Hey Besties! This is one of the questions I get most frequently, so we are breaking it down for you today! As a royal icing cookier, a dehydrator is one of the best tools to improve the quality of your icing while also saving a ton of time! Every single cookie I decorate spends time in my dehydrator for all the benefits. It’s a complete game changer for my icing and to free up more time…something every cookier needs more of! The best dehydrator for cookie decorating will depend on you, and several factors but we’ll break it all down for you. Read on to find your next decorating Bestie!
Why do I need a dehydrator for cookie decorating?
If using a dehydrator for decorating is new to you, let’s cover the benefits and answer other FAQs! To start, it greatly speeds up icing crusting, which allows the entire decorating process much faster. Something that can normally take 30 minutes or more to crust, only takes 5-10 minutes with a dehydrator. So if you are decorating many cookies with multiple steps, there’s always cookies ready for the next decorating step, reducing any time wasted. I almost always have all my decorating done in one day and can then bag up my cookies the next day. This ensures my cookies are as fresh as possible for those who are going to enjoy them.
Honestly, I first started using a dehydrator to ensure my cookies could be bagged up sooner but fell in LOVE with it for the difference it makes in my icing. Want to lock in puffy icing? It’s perfect for that. Want to avoid craters? Quick setting your icing is the best way. Want to have a polished sheen to your icing? The dehydrator sheen is unmatched. Want a smooth, polished finish instead of porous icing? Yep, you guessed it…a dehydrator makes a world of difference. Check out this comparison photo that one our group members shared after using her dehydrator for the first time. The only difference between these cookies is that one spent a brief amount of time in the dehydrator. This is why I could never go without my dehydrator for decorating!
Will it dry out my cookie?
The first question we all ask! The good news is that when used correctly for decorating purposes, there is no texture change to your cookie. Why is this? Dehydrators work remove water using a system of heat, fans and vents. But our cookies are made of butter and sugar. But this is why it does wonders for our icing, which DOES contain water! The efficiency in drying your icing, provides all the benefits explained above. It’s the simplest way to elevate your cookies without any extra effort by you.
Can I just use a fan?
Many cookiers use a fan to help dry their icing and it certainly is better than air drying. But still doesn’t compare to the benefits of a dehydrator. I can’t tell you how many cookiers message me saying how shocked they are after using a dehydrator for the first time, after using a fan for years. Many who have only used a fan simply don’t know what they are missing. To each their own, but after working with thousands of cookiers and making thousands of my own cookies, a dehydrator is a tool I’ll always recommend.
Also worth mentioning is that a dehydrator is a much more sanitary method of drying royal icing compared to a fan. I personally don’t use a fan at all for this reason. Lastly, a fan blowing on your cookies will absolutely start to dry out your cookies. Every cookier wants their cookies to be as fresh, soft and moist as possible, so I caution hours of airflow blowing on your cookies.
How do I use a dehydrator for cookie decorating?
Good question! There’s definitely do’s and don’ts for successfully using a dehydrator for decorating. I break it all down for you HERE. It’s super simple and once you start using it, you’ll quickly learn and see all the benefits while avoiding any pitfalls.
What is the best dehydrator for cookie decorating?
Let’s get to the heart of the matter! You’re ready for all the benefits but may be overwhelmed with all the options out there. I get it and that’s why I hear this question so often! The best dehydrator for YOU really depends on the size you want, both in terms of number of trays and tray size, along with price. And before I share several recommendations, here are a few universal truths that make these models the best for decorating purposes.
Airflow
You want a model with the fan in the back or on the side, blowing air horizontally, across your icing. Airflow across the surface of your icing gives you all the benefits while minimizing any effect to your cookie.
Tray accessibility
You’re going to want a dehydrator with trays you can access independently. When using a dehydrator for our purposes, you will have trays going in and out very frequently. And if you have a model with stacking trays, you’re going to constantly be moving trays, which leaves your icing very vulnerable to cracks from all the movement. This is why being able to access each tray independently makes it much easier for you and protects your icing from any damage while crusting.
temperature
Most cookiers, me included, use our dehydrators at 95 degrees F. I would not use dehydrator for decorating over 100 degrees F. You run the risk of basically cooking your icing and will ruin your decorating.
Recommended Dehydrators
Here are several models that are very popular in the cookie community and have been tried and tested for successful decorating. I’m including details with each that are beneficial for you to narrow down which model may be best for you! Let’s go smallest to largest!
For those who want something smaller, for hobby baking, this cute Septree model will become your new pal. A favorite among besties with bonus points for being cute in your decorating space! Trays are 8×10″ in size, so you can expect to get up to 6 full-size cookies per tray! Approximately 24 full-size cookie capacity.
