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Harbor Freight has a 5 tier dehydrator on sale in my local mailer for $24.99
It says the regular price is $34.99.
I have one that looks like it that I bought 20 years ago at a flea market. With light use, it still works fine.
It would be a cheap way to get some experience with DIY
Miles of Smiles
Tom
Ghosthiker
02-23-2008, 16:49
Just make sure it has a fan. Most cheaper ones don't. Also, varible temp control is better.
shelterbuilder
02-23-2008, 17:36
I'm in our local HF store almost every week, but I don't recall ever seeing this item. I've bought stuff from these folks for over 10 years now, and I can only recall one purchase that didn't live up to my expectations (but then again, sometimes my expectations run rather high).
FYI, many of Harbor Freight's products are made in China...but then again, many of the items found in our homes today are made in China!
Mine doesn't have a fan nor does it have temperature control. That has never been a problem for me.
I cook and or slice, fill the racks and go away for a day.
I am sure you can get "more better" dehydrators, but don't imply that the cheap ones don't work.
Tom
shelterbuilder
02-23-2008, 17:51
Mine doesn't have a fan nor does it have temperature control. That has never been a problem for me.
I cook and or slice, fill the racks and go away for a day.
I am sure you can get "more better" dehydrators, but don't imply that the cheap ones don't work.
Tom
Simpler is sometimes better, in that there's less to break down!
Shelterbuilder,
I am also a regular at HF. I had never seen one on display in the store either.
I searched the web site and found nothing under the stock number (94878) nor the description. It must be a special item.
Similar items are offered from other vendors, starting at $35.
Tom
We still use an old $34 dehydrator when we have a lot to dry. BUT we bought a variable control stacking Nesco for $129 and it is FAR better!! I love it and am going to by several more stacking trays for the summer.
When you have a lot to dry (like when my figs and apples come in) you have to move the fruit through quickly and the Nesco does the job. The cheap one takes forever to dry the food.
Just my experience...
Frau
hopefulhiker
02-23-2008, 21:16
We had an American Harvester, Nesco, I think, It did really well..
Blissful
02-23-2008, 21:39
We got a Snackmaster Jr or something at a Yard sale for four dollars a few years back. Best buy I got for the trail last year! (next to my 50 cent Thermarest seat cushion)
mweinstone
02-23-2008, 21:42
my oven tastes better. i can tell the plasic taste from a dehydrater.
shelterbuilder
02-23-2008, 22:01
my oven tastes better. i can tell the plasic taste from a dehydrater.
The oven works well, too. Although I think that a small plastic dehydrator probably uses less energy than your oven with the door open!:D Of course, if you're REALLY serious about drying foods, you could spring for one of the fancy stainless steel models. The next time you're up this way, check out the big, expensive ones that they sell at Cabela's in Hamburg! Now THAT'S serious dehydrating power!:eek:
We had an American Harvester, Nesco, I think, It did really well..
It is worth it to spend a couple extra bucks on a Nesco over the one from HF :) You can get a great Nesco on Amazon for $50-60 with a fan and adjustable temp settings, often with the jerky making kit thrown in.