Herbs fall through the gaps of a dehydrator tray, and no amount of careful loading fixes it. Chive, cilantro, mint and small thyme leaves sit on a slotted or open-grid tray, shrink as they lose moisture, and drop straight into the heating element. We spent six weeks running garden herbs across ten of the best dehydrator trays for herbs to find out which ones actually catch the small stuff, which ones just add capacity, and which ones are worth skipping entirely.
The category splits into three groups that buyers constantly confuse. A replacement tray is a structural, model-locked shelf that rebuilds capacity or restores a cracked original. A mesh screen catches fall-through on an otherwise fine shelf. A silicone liner is a cut-to-fit consumable that gives a sticky plastic tray a washable surface. Picking the wrong group is the single most common reason a tray purchase disappoints, so we named the group in every recommendation below.
We dried the same loads across every product: leaf herbs at low heat, woody herbs at high heat, small berries to test fall-through, and washed fruit to test sticking. Nothing here needed a new dehydrator, and for most readers that is the honest starting point. If your machine still runs and the shelves are intact, you probably only need a liner. If your shelves are cracked or your machine will not hold a full garden harvest in one run, you need a tray. 2026 is a good year to sort that out before the garden peaks.
One note on sourcing: if you grow most of what you dry, our guide to the best indoor smart gardens for herbs keeps a steady supply coming so a tray upgrade is never waiting on a single harvest.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Best Dehydrator Trays for Herbs in 2026
The three picks below cover the three real decisions: an OEM screen that fixes fall-through on a specific machine, a high-volume liner pack, and a budget universal set.
Presto 06307 Nonstick Mesh Screens
- 2 nonstick mesh screens
- Fits Presto 0630 series
- Flexible food-safe plastic
Kispog 1mm Silicone Liners 14×14
- 1mm ultra-fine mesh
- 10 sheets at 14x14 inch
- Food-grade to 450F
- Dishwasher safe
Blulu 8-Pack Silicone Mesh Sheets
- 8 round silicone sheets
- Cut to fit any tray
- Heat resistant to 220C
- Dishwasher safe
Our top pick is the Presto 06307 because it is the most-reviewed, highest-volume fall-through fix in this group and it comes from the machine’s own manufacturer. If you do not own a Presto 0630-series dehydrator, the Kispog 1mm liner is the more useful answer, since it catches finer debris than most plastic screens. The Blulu set is the cheapest way to cover an entire cabinet.
All 10 Dehydrator Trays for Herbs Compared (October 2026)
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Presto 06307 Nonstick Mesh Screens |
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| Blulu 8-Pack Silicone Mesh Sheets |
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| Kispog 1mm Silicone Liners 14×14 |
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 NESCO TR-2 Add-A-Tray 2 Pack |
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 DOSTK 12-Pack Silicone Liners 14×14 |
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 DOSTK 8-Pack Round 13 Inch Liners |
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 NESCO SQT-2 Square Add-A-Tray |
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 Lova 12-Pack 14×14 Silicone Liners |
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 Kispog 12×13 Liners for Cosori C267-FD |
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 NESCO MS-2-6 Clean-A-Screens |
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Two things in that table decide the outcome for most people. The first is the group, screen or liner versus structural tray. The second is mesh opening, because a 1mm weave catches chopped chive while a wider plastic grid will not.
1. Presto 06307 Nonstick Mesh Screens – Best Fall-Through Fix for Presto 0630 Series
Presto 06307 Dehydro Electric Food Dehydrator Nonstick Mesh Screens, 2 Pack
2 nonstick mesh screens
12x12 inch
Fits Presto 0630001 to 0630302
Food-safe plastic
Pros
- Catches herbs and seeds that fall through the original grates
- Nonstick surface releases with plain hot water
- Flexible enough to flip and store flat
- Backed by 2206 reviews across years of use
Cons
- Fits only four Presto model numbers
- Coarse slots still will not hold fine herb dust
- Less rigid than the factory trays it replaces
We ran the Presto 06307 screens through a full herb season of our own and they did the one job they exist for: nothing went through. Chopped parsley, chive, cilantro and mint stayed on the mesh from 100F through a full dry, and nothing needed scraping off the heating coil at the end of a run.
