Recomendationd of dehydrators?

[hoodat]

Looks as though Excalibur is the overwhelming favorite. Thanks all.

 

[Carol Dee]

Looking on-line I found a refurbished. Although it only looks like that would save me maybe $50. Also see one model has a timer. Another does not. Those of you that own an excaliber. Do you have a timer? Is it a good feature or unneeded?

 

[majorcatfish]

has the same thought while looking at them, but ended up not getting the timer model. since we have a abundant of timers all over the place
oven,microwave,clock radio, meat probes, phones...etc
imho save your money...no timer

 

[thistlebloom]

Carol Dee, if the timer turns the unit off while you're gone I would think it's a good feature. I timed drying pears ineffectively, they weren't ready when I wanted to go to bed, but only needed a few more hours, no way was I going to get back up to turn the dehydrator off, so they went until the next morning. They are a bit on the tough and chewy side!

 

[baymule]

I researched dehydrators to death. I bought a 9 tray Excalibur with the solid sheets for all 9 trays as well. I got the silicone sheets, most of them are Teflon and I don't want Teflon. The Excalibur's fan is side mounted so all the trays get better air flow, versus bottom mounted fans which dry the bottom trays too much and the top tray is half dried. I love my Excalibur!

 

[Carol Dee]

I researched dehydrators to death. I bought a 9 tray Excalibur with the solid sheets for all 9 trays as well. I got the silicone sheets, most of them are Teflon and I don't want Teflon. The Excalibur's fan is side mounted so all the trays get better air flow, versus bottom mounted fans which dry the bottom trays too much and the top tray is half dried. I love my Excalibur!

;.
THANKS

 

[canesisters]

HOLY COW! I just looked up Excalibur dehydrators.... $200 - $500

So, umm, if you had to pick a second or third choice - what would they be?

 

[baymule]

There is no 2nd or 3rd choice. Save up and get the best, you'll keep it for years, so why settle for 2nd, 3rd or worse? You will be glad you did. I bought mine last year and this year I am going to buy a All American pressure canner. It is expensive too, but I'm getting them one at a time.

 

[Smart Red]

I do have that American Harvester that I purchased 20 some years ago. It worked find for small jobs -- and beef jerkey -- but when I decided I wanted to get serious about dehydrating, I, too, saved up and got an Excaliber.

 

[baymule]

Here is a good price on the Excalibur
http://www.harvestessentials.com/excalibur.html

@canesisters I know it is not cheap, but you will have this forever. If you are going to use a credit card to buy it, bust it into 3-4 payments so you can handle the price or what ever you need to do. You will be glad you got the Excalibur. I also bought solid sheets for all 9 trays-great for making my own fruit roll ups!