6 Best Tomato Drying Trays for Flavor

When you’re staring at five bushels of ripe Romas on your kitchen counter, the romance of the harvest meets the reality of preservation. Drying tomatoes is one of the oldest and best ways to capture that intense summer flavor for the lean months of winter. But the secret to perfectly leathery, sweet-tart dried tomatoes isn’t the sun or the dehydrator—it’s the tray you put them on.

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Choosing a Tray: Airflow and Material Matter

The single most important factor in drying anything is airflow. Without air circulating freely around every single piece of tomato, you’re not dehydrating; you’re creating a perfect environment for mold. The goal is to remove moisture evenly and efficiently, and that only happens when air can move over, under, and around each slice.

Material is the next critical consideration, and food-safe is non-negotiable. Stainless steel is the gold standard—it’s non-reactive, won’t stain from tomato acids, and is a breeze to clean. Food-grade plastics are a lightweight and affordable alternative, though they can stain over time. Wood frames are great for DIY projects, but the wood itself must be untreated, and the screen must be food-safe.

Think about your available space. Large, single-layer trays offer unbeatable airflow but consume a lot of horizontal real estate. Stackable trays are a brilliant space-saver, but you have to resist the urge to pack them too tightly, or you’ll create dead air zones that stall the drying process right in the middle of the stack.

The DIY Wooden Frame with Food-Safe Screen

There’s a reason this is a classic: you can build it to the exact dimensions of your drying space, whether that’s a sunny spot on the porch roof or a custom-built solar dehydrator. It’s the ultimate in practical customization. You make it fit your harvest, not the other way around.

The construction is simple. Use untreated pine or poplar for the frame, joined with simple screws or staples. The critical component is the screen itself. Do not use galvanized hardware cloth or standard fiberglass window screening. The first can leach zinc into your food, and the second isn’t designed for food contact.

Your best bet is a high-quality, food-grade stainless steel screen, which you can find online. It provides fantastic airflow, will last for decades, and is completely inert. This setup gives you the durability of steel with the low cost and custom-fit of a DIY project. It’s a weekend task that pays you back for years.

Excalibur Stainless Steel Dehydrator Trays

If you want a buy-it-once, cry-it-once solution, this is it. Excalibur has been a top name in dehydration for a long time, and their stainless steel trays are built for performance and longevity. The fine mesh pattern is perfect for holding tomato slices without them falling through as they shrink, and the airflow is second to none.

The beauty of stainless steel is its non-reactivity. Tomatoes are acidic, and that acid can interact with lesser materials, potentially imparting a metallic taste. With stainless steel, what you taste is pure, concentrated tomato. They also clean up beautifully, never staining or holding onto odors from previous batches of garlic or onions.

While designed for their own dehydrators, these trays are incredibly versatile. Many old-timers build simple wooden racks to hold them for air or sun drying. This gives you the professional-grade surface of an Excalibur with the off-grid simplicity of sun-drying. It’s an investment, but one that will likely outlast you.

Nesco Add-A-Tray Stackable Plastic Racks

For many of us, the Nesco dehydrator was our entry into food preservation. Its stackable, circular trays are a workhorse for a reason: they’re affordable, lightweight, and incredibly space-efficient. The ability to simply buy another "Add-A-Tray" pack as your harvest grows is a game-changer.

These trays are made from a food-grade plastic that gets the job done. Their design promotes vertical airflow, which is essential in a stacking system. They are perfect for the hobby farmer who has a good-sized but not overwhelming harvest and needs to process it without dedicating an entire room to the effort.

The tradeoffs are durability and staining. Over years of use and exposure to UV light, the plastic can become brittle. And the deep red of a ripe tomato will inevitably stain the light-colored plastic. This is purely cosmetic, but it’s something to be aware of. The key to success is leaving ample space between your tomato slices to ensure that air can actually move between the trays.

Repurposed Wilton Cooling Racks for Airflow

Sometimes the best tool is the one you already own. Standard wire cooling racks, like the ones made by Wilton for bakers, are fantastic for small-batch tomato drying. Their grid design is all about maximizing airflow, which is exactly what we need.

The little legs on these racks are a key feature, as they elevate the tomatoes off the counter or sheet pan. This allows air to circulate underneath, preventing the dreaded "soggy bottom" and promoting even drying. Most modern racks are stainless steel or have a durable, food-safe coating, making them a safe and convenient option.

Of course, they aren’t designed for large volumes. You can’t stack them efficiently, and their size is limited. But for drying a pound or two of cherry tomatoes or the last few Romas from the vine, they are perfect. It’s a resourceful solution that saves you from buying specialized gear you might only use a few times a year.

iPower Hanging Mesh Racks for Large Batches

When you’re facing a truly massive harvest, you need to think vertically. Hanging mesh racks, often sold for drying herbs, are a secret weapon for processing huge quantities of tomatoes when you’re short on flat surfaces. These multi-tiered, collapsible nets can be hung from rafters in a well-ventilated barn, shed, or covered porch.

The all-mesh construction is the definition of optimal airflow. Air hits the tomatoes from every conceivable angle, which can dramatically speed up drying time. Because they hang, they take up zero counter or floor space, which is a huge advantage when every surface is already covered in canning jars and produce.

The main challenge is logistics. You need a clean, dry, and pest-free area to hang them where they won’t be disturbed. Loading and unloading the flexible tiers can also be a bit fiddly. But for the sheer volume they can handle in a small footprint, they are an incredible tool for the serious homesteader.

The Upcycled, Well-Cleaned Old Window Screen

Let’s address the old-school method you’ve probably seen or heard about. Using an old window screen is the peak of rustic resourcefulness, and it can work, but it comes with serious warnings. This is a method to be approached with extreme caution.

The only way this is remotely safe is if the screen is aluminum or stainless steel. Modern fiberglass screens are not food-grade and should never be used. Even with a metal screen, you must consider what it’s been exposed to over the years: dust, pollen, chemical sprays, bird droppings, and lead from old paint. It requires a deep, sanitizing scrub with hot water and a food-safe disinfectant.

Frankly, while it’s a nod to the ingenuity of our grandparents, it’s a risk I don’t recommend. With affordable, food-safe mesh now widely available, there’s little reason to gamble with a contaminated surface. Acknowledge the tradition, then invest a few dollars in a material you know is safe for your family.

Proper Cleaning and Storage for Your Trays

Your work isn’t done when the tomatoes are jarred. Properly cleaning and storing your trays ensures they’ll be ready for next year’s harvest and prevents cross-contamination. Dried tomato leaves behind a sticky, sugary residue that can attract pests and harbor bacteria if left unattended.

For stainless steel and coated wire racks, a good scrub with hot, soapy water and a stiff brush is all you need. For plastic trays, avoid highly abrasive scrubbers that can create tiny scratches where bacteria can hide. A long soak in hot, soapy water will loosen most of the residue.

The most important step is ensuring the trays are bone dry before you put them away. Any lingering moisture can lead to mildew, which can ruin a tray for good. Stack them neatly in a dry, dust-free location like a pantry or a sealed tote in the garage. Taking care of your tools is just as important as taking care of your crops.

Ultimately, the best drying tray is the one that provides excellent airflow, is made from a food-safe material, and fits the scale of your operation. Whether it’s a custom-built wooden frame or a set of repurposed cooling racks, the right choice will turn your overwhelming tomato surplus into a shelf-stable treasure. Choose wisely, and you’ll be enjoying the taste of summer sunshine all winter long.