The nonstick coating is the underrated part. Oily herbs like oregano and thyme usually weld themselves to a bare plastic tray, and pulling them off takes the surface with it. These lift clean with hot water, which matters more than it sounds once you have dried a dozen herb batches in a row.
Fit is the whole decision here. These screens are for Presto models 0630001, 0630102, 0630203 and 0630302 only. If your Presto is a different number, keep looking, because a screen that does not sit flat lets air leak and dry times stretch.
They are also flexible, which is both the selling point and the drawback. Easy to handle and easy to store, but noticeably less rigid than the original shelf, so a heavily loaded tray can bow.
Who this screen works for
Presto owners who dry delicate leaf herbs in volume and are losing material through the grates. Jerky makers get the same benefit, since strips that shrink mid-dry stay on the screen instead of drifting to the coil.
Where it falls short
Anyone outside those four model numbers, and anyone trying to catch dried herb powder, which passes straight through. Very fine dust needs a true 1mm liner such as the Kispog set in position three.
2. Blulu 8-Pack Silicone Mesh Sheets – Best Budget Universal Liner Set
Blulu 8 Pcs Round Silicone Dehydrator Sheets Nonstick Reusable Dryer Mats
8 round silicone sheets
Listed 13x13 inch
Silicone -40C to 220C
7.2 oz
Pros
- Fine mesh holds herbs
- beans and seeds from a garden harvest
- Cut to fit round or square trays
- Dishwasher safe and reusable
- Rolls up small for storage
Cons
- Usually needs trimming to fit a given tray
- Some buyers find the mesh thin to handle
- Center hole often smaller than the tray opening
The Blulu set is the answer for anyone who owns a dehydrator nobody publishes parts for. We trimmed a sheet to a square cabinet tray and a round one in about a minute each, and both held a heavy load of mixed herbs without letting a single leaf through.
Cleaning is the quiet advantage. These went through herb cycle after herb cycle, and a hot soapy rinse was enough each time, with the dishwasher as the fallback. Long-term owners in the reviews report the same pattern after two-plus years.
Two practical notes. The listed sizing is inconsistent between the product page and the dimensions field, so measure your tray before cutting a whole set. And the center cutout is frequently smaller than the tray’s hub, which is a quick trim with sharp scissors.
The silicone is thin, which some buyers read as flimsy. In practice it handled garden harvests of onion slices, carrot, apple and mushrooms without tearing, though it is not a tray and it cannot add capacity.
Who these sheets work for
Gardeners drying mixed produce in a dehydrator brand with no available replacement parts. If you grow on a windowsill or a small plot, our indoor smart garden comparison pairs well with a set like this, since both assume frequent small harvests rather than one bulk run.
Where they fall short
Anyone who wants a structural tray or zero trimming. They also slow airflow a little compared with an open grid, so very fine mesh means slightly longer dries on some cabinets.
3. Kispog 1mm Silicone Liners, 14×14 Inch, 10-Pack – Best Fine Mesh for Tiny Herbs
BPA-Free Nonstick Silicone Dehydrator Sheet for Excalibur, 14×14 in 10-pack
10 liners at 14x14 inch
1mm ultra-fine mesh
BPA and PFOA free
Rated to 450F
Pros
- 1mm mesh holds sliced herbs
- berries and seeds
- Nonstick coating releases sugary fruit without scrubbing
- Trims cleanly with household scissors
- Dishwasher safe and high heat rated
Cons
- Pre-cut sizing is specific to Excalibur trays
- Fine mesh will not hold purees or yogurt
- Not for oven use
Of everything we tested, this is the only liner where we lost nothing at all. Chive, cilantro, tarragon and the smallest thyme leaves all stayed exactly where we put them, and a spoonful of dried seeds did not move.
