Food dehydrator

A food dehydrator comprising:

• a heater blower assembly comprising a motor driven fan and a heating element located in a housing, the housing including a handle and having air inlet vents on a central portion through which outside air can be drawn toward the heating element and blower ports on an air distribution portion through which heated air can be directed;
• and
• a dehydrator module comprising;
• a base;
• at least one food tray having a support surface with a central opening for receiving the air distribution portion, the food tray capable of stacking vertically with the base so that an outlet vent is formed between the base and the food tray when in a stacked configuration;
• and
• a cover capable of stacking vertically with the food tray, the cover having a central opening for receiving the air distribution portion;
• wherein detachable attachment of the heater blower assembly through use of the handle by a user permits the air distribution portion to extend downward through the central openings in the cover and the food tray so that the blower ports are positioned to direct pressurized, heated air axially outward across the support surface of the food tray, at least a portion of the heated air being exhausted to the atmosphere through the outlet vent.

A kit for assembling a food dehydrator comprising:

• a heater blower assembly comprising a motor driven fan and a heating element located in a housing, the housing having air inlet vents on a central portion through which outside air can be drawn toward the heating element and blower ports on an air distribution portion through which heated air can be directed;
• and
• a base;
• a first food tray having a support surface with a central opening for receiving all or a portion of the air distribution portion, the first food tray capable of stacking vertically with the base so that an outlet vent is formed between the base and the first food tray when in a stacked configuration;
• at least a second food tray having a support surface with a central opening for receiving all or a portion of the air distribution portion, the second food tray capable of stacking vertically with the first food tray so that an outlet vent is formed between the first food tray and the second food tray when in a stacked configuration;
• and
• a cover capable of stacking vertically with one of the first or second food trays, the cover having a central opening for receiving the air distribution portion;
• wherein detachable attachment of the heater blower assembly by a user permits the air distribution portion to extend downward through the central openings in the cover and the food trays so that the blower ports are positioned to direct heated air axially outward across the support surfaces of the food trays, at least a portion of the heated air being exhausted to the atmosphere through the outlet vent.

A method of operating a food dehydrator comprising the steps of:

• vertically stacking at least one food tray onto a base so that an outlet vent is formed between the base and the food tray, the food tray having a support surface with a central opening;
• vertically stacking a cover on the food tray, the cover having a central opening generally concentric with respect to the central opening in the support surface;
• providing a heater blower assembly comprising a motor driven fan and a heating element in a housing, the housing having air inlet vents on a central portion, blower ports on an air distribution portion, and a handle;
• inserting, through use of the handle, the air distribution portion downward sequentially through the central openings in the cover and the support surface;
• drawing outside air in through the air inlet vents to the heating element;
• directing heated air through the blower ports axially outward across the support surface of the food tray and venting at least a portion of the heated air to the atmosphere through the outlet vent;
• and
• withdrawing, through use of the handle, the air distribution portion of the heater blower assembly from the central openings in the cover and the support surface upon completion of food dehydrator usage.