Benchstar Food Dehydrator with 16 trays – FD-16HB

The Benchstar FD-16HB is a commercial food dehydrator running 16 stainless steel trays, each 400 x 380 mm, for drying fruit, meat, herbs and garnishes at volume. Digital control across +30 to +90C and a 24-hour timer let you set a long run and leave it, while 360-degree hot air circulation dries evenly across every tray without additives. The tray design is expandable, so the same platform takes 10, 16 or 24 trays.

Why operators choose the FD-16HB

• 16 trays at 400 x 380 mm each — the middle capacity in this dehydrator range, and the larger tray size shared with the 24-tray model
• Digital control from +30 to +90C — hold the low temperatures that preserve colour and nutrients, or push higher for meat
• 24-hour timer — set a long overnight run and have it stop on its own
• 360-degree hot air circulation — every tray dries at a similar rate, so you are not rotating trays through the run
• Expandable to 10, 16 or 24 trays — match the load to the batch instead of running a near-empty cabinet
• Additive-free drying — retains natural flavour and nutrients without preservatives, which matters for a clean-label product
• Stainless steel trays — stand up to commercial washing and carry no odour between a herb run and a meat run
• 742 mm cabinet height — a standing unit that holds 16 trays in a 470 x 600 mm floor footprint

Specifications

Venue suitability

The FD-16HB suits cafes, restaurants, delis, butchers and artisan producers running dehydration regularly rather than occasionally. It sits between the compact 10-tray FD-10HB and the 24-tray FD-24HB — same 400 x 380 mm trays as the largest model, in a shorter 742 mm cabinet.

Compare the full range of food production equipment or see more from Benchstar.

Installation & delivery

It runs on a standard 240 V supply through a normal 10 A power outlet, so no dedicated circuit and no hard-wiring are needed. At 470 x 600 mm and 742 mm tall it needs a dedicated position rather than a shared bench, with clearance around it for the airflow it draws and exhausts, and room at the front to withdraw the trays. Dispatched from our Sydney HQ with partner warehouses in Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth for faster delivery Australia-wide. Backed by a 1-year parts and labour warranty — see our warranty information page for full terms.

Frequently asked questions

Q: How many trays does the FD-16HB hold? A: Sixteen stainless steel trays, each 400 x 380mm. The expandable design also runs 10 or 24 tray configurations.

Q: What temperature range does it cover? A: +30 to +90C under digital control, covering low-temperature drying that preserves colour and nutrients through to the higher temperatures used for meat.

Q: Can it run unattended overnight? A: It has a 24-hour timer, so a long run can be set to stop on its own. As with any commercial appliance, follow your venue's own policy on unattended operation.

Q: Does it need special wiring? A: No. It runs at 1,450W through a standard 10A outlet, so no dedicated circuit or electrician is required.

Q: How does it compare with the FD-10HB and FD-24HB? A: The FD-16HB runs 16 trays at 400 x 380mm and 1,450W in a 742mm cabinet. The FD-10HB is a compact 355mm benchtop unit with ten smaller 339 x 311mm trays at 800W. The FD-24HB is the tallest at 883mm, runs up to 24 of the same 400 x 380mm trays at 2,000W, and adds a tempered glass door.

Q: What warranty applies? A: One year parts and labour.