Nesco

The Reddit community has strong positive sentiment toward Nesco, particularly their food dehydrators and VS-12 vacuum sealer. Multiple users report decade-plus lifespans on dehydrators, and the VS-12 is consistently praised as a reliable, high-value alternative to FoodSaver. Vintage Nesco roaster ovens are also held in high regard for their durability compared to modern versions.

Across multiple product lines — especially dehydrators and the VS-12 vacuum sealer — the community consistently reports decade-plus lifespans, minimal repairs, and strong value compared to competitors.

Nesco products are praised for exceptional longevity, simplicity, and reliable performance across multiple product lines. The dehydrators and vacuum sealers in particular generate strong repeat recommendations from long-term owners.

• Dehydrators regularly last 15-20+ years with minimal maintenance
• VS-12 vacuum sealer handles heavy use and outperforms FoodSaver
• Simple mechanical design means fewer failure points over time
• Dehydrators are expandable with additional trays as needed
• Roaster ovens free up oven space and handle large turkeys easily
• Replacement parts like gaskets are cheap and readily available

Criticism is minor and infrequent. One user noted their VS-12 lost auto-sealing function after a few years, and vintage roaster ovens are considered superior to current models. There is also a general caution about buying from certain retailers without doing careful research.

• Newer roaster oven models feel less heavy-duty than vintage versions
• One VS-12 lost auto-seal function after a few years of use
• Walmart carries Nesco but requires careful vetting before purchasing
• Some users note chamber sealers outperform the VS-12 at higher cost

A user's mother-in-law passed down a Nesco dehydrator roughly 13 years ago, and it's still going strong — meaning the unit is likely over 20 years old at this point.

One user has owned their Nesco dehydrator for over 15 years and has never had food go bad during the drying process, attributing that to the built-in fan and thermostat.

A heavy VS-12 user who cuts full ribeye roasts and bags baby food said it has outperformed every FoodSaver they've owned, which typically needed replacing every year.

A commenter noted that the only repair their VS-12 needed over several years was a $5 seal replacement, calling that a win for long-term value.