frizz
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Post by frizz on Jun 6, 2016 7:26:18 GMT -8
I'm in the market for a food dehydrator. Hoping to get suggestions here about size, features, and such.
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Jun 6, 2016 8:02:39 GMT -8
Nesco $30 or Waring Pro $70. Any one that sells additional trays, as one day you may need to replace a tray. Solid bottom trays allow for more liquid food to be dehydrated. Buy plenty of liners. or make your own from parchment paper
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Post by JRinGeorgia on Jun 6, 2016 16:43:26 GMT -8
+1 on Nesco and +1 on parchment paper liners. You don't have to wait for a tray to be replaced to use extras, you can stack more trays and dry more food in each cycle, makes a difference when you are doing a dehydrating marathon.
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Post by tipiwalter on Jun 6, 2016 19:23:57 GMT -8
Go with stainless steel if possible as who wants to heat their food for 12 hours a day inside hot plastic? Outgassing anyone?
For 5 years I've been using a TSM D-5 dryer with 5 large SS wire trays and just recently I was able to home repair the unit when the fan stopped turning and so I took off the back and oiled up the fan motor shaft and it's back to humming again all day. The company offered to sell me a new motor fan for $20 but I think I got it back in shape.
I used to use a small white plastic round dryer but I need ample sq footage of trays to dry the amt of food I need for a trip. The little nescos just don't have the room.
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sarbar
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Post by sarbar on Jun 7, 2016 8:42:18 GMT -8
It needn't be fancy. A typical Nesco is fine. Just make sure it has a fan and adjustable temp setting. Look on Amazon for the best deals. While you can find the lower $30 ones, the best are the ones in the $50 to 60 range. They work hard. And yes, parchment paper is a must. Costco is the best buy for it.
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frizz
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Post by frizz on Jun 7, 2016 10:50:10 GMT -8
When it comes to food, I never mind spending a little extra. I've been eyeballing them excaliburs. I like the warranty, and the square tray design. Anybody here have 1? I trust pal on here more than amazon reviews. Just by sheer amount of use.
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sarbar
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Post by sarbar on Jun 7, 2016 11:56:05 GMT -8
Excalibur IS good, no doubt. If you can afford it, go for it. However, I'd weigh out the "will I use it enough to justify it". I can't say anything...I own a Vitamix blender for example - and love it, because it works so well. So again, if you can swing it, it is well made.
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grace
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Post by grace on Jun 7, 2016 14:01:44 GMT -8
I just upgraded from a small Nesco to an Excalibur. It had been on the wish list for a long time, though. I'd start small, and see if you use it much.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2016 17:34:31 GMT -8
I love my Excalibur! For the past few years I was working a rotation overseas. The food at work was less than desirable...lot's of dehydrated goodies helped me through each hitch! It still gets quite a bit of use. You can really load it up.
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Post by tipiwalter on Jun 7, 2016 19:03:17 GMT -8
I love my Excalibur! For the past few years I was working a rotation overseas. The food at work was less than desirable...lot's of dehydrated goodies helped me through each hitch! It still gets quite a bit of use. You can really load it up. I have learned over the years to get a 10 tray model if you're serious about dehydrating food for backpacking trips. A 10 tray model with 15x16 (correction---dimensions on my TSM) trays offers something like 16 sq feet of drying space and I can dry enough food for a 20 day trip in just 4 days instead of the usual week to 10 days. I'm still using my 5 tray model but if I ever upgrade it'll definitely be 10.
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Jun 8, 2016 3:47:29 GMT -8
13.6 sq ft on 10 trays measuring a true 14 x 14
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