“Shasta” wrote in recently to ask for an update on how I was liking my old-fashioned Jack’s Dehydrator and to find out more about the metal used in the construction.
I LOVE my Jack’s Dehydrator! It’s still going strong making the best Essene breads ever. What can I say? It’s been a workhorse.  You do need to keep an eye on the bottom drawer because things can heat up down there and get brown spots, rendering it “cooked” more than raw. However, as I mentioned when I first wrote about the dehydrator, temperature control can be achieved  by pulling out the drawers; and of course, always run your Jack’s in a room with good air circulation.
Jack’s is made entirely of aluminum and has mesh, stainless steel screens. For those of us, like myself, that aren’t crazy about foods in plastic or aluminum, parchment paper is an excellent choice to use with it. Most of the things I make are done on parchment paper. I also use the stainless steel screens they provide when drying whole food slices on the trays.
Jack’s with parchment baking paper makes excellent raw cuisine, EXCELLENT. So if you are making breads, pizza, rolls, etc, you can’t go wrong and the food comes out perfect in my experience! Hope this was helpful. 
6 Comments
Thanks so much Ms. F!
I did end up getting a Jack’s used, and turned out my first batch of dehydrated sliced apples just today. (It took about 10 hours, by the way.) I tested the temperatures in both the lowest and highest drawers, and found the lowest to be 175 degrees while the highest ran around 120 degrees. There are a couple of little gaps in mine due to some bent drawer corners (easily fixed, I think, but I haven’t tried yet), so I imagine your 185 degree mark for the lowest drawer is quite accurate.
Mine came with plastic (?) window screen on top of the drawer bottoms instead of stainless, but I’m hoping to add the stainless at no great expense soon. Nice to know that parchment paper will work, too. (I removed the window screening and put down cheesecloth instead, which also worked.)
Now I’m wondering if it might be possible to add a small fan in some sort of metal casing to the back of the dehydrator to get a convection effect going! Hmmmmm…..
In any case, I’m very happy with my Jack’s and really appreciate your review and further comments. Happy dehydrating!
I just bought a Jacks Food Dehydrator 4 Shelves Model 75. It didn’t come with a fan. Can you let me know what the fan manufacturer and part number is on your Jack’s?
Thanks
Do either of you have the manual for the Jack’s food dehydrator. Mine is pretty old, aluminum and has all parts, but no instructions to put together. I could probably figure it out, but would like a copy of the manual if anyone has it. Thanks!
Also looking for a jacks 75 manual. Can anyone help? One was given to me but no manual. Thanks!
Just got Jacks modle #75 from my mother. It’s been in her basement for forever so it was filthy but I cleaned it out and I think it’s complete minus the screens…I would really like to get the manual for it. Anyone have one/ know where to get one or at least have helpful tips or suggestions?
This dehydrator is supposed to be a fanless model correct?