The base is just a plastic drip pan that cleans up in seconds. We received this as a gift but have already used it many times.

The dehydrator is easy to use and clean. Considering the price of 'sun-dried' tomatoes, I expect this to pay back before the growing season ends. I would highly recommend this unit. Great for drying fruits, vegetables, meats and even canned pastas like Spaghettios. However, I felt it was necessary to turn the food over on the trays and switch the top and bottom trays just once mid-way through because the top tray was drying just a bit faster than the bottom tray. The unit runs quietly, giving off a low, steady hum that is much quieter than my microwave or a window fan. This is my first dehydrator. It has been really easy to learn.

We have another dehydrator (FD-60) but the FD-75PR is quieter. The only thing we like better about the FD-60 is that the fan, being on the bottom, doesn't have to be moved when moving trays in or out.

I dehydrated food for a canoeing trip once as a kid and hadn't dehydrated food since then. I'm such a terrible cook that anything I try to make can set the house on fire (seriously). I can honestly tell you that for the price, with this dehydrator, you get exactly what the average person needs for effective and efficient small to medium sized batch drying. of course, I wish it had an on/ off switch and a timer, but you can get a timer/ power control (similar to what you'd use for Christmas lights) and use that so it's not a deal breaker for me- especially at this price. I made my first batch of beef jerky in about four hours and it was delicious! I also made some chicken jerky for my boxer (one of the main reasons I got this unit) and it works great for that as well.

I bought the fruit leather screen and the jerky screen and both came out beautiful. There are two drawbacks to this dehydrator: 1) is that it is pretty noisy and 2) there is no "auto off" feature.

Machine doesn't get hot to the touch. It takes about 4-6 hours to make 1 batch 5 trays high. We purchased this dehydrator specifically to make chicken (and other meat) jerky for our dogs, as we have already lost one dog due to feeding the jerky that is made in China. Also I feel much better knowing what is going into their jerky treats, which is meat only, no preservatives. I couldn't keep my hands off the dried pineapple, it was like candy! It works great for making your own dried onions, too.

It's not noisy. I would buy the Nesco 700 again. On the 28th day of use, I loaded 6 trays with meat strips, turned the temperature to 160 degrees and it ran for 5 minutes and quit. Thinking I popped a circuit, I moved the machine to another outlet as well as testing the previous outlet.

It does take about 5 hours to make the jerky, and we'll flip them every so often and soak up the grease, so you definitely have to keep an eye on it while it is going. furniture ottoman.