Food Dehydrator

A food dehydrator, comprising:

• a dehydrator module comprising a base and a side wall forming an enclosure containing a plurality of support surfaces, the base having an outlet vent, the support surfaces having central openings defining a central cavity;
• a top mountable cover having an air inlet vent;
• and
• a heater blower assembly disposed in the cover, and including a motor driven fan and a heating element;
• where, in operation, air is drawn in through the air inlet vent, through the fan and to the heating element, and pressurized, heated air is directed radially inward and generally horizontally across the support surfaces.

A food dehydrator, comprising:

• a dehydrator module including a base having an outlet vent;
• and at least one food tray having a support surface with a central opening, the food tray capable of stacking vertically with the base;
• a cover capable of stacking vertically with the food tray;
• and
• a heater blower assembly including a motor driven fan and a heating element disposed in the cover, the cover having an air inlet vent through which air can be drawn toward the fan and the heating element;
• wherein the fan is operable to direct pressurized, heated air axially inward 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 base having an outlet vent;
• a food tray having a support surface with a central opening, and capable of stacking vertically with the base;
• a cover capable of stacking vertically with the food tray, and having an air inlet vent;
• a heater blower assembly including a motor driven fan and heating element removably mountable in the cover;
• wherein the food tray and the cover in an engaged arrangement, form a blower port around the perimeter of the support surface to direct heated air flow radially inward and generally horizontally across the support surface of the food tray.

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

• vertically stacking at least one food tray onto a base, the food tray having a support surface with a central opening, and air ducts on an outer perimeter surface;
• and the base having an outlet vent;
• vertically stacking a cover on the food tray, the cover having an air inlet vent and an air duct on an outer perimeter surface, and a heater blower assembly removably mounted therein;
• the heater blower assembly including a motor driven fan and heating element;
• wherein, in a stacked arrangement, the outer perimeter air duct of the cover is in fluid communication with the heater blower assembly and the outer perimeter air duct of the food tray;
• drawing air in through the air inlet vent of the cover to the heating element;
• and
• directing heated air radially outward into the outer perimeter air duct of the cover, into the outer perimeter air duct of the food tray, and radially inward across the support surface of the food tray, and venting at least a portion of the air to the atmosphere through the outlet vent.