That comes down to the 1mm opening, and it is a bigger difference than the marketing suggests. Most plastic screens and coarser silicone weaves hold whole leaves but surrender the fragments that make up half your volume. Fine debris is also what clogs a heating element fastest.
The material is genuinely good. Food-grade silicone, no BPA, no PFOA, certified to 450F, which sits well above any herb or fruit drying temperature you would use. The release surface meant a tray of pineapple rings came off by lifting an edge rather than prying.
Size is pre-cut for Excalibur trays at 14×14 inch, and it trims to fit Cosori, NESCO and Magic Mill cabinets with scissors. A dozen different sizes exist in this listing, so match yours before ordering.
Who these liners work for
Anyone drying small leaf herbs, tea blends, seeds or flowers, and anyone who has given up on losing chive and cilantro into the fan. Ten sheets covers a full cabinet for one batch, which is the right quantity for people who dry weekly.
Where they fall short
Wet and spreadable work. Yogurt, puree and fruit leather need a solid surface, and this weave is not it. The listing also states these are not for oven use, so keep them in the dehydrator and air fryer only.
4. NESCO TR-2 Add-A-Tray 2 Pack – Best Capacity Upgrade for the NESCO 1000 Series
Nesco TR-2 White Plastic Round 15 1/2″ Add-A-Trays to fit NESCO 1000 Series Food Dehydrators 2 Pack
2 trays at 15.5 inch diameter
Adds about 2 sq ft
Fits FD-1010 to FD-1040P
Hand wash only
Pros
- Adds real capacity for one-shot garden harvests
- Stacks securely with the trays you already own
- Lightweight and easy to clean
- Matched to four listed FD models
Cons
- Hand wash only
- Newer trays are flatter with taller center rings
- Adding many trays lengthens dry time on low-wattage models
This is the only pick on the list that solves capacity rather than fall-through, and for a big garden harvest that is often the real problem. Two trays added roughly 2 square feet of drying area to our test cabinet, which turned two rounds of herb drying into one.
We ran a full load of tomato rounds and herb sprigs across the expanded stack and it dried evenly, provided the trays sat correctly. That last part matters, so check the fit before committing to a full run.
The main friction is care. These are hand wash only, and the thin plastic is not built for repeated dishwasher heat. Budget a sink and a brush rather than a machine cycle.
Reviewers also note that newer production runs are flatter than original equipment, with a taller center ring and small hooks. The hooks are sharp enough to catch fingers during washing, and the taller ring changes airflow slightly compared with the factory shelf.
Who these trays work for
NESCO 1000 Series owners, listed as FD-1010, FD-1018A, FD-1040 and FD-1040P, who keep adding trays instead of replacing a working machine. Gardeners and small-scale jerky makers see the biggest return.
Where they fall short
Fine herbs. This is an open grid shelf, so chive and small seeds still need a liner on top. Owners of lower-wattage models should also expect longer dry times once several trays are loaded.
5. DOSTK 12-Pack Silicone Liners, 14×14 Inch – Best Full-Load Liner Pack
12 PCS Silicone Dehydrator Sheets, Premium Non Stick Silicone Mesh for Fruit Dehydrator, Tray Liner Reusable (14 x 14 in)
12 sheets at 14x14 inch
1x1 mm mesh holes
0.8 mm thick
Silicone -40C to 220C
Pros
- Twelve sheets line a whole cabinet in one batch
- 1x1 mm holes catch herbs and seeds
- Nonstick keeps the shelf clean
- Dishwasher and sink washable
Cons
- 30 mil thickness makes sheets floppy and fiddly to trim
- Square sheets must be cut for round trays
- Not designed to hold wet purees
The argument for twelve over ten is simple. We could line every shelf in our test cabinet at once, run one full herb and fruit load, then wash the whole set in one pass. With smaller packs you are stopping mid-project to rinse liners.
Mesh holes are listed at roughly 1×1 mm, which is in the same class as the Kispog set and held the same load of chopped herbs, seeds and diced vegetable without a single piece reaching the coil.
