dehydrator? - Chasingame.com discussion forum

dehydrator?#88164

By jackpine savage - Sun Mar 01, 2009 5:24 pm

- Sun Mar 01, 2009 5:24 pm #88164

is any cheaper one fine or should you stick with a more exspensive one?

Re: dehydrator?#88165

By swnoel - Sun Mar 01, 2009 5:35 pm

- Sun Mar 01, 2009 5:35 pm #88165

What are you looking to dehydrate? Meat
If so you can do it in your oven, low setting and let her go.
I've done some jerky that way.
A little liquid smoke and what ever spices you'd like.

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Re: dehydrator?#88175

By yoderj@cox.net - Sun Mar 01, 2009 6:50 pm

- Sun Mar 01, 2009 6:50 pm #88175

The problem with many low end dehydrators is the evenness of the airflow. I looked at them pretty hard but that was years ago. I ended up choosing the Excalibur because of the evenness of airflow and capacity.

Thanks,

Jack

Re: dehydrator?#97223

By Jiggy - Wed Jul 08, 2009 5:41 am

- Wed Jul 08, 2009 5:41 am #97223

I originally bought a cheap one. (Magic Chef?) It was a waste of $$. Poorly made plastic trays that did not stack evenly, very uneven air flow.

I then bought 2 American Harvest units and was quite happy.
I see the new ones now have the controls and heater in the lid.
Mine are the older ones with everything in the base.

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Re: dehydrator?#97236

By trapper - Wed Jul 08, 2009 10:40 am

- Wed Jul 08, 2009 10:40 am #97236

The problem with many low end dehydrators is the evenness of the airflow. I looked at them pretty hard but that was years ago. I ended up choosing the Excalibur because of the evenness of airflow and capacity.

Thanks,

Jack

Jack hit the nail on the head. I have the Excalibur as well and I love it. I have made a lot of jerky and quite a bit of fruit. I also made some yogurt and fruit rollups for the kids who loved them.
You might look at some of the units Cabelas sells now. They weren't available when I bought mine but look really nice. For a little cheaper option that looks real similar to the Excalibur look at this one from SausageMaker: http://www.sausagemaker.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1673 I haven't used it but I have been happy with everything I go from them.

Re: dehydrator?#129552

By Pic-N-Stick - Mon Sep 20, 2010 9:42 am

- Mon Sep 20, 2010 9:42 am #129552

I have run hundreds of pounds of jerky through my Wallyworld Nesco dehydrater. It came with 4 trays so I bought a second one and stack 8 trays togather. I rotate the trays 1.5 hours through,and never have a problem with evenness. Placing the jerky in a paper bag when done also helps stabilize the moisture content. One of our favorites is the Nesco Pepperoni flavor in small round sticks--fantastic!! All their flavors are good, except the Fajita flavor--NASTY!!