Nesco Snackmaster Pro Review: Worth It? (October 2026)
The Nesco Snackmaster Pro FD-79 suits home cooks who want digital temperature control and room to expand from 4 trays to 12. It has 600 watts of drying power, a 90°F–160°F control range and a programmable timer up to 24 hours.
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The Nesco Snackmaster Pro FD-79 is a flexible home dehydrator with digital temperature control and space to expand from 4 trays to 12. Its 600-watt powerhead, timer up to 24 hours and included fruit roll sheets make it useful for more than jerky.
The main trade-off is that you start with four trays, and the additional trays are sold separately. Choose the FD-79 if you want digital settings and plan to add capacity over time; consider the FD-60 for a simpler thermostat or the Gardenmaster for more trays out of the box.
The Nesco Snackmaster Pro review at a glance
The FD-79 is best for small and medium home batches with the option to scale up. It combines a digital 90°F–160°F temperature control with four 13.5-inch trays and a timer that runs up to 24 hours.
Nesco FD-79 Snackmaster Pro Digital: Best for flexible home batches
- 600 watts
- 4 trays, expandable to 12
- Digital temperature control
- Programmable timer up to 24 hours
A round dehydrator with digital temperature control, a timer up to 24 hours and capacity that can grow from 4 trays to 12. It includes fruit roll sheets, clean-a-screens and a recipe and instruction book.
Pros
- Digital temperature control
- Expandable to 12 trays
- Timer up to 24 hours with auto-off
- Includes fruit roll sheets and clean-a-screens
Cons
- Only 4 trays come in the box
- Additional trays are sold separately
- Round trays may be less convenient for some layouts
NESCO describes its Converga-Flow system as directing heated air down the outer chamber and across each tray toward the center. The brand says this design supports even drying without tray rotation.
What comes with the FD-79?
The box includes four trays, two fruit roll sheets, two clean-a-screens, a sample of jerky seasoning and cure, and a 52-page recipe and instruction book. The opaque exterior is designed to block light during drying.
The listed dimensions are 14 inches deep, 9.8 inches wide and 14.3 inches tall. Measure the shelf or counter where you plan to use it, and leave enough room to load trays and store accessories.
How does the FD-79 compare with other Nesco dehydrators?
The FD-79 sits between the FD-60 and Gardenmaster in initial tray count and power. It has digital control and a timer, while the other two offer more basic thermostat controls.
| Model | Trays included | Expansion | Power | Temperature control |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FD-79 Snackmaster Pro Digital | 4 | Up to 12 | 600 watts | Digital, 90°F–160°F |
| FD-60 Snackmaster Express | 4 | Up to 12 | 500 watts | Adjustable thermostat, 95°F–155°F |
| FD-1018A Gardenmaster Pro | 8 | Up to 30 | 1000 watts | Adjustable thermostat, 95°F–160°F |
The specifications don't tell you how long a batch will take. Food thickness, moisture, load size and room conditions all affect drying time, so plan to check the food as it dries.
Is the FD-79 a good dehydrator for jerky?
The FD-79 can make sense for home jerky batches when digital temperature adjustment and expandable capacity matter. Its temperature range and included seasoning sample give you a starting point, while the recipe book can help with other foods.
For safe jerky, temperature control on the dehydrator is only one part of the process. Follow a reliable food safety method for heating meat, and use the guidance in our guide to what temperature to dehydrate jerky.
Batch size also affects how well the FD-79 fits. The four included trays are a reasonable place to start, while adding trays can help when you regularly dry more food.
For a broader look at capacity and features, compare the best dehydrators for beef jerky.
How much capacity do you need?
Choose the FD-79 if four trays are enough for your usual batch, with a useful path to add capacity later. It can expand to 12 trays, but you'll need to buy the extra trays separately.
More trays mean more room to spread food in a session, but they also mean more loading and cleaning. If you often process garden harvests or larger quantities at once, the eight-tray Gardenmaster starts with more room and expands further.
For occasional fruit, herbs or a small jerky batch, a full 12-tray setup may be more capacity than you need. Think about how much food you can prepare and store before paying for extra trays.
Our dehydrator guide for beginners explains how to match a dehydrator's capacity and controls to your first uses.
Are digital controls worth choosing?
Digital controls are useful if you want to set a temperature precisely within the FD-79's stated range. The 90°F–160°F range covers varied drying needs, and the timer can run up to 24 hours with auto-off.
The FD-60 uses an adjustable thermostat instead. If you prefer simpler controls and don't need a programmable timer, it may suit your routine just as well.
Neither control type removes the need to check food as it dries. Follow a reliable recipe for temperature and preparation, then check texture and doneness rather than relying on the timer alone.
What are the FD-79's main trade-offs?
The FD-79's strongest points are its digital temperature setting, expandable tray count and useful included accessories. Its limits are the four-tray starting setup and the need to buy additional trays separately.
The round tray shape can also affect how you arrange food. Measure the storage spot, consider how you'll stack the trays between sessions and check that the unit's footprint works on your counter.
The 600-watt rating gives you the power figure for comparing models, but it doesn't predict a specific drying time or electricity cost. See how much electricity a dehydrator uses for what to consider when estimating operating use.
Who should choose the Nesco Snackmaster Pro?
Choose the FD-79 if you want digital temperature control, a timer and a four-tray start that can grow. It's a practical middle option for someone making a mix of jerky, fruit, vegetables and herbs at home.
Pick the FD-60 if basic thermostat control is enough for your needs. Pick the Gardenmaster if you already expect to use eight trays or want room to expand beyond the FD-79's 12-tray limit.
For jerky, choose based on batch size and the preparation steps you can follow consistently. For mixed foods and gradual expansion, the FD-79's combination of controls and accessories makes it the most balanced fit of these three Nesco models.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
Is the Nesco Snackmaster Pro good for beef jerky?
The FD-79 is made for drying foods including meat and beef jerky, and its digital temperature control ranges from 90°F to 160°F. Safe jerky preparation also depends on handling and heating steps, so follow current food safety guidance and a tested recipe.
Its 4 included trays suit modest batches, with room to add more.
How many trays come with the Nesco FD-79?
The FD-79 comes with 4 round trays measuring 13.5 inches in diameter, and it can expand to 12 trays with separately sold additions. That gives you a way to start with a smaller setup and add capacity later, though extra trays increase the amount of food and time involved in loading and cleaning.
Does the Nesco Snackmaster Pro have a timer?
Yes. The FD-79 has a programmable digital timer for up to 24 hours and an auto-off function.
A timer can help manage a drying session, but it doesn't confirm that food is fully dry or safely prepared; check the food itself and follow guidance for the food you're making.
What is the difference between the FD-79 and FD-60?
The FD-79 has digital temperature control, a timer up to 24 hours and 600 watts of drying power. The FD-60 uses an adjustable thermostat and has 500 watts.
Both start with 4 trays and can expand to 12, so the key choice is whether digital controls and a timer matter to you.
