
The Magic Mill Pro suits a jerky maker who wants stainless trays, a 176°F top setting and seven trays in a compact frame. It also fits a cook who wants seven trays rather than six without a much larger body.
- Someone who wants an all-stainless unit inside and out.
- A jerky maker who wants a top setting above 165°F.
- A cook with a moderate counter who wants seven trays.
Who should skip it
Skip it if you need a warranty term in hand before you buy. Skip it too if you want more than seven trays, because a 10-tray unit is a better match for big batches.
If you want ten trays and a bigger build, our VEVOR 10-tray review covers another option. For more big-batch choices, see best large food dehydrators.
How it compares with two close alternatives
The Cosori 6-tray states its drying area and a 2 year warranty, while the Magic Mill Premium gives you ten trays and a 700 W motor. The Pro is the smallest and lightest of the three, and it has the highest top setting of the three.
The Premium weighs 20.5 pounds and is 18 inches deep. For a direct comparison with the Cosori, read Cosori vs Magic Mill.
Our Cosori 6-tray review covers that model in more detail.
Our score for the Magic Mill Pro
The Pro scores 8.6 because its stainless build, 176°F top setting and seven trays fit jerky well. The 16 pound weight is what holds it back.
Magic Mill Pro 7-Tray
- 7 full-size stainless steel trays
- 600 W rear-mounted fan with a 95 to 176°F range
- Timer of up to 48 hours with automatic shutoff
- Keep Warm mode, plus 2 mesh screens and a fruit roll tray
A 7-tray stainless unit with a 176°F top setting. It suits a buyer who wants stainless trays, seven trays of drying room and a body smaller than the Cosori 6-tray.
Pros
- Stainless steel inside and out, with no plastic walls according to Magic Mill
- Top setting of 176°F, adjustable in 1°F steps
- Seven full-size trays plus two mesh screens and a fruit roll tray
Cons
- About 16 pounds (7.26 kg), so it is still heavy to move
- Magic Mill doesn't state a warranty length, so ask before you buy
Verdict: is the Magic Mill food dehydrator worth it?
The Pro is worth a look if you want an all-stainless build, seven trays and a 176°F top setting in a compact frame. It's the right pick when you can lift about 16 pounds and the missing warranty term isn't a deal breaker.
- Pick the Pro if you want seven stainless trays and the highest top setting of the three.
- Pick the Cosori 6-tray if you want a stated drying area and a 2 year warranty.
- Pick the Premium 10-tray if you need ten trays and a 700 W motor.
Our food dehydrators for jerky guide explains what to check first. For more options, see best dehydrators for jerky or best stainless steel food dehydrators, or browse all stainless and large dehydrator guides.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Magic Mill Pro good for beef jerky?
It suits beef jerky if you want stainless trays, a range from 95 to 176°F and a timer of up to 48 hours. Magic Mill says the higher heat is designed for jerky and chewy snacks, but follow USDA's heating and drying guidance and the manual for your own batches.
How heavy is the Magic Mill Pro dehydrator?
The Pro weighs 7.26 kg, which is about 16 pounds, and it measures 15.5 inches deep, 11.3 inches wide and 10.8 inches tall. That is a manageable countertop footprint, but plan a careful lift and measure the counter before you order.
Does the Magic Mill Pro come with a warranty?
Magic Mill doesn't state a warranty length for the Pro, so ask the brand for the term in writing before you buy. Keep that answer with your order record, because warranty terms set what counts as a claim and proof of purchase usually matters.
Can the Magic Mill Pro dry fruit and herbs too?
Yes, Magic Mill says the Pro suits low, slow settings for herbs and fruit as well as higher heat for jerky. The box includes two mesh screens for herbs and small items, plus a fruit roll tray, and your manual's chart sets exact settings for each food.
