NESCO 1018 vs 1040 Dehydrator Comparison: What’s the Difference?

Food dehydration is the preservation of food by removing moisture. Food dehydration is not a new concept. It has been used for centuries to preserve food. Today, we have access to different types of food dehydrators that make it easy and convenient to dehydrate food at home.

There are many benefits to using a food dehydrator and if you are considering buying one, stay with us as we compare Nesco 1018 Vs 1040 food dehydrators side by side and find out which one comes out on top. Let’s start!

NESCO 1018 Vs 1040 Dehydrators Comparison

Difference Between Nesco 1018 vs 1040 Dehydrators

The Nesco 1018 and 1040 are both great dehydrators, and they have quite a lot in common while there are some differences as well that you might have learnt going through the comparison table above.

Here is the summary for you to better understand the differences:

• Besides small difference in size and weight, Nesco 1018 comes with 8 trays while Nesco 1040 comes with 4 trays.
• For Nesco 1018, the number of trays is expandable up to 30 trays while for Nesco 1040, you can add max 20 trays to enhance the dehydrating capacity. 
• Nesco 1018 doesn’t feature built-in timer whereas Nesco 1040 comes with 48 hours timer. 

Let’s take a closer look at the dehydrator and see what special features they have to offer. Since the only difference between the two food dehydrators is the number of trays, so we will not bore you writing same stuff about two similar food dehydrators.​

Nesco 1018A Grandmaster Pro Food Dehydrator Review

The Nesco 1018 Gardenmaster dehydrator is one of the most popular choices on the market for a dehydrator. It has an appearance and design that is professional, making it perfect for those who are serious about their dehydration process. To keep the weight down, the two dehydrators are made of food grade BPA free plastic material and has nice white color to give off a premium feel.

Unlike Cosori, Magic mill or Excalibur, the Nesco has a round shaped design which looks great and easily disintegrate for cleanup. Nesco FD-1018A Grandmaster Pro food dehydrator has a motor base, with an On/Off switch, a thermostat and trays can be stacked on. It measures 17×15.5×14 Inches in size with each tray offering 1 square feet of dehydrating space.  It weighs about 17 pounds which is not the most lightweight dehydrator however, its lighter than many rival dehydrators in the market.

No. of Trays & Tray Size

Nesco FD-1018A grandmaster pro comes with 8 trays and each tray provides dehydrating space of 1 square feet. If you wish to increase the dehydrating capacity, you can add up to 30 trays. Yup, that’s right. With 8 trays, it offers enough space to dehydrate large batches of veggies and fruits which you can preserve for later use.

Control Panel & Timer

In terms of control panel, Nesco FD-1080A dehydrator has an on/off switch and a thermostat knob. It doesn’t have a timer or digital display which means either you buy a separate timer or check on the dehydrator every now and then.

Nesco FD1040 dehydrator on the other hand, has one touch control with a small digital display which makes it easy to set time and temperature. It has an upper hand in convenient and ease of use since you don’t have to keep track of the process and dehydrator automatically shuts off when the timer goes off.

Accessories

Nesco 1018A grandmaster pro food dehydrators come with a number of trays, and other accessories. Here is the full list of accessories that you get out of the box:

• 8 Fruit Roll Sheets
• 8 Clean-A-Screens
• Sample of Jerky Seasoning & Cure
• 52-page Recipe & instruction book

Quick Overview of Nesco FD-1018A Grandmaster Pro Food Dehydrator

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2,797 Reviews

NESCO Gardenmaster Pro Food Dehydrator, 8 Trays, White

• EVEN HEAT DISTRIBUTION: 1000 Watts of drying power provides even heat distribution for consistent drying
• ADJUSTABLE THERMOSTAT: Allows you to dry different foods at proper temperatures (95°F - 160°F)

$159.99

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The Good √

• Distinctive design
• Easy to clean 1 square feet trays
• Straightforward controls
• 9 trays which can be expanded up to 30 trays
• Even air flow
• Budget friendly

The Bad ×

• No digital timer
• No auto shut off

Quick Overview of Nesco FD1040 Grandmaster Digital Pro Dehydrator

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1,933 Reviews

NESCO Gardenmaster Digital Pro Food dehydrator, 4 Trays, White

• EVEN HEAT DISTRIBUTION: 1000 watts of drying power provides even heat distribution for consistent drying
• ADJUSTABLE THERMOSTAT: Allows you to dry different foods at proper time (up to 48 hours) and temperature (90°F - 160°F). Easily keep track with its digital display and timer

$130.94

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The Good √

• 4 trays measuring 1 square foot each
• Expandable up to 20 trays
• Even heat and air distribution
• Precise temperature control
• Digital timer
• Automatic shut off

The Bad ×

• Slightly expensive in comparison to FD-1018A

Nesco 1018 Vs 1040 Dehydrator: Winner?

Nesco 1018 vs 1040 are budget friendly food dehydrators you can your hands on. They feature stackable trays which you can increase up to 30 and 20 trays respectively.

If you are looking for more capacity, Nesco FD-1018A Grandmaster pro dehydrator should suffice. However, it lacks a digital timer and automatic shut off feature which many will not appreciate. So, in our opinion, Nesco FD-1040 Grandmaster digital pro dehydrator features a digital timer, thermostat and it is expandable up to 20 trays.

What would you choose? Let us know how often you use your dehydrator? The comment section is all yours!

1. Longer shelf life: Dehydrating food removes moisture, which prevents the growth of bacteria and mold. This results in food that can be stored for much longer than fresh food. Dehydrated food can last anywhere from several months to a year or more, depending on the type of food and how it is stored.
2. Retains nutrients: Dehydrating food at low temperatures can help retain most of its nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, and enzymes. This is because the drying process doesn’t involve cooking the food, which can destroy some of the heat-sensitive nutrients.
3. Convenience: Dehydrated foods are lightweight and compact, which makes them easy to transport and store. They’re perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, hikers, and campers who need lightweight, non-perishable food.
4. Versatility: A food dehydrator can be used to dry a wide variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, meat, and herbs. This allows you to create your own dried snacks, make jerky, or dry herbs for use in recipes.
5. Cost savings: Dehydrating your own food can save you money in the long run. Buying fresh produce in bulk when it’s in season and dehydrating it for later use can be more cost-effective than buying pre-packaged dried fruits and vegetables.

Overall, a food dehydrator is a useful tool to have in the kitchen if you’re looking to preserve food, save money, and enjoy healthy, nutrient-rich snacks.