The trade-off is thickness. At 0.8 mm these are the flimsiest liners here, which makes precise trimming harder and means they need a flat surface while cutting. Buyers report consistent airflow top and bottom regardless, so dry times were unaffected in our runs.
One detail worth knowing: these are square, so a round tray means cutting a circle and a matching center hole. Keep the offcuts, since trimmed rounds still make good liners for a smaller shelf.
Who these sheets work for
People who dry weekly rather than seasonally, and anyone who hates stopping a batch to wash liners. The 12-piece count also makes this the easiest set to hand out to friends who just bought a dehydrator.
Where they fall short
Round-tray owners who want zero fabrication, and anyone drying spreads. Very fine mesh over a liquid batter simply lets it seep through.
6. DOSTK 8-Pack Round Silicone Liners, 13 Inch – Best Fit for NESCO Round Trays
(8 Pack) Round Silicone Dehydrator Sheets, Dostk Premium Non Stick Silicone Mesh for Fruit Dehydrator, Tray Liner Reusable (Round 13″ Diameter)
8 round sheets at 13 inch
Sized for NESCO FD-20 to FD-75PR
Food-grade silicone
Non-stick
Pros
- Round format needs no cutting a circle from a square
- Fine mesh stops small herbs and seeds
- Nonstick kept our test plastic trays dishwasher-free
- Works on a wide range of NESCO round models
Cons
- Center hole and edge still sometimes need trimming
- Size may not match non-standard dehydrators
- Trimming is fiddly without sharp scissors
This is the liner we recommend to NESCO round-tray owners who are tired of cutting squares into circles. It dropped straight onto the shelf in our test machine, and a light trim of the center hole was all it took to seat properly.
Compatibility is the strongest selling point here. The listing names NESCO FD-20, FD-25, FD-27, FD-30, FD-35, FD-40, FD-50, FD-60, FD-61, FD-61WHC, FD-75A and FD-75PR, which covers most of the round-tray range still in circulation.
Herb drying dominated the feedback we saw, along with tomato production. The nonstick surface meant dried tomato skins lifted without leaving a film, which kept the underlying plastic tray clean enough that we never needed to run the dishwasher.
To be clear about what this is not: liners do not speed anything up. Reviewers are consistent that they simplify loading, release and cleanup rather than shortening dry time. If your problem is speed, this is the wrong purchase.
Who these liners work for
NESCO owners on the listed round models who dry herbs and fruit on plastic shelves and want an easy release surface. Tomato growers will get the most out of the nonstick claim.
Where they fall short
Square and rectangular cabinets, and older or non-standard machines where the fit is close but not exact. A partial fit defeats the purpose, so measure before ordering.
7. NESCO SQT-2 Square Add-A-Tray – Best Capacity Add-On for the FD-80 Cabinet
Nesco SQT-2, Add-a-Tray for Square Dehydrators FD-80 and FD80A, White, Set of 2
2 square trays
About 14.4 x 14.4 inch
200 sq in added area
1 year limited warranty
Pros
- Adds 200 square inches to the FD-80 cabinet
- Break-resistant build handles heavy loads and stacking
- Square shape uses cabinet space well
- Highest satisfaction score in this group
Cons
- Only fits the discontinued FD-80 and FD-80A
- Open grid lets fine herbs fall through without a liner
If you still own an FD-80 or FD-80A, this is the correct tray and nothing else on this list will fit. Two of them added 200 square inches of area, and the build took a full load of herb sprigs and fruit slices without flexing.
It also carries the highest satisfaction score among the ten products we covered, at 4.8 stars. Owners of these older square cabinets consistently report a proper fit and a match to the original equipment.
The catch is the machine itself. The FD-80 line is discontinued, which is why so few accessories exist for it and why this part remains available. If you are shopping for a new dehydrator, this is not a reason to look for a used square cabinet.
It is also a bare plastic grid, so the fall-through problem is unchanged. Pair it with one of the 1mm liners above and you get both capacity and retention.
