Cosori Mini 5-Tray Food Dehydrator: Unboxing & First Impressions

I recently became aware of the Cosori Mini 5-Tray Food Dehydrator. I love my Cosori 6-tray dehydrator, so I considered snatching up this newer, smaller model. But I live in a small space, and because of that, I avoid buying things I don’t need. On the other hand, because I live in a small space, I was intrigued by the thought of this Cosori mini dehydrator, because I love the possibility of being able to keep a dehydrator on my kitchen counter, and the 6-tray model that I have is way too big for that.

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In addition to that, I’m a big fan of small batch preserving. I also hate to run a half-full dehydrator. A small dehydrator like this would most certainly eliminate that problem.

So, I decided to bite the bullet and purchase the Cosori Premium Mini 5-Tray Food Dehydrator (Amazon #ad).

In this article I’ll unbox my shiny new dehydrator. I’ll show you the packaging, what’s included, and my initial impression of the dehydrator. I’ll also share my thoughts on who I think this dehydrator is and is not for.

Unboxing the Cosori Mini 5-Tray Dehydrator

The first thing to note is that the packaged dehydrator is shipped in a brown cardboard box. I love that it’s set inside of a thick cardboard box because that protects the dehydrator during the shipping process.

One thing to be aware of is that the outer box indicates what’s inside, so if you’re sending it directly to a recipient as a gift, that kind of spoils it.

The Cosori Mini Dehydrator Box

The attractive inner box fits snugly inside of the cardboard box, so it doesn’t jostle around during shipping.

The inner box has a nice design, which highlights the following features:

First, it touts the benefits of dehydrating in general, as well as this specific dehydrator, such as health benefits of making your own snacks that are preservative free instead of buying commercially produced convenience food that has a lot of additives, making treats for your pets, and the recipe book that has 30-recipes. There are other benefits listed such as the maximum temperature of 176 degrees, which is higher than many dehydrators. And of course, it lists what’s included in the box, the measurements, and so on. I’ve detailed those items below.

Protective Features

Another unexpected packaging feature that I appreciated is that the top 4 corners of the box were protected by plastic “corner protectors.” (That may not be the right term for them, but I can’t think of what else to call them!) I appreciate this attention to detail because it is another protective measure that keeps the box from being damaged during shipping.

The additional packing features are pretty standard. For instance, the dehydrator is protected on the sides with thick syrofoam, and the dehydrator itself is in clear plastic.

What’s In the Box

Here’s what’s included in the box.

• The Cosori 5-Tray Mini Dehydrator
• 5 stainless steel dehydrator trays
• 1 fruit roll sheet
• 1 mesh screen
• Recipe book (with 30 recipes ranging from ranging from jerky to fruit leather, to yogurt, snacks, and more)
• User manual

The Mesh Screens and Fruit Roll Sheets

As mentioned above, the dehydrator comes with one mesh screen and one fruit roll sheet.

While not required, since there was only one mesh screen and one fruit roll sheet, I purchased 4 more mesh screens and 4 additional fruit roll sheets. That way I can, as an example, run a dehydrator full of fruit leather at a time. While you can use parchment paper instead of fruit leather trays, I personally prefer the fruit roll trays.

Quality of the Mesh Screens and Fruit Roll Sheets

I wanted to mention that there are a couple of things I love about both the mesh screens and the fruit roll sheet.

First, the mesh screens fit the stainless steel tray from end to end, without any gaps. I love that because there is no wasted space, which means you can dehydrate slightly more food at once. This is one way this dehydrator is different from the larger Cosori dehydrator that I have. For whatever reason, the mesh screens on my other dehydrator don’t completely cover the stainless still racks, so I was happy to see that issue was not present in this mini dehydrator.

In terms of the fruit roll sheets, I was surprised by how high the edges are. The trays are much deeper than typical fruit leather trays. While it’s ideal to avoid trying to dehydrate too thick of a layer of fruit puree, or other soupy items, the high edge will certainly make it easier to pour in the puree, and to keep it from making a mess when placing the filled trays into the dehydrator.

Specifications

Here are the important specs to keep in mind with this mini-dehydrator.

• Temperature range: 95 degrees to 176 degrees Fahrenheit
• Trays: 5
• Total drying space: 3.1 feet
• Wattage: 485 watts
• Power Supply: AC 120V, 60Hz
• Dimensions: 13.9 x 11.3 x 8.9 inches
• Weight, including accessories: 10.7 pounds

One standout feature is the maximum temperature range being 176 degrees Fahrenheit. The reason for that is the higher temperature is helpful when it comes to safer jerky.

