Magic Mill Pro Dehydrator: Compact and BPA-Free

If you are on the hunt for an affordable food dehydrator with stainless steel trays, the Magic Mill Pro (MFD-6100) might be just what you have been looking for. It is compact, easy to use and BPA-free, and it has many of the same features as the famous Excalibur dehydrators (see Magic Mill vs Excalibur dehydrators). This, combined with its reasonable price, makes the Magic Mill Pro a popular choice among raw food enthusiasts and backyard homesteaders who want to be able to dry foods with minimal effort. But, as with any product, there are both pros and cons to buying the Magic Mill Pro. In this review, we take a look at the good and the bad to help you decide whether this dehydrator is the right one for you and your family.

Pros of Getting the Magic Mill Pro Dehydrator

Space-Saving Design with Rectangular Trays

With its rectangular trays, the Magic Mill Pro dehydrator makes efficient use of space, which is definitely a big plus if you have limited countertop and/or storage space in your kitchen. A dehydrator with rectangular trays is also a must if you plan to use your dehydrator for drying long pieces or strips of food. Food dehydrators with round trays, by contrast, come with "doughnut trays" that have a hole in the middle, so not all of the space is usable. Round trays are also not practical if you want to be able to dry a lot of long pieces of food.

Back-Mounted Fan for Even Heat Distribution

The Magic Mill Pro dehydrator has a back-mounted fan, which means hot air will be evenly distributed across the trays, and you won't have to rotate the trays. Stacking-style dehydrators with bottom-mounted fans, by contrast, have uneven air flow, and periodic rotating of trays is necessary to help ensure even drying. What's more, as the fan of the Magic Mill Pro is located at the back, you won't have to worry about drippings and liquids from foods soiling the fan.

The Shelves Are Made of Stainless Steel (But the Mesh Sheets Are Plastic)

The fine mesh sheets, which are necessary for drying very small items, are made of plastic, but the standard shelves are made of stainless steel. High quality stainless steel is considered one of the safest materials to use in the kitchen because it cannot leach chemicals like BPA, phthalates, PTFE or PFOA into your food.

BPA-Free Plastic Components

According to a company that sells the Magic Mill Pro on Amazon, the plastic components are BPA-free (1) . For those who missed the memo, BPA stands for bisphenol-A. Some experts believe that excessive exposure to this chemical may lead to health problems due to the ability of BPA to affect the human hormonal system. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to allow the use of BPA in kitchen appliances claiming that there is no scientifically significant evidence showing that normal use of products containing BPA poses a health risk.

Adjustable Thermostat

Unlike some cheaper dehydrators, the Magic Mill Pro comes with an adjustable thermostat. With settings ranging from 95°F to 158°F, it gives you even more control over the drying temperature than some of the best Excalibur dehydrators. The option to set the temperature is important because different types of foods have different optimum drying temperatures. For example, meat requires a relatively high temperature, while vegetables and fruits are usually dried in the 125°F to 135°F range. If you go for a cheaper model with no temperature control, you may end up heating the food too much, which may lower the nutritional value of the food, or you may use too little heat, which may result in fermented or spoiled food.

Timer with Automatic Shut-Off

Unlike most other countertop food dehydrators, the Magic Mill Pro dehydrator has a timer with a maximum setting of 19.5 hours and an automatic shut-off function. This means the machine automatically turns off when the set time is complete—a convenient feature for those who tend to forget things!

Cons of Going for the Magic Mill Pro

The Magic Mill Pro is Not Expandable

One of the drawbacks of the Magic Mill Pro dehydrator is that it's not expandable (i.e. you cannot add on more trays). This means that if you outgrow its size, you'll need to get a second one to increase your drying space. The good news is that the Magic Mill Pro dehydrator comes with 6 trays, each of them measuring 13 x 12 inches, so you'll have plenty of space to dry your foods.

Thorough Airing and Cleaning May Be Necessary to Remove a Plastic Smell

If you have looked at the reviews of the Magic Mill Pro on Amazon, you may have noticed several people complaining about the unit having a strong plastic smell out of the box. The good news is that you can reduce the plastic smell by washing and drying the trays thoroughly and airing the machine outside. Also running it without food for a couple of hours helps remove the smell.

Ordering the Magic Mill Pro Dehydrator Through Amazon

The perhaps easiest way to buy the Magic Mill Pro is to order it online and have it shipped directly to your home. And, if you order it through Amazon, there is a good chance your purchase will qualify for free shipping. To view the current Amazon price for this product and to check whether your purchase will be eligible for free shipping, click here.