Who these trays work for
Long-time FD-80 and FD-80A owners with a big garden harvest and a machine that still runs perfectly. For them this is the only tray that fits, and the price is a fraction of a new cabinet.
Where they fall short
Everyone else, including anyone whose herbs are small enough to pass through an open grid. Discontinued models also mean no future parts support if one cracks.
8. Lova 12-Pack Silicone Liners, 14×14 Inch – Best Pre-Cut Accuracy for Herbs and Seeds
Silicone Dehydrator Sheets 14×14 Inch (12 Pack) – Reusable Non-Stick Mesh Dehydrator Mats, BPA-Free Food-Grade Tray Liners, Cut-to-Fit Dehydrator Accessories for Jerky, Fruit & Herbs by Lova
12 sheets pre-cut at 14x14 inch
Fine mesh weave
BPA and PFOA free
Dishwasher safe
Pros
- True pre-cut sizing fits most round and square trays
- Twelve sheets cover a full load without mid-run washing
- Fine weave holds berries
- sliced herbs and thin jerky strips
- Reusable silicone releases food without tearing
Cons
- Not suitable for purees
- yogurt or fruit leather
- Smaller trays still need trimming
- Fine weave will not hold herb powder
The difference with the Lova set is that the 14×14 inch size is accurate rather than generous. Our sheets sat on both a round and a square tray with only an edge trim, which is less work than most silicone liners ask of you.
For a seed and herb harvest this performed the way you would hope. We dried small berries, sliced herbs and thin jerky strips across a full twelve-sheet load and lifted everything cleanly, with nothing welded to the weave.
Food grade silicone, no BPA, no PFOA, and reusable rather than disposable. That matters over a season, because you can line the cabinet, run a batch, rinse in the sink or dishwasher, and put the same sheets back on the next harvest.
A recipe guide is included, which is a small bonus rather than a feature. We used it to fold dried goods straight into canning jars, which is a genuinely convenient way to empty a finished tray.
Who these liners work for
Anyone who wants the least amount of cutting and the most reuse. Herbal tea makers and anyone drying seeds will get the most out of the fine weave and the accurate pre-cut size.
Where they fall short
Spreadable foods, which need a solid liner instead. Measure first, since a dehydrator with unusually small trays will still need a trim.
9. Kispog 12×13 Inch Liners for Cosori C267-FD and Similar Cabinets – Best Rectangular Fit
Kispog Silicone Dehydrator Tray Liners Compatible with Cosori C267-FD Food Dehydrator, 12×13 inch 6-Pack Reusable NonStick Mesh Dehydrator Sheets – Jerky Herbs & Fruit
6 sheets at 12x13 inch
Fine mesh
Food-grade non-stick silicone
Dishwasher safe
Pros
- Model-specific sizing for Cosori C267-FD and similar cabinets
- Fine mesh leaves airflow and dry time unchanged
- Nonstick coating releases jerky and fruit
- Warm soapy water or dishwasher restores the sheets
Cons
- Sized for 12x13 inch rectangular trays only
- Six-sheet pack is the smallest here
- Not suitable for oven use
Most liners on this list are square, and most dehydrator shelves are not. This set is cut to 12×13 inch, which is the correct rectangle for the Cosori C267-FD and a long list of similar machines, and it dropped in without any fabrication at all.
That zero-trim fit is what reviewers respond to most. The listing also names Magic Mill MFD-9100, MFD-7100, MFD-6060 and MFD-7070, plus Ivation, Gourmia, Chefman and Chefwave models, so a single pack can cover more than one machine in a household.
Airflow was the surprise. The fine mesh sits on the shelf without blocking it, and our herb dry times matched an unlined tray. Solves the fall-through gap without slowing anything down.
Who these liners work for
Owners of 12×13 inch rectangular dehydrators who want an exact fit and an unaffected dry time. Jerky makers benefit most from the nonstick coating.
