I was thinking of getting a food dehydrator?

[Nameless]

I've had a Nesco for about a decade, my mom has had hers for about 5 or 6 years. We both love them and haven't felt like we need to upgrade (in the summer they run nearly continuously when we are in town).

[MeatTrapper]

I second the Excalibur. I had a cheap circular dehydrator that I bought from the thrift store and it ended up being more trouble than it was worth. Uneven drying, hard to clean, etc. The Excalibur is a great piece of gear. I really enjoy using it.

[Deacon]

I second the Excalibur. I had a cheap circular dehydrator that I bought from the thrift store and it ended up being more trouble than it was worth. Uneven drying, hard to clean, etc. The Excalibur is a great piece of gear. I really enjoy using it.

I third it. I dehydrate all my dinners with my Excalibur.

[Nameless]

Well, all y'all can be proud of yourself. After calculating electricity costs for square footage, I broke down and bought myself a 9 tray Excalibur with a timer.

My mom can have a second Nesco

[Demeter]

glad to hear you drank the Kool Aid. You won't be disappointed!

[LaurieAnn]

It wasn't me with the fuse issue... but a fellow cookbook author. If I remember correctly Christine's husband replaced the fuse and the Nesco was still going strong.

RustMD I do have a second book out. Thanks for the kind mention. I'm working on a third but it's not suitable for this type of camping.

[beachbunny]

Hikermom,that was too cool,I am going to do that, thanks
A+on excalibur

[Socalhiker87]

Does the food taste better dehydrated rather than freeze dried?

[Demeter]

Freeze dried is almost always the winner in a taste test, but costs significantly more.

[Demeter]

but I should add that I prefer dehydrated food I make myself because I know what is in it. Lower sodium, no preservatives, locally grown produce, etc.

[Rocket Jones]

Another advantage to the Excalibur is that because the trays are square you can rotate them partway through the drying time to make sure everything dries evenly. I did trays of spinach, saurkraut and scrambled eggs this weekend.

I highly recommend the backpacking chef's book, "Recipes for Adventure". My trail diet has vastly improved, and it wasn't terrible before.

[sarbar]

My opinion of dehydrators is this: If you think you will use it, a Nesco is a cheap investment. I don't use my dehydrators for meals, rather I dry components, things I cannot buy commercially (like artichokes!) and for fall preservation from the garden.
A $50 Nesco will do most people just fine....

[slbirdnerd]

You all inspired me (thanks OP!) and I ordered the Nesco Snackmaster Pro. Can't wait to see what all I can do with it!

[gunner76]

Freeze dried foods are dehydrated, its just done by a different method. IMO most Freeze Dried foods have too much salt in them.