Benchstar FD-16HB 16 Tray Commercial Stainless Steel Food Dehydrator

The Benchstar FD-16HB Commercial Food Dehydrator is a high-capacity, professional-grade food preservation system engineered for Australian commercial kitchens, butcher shops, health food venues, cafes, bakeries, and artisan jerky producers. Featuring 16 spacious food-grade stainless steel trays (400 x 380 mm), this powerful 1450W unit allows operators to process large batches of seasonal fruits, vegetables, herbs, meats, biltong, fish, and garnishes efficiently.

Equipped with advanced 360-degree hot air circulation technology, the FD-16HB ensures uniform horizontal airflow across every shelf without requiring constant tray rotation. Constructed entirely from durable, BPA-free stainless steel with a heat-toughened glass viewing door, this dehydrator offers precise digital controls (+30°C to +90°C temperature range and a 24-hour timer) and integrated +120°C overheat safety protection for reliable, continuous operation.

Why Choose the Benchstar FD-16HB Commercial Food Dehydrator?

Choosing the Benchstar FD-16HB Stainless Steel Dehydrator equips commercial kitchens with an efficient, safe, and versatile drying station designed for daily high-volume production.

Key reasons commercial operators specify the Benchstar FD-16HB include:

• Generous 16 Tray Capacity: Includes 16 food-grade stainless steel wire trays (400 x 380 mm each), offering substantial drying surface area for large production runs.

• 360-Degree Hot Air Circulation: Advanced rear-mounted heating and fan system delivers uniform horizontal airflow across all 16 levels, locking in natural nutrients and flavours without hot spots.

• Precise Digital Controls: Easily customize drying programs with an intuitive digital panel featuring a +30°C to +90°C thermostatic temperature range and a 24-hour countdown timer.

• Crystal-Clear Tempered Glass Door: Heavy-duty transparent glass door allows staff to inspect food dehydration progress visually without opening the chamber and dropping heat or humidity.

• All-Stainless Steel Construction: Premium food-grade stainless steel cabinet and trays provide exceptional durability, corrosion resistance, and effortless end-of-shift sanitisation.

• +120°C Overheat Safety Protection: Thermal safety cut-off automatically engages if internal temperatures exceed +120°C, ensuring safe, unattended overnight drying.

• Scalable Range Options: Part of the Benchstar commercial dehydrator family, sitting between the smaller FD-10HB (10 Tray) and larger FD-24HB (24 Tray) models.

• Standard Australian 10A Plug Setup: Drawing 1450 Watts on single-phase 240V power, the unit plugs directly into standard Australian 10 Amp wall outlets.

Technical Specifications

Recommended Drying Temperatures: Herbs & Flowers: +35°C to +40°C | Bread: +40°C to +50°C | Fruits & Vegetables: +55°C to +60°C | Meats, Jerky & Fish: +65°C to +70°C

Delivery & Freight Notice: Shipping rates vary across Australia depending on your location. Please contact our friendly commercial sales team for a custom freight quote if delivery is required for a residential or non-commercial address.

Operating & Cleaning Guidelines

1. Setup & Tray Loading: Arrange slices of fruit, herbs, or sliced marinated meat evenly across the 16 stainless steel wire trays without overlapping. Slide trays into the cabinet shelf guides and close the tempered glass door securely.

2. Program Selection: Turn on the unit via the digital control panel. Set your target temperature according to your ingredient type (e.g., +65°C for beef jerky or +55°C for citrus wheels) and set the required timer duration up to 24 hours.

3. End-of-Shift Sanitisation: Unplug the power cord and allow the unit to cool. Remove the stainless steel trays and wash them in warm, food-safe soapy water or a commercial dishwasher. Wipe down the interior stainless steel walls and glass viewing door with a soft, damp cloth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the tray capacity of the Benchstar FD-16HB Dehydrator?

The Benchstar FD-16HB comes equipped with 16 food-grade stainless steel trays (400 x 380 mm), providing ample rack space for drying large batches of fruits, meats, herbs, and garnishes efficiently.

How does the 360-degree hot air circulation system work?

The dehydrator utilizes rear-mounted fans and heating elements to circulate hot air horizontally across all 16 trays. This ensures uniform drying without needing to manually rotate trays during the dehydration cycle.

What materials are used to construct the Benchstar FD-16HB?

The FD-16HB is manufactured entirely from food-grade, BPA-free stainless steel, featuring a toughened glass front door for easy visual monitoring and long-term durability in commercial kitchens.

What safety features are included with this dehydrator?

The unit includes an integrated thermal overheat protection system that automatically trips if temperatures reach +120°C, ensuring safe operation during long or overnight drying cycles.