Are food dehydrators noisy, and will the flat smell?
Expect a constant fan, somewhere between a fridge and a bathroom extractor, for six to twelve hours. The smell is stronger than most people expect, and it depends entirely on what you dry.
Expect a constant fan, somewhere between a fridge and a bathroom extractor, for six to twelve hours. The smell is stronger than most people expect, and it depends entirely on what you dry.
What you are listening to
One fan, running without pause for the whole batch. It does not cycle like a fridge, which is what makes it noticeable in a small flat. Published figures for domestic machines sit in the region of a fridge at the quiet end and a bathroom extractor at the loud end.
We do not publish our own decibel readings yet. When we do, they will be measured at one and three metres and stated with the machine and load, because a figure without those numbers means nothing.
Which designs are quieter
Small stackables use a small fan and are generally quieter. Large shelf machines move more air through more trays, and the bigger fan is louder. Metal cases ring slightly more than plastic ones but conduct less vibration into the worktop.
The bigger difference is where it sits. A machine on a hollow kitchen unit transmits fan vibration into the cupboard, which doubles as a sounding board. A rubber mat under the feet removes more perceived noise than any spec on the box.
The smell, honestly
| Food | How far it travels |
|---|---|
| Onion, garlic, leek | The whole home, for hours after |
| Fish, pet treats | The whole home, and lingers in fabric |
| Jerky marinades | Strong but pleasant, whole floor |
| Tomato, pepper, mushroom | Kitchen and hallway |
| Apple, pear, banana | Kitchen, mild and sweet |
| Herbs | Barely noticeable |
Placement that solves both
A utility room, a covered balcony, a garage in mild weather, or the kitchen with the extractor running and the door shut. Do not put it in a bedroom, and do not put it in an unheated space in winter, since a cold room lengthens the batch.
Keep 10 cm clear around the vents. Boxing a dehydrator into a cupboard to hide the noise traps the moist air it is trying to expel and the batch takes longer.
Running it overnight
Common practice, and the reason a timer with auto shut off matters. Choose a machine that switches itself off, put it on a hard surface away from bedrooms, and do not run it with a tea towel over it.
Onions overnight is a mistake you make once.
Questions people ask
Can you leave it running overnight? Yes, with a timer and sensible placement. It is how most people dry a full load.
Does the whole house smell? With alliums or fish, yes. With fruit, the kitchen smells good.
Which are quietest? Small stackables, in general. Treat any single decibel figure you find online with suspicion unless it states the distance and the load.
Safety note. Keep vents clear and never cover a running machine. Follow the manufacturer's guidance on unattended use.
What this is based on
- Manufacturer specifications and manuals for domestic dehydrators
- Published owner reports on noise and odour
- Our own decibel measurements: planned, not yet taken