First Look at the Cosori 5-Tray Mini Dehydrator

The overall look and feel of the Cosori 5-tray mini dehydator (Amazon) is similar to my 6-tray Cosori dehydrator. It’s definitely an attractive dehydrator compared to my stackable Nesco dehydrator, or the Excalibur cabinet style dehydrator. This is something you can feel proud to have sitting on your kitchen counter, rather than it being an eyesore, like some other dehydrator models.

It’s nice and lightweight, and it’s not overly bulky, so if you choose to tuck it away in between uses, it’s easy to move from place to place. In fact, after I bought the Cosori 5-tray mini dehydrator, I pulled out my Cosori 6 tray dehydrator to dehydrate a larger batch, and I was suprised at how comparatively speaking, heavy the 6 tray dehydrator felt. That made me appreciate this small dehydrator even more.

Unique Features

There are a couple of key differences between the Cosori 5-tray mini dehydrator and the Cosori 6-tray dehydrator. I’ll be doing a deep dive into the differences in a separate article, but for now, here are the key features that set this dehydrator apart.

First, of course is the size. If nothing else, that is the key differentiator between this dehydrator and other dehydrators on the market, including the other Cosori dehydrators. Weighing in at just over 10 pounds, and measuring just under 9″ in height, it’s a great size for anyone with limited space or limited ability to move heavy objects.

Another big differentiator is the maximum temperature of 176 degrees Fahrenheit, which makes it great for safely making jerky at home.

Finally, something I haven’t really seen on other dehydrators are the preset buttons for Jerky, Fruit, Veg, Yogurt. I haven’t yet tried this features, but I’m intrigued by the idea of how these buttons can simplify the dehydration process. These functions can also be customized to suit your own preferences. Thankfully, there are also the standard buttons that you also see on the Cosori 6-tray dehydrator where you can manually set the time and temperature.

Assembly and Set Up

Thankfully, there isn’t much assembly to speak of when it comes to getting the dehdyrator ready to use for the first time. However, there are a few steps to take to ensure good results.

Remove the Packaging

The first step you need to take is to remove all of the packaging. This includes a protective plastic cover over the electric prong. There is a twisty tie you’ll need to remove to free up the cord.

Wipe Down and Run for 30 Minutes

Next, use a damp cloth to wipe down the dehydrator, trays, and all accessories.

Put the trays into the dehydrator, and run it – without any food in it – at 176 degrees Fahrenheit, for 30 minutes. Do this in a well-ventilated room. Why? It’s because during this time, you may notice some smoke or “burning” smell. This is totally normal, and will only happen the first time you do this.

Note that when I did this initial cycle, I did smell a bit of a “burn off” smell, but didn’t notice any smoke. However, if you do see some smoke, that’s perfectly normal, and nothing to be concerned about.

Once you’ve done this initial “cleaning” run, allow the dehydrator to cool. Then, wash and dry the trays and accessories.

Your new Cosori 5-tray mini dehydrator (Amazon #ad) is now ready to use!

Initial Verdict

Honestly, I think I’m in love! This dehydrator (Amazon) is so attractive, so it’s not an eyesore sitting out on the counter. It’s something I’d be proud to have on my counter, at all times.

Since it’s small, and I plan to keep it out all the time, I’ll likely find myself dehydrating food more frequently. For instance, I recently purchased carrots and celery for a recipe. I didn’t use all of either one for the recipe, and in spite of my best intentions, the leftover vegetables ended up hidden in the fridge, and going bad. With a small dehydrator like this, instead of sticking the leftover veggies in the fridge, I’d likely just dehydrate them.

I also like to run a full dehydrator, and since I prefer to do small batch preserving, I’ll be more inclined to use this dehydrator more frequently, compared to my 6-tray Cosori (Amazon).

While only time will tell whether or not I end up using the presets, I like the convenience factor, and the fact that I can adjust them to fit my preferences.

The Cosori 5-Tray Mini Dehydrator is Right for You If. . .

This Cosori mini dehydrator (Amazon) is perfect for anyone who lives in a small space or for those who want to keep a dehydrator on the counter at all times. It’s a perfect size for anyone with a small kitchen, or who wants to do small batch dehydrating. It’s also helpful for those who have a garden, but at the beginning or end of the growing season only have a small amount to dehydrate at a time.

On the other hand, if you have a large family, are a homesteader, or for some other reason tend to dehydrate large amounts of food at the same time, this may not be the right dehydrator for you. If you prefer dehydrating large batches, I recommend getting either the the Cosori Premium Stainless Steel Dehydrator, or the Premium Pro 10-Tray Food Dehydrator, both available on Amazon.

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