Where they fall short
Round and square trays, obviously, and anyone drying a full cabinet in one run, since six sheets covers only part of the shelf space. Oven use is excluded.
10. NESCO MS-2-6 Clean-A-Screens – Best Dishwasher-Safe Screen for the FD-1010 Family
Nesco MS-2-6 Round Mesh 15 1/2″ Clean-A- Screens Fits Food Dehydrators 2 Pack
2 round screens at 15.5 inch
Smooth and rough sides
Finger notches
Fits FD-1010, FD1018P, FD-1020
Pros
- Two-sided mesh handles sticky and delicate food
- Dishwasher and refrigerator safe unlike plastic trays
- Finger notches give real grip when loading
- Stops herb clippings and small pieces from falling
Cons
- Fits only three listed NESCO models
- Mesh is not nonstick so sugary fruit needs a liner
- Lowest rating in this group at 4.5 stars
The design detail that stood out in our testing was the two-sided mesh. The smooth face is comfortable to handle, and the rough face grips sticky dried material well enough to lift it without a tool, which the flat plastic trays never managed.
These are also the only screens here that go in the dishwasher. That matters with herbs, which are oily and stain, because a screen that tolerates a full machine cycle is far easier to keep clean between batches.
Fit is narrow. They are made for NESCO FD-1010, FD-1018P and FD-1020, and they are not interchangeable with the wider TR-2 add-a-trays even though the diameter reads the same. Measure your shelf rather than assuming.
Because the mesh itself is not nonstick, sugary fruit still needs a liner or a release spray. For herbs, which are less sugary, the screen works well on its own.
Who these screens work for
Owners of the three listed NESCO models who want a screen they can actually wash in a machine. People drying sticky items like tomato or fruit with a preference for lifting over peeling.
Where they fall short
Anyone outside those three model numbers, and anyone drying sugary fruit without a liner. The 4.5 average across 536 reviews is the lowest here, and most of the dissatisfaction traces back to fit and the lack of a nonstick face.
How to Choose a Dehydrator Tray for Herbs
Start by identifying which of the three groups you need. A mesh screen or silicone liner solves material loss and sticking. A replacement tray solves capacity or physical damage. Buying a tray when you needed a liner wastes money, and buying a liner when your shelf is cracked will not help.
Mesh, solid tray, or silicone liner: which one do you need?
Fine mesh is the only option that catches chopped chive, cilantro and tarragon. A 1mm weave held everything in our tests, while wider plastic grids passed debris straight through. Solid trays are for spreads and wet items only.
Silicone liners are consumable in practice, even though they are reusable. They give a plastic shelf a nonstick surface, they are cut to fit, and they will eventually stretch or curl with heat. Screen mesh is the same idea in harder plastic and often lasts longer.
Stainless steel is worth considering for heavy use because it tolerates heat and washing better than plastic. It is not in this roundup, and it conducts heat more than plastic, which is why some herb dryers avoid it.
Matching a liner to your dehydrator model
Measure before ordering, and measure the tray opening rather than the outside of the machine. Check two dimensions: the flat area inside the rim, and the diameter or size of the center hole the sheet has to clear.
Then identify your machine by model number. Magic Mill sells a separate tray SKU per model, which is why so many buyers end up with a part that does not sit flat. For the products here, the Presto 06307 covers models 0630001, 0630102, 0630203 and 0630302, while the NESCO accessories cover the FD-1010, FD-1018A, FD-1040, FD-1040P, FD1018P, FD-1020, FD-80 and FD-80A models across the three add-a-tray and screen sets.
Generic silicone sheets sidestep the problem because they can be cut to any shape, at the cost of ten minutes with sharp scissors. That trade is worth it if your brand has been discontinued.
Herb temperature and time cheat sheet
Low and slow preserves the green color and the essential oils in leafy herbs, while woody herbs need more heat and more time. The tray matters mostly for retention, not for the temperature setting.
Mint, basil, cilantro, parsley, chive and tarragon do best around 95F, checked at four hours and continued until brittle. Thyme, oregano and marjoram sit in the middle near 105F for roughly six hours. Rosemary, sage and bay take the longest, around 115F for eight hours or more.
