View Full Version : What brand of dehydrator do you use?
Ours bit the dust during our last (and final) move. I'm looking to buy a new one....any suggestions on a good brand?
Footslogger
02-07-2006, 15:15
We've had great success with our Nesco American Harvest unit. We got the 1000 watt one so that drying times aren't that long. Bought it 7 - 8 years ago at a great price from True Value Hardware and it's still going strong.
'Slogger
rgarling
02-07-2006, 15:18
I tried one of the circular stacking variety, but had much better luck with an Excalibur.It has square (or nearly so) stacking trays, is easier to load, and dries much more quickly and evenly. There are several models available.
American Harvest bought at Campmor. I love this thing, I have made dehydrated jerky, pesto pasta, chili, fruit roll ups, and numerous fruits. Why buy one of those mountain house dinners when you can make your own?
otterman
02-07-2006, 15:20
Nesco also. Very happy with the drying times. It also has variable temperatures and a fan. I previously had a cheap "as seen on TV" dehydrator. It got the job done (eventually), but nothing like the Nesco. I made some jerky this weekend and I couldn't believe my eyes because it was done so quickly compared to the other.
Nesco American Harvest(er?) from walmart... got it for christmas this past year... love it... i think it's the FD-50 or FD-60 model... in any case, it was about $40. fan and heater element is on top, so it doesn't get dirty. has an adjustable heater knob on top, but no on/off switch (got one at the hardware store... yes, you can plug and unplug it just fine... but i like a switch.)
i did 4 lbs of venison jerky in about 3 hours, i think... one batch had thin strips that dried really fast. the other batch had wider, thicker strips, and they too a little longer... veggies (corn and sliced carrots) are pretty quick to dry in it. had moderate success with a fruit leather. haven't tried anything else yet.
made some jerky in front of a fan once... took about 18 hours to dry... not bad, but not really all that good either...
Skidsteer
02-07-2006, 19:14
Nesco from Wal-Mart for me as well. Excellent performance, fantastic price.:)
freefall
02-07-2006, 20:07
Homemade one, reminds me of an Easybake Oven on steroids. Have actually had excellent results with it!
Nesco also here. Love mine!
mweinstone
02-07-2006, 21:12
oven on low , wood spoon in door,wax paper and pam spray.all my dehydrations are fine. my friends plastic one makes plastic tasting food. the difference between the dehydrater and the oven is like a 2 dollar frypan and a well seasoned iron skillet.im happywith the gas oven. im lookin at fifty jars of good stuff i made.
Used an Excalibur 9 tray for years - love it
Cheers,
PKH
Nesco here too. Great value for the price and work great.
:sun
timhines
02-08-2006, 09:43
+1 for Nesco.
hammock engineer
02-08-2006, 11:51
I went with the Excalibur 5 tray system. Works great for me. Look into one with a timer and temp control. Different foods dry at different temps, the timer allows you to set it and leave or let it run overnight.
Look into one with the fan in the back and horizontal trays. This dries the food more evenly. You will also not have to rotate trays during drying. With stackable dehydrators, the food fall onto the heating unit.
Man, I sound like an infomercial.
have used an Excalibur 5 tray for about 25 years. still going strong. buy good equipment, last a long time.
Skidsteer
02-08-2006, 16:40
I went with the Excalibur 5 tray system. Works great for me. Look into one with a timer and temp control. Different foods dry at different temps, the timer allows you to set it and leave or let it run overnight.
Look into one with the fan in the back and horizontal trays. This dries the food more evenly. You will also not have to rotate trays during drying. With stackable dehydrators, the food fall onto the heating unit.
Man, I sound like an infomercial.
I agree with you on the timer thing. For those on a budget, you can get a timer at most hardware stores for 5-10 bucks, maybe less. And for those considering the Nesco from Wal-Mart( $39.00 ), the heating unit is above the trays so there are no problems with your food falling into it.:)
Thanks for the info everyone. I'm hoping to purchase one this weekend and get busy dehydratin'. We're going to try drying some ground beef. The dried tomatoes I read about in another thread sounds good too. :banana :sun
fivefour
03-07-2006, 11:48
Thanks for the info everyone. I'm hoping to purchase one this weekend and get busy dehydratin'. We're going to try drying some ground beef. The dried tomatoes I read about in another thread sounds good too. :banana :sun
nesco here. and ground beef dehydrates quickly and easily.:D
Ground beef....the perfect starter item to dry! :D
Do a ton.....and store it in the freezer after you dry it. It will last near a year that way-all you need is 1/2 cup of dried hamburger per 1-2 people :)
Yep, it turned out really good. We rehydrated the ground beef in some red beans & rice. It was awesome.....the kids were beggin for more.:banana Thanks everyone!!!