- 【EASY TO STORE & CLEAN】With compact size, this small food dehydrator is lightweight to move and store easily. 4 stainless steel shelves (10.2*8.1in) with adequate space between their placement, easy to clean stainless steel interior. Just soak for a little while and like magic it’s ready to do more dehydrating.
Want a smallish model with a little more cookie space? THIS might be the one you love. Just a tad taller but almost 4 inches less deep, you get an extra tray for 5 total compared to the Septree above. A great quality dehydrator with five trays measuring approximately 9×10″, you can get more cookies in this baby for about the same footprint. Approximately 45 full-size cookie capacity.
- 𝟭𝟳𝟲 °𝗙 𝗠𝗔𝗫 𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘: Adjust the dehydrator between 95-176°F in 1°F increments. Higher temps ensure safer beef jerky. USDA recommends 165°F for safe jerky
Increasing slightly in capacity but not much in size, is THIS model! Boasting 6 trays that are approximately 10×10″ in size, you’re looking at about a 53 full-size cookie capacity. This brand commonly has promo coupons on Amazon too, so be sure to check for those!
- Great for Home-Use: This countertop dehydrator could easily be stored away in a cabinet. It has 6 trays roughly 12″ perfect square, fits well on a countertop and doesn’t take up too much space in a smaller kitchen, while still letting you prep a lot of food at once! This Food dryer is very retro looking, looks like a stylish tiny microwave. Great for a dorm, apartment, or small house because of the size
Next, we have another dehydrator that many cookiers love, also 7-trays! The Magic Mill! Trays measure roughly 10 x 11″ in size, so you can expect to easily have 9 full-size cookies per tray in this workhorse! Approximately 63 full-size cookie capacity.
- REAR MOUNTED FAN FOR SUPERIOR HEAT DISTRIBUTION – Dries food evenly, This electric dehydration machine is equipped with a rear-mounted drying fan and air flow circulation technology to ensure even drying, there is no need to rotate the shelves as needed by other brands, monitor the dryer process easily with the transparent door window
Very popular among cookie decorators is this 7-tray Cosori! With trays measuring 13 x 12″, this beast will hold 10-12 full-size cookies per tray! If you decorate large volumes of cookies, but don’t want a huge dehydrator, this is a great choice due to the oversized tray size. Approximately 70-84 full-size cookie capacity.
- 𝗕𝗜𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗥 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡 𝟳 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗬𝗦: With 6 stainless steel trays providing 6.5 ft² of drying space, this dehydrator is 27% larger than standard 7-tray models, allowing you to dry more food at once
Are you a large volume decorator? Now we’re getting into the big hogs! THIS is the next step up in the Septree model family, boasting 10 trays, approximately 12×12″ in size. Being able to have 10-12 full-size cookies per tray, you’re looking at a 100-120 cookie capacity. Silicone liner sheets included with this one too – bonus! Remember to check for coupons that are frequently available with this brand on Amazon.
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The largest model I’ll cover is THIS commercial dehydrator, also made by Septree. With 10 trays at 15.5″ square, you’re looking at a full-size cookie capacity of 140-160 with this beast. If you produce a lot of cookies or want a great storage space for all your cookies, this might be your new baby.
- 【Large Capacity & Abundant Accessories】Our dehydrators for food and jerky with 10 healthy and durable food grade 304 stainless steel trays (15.6*15.6in), the dehydrator provides 17 square feet to dry vegetables, fruits, herbs, meat, fish, and various kinds of food and lock the minerals and vitamins in the food easily. Our Dehydrator with 10 stainless steel drying trays, 2 non-stick silicone sheets, 1 drip tray, a pair of silicone gloves, 2 storage containers, 1 user manual and 1 recipe book.
Which dehydrator would I get?
I use two dehydrators for all my decorating that also serve as my cookie vaults overnight. Both my models are older that these fancy ones available now. But if I were to pick a new one, I’d probably go with the 7-tray Cosori! It’s great quality and a great value with a capacity that works well for me. But you have to pick what works best for your capacity, space and budget!
Did this help?
I sure hope this post all about helping you find the best dehydrator for cookie decorating has been helpful! You’ll never hear me stop sharing the benefits and efficiency gained from using a dehydrator for cookie decorating. There’s a reason the top cookiers rely on their dehydrators! And you’ll even notice one at each station in the cookie decorating shows too!
Still have questions, need more help or tips? Thousands of fellow Besties, me included, hang out HERE for that purpose! Ask questions, get support, share your work and celebrate your baking successes! Oh, and we share fails too. 😆
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