Food Dehydrators

[Twisted Titan]

The wife is looking at one for her Birthday


I thinking hard on this one.


Excalibur 3926T 9 Tray Large Food Hehydrator with 26 hour Timer




Advice is welcomed

[Shami-Amourae]

I use this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Nesco-FD-60-Snackmaster-Express-Dehydrator/dp/B000LNVUJQ

I've used it for years. I've used many food dehydrators over my life and this is the best I can recommend. I have mastered jerky making with it. I'll share my recipe if you're interested.

[Twisted Titan]

That looks awesome and the reviews are much better on that then the excalibur....

What type of accessories do you have?

[Shami-Amourae]

That looks awesome and the reviews are much better on that then the excalibur....

What type of accessories do you have?

None really. I just have two of them with extra racks. I mainly only make jerky with them, and on a rare occasion fruit.

I would recommend getting a vacuum sealer system too. Good for prepping. It's a nice way to extend the life of whatever you dehydrate.
On the cheap end... (http://www.amazon.com/Ziploc-Vacuum-Starter-3-Quart-1-Pump/dp/B003UEMFUG)
Or middle of the road price (what I currently use)... (http://www.amazon.com/FoodSaver-FSFRSH0051-FreshSaver-Handheld-Sealing/dp/B002FWIVCA)

[Mouse]

The nesco that shami pointed out works very well. I have used that one (neighbors). Mine is an even cheaper 70's model with no fan, just a heating coil on the bottom. They work fine. If you are looking for new the nesco one is great. If you are looking for value, we got our dehydrator for $1 at a garage sale 6 years ago and it works great for jerkey or dehydrating any kind of peppers, herbs, fruit, etc.

You don't need a timer or even a fan, but someone has to switch the trays around and keep an eye on things. It's done when it's done.

[Glass]

yes the nesco one looks good. I have the aussie equivalent of "something or other" Harvest. Might be "natures harvest" brand or similar in the US. Fan driven but no timers or temp settings. Turn it on, swap the trays around every 3 or 4 hours. Takes maybe 18 hours for jerky, 12 for fruits. Works good, bugger to clean.

[vacuum]

Don't these things suck in dust and deposit it on food?

[chad]

i use a cheap american harvester from walmart. been using it for years, no problems, i probably dehydrate and dry can about 70 quarts a year of stuff with it.