The Verdict

LEM Products BigBite 16-Tray Dehydrator Review: Is This the Last Dehydrator You’ll Buy?

Let’s be blunt: most consumer dehydrators are round, plastic, and force you to rotate trays every two hours like you’re babysitting a crockpot. The LEM BigBite 16-Tray is none of those things. It’s a rectangular, stainless steel workhorse that treats dehydration like a serious food-preservation task — because for hunters, gardeners, and homesteaders, it is.

But at this price point and footprint, you need to know exactly what you’re buying before you commit. Here’s the real breakdown.

What You Actually Get

The BigBite arrives fully assembled — no snapping together flimsy plastic rings. You get 16 stainless steel trays, each with a fine mesh that prevents small items (think herbs, sesame seeds) from falling through. The unit itself is a box-style design, roughly 17 inches deep and 14 inches wide, with a solid steel door that seals via a gasket.

The control panel is refreshingly simple: a digital thermostat adjustable from 90°F to 165°F, plus a timer that runs up to 48 hours. That’s it. No presets for “jerky” or “fruit leather” that inevitably guess wrong. You set the temp, set the time, and walk away.

Performance: Where the BigBite Earns Its Name

The defining feature here is the rear-mounted fan with horizontal airflow. In round dehydrators, the heat source sits at the bottom, which means bottom trays dry faster and you’re constantly rotating. The BigBite pushes air evenly across all 16 trays simultaneously. In practical terms: you can load four pounds of sliced beef jerky and not touch a single tray for six hours.

The stainless steel interior matters more than you’d think. Acidic foods (pineapple, tomatoes, marinades with vinegar) will etch plastic interiors permanently. The BigBite wipes clean without absorbing odors. One Amazon reviewer put it simply: “I’ve made three batches of jerky and two of fruit leather. The steel interior still looks brand new. My old plastic unit was stained forever after one batch.”

The temperature range is another standout. Most budget dehydrators top out at 155°F, which is fine for fruit but marginal for making shelf-stable beef jerky. The BigBite hits 165°F, the USDA-recommended temperature for killing pathogens in meat. If you’re processing wild game or making bulk jerky, this isn’t a luxury — it’s a safety requirement.

What Buyers Consistently Praise

Across 229 ratings (4.6 stars), the recurring themes are capacity and even drying. One verified buyer wrote: “I did 10 pounds of venison jerky in one batch. No tray rotation. Done in 7 hours. My old Excalibur took 9 hours for half that amount.” Another noted the build quality: “The door seal is tight, the trays are rigid, and nothing flexes or warps like the plastic units I’ve owned.”

The timer is also a quiet hero. It automatically shuts the unit off, which matters when you’re running it overnight or while at work.

Where It Falls Short

Let’s be honest about the downsides. First, this thing is loud. The fan is powerful, and at full speed you’ll hear a consistent hum that’s noticeable in an open-concept kitchen. It’s not deafening, but it’s not a “set it and forget it in the living room” appliance either. Put it in a garage, laundry room, or basement if noise bothers you.

Second, the stainless steel drip tray has no non-stick coating. Fruit leather and honey-glazed jerky will stick, and you’ll need hot water and a scraper to clean it. This is a minor annoyance, not a dealbreaker, but it’s worth knowing.

Third, the footprint. This is not a small appliance. If your counter space is precious, the BigBite will dominate it. It’s designed for people who dehydrate in bulk, not for someone making a single tray of apple chips.

Who Should Buy This

Buy it if: You’re a hunter processing game into jerky, a gardener with more produce than you can eat fresh, or anyone who wants to dehydrate in serious volume without babysitting the machine. The even airflow, stainless construction, and 165°F max temp make it the right tool for meat and heavy-duty use.

Skip it if: You’re a casual user who dehydrates a few trays of fruit a month, have limited counter space, or need a whisper-quiet appliance. A smaller round dehydrator at half the price will serve you fine.

FAQ

Q: Can you stack more than 16 trays? A: No. The unit is designed for 16 trays maximum. Adding more would restrict airflow and defeat the horizontal flow design.

Q: Is the stainless steel magnetic? A: Yes, the exterior panels are magnetic. You can stick notes or a meat thermometer probe holder to the side.

Q: Does it come with a fruit leather sheet or mesh inserts? A: No. The trays are bare stainless steel mesh. You’ll need to buy separate non-stick sheets if you plan to make fruit leather.

The Verdict

Rating: 4.6/5 — The LEM BigBite is a serious tool for serious dehydrating. It’s not the cheapest option, and it’s not the quietest, but it delivers even results at scale with a build quality that will outlast plastic competitors by years. If your dehydrating needs are occasional and small, look elsewhere. If you’re processing meat or large harvests, this is the one to buy.

Buy it if you want batch capacity without tray rotation and a machine that won’t stain or warp. Skip it if you’re a light user or space-constrained.

Where to Buy

👉 Check Price on Amazon →

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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.