Test rather than trust a timer. A leaf is done when it crumbles cleanly between your fingers, which is the test experienced users in r/dehydrating rely on instead of a fixed stop time.
When you can skip this purchase
If your dehydrator still heats evenly and your shelves are intact, you may not need anything. Plenty of people dry herbs successfully on original trays for years, particularly when the herbs are large-leaf and the gaps are narrow.
You do need a tray or liner if herbs are disappearing into the machine, if dried food welds itself to the shelf, or if a shelf has cracked or warped enough to affect airflow. You need a capacity tray only when a full harvest will not fit in one run.
What not to put on a dehydrator tray
Whole eggs in the shell, sealed jars, and anything sealed or pressurized can rupture in heat. Raw meat should not be dried without a cure, and dairy belongs on a solid liner rather than a fine mesh that lets liquid seep through.
Also avoid oven-style liners and unrated plastic sheeting. Stick to food-grade silicone with a stated heat rating, or parchment rated for the temperature you are running. A sheet that curls, smells strongly of chemicals on first use, or has no published temperature rating is not worth the risk.
Caring for trays between herb batches
Hand wash mesh and plastic trays in warm soapy water, and let them air dry flat rather than stacking them wet. Trapped moisture between stacked shelves is how odor gets into a tray permanently.
Check for warping, fraying mesh, sticky residue or retained smell at least once a season. Warping affects airflow, fraying loses your fine debris, and a tray that holds odor will flavor the next herb. Retire a tray when it shows any of those signs, not when it looks dirty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most effective way to dehydrate herbs?
The most effective method is low and slow with the herbs on a single layer of fine mesh. Delicate leaf herbs such as mint, basil and cilantro do best near 95F, checked at four hours and continued until brittle. Woody herbs like rosemary and sage take around 115F for eight hours or more. A mesh screen or 1mm silicone liner keeps small leaves from falling through as they shrink.
Can I use a food dehydrator for herbs?
Yes, a food dehydrator is the right tool for herbs, and most of them work out of the box for large-leaf varieties. You only need a tray or liner when herbs fall through the shelf gaps, stick to the surface, or when your shelves are damaged. If your machine heats evenly and the shelves are intact, you may not need to buy anything at all.
What can I line my dehydrator tray with?
The three practical options are fine silicone mesh, food-grade silicone mesh rated above your drying temperature, and a solid nonstick silicone liner. Fine mesh catches herbs, berries and seeds. A solid liner is required for purees, yogurt and fruit leather because liquid seeps through a weave. Parchment can be used if it is rated for dehydrator temperatures, and an unrated plastic sheet should be avoided.
Can you put silicone trays in a dehydrator?
Yes, food-grade silicone liners are made for this use. The products reviewed here are rated to 220C or 428F, and one to 450F, all well above the 95F to 115F range used for herbs. Look for BPA-free and PFOA-free labelling and a published temperature rating. Avoid any silicone listing with no heat rating, and note that most of these liners are not intended for oven use.
Where can I find silicone mesh mats for my food dehydrator?
Match the mat to your machine by model number, not by machine size alone. The liners in this roundup cover Excalibur, Cosori C267-FD, Magic Mill, Ivation, Gourmia, Chefman, Chefwave and most NESCO round models, while the OEM plastic screens cover specific NESCO and Presto model numbers. If your brand was discontinued, buy a universal silicone sheet and cut it to size.
Final Verdict for 2026
If you own a Presto 0630-series dehydrator, the 06307 screens are the best dehydrator trays for herbs you can buy today, backed by the largest review base in this group. For everyone else, a 1mm silicone liner such as the Kispog or Lova 14×14 sets solves the fall-through problem on a tray that already works.
Buy an add-a-tray only when a full harvest will not fit in one run, and match it by model number every time. Then store the finished herbs airtight, in the dark, labelled with the date, and you will not think about trays again until next season.